Henry the Eight – Don’t be such a baby

2 (or 3 months) ago, when deciding on projects for Halloween (Elizabeth I for me) I realizes that this would be the first (of many?) costumes I would make for my baby, and that I really wanted it to be special.

So what would I dress my chubby redheaded infant as for his first Halloween…?

The answer came to me pretty fast:
Hernry VIII – of course

workshop_of_hans_holbein_the_younger_-_portrait_of_henry_viii_-_google_art_projectPortrait by Holbein d.y. and the one I used as reference for my baby costume.

I started by taking a close look at the inspiration/reference pic, and flipping through the pages of “The Tudor Tailor” I found what I needed.
img_1287Male Tudor outfit.

Then I hit the fabric store in search for some suitable fabrics.15451386_10211259297419846_1297395615_nLeft to right: Brown fake fur (stash), burgundy/red singel Jersey, grey/silver printed Jersey, white knitted leggings and golden trim.

Since this was to be a costume worn (once) by an infant I decided to make it as easy and wearable (read soft/comfy) as possible, using Jersey fabrics and omitting anything complicated (like slashes) or small/sharp (like beading and pearls).
I also decided it was totally acceptabel to cheat as much as possible 🙂

My first move vas to get a pair of white leggings/tights from a well known clothing store. img_1271

Then it was time for the actual sewing.

I started with the body using a baby pattern I used previous and knew and liked. img_1266I stitched it up using my serger and a double needle on the edges.

The finished Body:img_2180I like that it is usable as a modern/regular piece on its own.

Next piece was the “skirt”, which was made from a lenght of fabric which I hemed and pleated to a elastic waistband.img_1291

The finished skirt:img_2171

Then it was time for the main piece – the cape

I cut a rektangel from the red fabric, folded it over cut it open at the front and pleated it at the shoulders. Then I stitched on some decoration.img_1261

The sleeves was made from rectangles stitched together, decorated and gathered at top and bottom. img_1264Ignore the wonkyness – I stitched this with my baby sleeping in the carrier on my belly, so not the best attention to detail.

Then I cut the fur collar from a piece of stash fabric.img_1269

img_1284Pining and stitching the fake fur to the cape.

The finished Cape:img_2182

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Lastly I made a small hat/beret from a circle and a strip of black jersey. img_1310

The finished hat:img_2179

This was such a fun project and I really love how the little coat/cape came out.

and finaly

Here’s some photos of my own prince wearing the outfit:img_1718

img_1721“Eat all the things…”

And some pics with the two of us together (Elizabeth I and Henry VIII)img_1762

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img_1827Photos: Elin Evaldsdotter

Edwardian Vampire

Here comes another batch from last years Halloween photoshoot.

This time we are doing the classical vampire in my Edwardian lingere getup.

interviewtomInspiration 1.
Sadly I couldn’t get anyone to play Lestat, so we had to manage on our own 🙂

vampire02Inspiration 2.

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img_9449Model: Jessie Lewis Skoglund
Photo: Elin Evaldsdotter
Costume & Concept: Fashion through History

Plastic Fantastic Purple Flower – Photoshoot

Even though I could’t attend the ” Plastique Fantastique” event last weekend, I still took the time to dress up for a  photoshoot.

I’m wearing my new Plastic purple flower dress, pair with a purple synthetic wig, high stockings, black Kensington shoes accessorized with fan gloves, jewelry and feathers. Underneath I wear my old 18th century corset, short bloomers and pocket hoops.

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IMG_5170Doll Antoinette

IMG_5212Photo: Elin Evaldsdottra

Plastic Purple 18th century Flower Dress

The inspiration was wast for the “Plastique Fantastique” and afters some sketching I finally decided on a model I wanted to make.
20150628_164537_resizedJacket/Caraco and skirt combination.

Then I took a plunge down the rabbit hole that’s my fabric stash and came up with the perfect purple and flower combination – all in fabulous polyester plysch.20150628_164508_resized

10943917_10205707664432491_8962928573096592053_nTest drape to determent if the design would work.

