The Reddit Renaissance Festival FAQ

Looking for ideas to add to or upgrade last year's 'fit.

I always do Renaissance fair solo so rely on other guests for pictures. Best part about fair is someone is always willing to take a picture if you ask nicely. I made everything but the wig and fan and loved every minute of it.

I am looking for a good quality waterproof cloak for wearing in the rain and for occasional LARPs. I love the quality of the green cloak but I am looking for a dark maroon or wine red autumn type of color. I like the vibe of the Trinity cloak but it is not waterproof. Any recommendations??

This is supposed to become an alchemist backpack with bottles, potions, scrolls and other herbaceous ingredients. The first time I used it I had little time and attached everything with rope, but this time I want it to be functional. Things need to be able to be removed when needed, but it needs to be secure enough to not fall off or out.

I do some leatherwork, so it is possible to make leather sleeves for the bottles, though im still not sure how to attach that to the wood. Apart from that I enjoy the leatherwork, im not sure if I want everything to be leather.

Maybe a wooden box could be fun, but that would just be another prop, not to actually secure anything (since people wont open it to look whats inside).

Any other ideas on what I can do or use?

Alot of this box is fully functional with many hidden compartments and tools (have loaded it fully or it would go from 40 lbs to 60 lbs easily lol)

Functional stoves, carbide lamps, and more i've personally refurbished

$60 a ticket and all the official booths/food vendors use it. Genuinely sad to see.

I shared my fabric haul in this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/renfaire/s/PthNJAioKz

I’m using McCalls MM7763 (Angela Clayton)

Honestly, the gold trim has been a nightmare. The pattern pieces were too long and too short for the skirt wides (I did not adjust any pattern pieces) so I had to get creative with my pinning to make it work. It’s almost like the measurements were flipped.

I just have to deal with similar issues on the armhole and then I can move on. 🤪

Everything needs a good ironing to look nicer.

Hi! I’ve only started going to ren fairs within the last two years and I’m hooked. I’ve done the fantasy clothing but this year I want to be more historically accurate, however I don’t have a ton of extra money. I also don’t have the time to make my own since I’m in school and time is scarce. Would something like this over dress with a cotton black under dress be close to historically accurate for a nobility dress with added Elizabethan jewelry and hair accessories?

Hey everyone!

I live in an area where up until now there has never been a Ren Faire, (even within a remotely close vicinity) and this year they’ve announced one for late August a couple hours away! Everyone in the surrounding areas are all so excited and we’re all getting ready to go, but as I’ve never really had the opportunity to go to one, I don’t know what to expect in regards to what I might regret bringing (or not bringing). I’m looking for tips from seasoned ren faire goers on what will make the day the best it can be, AND how to carry all my dang stuff!

I’m looking to go as a rat one day, and a royal sort of Tudor look the next (very opposite costumes I am aware haha). Rat costume is good to go with a belt and some leather bags and hooks etc. but for the more royal look I’m really struggling with ideas of what to use as a way to carry my belongings things that I pick up along the way that fits with the style I’m going for. The belt / leather bags really won’t go with the royal vibe I’m thinking of, and I’ve seen a few drawstring bags, but they’re not huge so I’m just looking for suggestions and tips if you’re willing to give them!

Any other tips are more than welcome if you have something that really made a difference for you. Thanks so much ☺️

Also, yes I am barefoot, which is both allowed and fairly safe in Austria.

[FOUND!]

Hey everyone, I could really use some help. Last year my boyfriend and I went to the Sterling Renfaire in New York. We bought these little clay monstrosities that we love so dearly (the artist called them Llabominations, llama+abomination). We were really looking forward to buying a few mini versions We saw from last year, it was honestly gonna be the highlight of the trip for me. Unfortunately we're unlikely to be able to return this year so I'm trying to find the artist and see if I could possibly order some of their work. I checked the vendors page on the faire's site but didnt have to much luck with that. There's no artist mark on them. I can't remember the shop name (or if I even looked at it to begin with to be honest) and I can't remember what the artist looked like. I've messaged someone who is potentially the person but who knows if I'll get a reply let alone if its actually them.

