HSF #1: Procrastination

I'm quite happy I finally quit procrastinating and got working on my new Edwardian Undies. I first bought the pattern and intended on beginning it two years ago! It's about time I got around to starting them. And finishing them.

Ah, but if I had a nickel for every time I did that...

The Challenge: #1, Procrastination

Material: Cotton Batiste

Pattern: Truly Victorian TVE02

Year: About 1903

Notions: Lace, china buttons, silk ribbon.

How historically accurate is it? The materials are correct, though after starting the project, I questioned using a zig zag stitch on the insertion, as I didn't see instructions for insertion like that in my antique sewing manuals. After looking into it, as far as I can tell, the zig zag stitch was invented in the late 19th century, but was only used in industrial sewing until the late 1940's. But I had gone too far to switch the stitching... Ah well, with each project I learn more to be better next time!

Hours to complete: About a week of sewing in the afternoons.

First worn: Not yet!

Total cost: I didn't count. I had pretty much everything in my stash. Just ordered some extra insertion and ribbon after running out. 

Frilly things ahead!

Yay! I've been so productive this last week! I dove into making new Edwardian undies with full force. 

Rotten Row

When researching riding habits, inevitably, one comes across any number of prints and paintings depicting Rotten Row and riding in the Row. Rotten Row (corrupted from Route du Roi, or the King's Road) is a bridle path in Hyde Park, that was thee place to be seen riding in London, most famously during the 19th century. Riding there in the morning was quite a social, and fashionable, experience.

Much to my delight, one can still go for a ride there! I booked an early morning ride, before the joggers and cyclists came out. The park was beautiful and misty and quiet. I could not believe we were right in the center of London!

Not quite side saddle, but I'll take what I can get! I got to ride a cute little Irish Cob named Buzz. 

And there it is, Rotten Row. Check one off the bucket list!

Now I'm quite inspired to make a riding habit. I can't believe I haven't made one yet! Goal for this year, I think!

The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection was definitely a highlight of this London trip, and I can't believe I have never heard of it before! 

The Collection is housed at Hertford House in Manchester Square, which is the former townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford. It's a little off the beaten path, just north of Oxford St, but very a walkable distance from the shops. 

The house is beautiful and full of some very well known pieces of art. And... it's free to go in! 

Off to England! A short trip on the British Pullman

To leave Paris, we boarded the Orient Express and had a lovely breakfast on our way to Calais. In Calais, we took the Chunnel to Folkestone, where we boarded and took off for London.

The British sister train of the Orient Express is the British Pullman. There are also trains in the North that go up to Scotland. Oo next time, I hope! 

Versailles: The Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Hamlet

My favorite part of Versailles! The Petit Trianon was beautiful. I love me some Marie, so it was just fantastic to be there.

The Hamlet, her faux village, was very cool, too, if a little spooky, but that might have been the misty twilight.

Versailles: The Palace and the Grand Trianon

Ah, Versailles. Can I even begin to illustrate the amount of people? I don't think I have ever been anywhere more crowded. These pictures don't do the crowd justice. Inside the palace especially, we were quite literally elbow to elbow. Worse, even. But once we stepped out into the gardens, it was so spacious and lovely. The Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon were a much better experience. They are a bit of a walk from the Palace, so most of the tour groups don't venture there. Much nicer! I mean, how can one mentally "travel back in time" when one is being poked with a selfie stick? Quite.

Le Louvre!

No preface needed. Have fun!

Off to Paris! Night two on the Orient Express.

Off to Paris! Our second day journey on the train was lovely! I covered the big stuff in my post about our first night, so here I will just share some more eye candy on the way to France.

Vienna: The Hofburg Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum

I just can't resist a horse or two!

My husband and I were walking to the Hofburg Palace, when a coach and horses crossed our path. Well, what better way to show up to the Spanish riding school than by carriage! Quite in the spirit of it.

2015 In Review

Oh, and it started off so strong! Unfortunately, only a few things were actually completed last year, but here they are!

Haha first was a tea cozy. It's very handy!

Then, the only complete outfit of the year: my costume de ball for the Jane Austen Evening, in Pasadena. I made a sleeveless shift, a bodiced petticoat and a gown. I also repaired an antique tiara for the outfit.

Off to Vienna! Our first evening aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Taking the Orient Express was definitely one of the very best parts of our trip! Everywhere you looked were beautiful details. The train was gorgeous, the staff was impeccable, the food and cocktails were fantastic. Oh, and the fashion opportunities! 

The train is made up of sleeping and restaurant cars, mostly from the 1920's and 30's. Almost every detail in the cars is the way it was. And the guests have to take part, too. No jeans, no cell phones (except for photos), no bottles - glasses only, thank you very much. It's lovely!

And, of course, the train is quite famous for being the backdrop of Agatha Christie's mystery, Murder on the Orient Express.

We boarded in Venice and were shown to our cabin. It was a lovely and cozy little room! 

Touring the Gardens of a Renaissance Villa

Following yesterday's theme of Italian eye candy, let's go to Cernobbio and explore the grounds of a 16th century Lake Como Villa. 

The Villa d' Este has been a hotel since the 1870's, but started as a Cardinal's lake house. In the early 1800's, Caroline of Brunswick took up residence at the villa and when a new building was erected on the grounds, she took the remains on the 15th century convent that once stood there and moved it above the gardens. Quite a hike, but very cool to explore!

Wandering Through Venice

Good morning, Venice! Let's have a wander through the alleys and canals. We'll meet in the afternoon for a drink!

I would love to make this a post about fashion history, but architectural eye candy will have to do.  Enjoy!

Visiting the Roman Baths and the Pump Room

One thing I was very excited to do, while we were in Bath, was to visit the Roman Baths. Now, they have been there since Roman times (hence the name, of course!), and have been enjoyed throughout history, but, as I have more of an interest in Georgian history, I know of the baths as the place that Georgians would go to, to "take the waters" for their health. Very fashionable!

 

A Visit to the Bath Fashion Museum

Happy New Year!!

For a moment, let's ignore that I have been seriously slacking when it comes to sewing, and let's take a little trip to Bath, England and visit the Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms.

My husband and I recently got back from a seriously awesome trip to Europe, and I thought sharing some of the wonderful, historic locations we visited would get me back blogging. And hopefully sewing... Which has been hard, since 90% of my sewing room is packed up in storage. Sigh.

Anyway, off to Bath!

The fashion museum had a special Georgian exhibit on. Yay!