1906 Black floral corset

I had a fascinating day last Saturday visiting the Symington Collection to fondle original Victorian and Edwardian corsets.

What can I say? I felt like a child in a sweet shop, surrounded by delights; drooling and desperate to sample all of it in the all too short allotted time. Suffice it to say that I took over 300 pictures of the 30 or so corsets that were laid out for us to examine and pore (paw) over and the rather good public Fashion Gallery, which put the V&A to shame.

(Do click on the pictures to get an enlarged view)

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I went to the library on Tuesday, primarily for the children, but I always enjoy a good browse and while I was there I popped upstairs to the non-fiction section to look at the crafty books. This is probably a bit sad and middle-aged, but I was really excited to find both this and this. (more…)

Yesterday was my daughter’s Victorian Day school trip to Reading Museum. I’d volunteered to go along and help herd some of the other little Victorian urchins (they don’t alllow you to be with your own child for some reason) and rather pushed the boat out regarding costume, as you might expect. (more…)