Sherlock Holmes Movie

Without expecting much I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie, but when I came out of the theater I had to admit that I actually liked it.

No, the costumes are not perfectly authentic, but it doesn't pretend to be a "costume" movie and considering that it is a hollywood/guy ritchie movie, it's not that bad! Rachel Adams, who plays Irene Adler, wears a corset underneath her lovely bustle gown. It is a shame that they made her wear so much modern looking femme fatale make-up. Probably to hide the fact that she is too young, inexperienced and sweet looking to play the femme fatale Irene.
The storyline, although not based upon a actual book by Conan Doyle, is entertaining. But if you are a big fan of the original books and charactgers you might be better of not going. Personally I found the approacht to Sherlock Holmes and his companions refreshing.

Out with the old, bring in the new or new years resolutions

The start of a new year is always a good time to make up the balance, this was my To-Do-List for 2009.

Necessary

* fix the hem of my white linen veil. Done!
* make a pair of hosen for my son Myrddin Done!.
* make thorsberg type trousers (without feet)of hand dyed wool,for Myrddin. Done!
* nalebind socks for Audrey Done!
* nalebind socks for Petra Done!
* put together a victorian style boys outfit for Myrddin Done!
* answer all my e-mail! Well ahum different subject please. "blushes"

I would like to:

* weave my own square shawl with natural dyed wool tried and failed.
* make a Burgundian Gown
* make a "horned" headdress for my houppelande dress
* make a smocked 13th/14th century apron
* make a early viking hairnet in sprang
* make a new viking tunic for myself with hand dyed wool (madder)Done!
* make a new viking apron with hand dyed wool (unionskins)Done!
* make a victorian corset cover for my 1885's costume Done!
* make a better victorian petticoat for my 1885's costume
* make a victorian ballgown bodice for my 1885's costume Done!
* make a late victorian hat Done!
* make a blue silk cotehardie with tippets


Overall I didn't do too bad! I finished all the necessary projects and managed to some of other things as well. Obviously my personal interest this year was mainly victorian, so I did a lot of the victorian project.

To-do-list 2010

Necessary

* two pair of nalebound socks for Myrddin, this is a yearly recurring project.
* make a pair of hosen for Myrddin, this is also a yearly recurring project.
* dyed the pini (apron dress) of a friend, with a horrible modern chemical dye,the
fabric isn't suitable to dye with natural dyes.


I would like to

* Work on, not necessarily finish, my Edwardian Walking Costume project.
* make a "Burgundian" gown
* make a smocked 13th/14th century apron
* make additions for and to my 1880's bustle costume.
- adding ruffles to the hem of the skirt
- make a diner bodice
- make a new, style of, overskirt.
* gather information and ideas on how to make the early tudor/transition style dress I've been wanting to make for years.

I try to keep the plans and ideas for this year as realistic as possible. There are things in my personal live at this moment, that take a lot of my time and energy. Next to making costumes I have also an other hobby. Which is writing short stories, in Dutch, I publish them somewhere else on the internet.

My new years resolution for this year is: cleaning up and decluttering our house before starting a new costuming project. My household has three creative persons, who like to create things and cannot through anything away, in it. Our house is bursting at the seams, so it is time to through things away and if possible find new homes for others. This will mean selling some costuming patterns, costumes, books, jewellery and accessories. Just to make room in my house and in my head for new projects.

Exhibition at the Hermitage in Amsterdam

Yesterday I went to the Hermitage in Amsterdam, to visit their current exhibition: At the Russian court, Palace and Protocol in the 19th century. I would certainly recommend this exhibition to anyone interested in nineteenth century costume and accessories, it will be on display untill the 31 of January this year.



A satin and silk gown made by Worth, dating to 1880-1890, worn by Maria Fjodorovna.





More images online.

Happy New Year !

First of all, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!

A couple of days ago I found an illustrated third edition, dating to 1890, of one of my favorite childerens books: Francis Burnett's, Little Lord Fauntleroy or in Dutch De Kleine Lord. I couldn't resist buying it, hopefully it will help coping with the withdrawal symptoms of not working on a costume ;-)

Pictures of Anton Pieck Parade uploaded ! And Merry Christmas

A good view of my late victorian hat.


The best picture I have of my long black victorian coat.



To see more go to our website:
A Victorian Wardrobe and click on Photoalbum

And some color versions on De Zwarte Zwaan website



Merry Christmas to All!

Anton Pieck Parade 2009

A couple of pictures of the Anton Pieck Parade of yesterday. It was really cold outside we where lucky enough to have a nice home for the day in Karco. They took excellent care of us. This was our son's first year and it was really hard to keep him entertained with the few authentic victorian toys for boys we could find. There was a lot of public, there were even two ladies from Belgium who came especially for this event. It made me feel very humble and I truly hope they had a good time. The long black victorian coat was finished just in time. It kept me nice and warm on the cold day. I hope to have more pictures on our websites soon. I'll keep you posted.

Seams

I do not have a lot of time left for the 12th December and I didn't get much work done the last week. Due to my son his eight birthday and the preparations for Sinterklaas. On top of that I've been very tired.

The coat looks finished enough, with only the sleeves that still need to be set in. But as the coat has been flat lined, fashion fabric and quilted lining sown together, there are a lot of raw seams inside my coat. The fashion fabric frays terribly so all seams have to be covered with bias tape. Which is an awful lot of work as it needs to be done by hand in order not to show on the outside of the coat. Here is how the seams of the sleeves look inside out at this moment. I am still working on the black velvet cuffs.



I wasn't happy with my big 1902's black glass buttons and decided to use them for a Edwardian coat. So I bought seven victorian black glass 1.25 inch buttons on Ebay.



They probably aren't going to be here on time. I'll wait untill the last moment and then sewn on horrible plastic ones of similar size, so that I can wear the coat on the 12th December.

The back of the coat with, what the instructions called boxpleats, looks fine. I just followed the instructions, as usual with Truly Victorian they where clear and easy to follow.

All in all there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, before the coat is wearable and I am not sure that it will be finished on time....