History Alive - Suffragettes

History Alive...

When Sunday comes around we jump forward to the 1890s were we portray Queensland Suffragettes. We’re only a group of four at this point, but we do our best to show what it was like in Australia for women trying to gain the vote. The biggest fallacy is that Suffragettes were all extremists and violent. But because Australian women had the vote so early in the piece, it was quite the peaceful movement. We run a bake sale to raise funds for the cause, hand out information sheets, organise a petition, give speeches and organise marches.

I wasn't quite so happy with the costume that I made last year (skirt was a bit short and not full enough for my happiness), add to that a bit of weight gain and I really wanted to put together something new to wear this year. I managed to put the whole thing together out of my stash. The skirt is made from a lightweight grey wool, lined with flannel and with a canvas hem facing to help hold the skirt out. I added a new vest with welt pockets and of course a new hat to match it all. I must say, I was very pleased with the ensemble. 

History Alive - Regency

History Alive. It’s the focus for so many Queensland costumers who have joined in with the fun of re-enactment. I myself am one such costumer. I’m a member of RIFF (Re-enacting Independently for Fun). So this year, I will show you around the RIFF encampment and what we do at History Alive.

History Alive is a timeline event that showcases many different periods from the re-enactment community across Queensland. As an open period group, RIFF portrays a number of different eras. This year we tackled two different times over the two days of the event. 

First off, we started with the Regency period. (1795—1825). We are set up for the day with a number of tents and a shade shelter. We start out our day with a breakfast buffet at 10am (as would be done in the period). After we’ve assuaged our hunger, we settle in for the day with some genteel pursuits—games, sewing, sketching, reading and promenading. It makes for quite the relaxing day.

And once the public head off for the afternoon, the re-enactors relax for the evening - to a lovely sunset. Stay tuned for day two when we jump forward a 100 years in time...

Art Nouveau Tea

Back in May. (I know! Where does the time go?!) I attended an Art Nouveau tea with my fellow Queensland ACG members. It was a simple event where we all turned up in our Art Nouveau gear and descended on the Shingle Inn café at Brisbane City Hall. The café was installed a few years ago when City Hall was refurbished (it was sinking into the mud) and it is the original café from the 1930s re-installed. It’s been done quite beautifully, and while not as old as our costumes, it still provided a lovely backdrop for tea and cakes.

And for the occasion, I decided to wear my Art Nouveau Merida again (of course, I didn't actually get any photos of myself other than a selfie). I put so much work into the costume that it was great to be able to wear it again, and I thought it appropriate as the artwork the that costume is from is based on original artwork designs from the Art Nouveau period. Plus, doesn’t everyone love Disney?!