Today it's my turn in the May Mystery Challenge. I participated in a Mystery Challenge
before and I liked the fun of working with a theme. It really gets the creativity flowing. This round my assignment is Anne Frank, given to me by Magda who blogs at
House of Estrela.
Well I suppose I don't have to explain who Anne Frank was, but I interpreted the theme in a different way and there's a story attached that's probably less familiar.
When reading her diary, you may notice that Anne Frank mentions a tree that's just behind the
Achterhuis a couple of times. It's just viewable from the attic window and it gives her some idea of the changing seasons outside. This tree has been under the care of the Amsterdam City Centre Borough for quite some time to help preserve it. Unfortunately the tree was in poor condition and at one point even on the list to be cut down because it became dangerous for it's surrounding area. This evoked a lot of protest and alternative plans were presented by the Anne Frank Tree Foundation to save the tree. Unfortunately the tree did collapse during a storm in August 2010. Luckily no damage was done. Seedlings of the tree are now planted all over the world to remember and to spread the message for tolerance and mutual respect.
I took the Anne Frank Tree as my starting point by hand painting a tree on a tank tee with black fabric paint, the pattern is the
Twisted Tank by Titchy Threads.
I kept the whole outfit in black, white and grey just like the old photographs of Anne.
The pants are a pattern from the
Ottobre 1/2015 issue (given to me as part of #parissewsocial), the rocking sweatpants. I took the largest size (a size 4), shortened the legs and rolled the hem up. This version is made with a grey sweatshirt fabric. I love the look of these pants with the lowered crotch, This is the
second pair I made and more will follow for the boys this summer!

Do check out the outfit
Pienkel made for the Mystery Challange today, it's fantastic! And thanks to her I got the kick in the butt I needed to finish this project. I had the idea in my head for ages, so no lack of inspiration, but I just couldn't bring myself to start sewing. Not sure why though, when I started it was fun, as always!
Want to see more mystery fun? Then do hop over to the other participants in the May Mystery Tour.
Wow, really well done, like I wrote over at Pienkel I think the topics are really hard this year! Amazing how you used this one, I presume it took a lot of thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks Miranda! It was a creative challenge indeed! Anne Frank isn't an easy topic when you only sew for boys. The idea to use the tree came almost immidiately, but I really did some brainstorming on how to incorporate it int the outfit :)
DeleteLove it! You did a great job on hand painting the tree, and the basic colour scheme fits the elaborate painting wonderfully. Glad you got round to making it after all ;-)
ReplyDeleteJeej, ben ook blij dat het precies zo gelukt is als bedacht :)
DeleteLove the outfit! I knew the referenced tree from the book, but did not know that it wasn't doing well (and eventually fell down).. It's neat to know that the tree's saplings are all over.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work on the tree! I admire you for having such amazing talent!
Thanks Jessica! It was really fun hand painting the tree :)
DeleteNot an obvious link to Anne Frank, but a clever one. I didn't know about the tree, so I've learnt something today. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome ;)
DeleteYup- me too! I think you've handled the inspiration source beautifully.
DeleteI would buy this outfit for my boys if I saw it on a rack. Even better that it's handmade and so full of creativity and thought from your challenge prompt. Really impressive. I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, thanks for the compliments Bethany!
DeleteStriking! Wonderful outfit, very interesting interpretation of your challenge!
ReplyDelete