The other dress-up event in the same weekend (as the band gig) was the annual Fantasy Fair at Kasteel de Haar (for more info: www.elffantasy.eu). I had been there before but never put a lot of work into my outfit, which seems to be a shame as it's the perfect opportunity for dressing up big time. I had planned to make a Simplicity victorian dress for last year, but never finished it. Now, I used the bustle pad (pillow-on-string-like thing), petticoat and underskirt from the pattern and combined it with a jacket I made a long time ago but never wear because it's not quite right, which I took in at the waist so it would fit smoothly over my corset. I still want to make the full outfit, although I'll only use the pattern for the skirt drapes, the bodice wasn't designed to wear with a corset and if I have to do a lot of fitting, I think I'm better of starting with my own sloper. Of my boyfriend's outfit, I made the shirt and cape last year.

cotton for petticoat, bustle pad and men's shirt, taffeta and lace for the skirt, cotton twill for the jacket, polyesther crepe and satin for the cape, canvas, a busk and flat steel boning for the corset.