Suitability Sewing Pattern - Sold by the Pattern

#9460: This costume pattern consists of a saddle blanket and breeching (rump straps), a chest piece, and rein covers. Three different trim options are given: a plain edge, a narrow scallop edge, and a wide scallop edge. The saddle blanket goes over the saddle pad and under the saddle, with the breeching attached to the rear edge. The chest piece ties to the D-rings on the saddle. The rein covers slip over the reins. The costume is not meant to be used for vigorous or heavy-duty riding, such as jousting, nor is it necessarily historically accurate or authentic. The pattern can be a starting point for such uses, but the modifications then required are the responsibility of the costume maker.

The saddle blanket/breeching fits horses with topline measurements up to 60". Adjustments might have to be made for smaller horses. The chest piece comes in one size only and will also need to be reduced in size for smaller horses and ponies.

FITTING

To make one of these costumes you will have to fit it to the horse as you construct it. The rump straps, called breeching, must be custom fitted to lie nicely on the horse's hindquarters. The instructions tell you how to do this. If you are making a costume for long term use, use old sheets or inexpensive fabric to test the sizing. You can use pieces of seam tape to determine the approximate length of the breeching strips. The pattern pieces for the breeching have two sizes, large and extra large. The large is for a topline measurement of up to 54" and the extra large is for a topline measurement between 54" and 60".

The saddle blanket goes over a regular saddle pad and should just cover the pad from front to back, with at least an inch or so on either side. The saddle blanket size in this pattern should work for most horses, but it won't hurt to compare it to your horse's saddle pad. For very large horses you might have to enlarge the saddle blanket, which would mean adjusting the scallops. The saddle blanket should also be long enough to at least cover the horse's belly, or can be 4-6" longer. The finished saddle blanket measures 28" along the topline and 32" for the drop of the plain edge version. Make any adjustments to the saddle blanket and saddle blanket trim pieces BEFORE cutting out. It doesn't hurt to cut these pieces a bit larger because you can always cut off any extra.

The chest piece fits similarly to a breast collar and is tied to the D-rings on the saddle. It will fit average and larger horses. The size is adjusted by shortening or lengthening the ends and then by tying the ends to the D-rings.

If you are making this for a small horse or a very large horse, you might have to redraw the pattern pieces to get the size you need.

The rein coverings should be long enough to cover the reins when they are held so that there is a straight line from the bit to the rider's hands as shown. It is better to make them too short, because you don't want them interfering if you have to suddenly take a very strong hold on the reins. Any part of the reins which might be held by the rider should NOT be covered.

FABRICS

For a "quickie" costume just about any medium weight nonstretch fabric can be used. Twill and similar bottomweights are good fabrics to use. Consider how the saddle blanket will drape and hang. A double layer of the fabric needs to have enough body to maintain the structure of the breeching. The ties on the chest piece can be made from any sturdy cord.

The main piece of the saddle blanket and the middle stripes of the breeching and chest piece are made from one color- Color 1 in the instructions. The trim on the edges is made using a different color- Color 2 in the instructions.

YARDAGES- 60" WIDE FABRIC REQUIRED

The yardages below include enough for the saddle blanket/breeching, chest piece, and rein covers.

Color 1: 2 1/4 YDS, BOTH SIZES

Color 2:

Cord: 1 1/4 YD

Also needed: Thread

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