Crazy Costume Critiques: The Marvelous Moonacre Edition

Well today didn't go at all as planned so I thought we'd might as well drift off into another land and discuss the world of Moonacre. This whole movie felt like a forgotten dream which I later realized was because I HAD read the book as a teen. (Check it out, much better than the movie. "The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge)
As soon as it opens you're faced with a mode of dress that has never been seen in our world...

Is this what the framework of a bustle looks like? They just chose to wear it on the outside? 

 Highly decorated backsides seems to be a theme of the movie because if we're not running around in one of the backward bustles we're running around with a small fabric store tacked on the back.

Unless were escaping and have to leave our hoops behind then we must run around with the pillow attached to our bums.
(upper right corner)

 If this wasn't enough the highly detailed use of accessories would let us know we're not in Kansas anymore.

"I have the scariest mask you've ever seen" gives way to "Cameo Momento" to "it looks spiky but it's soft and tender like my heart"

I have a feeling the costume department must have had a lot of fun with this movie. Every thing is so lush and layered when it's not totally random.

Tons of beading and embroidery! This movie gives love to the men of the cast as well
 Everyone gets a jacket and waistcoat and don't forget the cravat. After all we are on a safari.

When we're not distracted by the back of the gowns the fronts present an equally
dazzling array of embellishment and detail.

But the real masterpiece of this movie is this red velvet beauty. I couldn't narrow down the photos because it moves and drapes so beautifully. You can almost feel the weight of this dress in the way she moves and the velvet glows, begging to be caressed.

Sorry about the quality of this one.
I had to play with the settings a bit so you could
see the dress silhouette better.

You can also see the backgrounds are just as lush as the costuming. I love everything about this story. Have you ever seen it or read the book? Psst, it's on Netflix...
After seeing it I dare you not to pick up any beading or embroidery on your next sewing project!

Last of the Christmas Gifts

I managed to recover from all the hacking and coughing, shivers and aches in time to finish up the last few Christmas gifts...

I took a photograph which I traced for this special little embroidery for a
friend who started our local sewing group, Tubs Anonymous (cause we all have
tubs of fabric at home and the local quilting guild had already taken the name,
Prairie Strippers).  I glued it into the frame on Christmas Eve and covered the
mess with some ribbon glued to the back.

My brother hates hugs and touching of any kind so of course
I had to make him this fabulous design from Sublime Stitching.

I love all the felt birds designed by Susan of Downeast Thunder Farm
 and was very happy to get my
Grandma's favorite bird made up for her tree.

The not nieces and nephew have started playing imaginary games like "King"
so I thought I'd make some dress up clothes! I hacked the Tumble Tee pattern for
the make the princess dresses. I used this tutorial for the gathered skirts and cut the front of the Pink
Princess's skirt in thirds to add the lace panel while leaving the back in one piece. I just sewed some
costume necklaces right on so they wouldn't loose them.
The knight/king/warrior costume came from the dollar store and a large piece of purple velvet I cut
into a cape shape and sewed onto the shoulders of the breastplate.

Welp that's about all I've gotten done for the rest of 2013... Stay tuned this week for the wrap up of the Stashbusting Sewalong 2013. We actually have some neat little prizes for those who have participated.... And hopefully we'll have all our ducks in a row and we'll be announcing the details for STASHBUSTING 2014!! Watch out fabric we are coming for you!!

PS. The Fabric Elf chose a winner for my Christmas fabric giveaway! Thanks to all those that participated. The Fabric Elf and I loved hearing your special Christmas memories!

Congrats Sandra! Your package will be in the mail soon.

Hope you all have a great time celebrating and I'll see you in the New Year!