A little walk down memory lane

 Some other costume photos over the years.

Ahem, on the left, Halloween as the mad scientist. I think the back of the coat said "Beauty at any Cost Inc."  Kinda scary, I really debated about posting it since it's a controversial costume. just take it for what it is. a costume. I never did get the photo of the Greek/Roman outfit I did for those parties.








Another Halloween at the Witches Ball in Chicago, with the fluffy , with BFF's Deanna & Brenda.









 "Rick & the Cleveringettes" at Marie's wedding. Marie had thrown fabric at the 3 of us and said "make a dress". So that's what we did. Personally, I love this photo.







The Guilde of St. Michael (military) taking over Kid's Kingdom at Bristol Ren Faire. 










And some more old photos from Bristol, just a few that actually show the back and the rest of one of the dresses. One of the dance shows and parades. 

Some quiet time, and then me as a household servant back at the Dirty Duck.












Wow, old one from Brenda, me "trying" to follow one of the belly dancers at Drum Jam, but in a very stiff corset which didn't quite fit me right (tooo many pokey bits, and the steel was extremely thick)

 Graduating class of '93? from BAPA (Bristol Academy of Performing Arts) I'm not sure what they call it these days, but it just was "rehearsals" for the faire to me.








And lastly, a couple from Castlefest and Elf Fantasy Faire here in the Netherlands. I wish I could find one of the photos from Bristol times with me with one of the falcons during the falconry show. I was just happy to get an opportunity again here to at least come up close and personal to one of these beautiful birds.

The Red Dress

 Once again, it appears I've been neglecting the blog. It surely must mean I've been busy? Yes, sure. Anyways, here are a few photos from the red dress that I started (see previous posts) being used. You can see it in various incarnations over the course of the last couple of years. This year however, I've had to do some major refitting (it's not quite there yet!) since I lost some weight (12 kg, yay! now just another 12 to go *sigh*)

Starting with the undergarments, here's me running around in my underwear in 35' C weather at Avatar this year. Carsten was definitely a help in keeping me cooled off. As many know, sometimes it's best to acclimatize a bit before putting on the whole dress. The stays that I am wearing couldn't close last year; this year complete closure, and I may have to even take them in a little bit. Oh let's face it, I'll have to make new ones of course! This time I've used only hip pads instead of panniers. It was a lot easier to squeeze around in the tents with that, however it also meant my skirt was dragging a bit in the mud.  Most of these undergarments I still consider mock-ups before I make really nice pretty ones. But they are at least functional.

(and as per usual, I can never seem to get pictures to lie nicely on the page...)

 And now fully dressed, together with Emmanuelle. I think you can almost already see the size difference from this year's and last year's pictures. Can't wait for the next size drop! It's amazing what a little change in medication will do, one with side effects of making you gain weight, the other helping you lose.

 And below are some photos from last year at the Halloween festival at Castle Keukenhof. It was their first year doing this event, so I hope this year will be even better.

 Hair changes last year. The first is summer with a bad attempt to grey out and powder the hair and the shower scrunchie hair pad, then autumn with old pillow stuffing and pantyhose to hold my hair up, and of course this summer's hair you can see above with the hat on, plus the old pillow.

 

And a few extra photos, 1) Avatar 2011, sitting with the "empress". 2) Halloween with the hubby, and 3) plotting with the Insulaire faction leader at Avatar 2012.

Randomness from me

Wow, long time since I've posted again! I don't really have much interesting to say at the moment, so here is just a little randomness from me. I promise I'll get some pictures up of my latest sewing projects later...

Just wanted to share a little something fun from "The Guild". (For more about them go to their official site. ) I happen to quite enjoy their music videos:
"I'm the One that's Cool" and "Do you want to date my avatar?:"
Go watch!

As a colleague has requested, here are some links to good (cheap) places to get fabric here in the Netherlands. (hah! your fault I remembered the blog here) These are not stores, but rather like large flea markets for fabric vendors. You definitely need to push and shove a bit here to see or buy any goodies however. Some of the ladies will swipe and buy fabric that you are still holding.

