Wilde Realms

Liria — Soft Kit on a Shoestring

Chivalric silhouettes using thrifted fabrics and simple patterns. Soft kit only — clothing & accessories you can make cheap in the UK.

The Lirian Look (at a glance)

Clean lines, strong colour contrast, tidy hems. Think surcoat/tabard over a T-tunic, a neat belt, a structured hood or cowl, and a visible emblem of virtue.

What style of clothing do they wear?

  • Bold, joyful colour: Bright, expressive hues and high-contrast blocks with heraldic touches.
  • Surcoats & tabards: Layered over base tunics; sigils worn prominently.
  • Commoner practicality: Long tunics/dresses with trousers or hose; one colourful outer item if dye is pricey.
  • Virtue on display: Neatness and saint tokens as visible markers of devotion.
  • Textures & trims: Bias-bound edges, simple braids, and crisp hems.

Tailor exact motifs/colours to your group’s guidance.

UK Budget Sourcing — Fabrics

  • Charity shops & car boots: cotton sheets/duvets for tunics & tabards; curtains for heavier cloaks.
  • Dunelm / Abakhan: poly-cotton by the metre; bias tape for tidy edges.
  • eBay UK: wool blends, linen-look remnant bundles, cotton twill.

UK Budget Sourcing — Notions & Bits

  • The Works / Hobbycraft: fabric glue, textile paint, press-studs.
  • B&M / Poundland: needles, thread, safety pins, double-sided tape for quick hems.
  • The Range / B&Q: webbing & rings for belts, canvas offcuts.

Core Patterns (printable SVG) — with step-by-step guides

Rectangular Tabard / Surcoat

  • Time: ~1–2 h
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • 2–2.5 m medium-weight cotton/polycotton (or a thrifted sheet/duvet)
  • Bias tape (optional) or matching thread
  • Cotton tape for side ties (optional)
  • Fabric chalk, shears/rotary cutter, iron

1) Rectangular Tabard / Surcoat

Two rectangles with a neck opening. Wear open at the sides or tie with cords.

Tabard Pattern — A4 Grid (10 mm) Simple rectangle with centred neck ellipse and optional side ties. Front & Back (cut 2 / or one long on fold) Neck opening — start small Optional side ties Add 2 cm hem
Print at 100% on A4. Scale vertically for your height.
Tabard Side Gores — A4 Grid (10 mm) Square gore with diagonal and labelled edges for body and arm connections. Connect to arm Connect to body Connect to body Connect to arm Side gores — cut 2 (or 4 for extra fullness)
Print at 100% on A4 for gore piece. Adjust size to match your desired flare.

Process

  1. 1. Cut two rectangles (knee-ish length; width = shoulder span + ease).
  2. 2. Join rectangles at shoulders (1–1.5 cm seam); press open.
  3. 3. Mark a <em>small</em> neck oval; test fit; enlarge gradually.
  4. 4. Finish edges: double-turn hem 1 cm + 1 cm and stitch (or bias-bind).
  5. 5. Optional: Add cotton tape side ties at waist/hip (four points).
  6. 6. Add heraldry: contrast appliqué or fabric paint; heat-set and press.

Simple T-Tunic (straight panels)

  • Time: ~2–3 h
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • 2–3 m cotton or linen-look (sheet works)
  • Bias tape or facing strip for neckline
  • Thread, pins/clips, iron

2) Simple T-Tunic (straight panels)

T-Tunic Cutting Layout Two body rectangles, two sleeve rectangles, optional triangular gores. Body x2 Sleeve x2 Gore x2 (optional) Neck slit
Straight seams only; beginner-friendly. Add gores for movement.

Process

  1. 1. Cut two body rectangles (shoulder-to-hem; chest/hips + ease).
  2. 2. Join shoulder seams; press. Cut a small neck slit; bind with bias or a narrow facing.
  3. 3. Cut two sleeve rectangles to arm length + ease.
  4. 4. Attach sleeves straight to body edges (no curves); press allowances toward sleeves.
  5. 5. Close side seams from cuff to hem; insert triangular gores before closing if you want more flare.
  6. 6. Hem sleeves and bottom; press well.

Cowl / Lirian Hood

  • Time: ~1–2 h
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • 1–1.5 m canvas or wool-blend
  • Optional lining for structure
  • Thread; optional toggle for closure

3) Cowl / Lirian Hood

A structured hood that reads knightly and frames the face.

Cowl / Hood Pattern Side panel (cut 2 mirrored) and centre gore for crown. Side panel ×2 (mirror) Centre gore
Join side-panel foreheads to centre gore; hem face opening; add shoulder cape if desired.

Process

  1. 1. Cut 2 mirrored side panels and 1 centre gore (see SVG).
  2. 2. Join side panels to the centre gore along the crown; clip curves; press.
  3. 3. Hem the face opening (narrow double fold) or bind with bias.
  4. 4. Add a shallow shoulder cape (simple arc) and attach at neckline. A a ¾ circle capelet is a good option
  5. 5. Top-stitch seams for strength; add a throat tie or toggle.

Priest’s Stole

  • Time: ~45–60 min
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • Long strip 10–12 cm wide × neck-to-knee length (piece as needed)
  • Light interfacing (optional) and contrasting lining
  • Thread; marking tools

4) Stole / Priest’s Collar-Stole

Stole Template Long narrow strip with tapered ends; pieced from remnants.
Taper or square ends; line with contrasting fabric for weight.

Process

  1. 1. Cut/join strips to length; interface lightly if fabric is very soft.
  2. 2. Sew right-sides-together with lining; leave a small turn gap.
  3. 3. Turn out; press edges crisp.
  4. 4. Top-stitch all around; add motif/badge at the ends.

Role Variants & Outfit Recipes

  • Base: natural T-tunic + dark trousers.
  • Tabard: high-contrast colours, crisp edges.
  • Cowl/hood in canvas or wool blend; optional short shoulder cape.
  • Accessories: narrow cloth belt (webbing+ring), gloves, plain pouch.

Alt: Swap tabard for a sleeveless surcoat (longer, split front/back).

  • T-tunic in “linen-look” with side gores for drape.
  • Surcoat in curtain brocade; edge with bias/tape.
  • Fine stole or collar; simple brooch (wooden disc + paint).
  • Accessories: fabric belt cover (tube over webbing) for a richer look.

Alt: Add a short mantle (half-circle cape) clasped at the chest.

  • Plain, light-coloured tabard over natural tunic.
  • Stole in heritage colours; small emblem stitched or painted.
  • Hood with extended shoulder cape to read more ceremonial.
  • Accessories: beads/cords, small book sleeve (fabric).

Alt: Replace tabard with a sleeved over-tunic (wider body, no fasteners).

  • Darker tunic + light tabard with bold vertical stripe.
  • Reinforced cowl (lined) for structure.
  • Wide cloth sash to visually “armour” the torso.
  • Pouches stitched to a fabric belt board (no leather required).

Alt: Split-front surcoat for movement; add simple fabric vambrace wraps.

Finishing & Care

  • Press hems (travel iron or hair straightener as mini iron).
  • Weathering (optional): dilute acrylic wash, concentrate at hems; heat-set once dry.
  • Pack a repair pouch: needle, strong thread, spare bias, safety pins, tiny roll of tape.