Monday 24 November 2008

Red Velvet scarf part 2



The lady with the muff in this lovely victorian winterscene is wearing something that looks like it could be a scarf.



Here a close-up of her. The image comes from Groot Handwerkboek uit Grootmoeders Jeugd. No date given.



Two young ladies wearing scarfs, the image is taken from Victorian and Edwardian fashions from 'La Mode Illustrée' and dated 1878.



Lady wearing lace hood and a scarf. Victorian Fashions& Costumes from Harper's Bazar 1867-1898, dated 1883.




Detail from the red velvet scarf of Mina Harker in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.



Detail of my velvet red scarf. Which is about 2.70m long and 14 cm wide with black lace detail at both ends.

Sunday 23 November 2008

The Dramatic Red Velvet League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Scarf

Due to the current cold I have decided that I need a scarf to wear on the 7th of December as well. I haven't found, have looked to be perfectly honest, images of victorian women wearing scarfs with their winter outfits. But I am inspired by the red velvet scarf Peta Wilson wears as Mina Harker in the movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. A character whose costume was also the non-authentic inspiration for my black velvet redingote.



Saturday 22 November 2008

Coat finished, muff has arrived.

I am very relieved to be able to say that I finished my black velvet coat (sorry people no picture available yet). Especially because my red cuirass bodice isn't finished at all. The hook and eye closure didn't work, probably because there is not enough tension on the fabric on the upperpart of the bodice. This means back to the drawing board with only little time left to go and lot of other things to do. It is save to say that I am not happy at all. The current plan is to alter the fit of the upper part of the bodice and close the jacket with 15 buttons and buttonsholes.

I couldn't find a coat pattern when I started work on my coat. So I altered my cuirass bodice pattern. Today I found the new victorian coat pattern of truly victorian.The TV560 1880s Late Bustle Coat

The funny thing is that my coat looks a lot like this coat, so I am happy!

Other good news, my vintage muff has arrived! It is at least a 100 years old, probably older. The original box it was sold in is still present, but has to be repaired. The muff is in good condition, with thick silky soft black fur. It looks really great with my black velvet coat. Only a tiny repair has to be made to the lining.

Thursday 13 November 2008

Cuirass Bodice finished ! (well almost)

Red velvet 1885's cuirass bodice, with black details. The bodice has small mutton sleeves and a manderine collar. The bodice closes with hooks and eyes, the black silk buttons are only there for decoration. All the black details are sewn on by hand. An alteration has to be made to the lining, it's to tight on my left shoulder, and a waistband needs to be sewn in, but I am happy to say it's almost finished.



Sunday 9 November 2008

Crocheted Gloves pattern

I hardly have time to sit down and answer my email or post here, my apologizes to my friends. To make up for it a special treat for all my dutch readers; a pattern for victorian style crocheted gloves.Click on the pictures to enlarge, save to your computer and print. Enjoy!

I hope that someday I'll be brave enough to make them myself ;-)





For those who can't read Dutch you can find a pattern in English here.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Victorian Locket

I saved a long time to buy a cameo but after looking at cameo's for two years I couldn't find one that I liked and could afford. I have seen really pretty victorian ones for around € 325,- . It's not only that I can't afford it, but Í wouldn't feel comfortable wearing one that expensive.
The other jewelley item I always loved was a locket, and I found one on ebay that I really liked. Yesterday it came in and I am delighted with it. I do however want to change the picture. I'd rather wear a picture of my son or husband (pref. both of them together) in my locket.


Monday 3 November 2008

Tape weaving at Brederode

I had set up some tape weaving at home to work on while at the medieval event at Brederode.




I like doing tape weaving while doing a demo, because it's relatively simple and the result still looks nice. The yarn I used to weave with was dyed with natural dyes (ofcourse ;-) ) The red is from madderroot, the yellow is from weld, yelloworange is from unionskins and the dark orange is made with madderroot/unionskin



This strip of tape woven band will end up as my garters.
I also worked on my friend Audrey's nalebound socks.

The Saturday of this event was windy, wet and cold with not a lot of visitors. Sunday was much better. The public was very nice and interested in the crafts we were doing but I missed the contact with the other reeanctors of most of the choose to stand on the field beside ruïnes, while we where standing in the "courtyard".

Now it's time to finish my Victorian costume!