So, once upon I time I was signed up for a steampunk larp. Steampunk is kind of retro-scifi. Can you imagine how people used to think the future would be 150 years ago? Yup, that's steampunk. Sort of. Now, the larp was cancelled, but I still got to enjoy some period appropriate shaping underwear! The… Continue reading Does my bum look big in this?
A bit of a skirt
I like skirts. I like dresses too, but skirts are so simple to sew, and can be used with everything. I wear them on top of dresses, with blouses, sweaters, T-shirts and a cardigal... So I thought I'd teach you the simplest way of making a skirt. This is the most useful skirt. It can… Continue reading A bit of a skirt
We’ve come full circle!
I love the circle skirt. It should be on the curriculum of every school, it is the best combination of maths, arts and crafts and history ever! Did you know that the circle skirt, which was important to Christian Dior's "New Look" from 1947, was so provocative and problematic in the 1950s that Queen Elizabeth… Continue reading We’ve come full circle!
The dissection of a sweater…
It was a nice sweater. And I cut it up, removed parts of it, and adjusted it. You see, I really, really wanted a knitted cardigan for a second world war larp. I could not find the one I thought I had, and they had none I liked in any charity or second hand shops,… Continue reading The dissection of a sweater…
That’s (t)hat!
So, when there is only a couple of hours until you've got to be ready packed and in your car, heading for a caribbean island alá 1792... What do you do? You make a hat. Obviously. Time for a history lesson/tutorial! Broad-brimmed, low hats were really, really popular during the last part of the 18th… Continue reading That’s (t)hat!
1792 – Here I come!
So, I had a little photo shoot with my darling (patient and luckily quite childish) mother, and here are the results! I also did my hair and makeup to the best of my abilities... 18th century cosmetics consisted mainly of two different products: Blanc (white powder, often made up with lead or mercury, and hence… Continue reading 1792 – Here I come!
The test…
So, once upon a time, I gave myself a challenge - to make a dress out of stripey fabric, and make the stripes match. I've heard that's difficult. Apparently, rumours were true. However, I'm pretty pleased with the result! I'll try to recap how I went about making the bodice for my 18th century gown.… Continue reading The test…
One dress – many wearers
I really wanted to experiment with sewing garments that more than one person can use. I have a lot of costumes, I like to lend them out, but that's easier if more people can use them than people who look exactly like me. This was the first result: Hooks, eyes and lacing! The front is… Continue reading One dress – many wearers
What is indeed up in the hood?
What do you do when you live in one of Norway's wettest cities, and the forecast promises that the heavenly sluices will open on the National day, when I'm going to be parading the streets for hours? Sensible, or less patriotic, people would have stayed at home. I, however, am not a girl to miss… Continue reading What is indeed up in the hood?
A nightgown fit for a Queen!
I am done with my Chemise a la Reine! And what a garment this is! The Chemise a la Reine, also known as the Gaulle or the chemise dress, was originally designet by Rose Bertin for no other than Queen Marie Antoinette, and based on the loose, light cotton dresses women wore in the West-Indies.… Continue reading A nightgown fit for a Queen!
The Petticoated Swashbuckler 