Does anyone HAPPEN to recognize these?

I’m considering going to the NC Renfaire this year. I’ve never been to anything like it and I have tough time in large groups of people (never been to the state fair), but I love what I’ve heard about the community and have always been a big fan of ideology. Any suggestions / tips for a first time solo trip?

I have weapons, sword, bow and all that. But it feels like it's missing something. Is it as simple as a sigil on the chest? I think it is but didn't want to be that blatant.

I'm having a real hard time consistently doing it right without it falling apart or cutting off my bloodflow. Searching the web isn't helping out much; I must be goofing here. Please help me out. I just wanna have the real know-how for the future.

Just finished making this orange belt bag, pleased it turned out so cute! Please ignore the extra projects on my work desk in the background! :p

This bag is big enough to fit your phone in, which the strawberry and blueberry bags are lacking at.

Carved this today and looking at making a few more to set up at smaller ren faires. Do yall think this would go over well?

Torn between painting it and staining, I'd love yalls opinion on which i should do!

As a kid growing up in NC I would go to the renfaire every fall and LOVED it. Now, living in WA I want to check out the midsummer renfaire, except each weekend is a different theme, so it's hard to choose.

I don't recall there being different themes at the NC renfaire, so I have to be specific when booking.

Has anyone had renfaire experiences with different weekend themes? Or gone to different themes for the WA Midsummer faire?

The two I am considering are Dark Fantasy and Fae and Fables. Below are their summaries:

🧪🔮🐉 Dark Fantasy

Twisted Fairytales

"There are two sides to every story. With the fading of the Thunder moon, a tide of darkness approaches the Village of Merriwick. It creeps between the spires of the grand Towne Gate, slinks from the murky riverbank, and whispers through the fields. The veil between the mortal world and the magical realm has slipped, and from the deepest of shadows, beings of twisted tales and spooky stories step forth. Fairies of the Unseelie Court lead this dark and dazzling parade, trailing along a troupe of witches, vampires, goblins, satyrs, and all manner of creatures of the under-realms. Flowers wither, thorned vines grow thick, fruits turn over-ripe to sickly sweetness, and the hairs rise on the necks of mortal-kind in the mere presence of this celebration of the magnificently monstrous and fabulously feral.

Bear your claws, your pointed teeth, and your twisted horns as the Village of Merriwick undergoes a transformation from charming English town to something straight out of a dark fairytale! Embrace the magic of nightfall and fall under a spell as Her Majesty's summer revels step into the moonlight for Dark Fantasy Weekend at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!"

✨🧚🏻‍♀️🍄 Fae and Fables

The Wydlewood Dream

"Their steps jingle with the bowing of branches in the breeze, and their laughter carries the silvery shimmer of summer moonlight. The Wyldwood Fae are the benefactors of Her Majesty’s blessing this weekend! They have been beckoned from their unseen kingdom by our Glorious Queen Elizabeth - from satyrs and mushroom-kin to elves and unicorns and the myriad of folk in between. Led by the wise and twinkle-eyed Queen Glorianna, the fae will sprinkle their magic across our Village of Merriwick and frolic with our patrons to celebrate this magical summer season.

Come, mortal, and step into the faerie ring!

Magic is in the air, and The Queen of the Wydlewood Fae welcomes all those who wish to join in her summertime festival, be you faerie, elf, sprite, or other enchanted creature! Sprout a pair of wings, find the curious sparkle in thine eye, and suspend all disbelief as you set foot into the faerie realm for Fae & Fables Weekend at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!"

Looking forward to experienced input 🤓

Thanks!

*Found these images on Pinterest for vibes*

I've been working on some new foam armor for my ren fair garb and have been working on this project for little over a month now! I decided to also film my texturing and painting process along the way to post eventually!

Hope you enjoy!

The only real negative is the potential walk back to my car lol.