Think "the new person" or someone "on a budget". We hear a lot about not being able to afford to play. And the current royals have made it their mission to "attract and retain" new people.
I am wondering what is a reasonable price point for creating a good, long lasting costume/armor.
The SCA does have a dedicated loaner garb functionality: Golden Key.
Here's the thing: You can't price yourself at a loss. And you should not devalue your time excessively.
If you did a super-simple vest in various sizes, draw-string pants (though you could probably skip pants as mundane pants will pass at a distance) and a simple shirt with the armpit reinforcement, you might be able to keep it under $50.
Starter garb is easier to keep inexpensive if you stick to t-tunics (with gores and set-in sleeves rather than actual Ts if you want since it's just as easy, long and short hemlines). You can stay under $50 casually. Anything more complicated is going to run more time and materials and bump you over 50 - such as irish dresses w/shifts. But a t-tunic dress, with a little bit of curve to the fit, with pretty trim, can get someone a long way. A long, gored dress for me averages 4 yards of fabric and 3 yards of trim for neck and sleeves. Add a trim-and-cloth belt... and even with cheap fabric and trim, your materials are already over $20. Luckily, these things are fast to put together. :)
I guess what I'm saying is: a better way to solve the "can't afford to play" thing is to teach people to sew. Building your own is always going to be cheaper. People on a budget know this. (Been there, done that, still have the 10 gored cotton skirt.)
The starter kit for the new person is a more reasonable price point to shoot for. And it's probably around $50 for a simple dress or $25-30 for a nice tunic. Broadcloth + serger? Probably brings the price down a little.
The starter fencing kit - again, you need to cover your materials and at least some of your time. If you use different materials (less linen), and simpler cuts (less time), can you realistically price a shirt and vest at $50?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-09-30 04:00 pm (UTC)Starter rapier armor is presumably the bare minimum pants, shirt, vest to be legal?
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Date: 2010-09-30 04:03 pm (UTC)I am wondering what is a reasonable price point for creating a good, long lasting costume/armor.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:22 pm (UTC)Here's the thing: You can't price yourself at a loss. And you should not devalue your time excessively.
If you did a super-simple vest in various sizes, draw-string pants (though you could probably skip pants as mundane pants will pass at a distance) and a simple shirt with the armpit reinforcement, you might be able to keep it under $50.
Starter garb is easier to keep inexpensive if you stick to t-tunics (with gores and set-in sleeves rather than actual Ts if you want since it's just as easy, long and short hemlines). You can stay under $50 casually. Anything more complicated is going to run more time and materials and bump you over 50 - such as irish dresses w/shifts. But a t-tunic dress, with a little bit of curve to the fit, with pretty trim, can get someone a long way. A long, gored dress for me averages 4 yards of fabric and 3 yards of trim for neck and sleeves. Add a trim-and-cloth belt... and even with cheap fabric and trim, your materials are already over $20. Luckily, these things are fast to put together. :)
I guess what I'm saying is: a better way to solve the "can't afford to play" thing is to teach people to sew. Building your own is always going to be cheaper. People on a budget know this. (Been there, done that, still have the 10 gored cotton skirt.)
The starter kit for the new person is a more reasonable price point to shoot for. And it's probably around $50 for a simple dress or $25-30 for a nice tunic. Broadcloth + serger? Probably brings the price down a little.
The starter fencing kit - again, you need to cover your materials and at least some of your time. If you use different materials (less linen), and simpler cuts (less time), can you realistically price a shirt and vest at $50?
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 04:46 pm (UTC)But now I want to re-make some of my early garb in linen. :)
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Date: 2010-09-30 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 05:29 pm (UTC)Give the Fop an inch and he'll take the whole bolt... ;)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-30 06:03 pm (UTC)