Whoops, I forgot the link …

When l was describing The Bletchley Circle, I realised I had forgotten the link to the excellent blog post.

The Mysterious Coat Pattern and Movies

Hi everyone!

To explain today’s heading, I’m trying to find the brand name and number of a pattern I found, looking through google images. More later …

Off-topic: I think Google is great for looking up all those little things you have a sudden urge to know, or see, for example,

“What exact shade of green is described as forest green?”

“Where do cashew nuts come from?”

“What is clotted cream?” (I actually did not know- it was mentioned in The Secret Garden…)

“What is the actor playing so-and-so in such-and-such a movie?”

The list goes on …

On-topic again:

 I’m looking for a coat pattern to suit the image built up in my head over various years of books, movies and my own personal interests.

Firstly, I love the classic look. Wool coats. Collars. Buttons. Occasional belts. The unique ability to wear them over several layers of clothing in movies from the Northern Hemisphere (the UK!). Scarves. Roomy pockets to hold odds and ends, like harmonicas (mouth-organs), lipstick, bits of string, combs, stones and, like Pa in Laura Ingalls books, small birds. Hats to match. Etc.

I have actually found a picture of a lovely pattern on Google, but it unfortunately didn’t include the brand and number for the pattern.

I’ve tried searching for the ID of the pattern, but unsuccessfully.

Readers, could you try and find the ‘ID’ of the pattern? I would be very grateful if you did.

The Mysterious Coat…

 

I love the one on the right!

My excellent mum found a large quantity of some heavyweight small black and white check fabric in an op shop, and gave it to me to use. It feels like a 100% cotton (hooray!) and I’ve plans to make a coat, and hopefully also a matching 1940’s or 50’s style skirt suit.

 

 This picture is a little huge. I took it on the computer. 

On the topic of coats, to understand a bit more about what I love in fashion, etc, here are some coat pictures from various movies (obviously ones I have watched and some I adore):

Kate Winslet in Enigma. (Right.) At the most desperate time of WWII, at the British code-breaking Bletchley Park, genius Tom Jericho and Hester Wallace attempt to uncover what exactly is going on … I was thrilled first time I watched it. Both actors played well and easily fitted into their roles. Ms Wallace has a good taste in coats, considering the limitations of rationing.

David Tenant in Doctor Who. However, I think one would need to be built like David Tenant to carry off the look successfully.

Anna Maxwell Martin in The Bletchley Circle. (Second from left, in the dark red coat.) (Hmm, I can see a pattern forming. These were just instantaneous thoughts, influenced by my current obsessions.) While I haven’t actually seen this series, I have read many reviews praising it. I think Anna is a brilliant actor in some of her other works I’ve seen (Bleak House!). Here is an excellent blog post, describing the intricacies of costume supplying from the 50’s. Love the hand knits.

Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock. (Three cheers!). Modern day setting of Sherlock Holmes. Brilliant acting by both Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Finally, one of my absolute favourites, all the characters in Call the Midwife. Actually, pictured is not all of them, but the nurses whom the story mostly revolves around. Set in 1950’s East End of London, a group of nuns, nurses and other significant characters play their part helping the local community. An excellent series, filled to the brim with realistic characters you can laugh with, sympathise, and most definitely relate to.  My favourite storyline is the doctor’s romance with Shelagh and Dr Turner, which unfortunately isn’t in the original books by Jennifer Worth. Despite this, Top-notch acting! 

Some more photos. I love their uniforms! Especially the bright red cardigans (knitting!) and hats to match. Accompanied by sensible lace-up leather shoes. (Oxfords?)

Not to forget, a reminder picture of the coat whose ID I’m searching for:

Hmm, maybe I’ll do a few posts on various topics covered today.

Until then,

Thanks for reading!