Viking Jewellery

One of the things I like about Living History and re-enactment is the constant challenge to strive for a high(er) level of authenticity. Theories change with each new archeological find. But more important than that is my personal development. When I begun doing viking re-enactment I was satisfied doing "generic" viking. My first costume was one of commericially dyed wool. The costume I wear now I have dyed myself with natural dyes that where used in the viking period. This costume is still quite generic, the next one I'll try to make the next one more era and region specific.

A year or so ago a fellow re-enactor, who knows I love to do research, pointed out to me that the jewellery I wore was from different regions and eras. While I still support the theory that jewellery was often inherted and that vikings traded, and would have worn jewellery from different places and different times. I liked the idea of being able to show my viking identity with my jewellery as well as with my costume.

My viking persona is ninth century danish. Who started out in Ribe and has migrated, over land, from Danmark to the Low Countries.

And this was my first purchase:



A pair of silver plated tortoise brooches, found in Oldenburg, Germany. And Bornholm Danmark. From the 8-9.century. They are small and lightweight and I absolutely love them!

These brooches are for sale here:

Das Podol I bought mine here and was really statisfied with the excellent service. Good communication and fast delivery!

The Gripping Beast



A few years ago I bought this trefoil brooch from Ratatoskr Which is lucky enough for me also Danish. The original can be found in Moesgard Museum, Denmark.

Das Podol also has a matching bronze beltbuckle and beltend set from 9-10th century Haithabu. As they are from the right period and region I might be buying them later on.

Edwardian Combination Underwear Progress Update

My Edwardian Combination Underwear Camisole with drawers is almost finished. I only have to sew buttonholes, add buttons and change the dark blue ribbon for a lighter blue. To match the color in the decoration and the ribbon used for the neckline and armholes. I am thinking about adding an application or embriodery to the camisole. The pattern has a lovely and simple pattern for it.

If I would make this garment again I would use a lighter and thinner cotton fabric. To improve the drape and the "dainty" effect. The period examples I usually find in the Netherlands are made from the same type of white cotton fabric that I have used. While it is practical because of it's strength and durability. It doesn't have the Edwardian charme that I love so much. But the stiffness of the fabric will improve with wash and wear. When I started planning this garment I couldn't find the muslin cotton fabric that I wanted, but a while ago I found a affordable Dutch supplier!

http://www.stoftotverven.nl

A Good day to Dye

Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather. We went to a friends house to work on some projects with a friend in his garden. I was overdying a piece of purple cochenille wool with madder. While my husband learned blacksmithing from our friend Mark. Who's son was inside working on his victorian steampunk outfit. Our son amused himself, as only a nine year old boy can, with making a sharp end to a stick.


Stirring the dyebath with a large wooden spoon. Feeling a little bit like an old fashioned witch in fairytale.


My husband is making his own firestrike while our son is looking.


Mark is also blacksmithing...


The youngest of the lot,having fun!

Edwardian Combination Underwear

Currently I am making a new Edwardian underwear set. It's the Past Patterns Ladies Underwear Combination, the version with circular drawers. The pattern is for closed drawers. But I converted it to open drawers for convenience. I don't want to have to take of my entire costume everytime I need to go to the bathroom. The circular drawers are a little bit fuller that I thought they would be. Which makes them look a little like a skirt when the combination underwear is on. Which is nice. But I wonder if I will still be able to wear a petticoat combination over it.

Here are some period examples






http://www.corsetsandcrinolines.com/vintagestore/index.php/rare-antique-edwardian-skirt-combination-underwear



http://www.corsetsandcrinolines.com/forsale.php?dep=ladies



http://www.etsy.com/listing/26891952/victorian-extra-long-white




http://edwardianpromenade.com/fashion/edwardians-unbuttoned/ Really interesting blog!!!!



http://www.flickr.com/photos/faces_of_yore/1371867525/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/faces_of_yore/1347598715/