Anyone can do this. You don't need to be able to sew. All you need to know is how tall you are, what colors you like, and how much money you have. This should take you a grand total of about three hours, including shopping time (though if you want to get fancier, take as much time as you like).

1. Go to a fabric store.

2. Find some fabric you like. It can cost as much or as little as you want.

3. Get 2.5* yards (if you're 5'5" or shorter), 3* yards (if you're 5'6" to 5'11"), or 3.5* yards (if you're 6' or taller).
*The measurements I had on this page before July 6, 2000 were incorrect. These are the correct yardages.

4. Find some ribbon you like that complements the fabric. It should be at least 1-1/2" wide.

5. Get twice as many yards of ribbon as you have of fabric, plus another yard and a half.

6. Grab the short ends and fold the fabric in half.

7. Cut a hole on one side of the fold, big enough to go over your head--it can be triangular, square, or round, depending on what you like and how good you are with the scissors. Cut less than you think you need to, unless you're really into cleavage--you can always cut more after you've checked it. Make sure the hole is even on three sides, with the side of the hole on the fold cut in a straight line.

8. Fold the ribbon over the edges of the fabric, so you have ribbon on both sides of the fabric covering the edges. You may find it easiest to iron the ribbon so it's folded in half; then you can slip the "envelope" of ribbon over the edges.

9. Use craft glue or a hot glue gun to glue the ribbon to the fabric. Make sure to spread the glue evenly, and smooth the ribbon down after gluing to get rid of any bubbles.

10. The ends of the ribbon that run down the sides of the fabric can be left flat. If you made a square or triangular neckline, you will need to cut notches in the ribbon to fit the edges snugly, so there are no gaps. If that's beyond you, you can cover the gaps later with sequins or acrylic jewels.

11. Let the glue dry. Put the fabric over your head, fasten it around your torso in some fashion (see below), and pull at the arms and waist to "blouse" it, until you have enough pulled up that you can walk without tripping.

Ta-Da! You've got a reasonable facsimile of a medieval gown, for very little time and effort, and without needing to sew.

Examples

This version is made from a lightweight polyester jacquard, edged with 1-in. black satin ribbon. It's worn over a scoopneck bodysuit, short skirt, and tights, and is fastened with a fishnet chenille scarf.	This version is made of lightweight printed stretch velvet; the ribbon is 2.5-in. Under the gown are a silk blouse with the collar turned under and a full-length taffeta skirt. Fastening it is a black jacquard overbust corset.	This version is made of middle-weight rayon velvet (no stretch), with 4-in. ribbon. The neckline and the edges are decorated with glued-on acrylic "jewels" and sewn-on plastic icicles, while the body of the gown has snowflake sequins sewn on. It's worn over a mockneck bodysuit and leggings, and fastened with a sash made of silver satin.

You should wear some clothes under the gown. What you wear on your torso should have long sleeves, to get the proper effect; bodysuits, turtlenecks, and long-sleeve t-shirts are all good. On the lower body, tights at a minimum, preferably to match the thing on your torso. A long skirt is really good (again to match the torso), because it makes you look like you're wearing a full medieval outfit of gown and chemise.

Fastening the Gown

You can fasten it with some kind of belt, or with a bodice.

For a belt, you can use any of the following: a scarf, a shawl, a waist-cincher, a corset, or an actual belt.

For a bodice, you might have to search a little more. Basically, you're looking for something that has roughly the shape of a tank top, and ideally laces up the front. It goes on over everything else. Tighten and adjust the laces till it's the shape and comfort you want. To find bodices, look in the dealer's rooms at science fiction/fantasy conventions, at goth boutiques (including Hot Topic, if you must), at fetish shops, and at lingerie stores.

Fabric

Whatever fabric you like should work fine, though it should have some drape to it. I've used lightweight polyester satin and jacquard, middle-weight rayon velvet, and lightweight stretch velvet, all of which drape and move nicely. However, be careful if you're working with stretch fabrics--they will tend to curl and stretch out of shape when you're trying to put the ribbon on; give yourself extra time and patience for anything with stretch.

The ribbon works best if it's a little bit stiff (satin ribbon is perfect for this), and if it has slightly more weight than the gown, but it shouldn't overwhelm the fabric. If you're using a polyester chiffon for the gown, don't get extremely heavy, wide velvet ribbon--it'll make the fabric hang strangely.

Decoration

You can leave the gown as it is when you're done, or you can decorate further. Gluing acrylic jewels, sequins, or beads on the ribbon (in patterns or as edging) is very pretty. If you sew or embroider, or know someone who does, you could do some beading or embroidery along the ribbon. And you can decorate the fabric of the gown if you want, but that can be tricky--avoid it if the fabric is lightweight. Generally, decoration looks best along the edges and neckline, and perhaps on the bottom or at the waist.