Showing posts with label specific event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label specific event. Show all posts

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Disneybounding, Historybounding and the Birka Garb Challenge…

Disneybounding, the act of dressing in Disney character inspired outfits, came from an adult wanting to show their love at Disney in the parks. This likely inspired the term Historybounding, which is wearing historically inspired garments in everyday wear, though you’re not actually going to history, so the bounding is not fully accurate. I suspect one of these trends had influence in the creation of the Birka Garb Challenge, though I struggled to find documentation. Combine this with many people’s joy in playing dress up, especially children, and there is a way to encourage kids wearing different clothes.
The concept is that for children who enjoy playing dress up that garb could be made that resembles characters they enjoy. This would encourage the wearing of unfamiliar garments and also provide more use before they outgrow it - playing dress up at home. This can be furthered along if the garments made can be styled for everyday wear as well as SCA wear. 


Examples:

  • I once saw a kid in an Anna from Frozen inspired Viking Apron dress. The dress could also be worn with a plain t-shirt as a jumper dress. 

  • A blue side laced dress (there will be a post on the flexibility of the design eventually) with a chemise (or peasant blouse) and apron to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Even a button-down shirt in white could work as a partlet...

  • Leggings and a tunic could form a Kaley from Quest for Camelot outfit, and leggings are a good modern staple. 

  • For characters that are more color scheme than design, such as Hulk or Batman, try a tunic with reverse facing (facing on the outside, often a contrasting color)

  • If you can find trim or ribbon with the character logo then you could use that as trim on any garment. My mother once used a wide wired ribbon, after removing the wire, as trim.


Most animated characters can be translated if you’re creative enough, and kids aren’t always as discerning as adults so it might not be as difficult as you may think. 


I participated in the Birka Garb challenge one year, the year of superheroes. I did 90’s Rouge of X-men. I chose a coatardie and sideless surcoat combo for the color blocking of the suit and a capelet/hood for her crop jacket. I also made handwarmers (no idea if period but I enjoyed them) and an X-men logo belt favor.



Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Cloth Dolls and Dress the Fox


At the sign of the Dancing Fox is an event in the Shire of Nordenhalle, Kingston NY in early February. 

There is food, dancing and a favorite of mine - Dress the fox!

Dress the fox is a family style activity where anyone who wishes may use materials to dress a fox during the time of the event. To keep the fox is a cost to support the activity otherwise it is a donation if able. While it used to be easier to provide regular fox plush for dressing and purchase, that isn't the case anymore. So I suggest that if you are going that you bring your own fox, and supply funds or materials as you are able to support. Maybe even donate homemade foxes for purchase in future years! 

Benefits of bringing your own fox:
  • Not adding to the plush collection, but still being able to use what you make.
  • Grow a single loved toy's wardrobe over years.
  • You can prepare with patterns or your own materials if you wish.

And if you do not have a similar event near you, these resources may still be helpful for a child in your life or one at heart.

Benefits of having a cloth doll
  • A cloth doll may be more durable than American Girl doll style dolls. 
  • A standard doll sized cloth doll can either share closets and accessories with a standard doll OR be an alternative to the more expensive dolls while also being a keepsake. 
  • Pixiefaire.com is a good resource for multiple doll sizes. Generally 18in(Standard) and 14 inch(Wellie Wishers) American girl dolls seem most commonly designed for.
  • A cloth doll that fits those sizes is easier to build or buy a wardrobe and may get more play. 
Patterns for Fox dolls:



SET the puzzle game

 Per Wikipedia: " Set (stylized as SET or SET! ) is a real-time card game designed by Marsha Falco in 1974 and published by Set Enterpr...