Book presentation of the Taste of the Middle Ages

Instead of taking a much needed weekend off, like we had initailly planned. We went to the book presentation of our friend Marrie Niemantsverdriet and Lena Mariiesdochter last Sunday. Not only was it a chance to visit the open air museum in Eindhoven in medieval costume. But also the chance to pick up a signed copy of the book, have some delicious medieval food and chat we other friends who where there as well. The added bonus was that we where there as visitors and as such not obligated to entertain or educate visitors. So we decided that technically it still counted as a day off for!

One of the authors with a copy of the book

Signing books is hard work

The co-authors has to sign as well, ofcourse!

Eindhoven Museum has always been a magical place for us.

To be there again felt like coming home.

Here I am sitting beside a late medieval Noble Lady.

The company of friends and good food.

Could life be any better?

When we did demonstrations in the museum,

we never got around to take pictures in the 15th century Inn.

So this time as visitors we took our chance!

Unfortanetly the book is only available in Dutch (for now). If you can read dutch it's definitely worth to buy it. Although the recipes and obtained flavours are authentic, they are simple and clear. And without the hard-to-find ingredients most other medieval recipes have.

You can find the book ; De Smaak van de middeleeuwen, bourgondisch banquette voor beginners, here.

Small projects

I have a lot of small projects of projects that need finishing. Here are some of the things I've done.

This broomstick lace scarf has been finished and blocked for quite a while now, I just hadn't gotten around to making a picture.

And I finally made a black velvet belt to with my antique silver plated belt buckle. I am quite happy with the end result.

It will be a nice finishing touch when I wear it with my 1840's -1860's wrapper I made last year.

Here are some examples of victorian ladies with belts over there dresses.

I am sure the dress in the first picture is a wrapper. 

I am not about the dress in the second picture.

I found these pictures on pinterest and

couldn't trace the source.

Back from the Vikingmarket at the Archeon

Last weekend we attended the vikingmarket at the Archeon. The weather wasn't great, but I ate too much, slept too little. Talked to a lot of people but not nearly all of the people I wanted to speak. I came back home tired but inspired!

You need a leather viking raincoat these days, 

'cause when it rains it pours!

Vikingmarket at Schothorst Amersfoort.

Although it rained a lot and quite heavily, we still had a great time with lot of our friends. And made some new friends as well. The market is getting bigger and better every year!

I am usually the one behind the camera,
 so there are not a lot of pictures of me.
This one was taken by a friend.

If you follow the link you can find item about dutch viking living history on Dutch television.

The first section starts around 5.42, second at 12.38, third 18.14 and the fourth and last at 22.55.

http://www.npo.nl/wildpark-nederland/24-08-2014/

An early victorian chemise

Due to lack of time I wore my 1880's victorian chemise underneath my 1840's working class dress to the Dickensfestijn in Deventer. This year I hope to have the period correct undergarments finished.

http://www.pastpatterns.com/002.html

Past Patterns is one of my favorite brands of historical sewing patterns. Their patterns are well documented, printed on thick paper and with clear instructions. Their Two Early Nineteenth Century Chemises (pattern number #002) was the main inspiration for my chemise.

Kannik's Korner sells a pattern that looks quite similar and dates it to 1790-1820. The biggest difference is that neckline is gathered.

http://www.kannikskorner.com/patwomen2.htm

https://www.etsy.com/nl/shop/regenerationclothing

Late Georgian to Early Victorian chemise circa 1820 through 1830. Heavy unbleached linen with hand-embroidered scalloped edges. Scoop neckline with interior drawstring. Embroidered monogram of "FL" at center front neckline. Garment is entirely hand-stitched. The tiny dark stitches that were used to lay out the embroidery patterns are still visible. Unlined. No closures.

http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/157889

Linen nightgown

c.1840

 Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

http://trouvais.com/2009/06/page/4/

Antique chemise with owner's initials,

c. 1820 - 1830

http://www.vintagetextile.com/

My version of a 1840's chemise.

White cotton flannel

Slightly square neckline

Elbow length sleeves

As I got rather cold in my costume last year, I decided to make myself a nice warm set of undies. That is why I choose to make my chemise from cotton flannel instead of the linen or cotton, which isn't historically accurate. Flannel was used in victorian undergarments like the drawers and petticoats, but chemises where made in linen and later cotton.

Maybe I'll try my hand at some embroidery and embroider my initials on it.

60's style summer dress finished

My 60's style red cotton summer dress is finished and I am really happy with how it turned out!

I am wearing it here with a spaghetti top

 instead of the white false front or dickey I made to go with it.

(And the camera really does add ten pounds, hmz!)

The first skein of yarn is finished.

So I am halfway done with my shawl.

Zeeland Seashore Shawl

"She sells sea-shells by the sea-shore.
The shells she sells are sea-shells, I'm sure.
For if she sells sea-shells on the sea-shore
Then I'm sure she sells sea-shore shells."

We are home for one day from our vacation at the Dutch coast and already I miss the sea...

I found this lovely woollen yarn with blue and brown colors while on vacation in Zeeland. As it reminded me of the colors of the beach and seashore I decided to buy it.

When I got home I immediately started on a broomstick lace triangular shawl.