Tips from Dawn
I found Dawn's wonderful website on costuming recently. When I asked her if I could link to it, she not only agreed but also submitted so many new tips I decided to devote an entire page to them. Thanks, Dawn!
- Borrow. Don't be afraid, the first time out, to borrow clothing, gear, weapons or whatever. Most SCA folks are happy to help newcomers. Make sure you know whether the donor expects his stuff back after a time, and if so be sure to treat it properly. If you're not sure how to clean something before you return it, ask. Better to find out than ruin something lent to you. Borrowing is a good way to find out if you really want to have the SCA for a hobby before you sink a lot of money into activities.
- There's a saying, "you can have it cheap, fast, or good, pick two". If you are a broke student that means that "cheap" is already one of your choices. If you want it 'fast' you can expect the quality to be pretty low. If you want it good, you can expect to have to wait for it. Or, in other words, if you want cheap, high quality stuff you are going to be putting your time and effort into making it from scratch instead of buying it. You'll spend entire weekends at flea markets and garage sales looking instead of throwing cash at the first event merchant on site. You will sew your own shoes and garb rather than buy from the expensive repro catalog.
- Learn to use a sewing machine. Really, it's not difficult. Most SCA period sewing is straight lines, and if you can drive you can operate a sewing machine. The foot pedal controls speed and you steer with your hands. Look for ugly old metal sewing machines at estate sales and garage sales. Make sure you get the cords and foot pedal. People will often part with grandma's old machine for under $50, including the table. You don't care if it is ugly as long as it works. If you have slightly more cash you can buy a decent, basic machine that will do everything you need for SCA sewing from Sears for about $200. Beware of fly-by-night sewing machine vendors with special sales.
- The library is your friend. If your local branch doesn't have books you want, ask for an interlibrary loan. It may take time. There may be a nominal fee. But you will get it cheaper than buying it. If you are a student, check out the campus library special collection. Some of them have real medieval manuscripts that you might be able to look at and study.
- Plan. Want new garb? Figure out exactly how much fabric, trim, and notions you need. Buy exactly that and only that. Gorgeous red trim you have no idea what to use on can stay on the shelf. Why spend what little cash you have on something you won't be able to use for years? Later when you do have spare cash it's a good idea to buy heavily discounted items you know you will use later, but if you are really broke you need to excercise some self-control.
- Do more planning. Acquire items with an eye toward flexibility. Can you wear that outfit in the summer as well as the winter? Will it survive a week at camp and still be wearable for the indoor event the next month? Is this blanket useable as a cloak or curtain also? If you upgrade part of your armor later, can you still wear the rest of it or do you need a whole new set? Does this cookware or feast gear have more than one use in the kitchen?
- Buy in bulk and split costs. Need rattan? Do your friends? If you buy a bundle of sticks you can all take advantage of the lower price. The per-yard price of fabric goes down when you buy a whole bolt. You and some friends can save several dollars per yard if you split the purchase price. Making pies to freeze for period picnics later in the season? The entire flat of berries is cheaper per pie than buying one pint at a time.
- Go into business. You don't have to get fancy with it. Buying rattan? Buy ten sticks and sell the extras to your friends or folks on site. Set a fair price that covers your costs with a little extra profit and you can cover your expenses for the weekend. Most of the smaller SCA events let you set up a merchant table for free. See neat stuff at the flea markets you frequent? Why not go into the second-hand business and become one of the people that folks with the extra cash shop from.
- Volunteer at church sales or charity shops. Even better than getting it second-hand is getting first pick or a discount. Volunteers often get to sort through the donations before everyone else, letting you get first choice of any incoming goodies.
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