So What, Exactly, are Those Things?

After reading through the pattern instructions and looking at several examples of completed Hollandaise costumes, I’m left with a question about the “ornaments” on the sides of the headpiece. In the LSDS pattern sketch, they’re hard to even see. And on most of the finished headpieces I’ve looked at, they just sort of dangle there (exactly as the original instructions dictate). If they serve any purpose, I can’t figure out what it might be. And honestly, they’re kind of. . . weird.

I’m sorry. It had to be said.

They look like what they are: cardboard and glued on paper attached to an otherwise beautiful swath of antique lace.

I can’t do it.

I finally decided to dig deeper, and I’m so glad I did. As it turns out, the real ornaments aren’t cardboard. They’re gold. And they’re beautiful!

The band around the head holds the headpiece in place. And the decorative portions are works of art. The ones above are square, although they can be other shapes, and are sometimes hung like earings from spring-like extensions.

The little seamstresses who subscribed to La Semaine de Suzette were often told to make do with scraps, and not to bother their mothers with demands for expensive fabrics and trims. Of course the pattern would find a child-appropriate way to recreate the finery of a real Dutch costume. Thus the cardboard.

Luckily for Bernadette, I’m not a child. I have stuff! I can make whatever sort of ornament strikes my fancy.

Or so I thought until I read the translated instructions which state, “We are going to costume Bleuette as Queen Wilhelmina. . .”

So, not just any Dutch girl. A queen.

A very beloved queen.

I tried in vain to find even one photo of Queen Wilhelmina wearing beautiful ornaments like those in the above painting. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Instead I found this:

There will be no intricate twirls for Bernadette. But at least her ornaments ( or ‘kissers’ as they’re known in the Netherlands) will be metal instead of tiny, gluey construction paper copies.

To follow along as I continue working on Bernadette’s convention costume, click HERE.

To see all of Bernadette’s wardrobe projects so far, click HERE.