Tuesday 24 June 2014

The Tudor



My eldest grandson had to dress up as a Tudor peasant for a school trip to Kentwell Hall where they recreate Tudor life down to the finest detail.

So I set about making his outfit. “What colour doublet would you like?” I asked. “Purple,” he says. So I bought some lovely purple Melton fabric, used one of his vests as a pattern and made him a purple waistcoat.

I was a bit doubtful as to whether a peasant would wear purple I have to admit.

Anyway, No. 1 Grandson came out of school one day and said that Miss had said that only royalty wore purple. So I got some suedette fabric and it made a lovely doublet and matching hat (much nicer than the purple one). I’d already made him a hat to match the hose, but the new one looked so much nicer.

He had to have a little money bag and a white apron too.



Then I made a hat for his dad who was going along as a helper (didn't get a photo of him modelling it though).

It occurred to me that the peasant hat with a few modifications would make a pretty sunhat so I made one for the Tudor’s little sister (which she is wearing on the June Giggle Blog – she thinks it is wonderful that no one in the world has a hat like hers). I have now made sunhats for all my grandchildren – and my daughter. I have made nine hats so far.

He had a fantastic day. At Kentwell Hall they don’t just have special days for schools – they do them for the public too - find out more here. They also have a Facebook page.

What a lovely way to learn about the past.

Speaking of which, I am going to start a course with Future Learn next week – England in the time of King Richard III. The course is absolutely free and I believe there is still time to sign up. If that doesn’t float your boat, there are lots of other free courses to choose from. Check them out here.

Is anyone else having problems with the Blogger dashboard? It is only showing me one blog update and ignores me when I click on See More. Makes it very difficult to keep up with my favourite blogs!



24 comments:

  1. Oh bless him Teresa. He looks gorgeous and you are so clever.

    Yes exactly that has happened to me on Blogger - phew it's not just me then. What on earth is the matter with it!! Grrrrrrrr :o) xx

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    1. Thank you, Sue :-) It's a relief to know it's not just me with Blogger - just another Bloggerly Blip x

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  2. Teresa, I'm immensely impressed that I know someone who can make nine hats. I shall have to go and lie down to take it all in.

    Yes. Blogger is playing up. Luckily yours was my newest new post, so I saw it.

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    1. After my antics today, my family will probably call me the Mad Hatter - but I'm saving that for the July giggle blog x

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    2. I'm having the same problem, Teresa - hope it rights itself soon. Well done for your costume making skills!

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    3. Thanks, Wendy. I've now discovered everyone has that problem - nice to know it's not just me x

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  3. Thank goodness for grandma!
    My blogger is only showing one post at a time too.
    I have just completed the Future Learn Creative Writing course which was free. I found it useful but time consuming. I have still signed up for another in September on Journalism.

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    1. There are some great courses offered aren't there. The amount of time needed worries me a little. I am tempted by the journalism one too x

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  4. I've just finished the creative writing one as well. Teresa you are so creative, those hats are smashing. Were you trained to do that, obviously you were... they are so lovely. Your grandson looks a natural model, and so cute and lovely. He must have felt so proud in his hand made costume. It's a wonder all the mum's didn't ask you to do one as well:)))) Can't wait to read you July giggles...

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    1. Aw thank you, Susan. He is a lovely boy :-) I do love sewing, but I'm not great at it. I'm hoping my granddaughters get to go so I can make them the dresses, but with changes in the school curriculum it seems future trips are unlikely x

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  5. What a talented lady you are and what a handsome model. Remember that pattern that we both sent for? Well a friend took pity on me and made a much better job of it than I would have done. I started the Futurelearn writing course but it was difficult to keep track of followers. I think they offer some very good courses though.

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    1. It's funny but I was looking at that pattern the other day, Maggie! I don't think I'd want to make it again.
      I don't really understand the followers thing, but I'm hoping it will become clear once I start x

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  6. Yay - Bloggerly Blip seems to be over! Thanks for mentioning it Teresa and for all the reassurance it wasn't just this hopeless technophobe!!! :o) xx

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  7. You are so clever to be able to make such lovely things, Teresa. I'm dreadful at sewing! I had to make my eldest daughter a mermaid's dress once and it only had one armhole. My friend was even worse. She made her daughter lie on a piece of fur-fabric on the floor and drew around her to make a bear costume - forgetting that daughters are 3D... xxx

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    1. Oh Joanna, I had to laugh :-) That is lovely! And forgetting daughters are 3D! I always loved sewing and I was so happy when my mum decided I was old enough to use her sewing machine. I love sewing machines almost as much as I love typewriters x

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  8. Thanks for the link to Future Learn. I shall check it out. Yes I did have the same problem with Blogger, but it seems OK today., Gosh - you could get endlessly creative with hats! (Oh, no. Now I feel the itchings of a new project coming on!)

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    1. I know - I have gone mad making hats and instead of thinking up stories, I am thinking up different combinations of fabrics I could use to make them more funky! But I haven't tried to make a cover for my sewing machine yet which I'd really like to do since seeing the beautiful one you made. Mine is still nestling under a big toy shop carrier bag! x

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  9. Great way to get kids interested in history. He looks a bit too clean for a peasant though.

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    1. He does doesn't he - and the funny thing is that he bought some Tudor soap as a souvenir (looked a bit odd but smelled really nice!) x

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  10. How gorgeous is he, Teresa! What a lovely idea and I must have a look at those courses, although I did a Masters in history and literature some years ago. But I do fancy that period!

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary.
      Such interesting times weren't they x

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  11. Your Grandson is very handsome in the doublet you've made, and what a lovely hat too! I'm not surprised you've had to make more hats for the rest of the family. Thank you for this lovely post and link to the courses. The one you've chosen sounds interesting. I hope you enjoy taking part x

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. The course starts tomorrow! I can't wait x

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