Renaissance costumes can be very complex or very simple. Obviously, Renaissance court costumes are often elaborate, with real stones and satin and velvet insets. This reflects the authenticity of the times: only the wealthy could afford such luxuries as processed fabrics and the best of dyes.

Renaissance peasant and lower merchant class costumes, however, need not be quite as complex, and in fact can be made quite simply. Tudor caps can be made very easily with a number of circles, as well as Renaissance berets. A peasant shirt accented with a vest or boots, and you're on your way.

Or, as our friend Pan, a simple pair of loose harem style pants and a pair of horns and you are in character if you can keep silent and move like a goat and sit in the middle of the stream scratching behind your furry ear.

Here's how I have made many a Renaissance beret:

• I take my big bread bowl and cut out two circles.
• Then in the middle of one of the circles I take my medium mixing bowl and cut out a hole for the opening. Sew right sides together at outer edges.
• Then I cut a wide strip of cloth about 22 inches (for my head), double it over and sew along the length right sides together. I turn this right side out, now it's a long tube.
• Okay, now I pin the strip to the inner opening of the circles, gathering and tucking the circle as necessary. I pin the seam side of the strip to the right side of the inner circle. Here is where it gets very personal. Too much gather, and it the hat stands up a bit more, not any gather, and the hat is very flat and not much character. You'll see what you like.

Renaissance Beret General Pattern

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I like to sew simple things for my kids costumes and then buy the accessories. A good princess hat can go a long way with a simple satin dress that you whip together. I often use a regular pattern, but cheap satiny material without lining it, and using snaps for closures instead of zippers or buttons. A little costume tiara transforms a simply made "princess" costume into a queen for a day.

And don't forget the dog! Yes, you can have your dog dressed in a costume as well. And for dog day afternoons, heck why not have a luau, or toga, or pool party including costumes! Your summer parties will be the highlight of everyone's memories come fall. Then on to Halloween and the Santa costumes in the fall and winter. Frankly, there are uses for costumes all year round. Theater groups, troups, children's plays, and clowns will all benefit from visiting this site and bookmarking it for finding your costume needs. There is always a great idea for using a costume lying around!

So quit clowning around with your costume needs and head on over to BuyCostumes.com, where you will find selection, service, and a great sense of humor. To visit the site now, click on a text link or banner link:

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