Keats, costumes and crochet.

I went to see 'Bright Star', the film about John Keats and his love affair with the girl-next- door, Fanny Brawne. It's a treat for the eyes, and I enjoyed it; although the pace was slow, it depicted beautifully the stillness and quiet of how life must have been in early nineteenth century Hampstead village. Apart from domestic tasks, time is spent by the characters in contemplative, often silent pursuits; reading, walking and in particular, sewing. Fanny is an accomplished seamstress and her vibrant outfits are a real stand-out, colourful and unusual. One of the costumes has made quite an impression on me, it's the cardigan in this picture.

 

Isn't it lovely?! I've found myself thinking about whether it's knitted or crocheted, I think possibly the latter and if it could be re-created!? It looks like little flowers joined together by crocheted chains. I wonder..........!! It will have to go on my long list of things to research and dream about making. I found a nice article in the Guardian about the costumes, which are on display at Keats' House in Hampstead. What a treat it would be to see them in the place where much of the poet's most famous work was written.

Comments

[CaroleJ]

So nice to come across someone else who was smitten by Fanny's little flower-crochet cardi - I was more interested in it than the film. I found your site (and the still, thank you) as a result of searching for 'Fanny Brawne and crochet'. I was hoping that it's possible to buy such fabric, then I could make anything; cardi, scarf, hat, bag ... but my local fabric shop thinks it unlikly. My gran taught me to sew and crochet, but I have not touched a crochet needle in decades, and this would be an awfully big project. However, I did go into a wool and silks shop and eyed up the materials. We'll see. Please do post again if you find out any more.

[Marie]

Yes, it was the stand-out thing in the film for me, so beautiful. I think it would be a hell of a job to make something similar, much improvement required on my part to get close to it! Thanks for visiting, do pop by again!

[tsktsk]

i'm watching it now on DVD and I am with you. Just too good. I think it is quite possible that it is the work of Sophie Digard. But you may know this by now as I'm a little slow on the movie watching.

[Marie]

Yes, I think you're right about Sophie Digard, I didn't know that at the time of writing this post, but it's definitely got the look of her garments. Thanks for visiting this blog, do pop by again!

[TurquoiseGal]

Hello. Just found these two sites with info on "Bright Star" costume designer Janet Patterson and Sophie Digard and her cardigans, wraps and shawls.
Enjoy. :-)

http://tinyurl.com/358lgzd

http://tinyurl.com/33h29xz

[TurquoiseGal]

Sorry the links above don't seem to be working.
Try these.

http://paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/bright-star/

http://www.selvedge-drygoods.org/pages/products.aspx?id=103&p=572

[TurquoiseGal]

Some more places to find Sophie Digard items...

http://frenchneedletextiles.com/cgi-bin/general.pl?Accessories-&SD

http://stitchtherapybrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/08/sophie-digard-pretty-in-paris.html

http://www.pedshoes.com/sophie_digard/sophie_digard.asp?productLineID=5&vendorID=26

[Marie]

Thanks so much for those links, I'm enjoying looking at all the eye candy they taking me to!

[Melissa]

This cardi is still on my mind. Did you ever come up with any pattern ideas?

[M]

Hi Melissa, I'm afraid I haven't thought up any pattern ideas....yet!I really should try, but it has been put on a back burner for now, with one thing and another. one of these days I'll get round to it :-)