As I’m really un-used to work with stretch fabrics I made a quick mock-up. 20150628_184932_resizedSome tweaking and it will work just fine.

Then I cut the pieces for the bodice from the flowery fabric.IMG_7451

I used my serger to assemble the pieces.
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The sewing went so fast and easy it I was bound to run into trouble…
As I discovered at the first fitting – The bodice is way to short.IMG_7461I guess the turquoise fabric I used for the mock-up must have been a two way stretch while the my plysch only stretches horizontally.

Since I had only small scraps of fabric left I decided to piece it. And to cover the edge with a belt…
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Perfect!

I finished the bodice by pleating the peplum at the sides and attached it, trimmed the sleeves with some plastic lace and decorated the front with purple ribbon bows.

To make the belt I cut a strip of the purple skirt fabric, pressed some interfacing on it and stitched it closed. Then I attached he plastic belt buckle to it.
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To finish the ensemble I stitched the purple plysch into a tube, a drawstring at the waist, and cut a shaped hem (to accommodate for the pocket hoops).
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The finished skirt (worn over pocket hoops):IMG_7871

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As the final touch to my costume I bought a purple clown wig.afroperuk-lila-1

The finished Dress:IMG_7874

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The Facts:

What: A 18th century inspired masquerade costume

Pattern: I drafted my own, using jersey pattern templates.

Fabric: 1 m flowery polyester plysch, 1 m purple polyester plysch, 0,5m white ply lace, 1m purple fake velvet ribbon, thread and a plastic belt buckle.

Time & Cost: Nothing – Everything came from stash. If new perhaps 150-200 sek (20Usd) (wig – 100sek [16Usd])

Final thoughts: I love it! Even though I had some trouble (Guess jersey’s not my kind of fabric) it came out really well. My only concern is the right side tipping of the skirt (and the fact it’s really short)

Preview:20150630_114250_resizedMy final fitting with wig and jewelry.

Halloween inspiration

It’s that time of year again…

When ornaments crowds the shop windows, the candy flows freely, the candles are being lit and everyone waits in anticipations…
The best time of year is finally here…

It’s HALLOWEEN!

I’m sure most of you seen lots of pretty Victorian and 1910s fancy party costumes,
but here are a few new to me, (and some old, that I just love to much not to show).

Perhaps this can inspire some new fancy Halloween costumes.

dd2061fd7be5fcf38d88b732979d910bMy absolute favorite pic (I have it both printed and framed in my sewing room, and printed on a fabric bag which I love).
1920s Arabian Night, whats not to love.

2b593b2aa9b8649cb426b67ef6bf617bGamer, geisha or (?) green flower.

993ab443e6d58b0d32b13c5970495e8eVictorian goes 18th century, regency and gypsy.

aa1eb115706d0e1d226c5ad71b0e74e8More gypsys, Egyptian and a housemaid.

247c9ffbb277c2d4ac98d2ae67dcfaf3I’m not sure what this two are suppose to be, but a Victorian woman in pants must be shown.

df783ced3204fa201cfd883f34bc54deLove the Edwardian Cleopatra, and the harlequin costume looks almost wearable as it is.

1b2b5fe4b8ab9d9eaeed9e472b481974A few costumes for the young adults. Why not dress as a patriot, a shepherdess, a housemaid or a which.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASpeaking of witches, another one from about 1880s.

59c244a5908beeea572531a3778cfbc7And the real deal.
They really did the witches better back then, don’t you think…

acb746d36605d0f85e436aa772a6b9f0A greek column/dancer/goddess

6ea21172eed9fb477866b6deb9c72c6eI’ve seen lots of these clown costumes around, but I don’t get it – is there something I’m missing here? Why are they so popular?

tumblr_lqaii8xFyZ1qidnqfo1_500The Victorians really knew how to dress up in costume.

189d9470d98253465eb198c654238a3bAnd the Edwardians wasn’t that bad either.

49f285805c8945379276d7d16ac9c322Good to know that (evil) costuming parents existed back then too.