HOME | DD
Janes-Wardrobe — simple medieval coif
Published: 2008-04-03 16:23:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 16821; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 2988
Redirect to original
Description
a pattern for a simple coif.The squares are 1" square
1" = 2.8cm (approx)
The centre section may need to be shaped narrower at the back of the head.
To make a simple coif, cut 4 side pieces and 2 centre pieces. Sew the sides to the centre panels, press the seams then right sides together sew all round the coif leaving about 2"-3" (5-8cm) open at the back to turn the coif through.
Do a second row of stitches close to th first then snip the fabric on the curved portions to make it lay flat.
Turn the coif, press the sams and slip stitch the opening. Sew tapes or cords to the bottom of the coif et voila - a coif.
This shape is suitable throughout the medieval period up to the end of the 16th century and possibly beyond.
Related content
Comments: 24
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks for the pattern! It was a snap to make up in about 15 minutes start to finish without having to bother to make my own and fits great as is.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I have a question! I mostly see (with re-enactors) these coifs made with white linen. Is there evidence for the coifs being made with other fabrics or colors?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
As far as I know coifs were predominately linen. I think there may have been some examples of silk coifs but these would be high status coifs.
Underwear is cleaned by washing, often with harsh lye soaps and boiling. Linen is the only fabric of the period that lends itself to this treatment.
Cheaper linen would be unbleached gradually becoming whiter with laundering. White linen is therefore a good choice for re-enactors of all status's.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Okay, that all makes sense. I've found a few, but very few, depictions of colored coifs in medieval/renaissance art, and some of them had another coif (white) under it, as opposed to the many white/light-colored coifs in the art. But I just wanted to check with someone more knowledgeable
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This actually worked out fairly well for me.
I started sewing several months ago by jumping right into medieval garb. The closest thing I have to a pattern is looking at things like this to figure out the right shapes, then using muslin mockups. I'm surprised at just how easy I've found it all. Some people think I'm crazy for not using patterns, but I haven't found any that weren't darted or somehow not period or that just weren't what I had in mind. I've even managed to figure out how to fit an upper body block including sleeves all on my own. Each time, I think I'm going to fail, but I try it out and it always seems to work.
I'm hoping to get real sewing lessons one of these days, since I know certain aspects of construction could probably be so much easier.
It's really inspiring to see the beautiful work you've done. I hope you don't mind if I try to make my own items somewhat based on your pictures? Certainly not copy your work, but using what you've posted as a guide. I think I can partly recreate some of the pieces and modify them to fit my needs.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you.
No I don't mind you basing your work on mine, in fact I'm flattered. Most of my historical work is based on personal research, extant garments where possible, either from museums or publications, contemporary paintings, and carvings or books like Janet Arnold's and Norah Waugh's.
Modern patterns are rarely any use because they have the darts and are cut in a modern way to fit the body. Early medieval sewing is based on goemetric shapes to minimise waste of cloth and complex shaping gradually changed through the centuries, darts not really making an appearance before the 19th C and then only vertical not horizontal as we see in todays clothing.
I haven't checked out where in the world you are but I do offer sewing lessons - note me if you're interested
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
is this men's or woman's? (is that a silly question?)
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Not a silly question at all. A basic coif like this would mainly be worn by children and men - often older men - younger men are usually seen wearing more fashionable hats but women are occasionally seen wearing coifs like this as well.
It's a simple, practical headcovering, keeps the hair tidy, protects the hat from the head, protects the head from the hat
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ah, that's what I thought. I was thinking if a coif as a woman's garemnt but that has a different construction.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Indeed - there are several designs of coif for women that vary quite a bit from this design.
I discovered doing this that different people have different definitions of the word coif.
A friend sent me a note asking if I had a coif pattern and this is what I think of when someone says coif to me! But I'm still stuck in the 15th C it didn't really occur to me that it might be for a woman and as it was for early 14thC and I thought I'd seen images of women wearing coifs like this in the 14th C I didn't give it another thought!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
When I think of coifs i think of this [link] article.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Keywords here are Elizebethan and Medieval. The coif you have pointed to is an Elizebethan womans coif, whereas this coif is more medieval, although worn into late Elizabethan times by men.
The style of the mans coif changes very little over the centuries whereas womens styles seem to change in line with fashion changes. Small children ar also regularly depicted weaing a simple coif like this one. I think the key is it simplicity - making it ideal for men and children
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're welome - I hope it's what you need
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's not exactly this model I want to do, but I need it for another costume, that's not a lose
If I don't find a correct manner to adapt a "guimpe" by myself (I think we need another women to place the needles) I'll go with my hair tied up.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I think you may be referring to what we call a 'wimple'. A cloth piece that fits under the chin?
If that is the case you need a band fastened tightly around the headm either tied at the back or pinned. The wimple pins onto this under the chin and the veil is pinned over the top of the head. I'll have a look to see if I have anything that will help you.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yes.
But I dont't think I'll succeed alone to pin it!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Once the head band is fastened snugly, pin one side of the wimple, then pin the other and rearrange the first until you are happy - you ill need to use a mirror. I'm sure you can do it. The veil is quite easy - if you have a circlet it's much easier to arrange the veil. Some circlets were very simple wire bands. You could easily make one using a piece of stripped copper electrical wire (2.5mm rigide is best)
Good luck.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'll try it.
It looks more simple with a french translation 
I'll take photos! But sometimes, I think that beginning by medieval ages sewing was a very mad idea...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh good, I'm sure it's not too difficult. And yes, to start sewing with medieval fashion is totally mad 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I've 2 and half school year, and I can do complicate shirts and trousers with no problem. I'm learning how to sew jackets and coats.
But medieval sewing has not the same way to be done, and... I'm not really good at it... beacause it's soooo different. I make a lot of mistake!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's not really so different. There are differences and there is more hand sewing to make medieval clothes work properly but that's because you just can't do some things on a machine that you can do by hand.
It's just practise
👍: 0 ⏩: 0