Stoffenbeurs, Stoffen Spektakl, Utrecht Fabric Market, and the Haagse Markt. Otherwise, it's ordering online, or going to one of the slightly more expensive places in the center of Den Haag for me. I prefer the markets because you can haggle, and you can sometimes find some nice cloth for ~0.50cents/meter if you're lucky. You can even find leather there.

I am debating whether or not to go to the Elf Fantasy Faire again this year and if I'll actually make a new costume for it. Most likely not since I don't have quite as much time as I did last year. And, I'm doubting whether or not I'll make it to many events at all this time around, not to mention I'm feeling woefully under-prepared to go to any re-enactment events here especially as they prefer much more hand-sewing than I am accustomed to. Castlefest is also a maybe. Help! I need some extra motivation for these!

On another note, I think I may attempt growing moss in my backyard. I have some nice shady spots for it, and it would help fill in those areas with a little green. I think it would also look nice with my rock garden, and with the ponds.  Give it a bit of a Japanese feel to it maybe (hm maybe I should just focus on getting the jungle back under control first...) I was definitely inspired by the Japanese garden here at Clingendael (opening again in 30 April-June) So if anyone has any they'd like to get rid of, give it to me! I'll take care of it. (not really expecting a response here so no worries)

Right, signing off on this bit of blather from me.

Another Avatar, with the Insulaires & Griffons

Well, another year has passed and once again we went to Avatar, a large LARP held near Hensies, Belgium. There are roughly 1200 players (not including staff). But I thought I'd share a couple of photos people took of me while there. hah, not narcissistic at all ;) so  I'll also put in the links that were posted for more photos.

 Hard to see in this one, but that great red blob in the back is me... this is the only photo I've yet seen of me in the red dress. But I know that there were more taken. Just need to find them!

 My ever large backside, and the uneven draping of my blue linen skirt (hey, it was wet and muddy, not gonna get that full of all that!, well ok, the white petticoat didn't really matter, it was still short enough)

 And now the awkward side view. Waiting for the battle to start. It was a moment's pause before I started giving everyone water and a cold wet cloth to cool down. Sneaky weather it was!

So, to the left is me without stays... definitely time to go on a diet it seems!

And to the right, is me with stays, makes a bit of a difference, although I think someone (not me) did a sneaky photoshop job on it to make me a bit thinner, and take away my woobly chin. Ah well, I don't care it still looks great :)
It makes me feel about 10 years younger.



Photo Albums
http://www.facebook.com/groups/242131822486330/
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.101946325235&type=1  (ok, this one is from last year)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2299538090964.137702.1324515454
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2288132165823.137176.1324515454
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.242479695784876&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.242132782486234&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150358312678777.357237.600183776
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150251251512196.334771.542392195&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150255105158651.325417.558683650&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150255077588651.325401.558683650&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150255130323651.325422.558683650&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150255155428651.325431.558683650&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150255174933651.325442.558683650&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150273330332403.353437.766187402&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2099681445175.117565.1039563504&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2107293973813.111699.1589469854&type=1
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1438717299814.55444.1589469854&type=1 (ok, another one from last year...)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150271556644660.352727.730294659&type=1
https://picasaweb.google.com/misszaz/AVATAR2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150275427339661.349820.730709660
https://picasaweb.google.com/106808609148679686840/Avatar2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfr-bGFmKi9IA
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150273330332403.353437.766187402
https://picasaweb.google.com/Arganak
http://portfolio.sudpresse.be/main.php?g2_itemId=838456


Videos (sorry, they are in French! and these links may go dead over time, that's just how the news is)
http://www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110729_280
http://www.rtl.be/videos/Video/346626.aspx
http://www.rtbf.be/info/videos/detail_jeu-de-role-grandeur-nature?id=1158523&mediaset=rtbfinfo--belgique&type=video
http://www.pluzz.fr/jt-19-20-nord-pas-de-calais-2011-07-31-19h00.html
http://www.notele.be/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14717&Itemid=31
http://www.dhnet.be/regions/mons-centre/ar...ers-avatar.html
http://www.dhnet.be/regions/mons-centre/ar...-dimension.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRZSsaebqQo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkyTxA8TSgs&feature=related
http://www.telemb.be/content/view/8605/166/
http://www.rtl.be/info/votreregion/hainaut/812754/vivre-avatar-c-est-possible-hensies-
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150270013368624&comments


