Player Resources
Music
Hobbits Hoedown Youtube Playlists
Curated playlists of helpful videos on various hobbit-y topics by external creators.
Hobbits Hoedown Song Book (Vol 1)
Music for some songs that our musicians will be playing for our musically inclined attendees wishing to learn and play along.
Roleplay
CHARACTER
Character Sheet: Use this as a resource to create your character. We've listed some great prompts that will help develop the character you can play at the event!
ACCENTS
While not essential, some find accents a great way to switch into their character and play 'mode'. Each family has a different dialect they use more than others, try listening to some of these playlists to get a feel for what yours might sound like should you wish to try:
Cornish Dialect / Accent Videos Higgleby
Welsh Dialect / Accent Video - Higgleby
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Irish Accent Video Playlist - Tallows
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Scottish Accent Video Playlist - Bluffwaters
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Yorkshire Accent Video - Fairmeadows
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Costume / Kit
Ears & Prosthetics
Prosthetic ears, while not essential to your kit can be sourced from a variety of different places. Of Science and Swords Is an Australian stockist, Madhouse FX are manufacturers based in Europe that also offer silicone options, Aradani Costumes are based in USA and have excellent options for skin tones. Unfortunately a lot of ear manufacturers don't offer a large amount of skin tone choices, but there's always the option to paint them yourself.
If you are adding ears to your kit, you will need to consider how you will apply them. Common adhesives include spirit gum or pros-aide, though you can follow this guide for latex ear application or this one for silicone options (keep in mind that pros-aide mustn't be used if you have a latex allergy).
STRAW HATS
A great sun safe staple for every hobbit and can be sourced very easily second hand, especially in op shops or even Facebook Marketplace! Alternatively for a more femme look you can even upcycle some more sturdy straw hats into bonnets following this tutorial. We recommend everyone try to have at least one piece of headwear to wear during the event while outside.
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MOB CAPS
Worn by lower to middle class women during the 18th century, mob caps were used to keep hair out of the face and protecting hair from the elements. You can find hand made ones on Etsy, low cost ones through Smiffys or make your own easily following tutorials like this
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Can either be used with clips or with buttons, these are an excellent addition to any hobbit look, especially those wanting to add something to elevate a simple shirt and trouser. They can be purchased from most menswear retailers, costume stores sometimes have faux leather ones or you can even make your own with trim or leather.
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FISHUS / NECKERCHIEFS
Similar in nature, fishus and neckerchiefs are both worn for modesty and extra protection from the sun. You can either use a folded scarf or sash, or make your own [fishu tutorial] [neckerchief tutorial]
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Accessories
Base Layers / Shirts
CHEMISES / SHIFTS
A thin garment worn closest to the skin in order to lengthen the lifetime of more decorative top layers. Traditionally made from voile, lawn, lightweight linen or in late Victorian times, cotton.
If you don't want to make your own, you can source by searching terms like: "peasant blouse" or "bell sleeve dress". You can also find base layers quite easily in op shops or even larger chain stores.
Chemise / Shift Pattern Recommendations:
Free 18th Century Chemise Tutorial
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PETTICOATS / BLOOMERS
Great for adding volume to dresses or skirts, or even just a cute touch of modesty for when the egg and spoon race gets rowdy. Often made from lightweight linen, voile, cotton lawn - these under pieces can be excellent additions to your kit.
Petticoat / Bloomer Pattern Recommendations:
A lesson in historical skirt supports
Free 18th Century Petticoat Tutorial
Making Bloomers Video Tutorial
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UNDER SHIRTS / BASE SHIRTS
Either large billowy sleeves with a ruffle neck or basic linen with a short mandarin style collar. Aiming for light to midweight natural fibres like linen is always ideal for this look, especially if you're not adding a waist coat on top.
You can easily source undershirts in op shops or chain stores or alternatively, make your own.
Undershirt Pattern Recommendations:
Butterick B3072 18th century shirt
#0118 Black Snail Pattern Shirt and stock collar
Butterick B474 Pirate style shirt
Reconstructing History R982 Mens casual shirt
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BODICES & STAYS
While corsets and stays are traditionally a structural garment, they are used as a decorative top layer in many larps as well as the source material itself. Stays can be constructed from almost any mid to heavy weight woven. Bodices are the top, close fitting, upper half of a garment, often made from light to mid-weight fabrics.
Bodice & Stays Pattern Recommendations
Butterick b5935 (boned corset)
Butterick b4669 (Laced bodice)
RedThreaded Custom Sized Stays Patterns
Stays tutorial /project write up
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DRESSES
Can be made from a myriad of different fabrics and in so many different styles. Large, puff sleeves and button or lace up front closures are the standard silhouette.
Some inspiration for hobbits can be taken from 18th Century pastural garb as well as traditional eastern European dirndls in particular.
Dress Pattern Recommendations:
Simplicity 1771 Hobbit dress
Burda b6268 Dirndl Dress
Simplicity 8161 18th Century Dress
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VESTS / WAISTCOATS
Vests and waistcoats are a simple and effective way to add layers to your look without overheating in a blazer or jacket. You can lean into a backstory if you wanted to - rich velvets with a rolled collar and vent pocket for a wealthier character, or printed cottons with patch pockets and hand embroidery for a more homely one.
Both are extremely easy to upcycle and add character to by adding pockets or embroidery to existing items. Even just cutting sleeves off a particularly interesting looking op shop blazer can do the trick for a low cost method.
Vest & Waistcoat Pattern Recommendations:
Simplicity S9475 x4 vests
Reconstructing History: Rolled collar vests
Top Layers
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SKIRTS
Either pleated, gathered or circle - flare is ideal with a length that reaches a few inches below the knee.
Skirt Pattern Recommendations
Gathered Midi Skirt Video Tutorial (With Pockets!)
Free Gathered Skirt Tutorial & Pattern
18th Century Adjustable Pleated Skirt Tutorial
Free Pleated Midi Skirt Tutorial
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BREECHES / TROUSERS
Front fall trousers are most commonly worn in the source material and if you have hopes of creating some make sure you check out the pattern recommendations below! Front fall closure a bit intimidating? Try just standard trousers with a high waist and using buttons instead of a zipper! And as the hobbit fashion police enforce - cutting the hem to mid calf is ideal.
Laughing Moon x4 Front Fall Breeches Patterns