Wilde Realms

Marika — Soft Kit on a Shoestring

Trader-mariner flair: vests, sashes, headscarves and ledger pouches — bright accents over practical bases.

Contents

Build Guides

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The Marikan Look (at a glance)

Light shirts/tunics, vests, rolled sleeves, colourful sashes and scarves.

What style of clothing do they wear?

  • Layered tradewear: shirts/tunics + vest/waistcoat.
  • Fluid accents: sashes & headscarves (sea colours or coin motifs).
  • Practical pockets: ledger pouch, coin purse, pen roll.
  • Prosperity cues: neat trims and a touch of shine.

UK Sourcing — Fabrics

  • Charity shops: shirts → vests; scarves → headwraps.
  • Dunelm/Abakhan: cotton twill/sateen; brocade remnants for trim.
  • eBay UK: metal-look buttons; braid; D-rings.

UK Sourcing — Notions

  • Bias, ribbon, braid; textile paint for coin motifs.
  • Elastic & lining offcuts for pouch organisation.

Core Patterns (SVG) — with guides

Simple Vest (unlined)

  • Time: ~60–90 min
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • Shirt/outer fabric for vest
  • Bias tape or facing
  • Buttons/snaps or ties

1) Simple Vest

Simple Vest — V Neckline Back panel and two fronts with a V-shaped neckline; fronts meet at centre-front. Back Fronts V neckline
Shape the V so it sits a little below the collarbone; bind all edges and add buttons/snaps or ties.

Process

  1. 1. Use a shirt block or thrifted vest to trace; cut one back and two mirror-image fronts.
  2. 2. On the fronts, mark a V neckline that finishes a few fingers below the collarbone; cut the V and test over your base layer.
  3. 3. Bind all raw edges (armholes, neckline, fronts, hem) with bias tape or narrow facings.
  4. 4. Add closures (buttons/snaps) or ribbon ties down the front; press well.

Sash with Secret Pocket

  • Time: ~30–45 min
  • Cost: £
  • Difficulty: Easy

Materials & tools

  • Long strip of fabric
  • Lining (optional)
  • Small rectangle for pocket

2) Sash with Secret Pocket

Sash with Pocket Long strip with a hidden patch pocket on the inside. Hidden pocket
Pocket sits against the body when tied.

Process

  1. 1. Cut a long strip to wrap comfortably twice around your waist; interline lightly if the fabric is flimsy.
  2. 2. Add a small patch pocket to the inside centre of the strip (opening towards the top edge).
  3. 3. Fold the sash lengthwise, stitch around leaving a small turning gap, turn, press, then top-stitch. Tie so the pocket sits against your body at the hip.

Ledger Pouch (fabric)

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

Materials & tools

  • Outer + lining (A5 + flap)
  • Elastic for pen loops
  • Thread; closure (button/snap)

3) Ledger Pouch (fabric)

Ledger Pouch Pattern Left: front envelope with flap, pen loops, and closure. Right: back view showing two belt loops; solid lines at the ends indicate stitching, dashed line shows the belt path left open. Front + flap Button/snap Elastic pen loops Back (belt loops) Stitch ends only Belt passes behind strap
Front holds the ledger and pens; back view shows belt loops stitched only at the ends so the belt can slide through, placed slightly above centre to stop the pouch flopping forwards.

Process

  1. 1. Cut an envelope shape sized for an A5 notebook (front, back, flap) plus lining; interface if needed.
  2. 2. Sew elastic pen loops to the lining. Place outer and lining right sides together, stitch around leaving a small gap, then turn and press.
  3. 3. Top-stitch all edges, add the closure, then sew two short belt loops on the back by stitching only the ends so a belt can pass through; position loops slightly above the centre so the pouch hangs flat instead of flopping forward.

Role Variants & Outfit Recipes

Trader

  • Light shirt + vest; sash; ledger pouch.
  • Headscarf; bright ribbon on vest.

Alt: Detachable sleeve garters.

  • Longer vest; sash with pocket; scarf wrap.
  • Notebook sling (cloth) across chest.

Alt: Fabric epaulettes for rank.

  • Apron-style over-wrap with pockets; pen roll.
  • Sturdier twill trousers; reinforced knees.

Alt: Braided cord trim for seniority.