Other (Articles, blogs, etc)
www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110728_00027331
www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110728_00027371
www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110728_00027553 
http://astrid.blogs.sudinfo.be
http://jonathan.blogs.sudinfo.be
http://sarah.blogs.sudinfo.be
http://simon.blogs.sudinfo.be 
http://archives.sudpresse.be/wallonie-record-de-belgique-avatar-a-hensies-jeu-de_t-20110727-H38E2J.html?queryand=avatar&firstHit=0&by=10&begYear=2011&begMonth=08&begDay=0&endYear=2011&endMonth=08&endDay=01&sort=datedesc&when=-1&pos=3&all=2365&nav=1
http://www.larp.be/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=2545
http://www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110727_340
http://video.belrtl.be/video/344890.aspx?CategoryID=4114
http://www.rtl.be/loisirs/sortir/evenements/10926/10eme-edition-du-jeu-de-roles-grandeur-nature-avatar
http://www.telemb.be/content/view/6628/576

Pretty shoes by American Duchess!

Pretty shoes by American Duchess on Pre Sale now!:

(Can you see that I also want a pair of these? or maybe 2...)

The Devonshires are a leather 18th century shoe based on museum examples from the 1760s through 1780s.  They're made of top-grade dyable leather, with a beautiful, smooth Italian leather sole for dancing, and are hard-wearing, water- and mud-proof, for even the toughest of outdoor re-enactments.

Pre-Order the Devonshires through August 10, and get the special $100 price.  We're only making 200 of these shoes, so don't miss the chance to own one of only a couple hundred pair on the planet!  Visit www.american-duchess.com to order.

 So here is an update on the red embroidered alcantara fabric dress.

The red dress is starting to take some form and some more definition as to what it wants to be. I found some lovely white lace (on the cuffs) and some copper and red trims. The red trim looks like ruching, so that will save some work down the line. Here the fabric is still mostly draped over the dress form and pinned in place. The embroidery from the border of the fabric has been been placed upside down for the bodice. This means I'll have some funky piece work because of the scalloping on the edge.  Still not sure about making this a caraco jacket vs a round gown.

In the meantime, while deciding how the red dress would end up, I started  doing a rework of a blue linen dress that I made last year. That dress definitely belonged to the Hall of Shame, but well, it was made only in an afternoon. The stays I had made (see previous posts) hadn't yet been fully fitted properly. They were definitely still too high along the bustline. It was too hot to wear the chemise closed, and I had been off washing dishes right before this photo was taken. I'm actually kind of glad my face is hidden in this picture!

Luckily I still had some linen left from that disaster above. I also found a small bit of black linen in the stash. So I decided to make my first attempt at a riding habit. This will be my first attempt to also make anything 18th century.


Here you can see everything just pinned to the mannequin. Definitely not finished yet. I also had to try to make my very first set of panniers. You definitely don't want to see those! I used garden wire, duct tape and some muslin to put them together. I didn't care about the color of the thread either... it was a mockup after all. 

Here is a bit of the back side of the jacket. I have to redo the peplum pleating. It didn't quite match where I wanted it to. I also haven't decided on the lining yet for this jacket. You can see my cat Yumiko on the ladder watching the whole process.

 The repleating of the skirt came out well though! And you can catch a peak of the construction of the jacket. Yes, I'm using a mix of machine and hand sewing (it's my first time after all!, all patterns were draped by me, with some looking at other pictures for reference). The interior of the jacket has some stiff cotton denim/duck to hold the shape.

 Here you can see where I need to rework the pleats!

 And last but not least, some look at the buttons. There are some pewter buttons with a sphinx design and the blue buttons are wood covered in leather. I think I'll not use them however as the blues are not quite right. The black linen waistcoat is at this moment only a false front. I might decide later to turn it into a full vest so I can take the jacket off in warmer weather.

