Author: Catherine

Vintage 1950s Reversible Halloween/Christmas Dress – Simplicity 8085

Vintage 1950s Reversible Halloween/Christmas Dress – Simplicity 8085

I don’t often do holiday dresses because I don’t like that you can only wear them once or twice per year. However, since this dress is reversible, I get double the wear! I used Simplicity 8085 and novelty print cotton. The Christmas side is a 

Fourteenth Century Hood – Self-Drafted with Handmade Buttons and Buttonholes

Fourteenth Century Hood – Self-Drafted with Handmade Buttons and Buttonholes

For a first attempt at a fourteenth century hood, this went together remarkably well.  I used my Viking hood for the basic dimensions and then drafted the front opening turn-back and liripipe around that. It took a few tries to get the side gore the 

Fluffy’s Blanket – a Cozy Fleece Blanket for a Tiny Pomeranian

Fluffy’s Blanket – a Cozy Fleece Blanket for a Tiny Pomeranian

A friend of mine recently got a tiny, fluffy, Pomeranian puppy. As I was named Auntie to this puppy, naturally I had to make her a present. I decided to make her a blanket, since all dogs need a decent blanket. I chose red, to 

What Colour do Onion Skins Make? Viking Era Natural Dyes

What Colour do Onion Skins Make? Viking Era Natural Dyes

I recently participated in a natural dyes workshop, put on by Fjellborg, the Viking group I have joined in Denver. It was so much fun and I learned masses. All the linen and wool which we wanted to dye had to first be mordanted to 

Luna Lovegood’s Radish Earrings – Knitting Pattern

Luna Lovegood’s Radish Earrings – Knitting Pattern

I have a friend who is potty about Harry Potter. So for his birthday, his girlfriend plotted with a group of us to surprise him with a trip to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. I had been thinking about doing Luna Lovegood’s radish (dirigible 

Tablet Weaving – From Wine Boxes to C-clamps and Beyond!

Tablet Weaving – From Wine Boxes to C-clamps and Beyond!

A few years ago I was inspired by a member of my Viking group to try tablet weaving. My first loom was made from a wine box, which was surprisingly successful. The flap at the front even provides tension adjustment. I played with different patterns 

Garment Bags – Self-drafted and made using old sheets

Garment Bags – Self-drafted and made using old sheets

I have been meaning to make myself some garment bags for ages, and got round to it at last. I used some old sheets in a lovely muted green. The reason I wanted to use sheets is to take advantage of the ready-hemmed edges. The 

The Making of Bumbersnoot – From Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series

The Making of Bumbersnoot – From Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series

For Bumbersnoot himself, I was poking about on the internet looking for ideas when I discovered wine cork holders. Why one would want such a thing is beyond me, however, they are metal, come in animal shapes and the dachshund one makes a perfect base 

Sophronia Temminnick Cosplay – From Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series

Sophronia Temminnick Cosplay – From Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series

For Wondercon2018 I decided to do a cosplay of Sophronia Temminnick and her trusty sidekick Bumbersnoot, from The Finishing School series by Gail Carriger. I based it around my 1855 ball gown and added the relevant accessories. Sophronia’s black velvet reticule This is the reticule 

1855 Ball Gown, Part 3 – Finishing – Simplicity 1728

1855 Ball Gown, Part 3 – Finishing – Simplicity 1728

Read part 1 and part 2. Once I had made the bodice and skirt, I tried them both on together and discovered a problem. As soon as I started to move, the bodice popped out of the skirt. I puzzled over how to fix this