Dickens festijn, Deventer, 15th of December 2013

This was our first time at the Dickens festijn. We weren't allowed to make any pictures there while in costume but we where lucky enough that a friend and photographer Gerard Zoethout was joining us to capture the experience. 

Please do not use any of the pictures below without his permission!

Travelling in time with a photographer means

 that the first pictures ofcourse have to be taken at the train station, in Arnhem.

The queue was enormous, people had to wait up to two hours to get in.

First official event picture.

 My friends really where the loveliest couple there.

Chatting with old and new friends.

My nickname for the day, Little Red Riding Hood.

Don't know why?! 

Trying to look demure, not an easy task

Shopping with MyLady

Window shopping.

At the train station in Deventer, before travelling back home,

 this time one in keeping with our costume.

All pictures copyright Gerard Zoethout

www.animaus.dds.nl

1840's -1850's working class dress

This is the outfit I wore to the Dickens festijn in Deventer last Sunday. These are the pictures my husband made of me in my costume. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the event ourselves, but I hope to be able to share pictures of the event itself soon. 

This is my 1840's -50's working class dress. It is made from pinkish red (rosewood) printed cotton fabric . 

The pattern I used was #118 from Laughing Moon with a closed front, sewn in darts,

 bishop sleeves and a lace collar.

 Please excuse my messy hairdo, it was still wet in this picture, I had a fight with the curling iron and lost.

  I decided to let my natural curly hair airdry instead.

Underneath my dress I am wearing : a  white cotton chemise, white flannel underpants, black woollen socks, my dutch orange quilted petticoat and a white cotton corset cover.

 I wasn't wearing a corset, the corset cover was just for warmth,  but I hope to have an appropriate corset next year. All the weight of the petticoat and dress was resting  on my hips, which was very tiring.

Outside a black bonnet, a red woollen cape, red woollen triangular shawl

 and white fingerless gloves where added

Anton Pieck Parade 2013

It rained at the start of this event. As this usually is the time when we make pictures for the website and my blog, we didn't get around to make a lot of them.

Lucky for us there is something like the internet...

1885's Blue Bustle Costume.

The blue bodice is finished! I made the base of the blue bodice and my friend finished it, by decorating it with blue velvet cuff and black brandenburgers, she also sewed in the hook and eye closure (50 of them!). The rest of the costume she made herself and I think it's wonderful and she looks absolutely breathtaking!

See for yourself...

Can you imagine that this is the first victorian costume she has made?! 

Pictorial overview of current projects.

 Just in case you are wondering what I am up to these days...

A blue velvet 1885's bodice & sleeves, for a friend.

current status: work in progress

1840's -1860's wrapper

current status: work in progress

1840's -1850's quilted petticoat

current status: work in progress

Red and green knitted christmas scarf

current status: 1.30m of the 2m done, work in progress

Chunky Wheat  Crochet Cowl

Current status: done! Finished it yesterday

Yesterday i want to the KreaDoe beurs in Utrecht,

 looking for some prjects I can do with the childeren at school.

I got inspired alright but those where no projects for kids:

I don't even think they are project for me,I just haven't got the patience.

Bought myself a book on broomstick lace and a magnifier lamp.

A magnifier lamp, that feels like admitting that I am getting old...

At this moment flat on my back, because my lower back and legs are killing me.

Sewing crinoline tape to the hem of my quilted petticoat, 

to create more volume. I don't have the time or ambition to

make more victorian petticoats before December. 

So I am cheating!

My current status, busy!

When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing

My family has been through a couple of major changes Both of them where for the best for all of us in the end but we had a lot of stress. (No, don't worry we didn't get divorced!) So a lot of my friends are asking me if I am okay and the answer is Yes! Now that things have settled down a little and my mind is clear enough again to get back to my projects I am actually quite happy! Keeping my hands and head occupied seems to be a very good therapy.

At this moment I am working on several projects:

• A blue velvet 1880's cuirass bodice for a friend
• a cotton 1840's work dress for myself
• and a red and green striped knitted scarf special order by my husband as a colorful addition to his victorian/dickens costume.

So when the going gets tough, the tough get going...