SHANNON'Sdresses

THEATREcostume

A Doll's House - Kristina Lind

April 2011

Kristina Lind - played by Francesca Emms

The character of Kristina Lind required two basic outfits, which I based loosely on the same style. The play was set in 1905, so I made Kristina a high-necked white blouse that I could fashion the two outfits around, both with Gibson Girl skirts and little jackets. The brown outfit is Simplicity 9723, and the navy outfit is the same style skirt and the same blouse, but with a jacket from Butterick 5232.

The brown jacket was designed to sit open as in the first picture, but somehow it just wasn't sitting right on our actress. So I fastened it at the centre front, which also made a really nice look. The blouse also is designed to puff out at the front, to accentuate the 'S' curve shape of the Edwardian silhouette, and this is how I left it with the navy outfit. However I have tucked it in with the brown outfit, as it suited the fastening of the jacket in the front.

As they were made with fabrics from theatre funding, the navy and brown suits have been donated to the Stagecraft wardrobe, where they will hopefully be used again one day. The blouse however was made from my own fabric and pattern, so I am keeping it to utilise with more delicious Edwardian costumes for my collection in the future.