Thursday 16 October 2014

Black bustle tail bodice inspiration.

I am working really hard on my tail bodice and I could use some inspiration!





1888's dress designed by Emile Pingat.
found the image on Pinterest, original source unknown.


1880's black silk and cut velvet dress,




Sunday 5 October 2014

Black 1883's Bustle Tail Bodice

I have been busy making repairs and alterations, not only to costumes but also to our everyday clothes. Most of it was quite boring work but necessary.


Replacing my velvet collar with a fur collar and adding fur cuffs was a lot of work. But I am really happy with the end result so it was rewarding. The fur was donated by one of my husbands aunts and came from one of her old coats. 

You can find more information and pictures of the coat here.http://historicalcostumes.nl/

I also started with a new bustle bodice. I fell in love with the Truly Victorian pattern #462, the 1883 tail bodice after it was revised.

Unfortunately I didn't pay enough attention when I ordered it on-line, not at the Truly Victorian website. And ended up with the old version of the pattern! 


:Lucky for me that my pattern drafting skills are good enough to make the necessary adjustments to achieve the look I want. A short tailed bodice with 3/4 sleeves and a keyhole or diamond shaped neckline. 

Yesterday I made the mock-up and this morning I tried it on over my victorian underwear and corset.
And started with my corset training for this year by keeping it on for 30 minutes.



The two main inspirations for this project are:

 this dress from 1887,



And this dress sold by Augusta Actions

I love the strict look of the neckline and I am thinking about keeping the decorations on this costume to a minimum, but we'll see how it evolves. 

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Wikingertage 2014 at the Archäologisches Freilichtmuseum Oerlinghausen.

Normally re-enactment events are a family affair but my husband and son decided they needed a rest. And I really wanted to take a look at the museum. Lucky for me, I got the chance to join two of my friends from the Yggdrasil Vikings. 

And the museum is lovely, not too big, not too small, just right!







The location is truly breathtaking, the museum is located on the side of the mountain near a forest. 
It doesn't get much more "real" than this.

Here I am reinforcing the seams of one of my dresses.
Somehow I never get around to it at home.



The employees of the museum took very good care of us, Vikings. 
The public was interested and polite.
And the food provided by the museum was very good!
(That is such a Dutch thing to say ;-) )


Well, I just might go again next year!
With our without husband and son.

You can find the website of the museum http://www.afm-oerlinghausen.de/
They also have a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/afm.oerlinghausen