Finally a couple new dress designs are started.

Well, it's been a while since I last put anything in here, I tend to be more active on FB for some reason. Anyways, I thought I would share with you 3 dress projects that are lurking around the house.

The first I think will either be a 17th or 18th century style dress. It will be my first time trying to make a full dress from this period.  It hasn't made up its mind yet whether it wants to be a robe a la francaise, robe a l'anglaise, or something a bit more baroque, I'm not yet sure. But then again, it could go a bit like like a caracao jacket, or riding habit type dress... 
 The main fabric is completely non-period, as it is intended for a fantasy event. It is an embroidered alcantara like substance. It has some lovely "distressing" on it, and gives off the feel of suede. I have this in both red and white. At this moment the fabric is only draped over my duct tape dummy and I've been staring at it off and on for the past few days.

This is just fabric draped over a form, nothing has been cut yet .


Another closeup of one of the other embroidery motifs scattered through the main fabric. You can see the colors a little better here.

The copper antique satin fabric below actually matches the embroidery motifs on the red fabric. I will probably use that fabric to make more trim for the dress. The "stomacher" is a cut red upholstery fabric that I only have 1 square meter of. It's not really good for much besides accessories

Here you can see the fabric in white, along with the velvet I chose to go with it. The red version is done with this brown and green, as you see, the white does not have so much color to it.

 

And of course, as usual both cats have slept on or otherwise investigated the fabric... (that's Miyu)


 

These are a few inspirational images for this dress I have in mind. They come from a variety of sources such as movies/TV (Pirates of the Caribben, The Aristocrats, The 3 musketeers); museums (Met, V&A, LA, closeup of embroidery from QE2's coronation dress, etc), and other costume recreations from historical reenactors (ie Harmon Hay, Mode Historique, some Czech and German sites I can't read very well, some Etsy shops, to name a few - please let me know if you would like a specific mention for your image or if you would like the image removed).

 And here is the second set of inspirational images, more in the blues, but here I was looking more at form or function, fabric or embroidery. (One lady photo is "cheeky" from pyrates pub)
I'm particularly fond of the blue outfit on the bottom right
I was amused at some of the coats with the hoods. Definitely something to be converted into modern wear ;)

 Now imagine with the fabric I've posted here, which way do YOU think I should go with this dress? Robe a la francaise, Robe a l'anglaise, riding habits, caraco jackets, baroque (musketeer style) ? I am imagining that the lower hem embroidery can turn into all kinds of interesting things in the dress. and I'd like to display it to its best. The copper can turn into all kinds of trim as well. The red velvet can turn either into a stomacher, hat, or purse or other accessory, so not necessarily located in its final position.

To give an idea of what the dress will be used as, it will be to portray a sort of "madam of a seaport brothel" at an event in the near future. An additional inspiration is "the Red Lady"- a female pirate during the 1600s, but I will not be necessarily sticking to that time period since it is a fantasy type event.

The second fabric set will most likely end up as something Elizabethan. I'm just not sure about putting myself in these pale colors and tromping around a muddy site however. And as I'm of a bit larger set, I'm also unsure the color will make me look even bigger.  I haven't gotten much further with this one yet...

The third dress project that is hiding around the place is a brown and gold "hunts" Elizabethan. The design is largely inspired by this website: http://www.waistedefforts.com/barker-beautification/

I have however imagined instead a brown leather jerkin embroidered in gold, with a brown velvet overskirt which uses the same leather as guarding around the hem. Gold brocades of course for the forepart and sleeves.  I'll post that one as I start working on it, since it will be an interesting feat to do with this particular type of faux leather, and the piecework I will need to do to ensure the embroidered motifs lie correctly.

The picture below is from the Barker's, but I have completely mangled it with some of my own fabrics. It was just a lot easier than drawing it all out myself (sorry!!)

Now, I only have to pick one and get started! Oh yes, and of course some more outfits for my husband as well :)