Grmbl

I have sewn in the sleeves yesterday and I am happy with the overall look of the coat, but the coat turned out to wide in the shoulders. The schoulders seams are at least an inch too low.



Ofcourse this can be fixed. Either by taking the coat, which might give problems at the hips, and would mean removing the collar. Or by altering the armscye. For best results a combination of both is probably the best solution. But at this moment I just don't have the time, I have to start packing for the vikingmarket this weekend at the Archeon. Or the energy, to think or do, something about it. My fibromyalgie is acting up, big time, which isn't surprising, as autumn deciced to come early in the Netherlands.

All in all I am getting quite frustrated but I always knew this costume would be a long-term project. My current mantra is: it's the end result that counts.

Newspaper article, Museum Dorestad Demo

For more pictures of Audrey and me working click here:
http://www.ditiswijk.nl/fotoalbum/category/392.html

Demo Museum Dorestad, Wijk bij Duurstede

Yesterday Aud and I did a demo in Museum Dorestad in Wijk bij Duurstede. Aud was demonstrating tabletweaving and I was demonstrating nalebinding and telling about dyeing with natural dyes.

1950's halter dress

It was grey and wet, yesterday when I wore my red version of Marilyn's, The Seven Years Itch, dress. So we didn't get much chance to make pictures and I am not looking to happy either, in the ones we did get to make. Not only because of the bad weather but also because the dress rapidly became to wide when I wore it. It made me look baggy and I felt horrible. Lucky enough, there are so many people in good and not so good costumes at Castlefest, that I don't think anyone really noticed, but me.

I will sew in a dart in the top of the dress to take it in slightly and reinforce the midriff section extra with interfusible lining.

Purchased Patterns

Recently I purchased these two patterns on Ebay.



Vintage 1940s/1950s, FRENCH KNICKERS & SLIP LINGERIE Sewing Pattern,'Style' No. 4668.


If this pattern arrives on time, I will make silk french knickers. To wear under my 1950's halter summer dress. This pattern is even accompanied by the original receipt of purchase form 'Barkers' of Kensington. London. Purchase date was 1950.






This is a reproduction of a vintage sewing pattern for a 1920s deco style bra that was in the magazine "Mon Ouvrage" printed in October 1927.

I am thinking about making a 1920's/1930's somewhere in the future and this provides a little bit more bust support than the style of underwear usually worn. This top might also be usefull for wearing with the Edwardian underbust corset that I intend to make for the Edwardian Costume that I am working on.

A French ad from 1910.



detail image of bra:



A Dutch ad from 1909.

Classic beauties

A lovely hommage to classic hollywood beauties... and a great version of a wonderfull song as well.




The 1950's halter dress is almost finished. This was the first time I had to sew a zipper in. I've always avoided those things, but it turned out great, especially considering it's my first one. A small alteration has to be made to the bodice of the dress for a better fit.



Mock-up model for the bodice, notice the gapping at the sides. I already made some alterations, like using a smaller size for the cups, and it looks better but the fit still isn't perfect.




A swatch of the fabric, I have used for the dress, it is red cotton with tiny white dots.

Old Postcard

This was one, out of a series of old postcards, featured in our local newspaper. I just liked the image and I wanted to share it.