FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Cinderella’s Undergarments
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photographer: Jovanca Post
Outline the story …
When I heard the theme I was very excited. I am an avid reader and am very fond of fairytales. I definitely wanted to use a more unknown story and as inspiration I chose ‘Aschenputzel’. This is the story that is the origin of the Disney version of Cinderella we have all come to love, but Grimms story is different in several aspects. First of all there are three balls and not one, there is a tree with a magical bird instead of a fairy godmother and there is a bit more blood and gore in this story. When the first ball is about to happen ‘Aschenputtel’ goes to her mothers grave to wish for a dress to wear to the ball. Next to the grave there is a hazel tree that Aschenputtel planted there earlier in which a bird lives. She makes her wish in the form of a rhyme and it goes like this:
"Little tree, little tree, shake over me,
That silver and gold may come down and cover me."
Then the bird threw down a dress of gold and silver, and a pair of slippers embroidered with silk and silver.
This inspired me to make an outfit for her to wear to the ball, that isn't the iconic blue from Disney's version. I am fascinated by the 1890's, so I decided to make an 1890’s outfit, complete with undergarments and all, in gold and silver and with a natural feel.
Outline the construction…
My first plan was to make a ballgown and I had fabric sent to me, but that package has gone missing in the mail. So the biggest challenge for me was to make whatever I did have work in these crazy times and so the undergarments became the star of the show. It was the first time I made a well researched and comfortable corset and I used a corset pattern by Aranea Black as a base and altered it to fit me and my design. Her lessons on corsetry and all the information I could find on Foundations Revealed have proved very valuable in this project. I have made many mockups before I dared to start in my actual fabric. The corset is made out of a coutil with gold roses and I managed to pattern match the center front, which felt like a huge achievement for me. For the boning channels I used twill tape and I used synthetic baleen as boning. The split drawers and chemise are made using original patterns from 1897, which was an adventure in itself. The split drawers are made from Indian Batiste and the chemise is made from a light cotton. These last two garments are sewn predominantly by hand an only the large seams were done by machine. All the trimmings are vintage or antique and sewn on by hand. This project was one of many firsts and I am looking forward to making more garments using my original Victorian patterns.
Love that you made “Cinderella’s undergarments!” Such beautiful work in a very creative idea. Thank you for submitting this entry. A fan of vintage undergarments, I have made several pieces in the past year and none of the pieces appear as pretty as these you have done so well!
Thank you so much, I definitely want to make more as I have several other original Victorian patterns. It is almost a shame to cover them up with a dress right 🙂
That coutil is so gorgeous, I love it!
Thank you, it was a lucky find, but it suited my project so well 🙂
I love historical undergarments! They’re always so delicate and detailed♡ Yours are no exception, you can easily see the hard work and time that went into this ensemble. Great job!
Thank you. All the attention that went into historical garments just fascinates me, so different from nowadays.
Precise work. Very fine corset!
Thank you! It was my first properly researched corset, but I definitely want to make more now 🙂
I like the idea of making Cinderella´s undergarments as well as the execution. I especially like the fabric you used for the corset.
Great details!
I love your research and the care you took to make her feel like a princess and glow from the foundations up! Bravo! I too am a fan of the original delicate descriptions of the dress and this is *such* a beautiful set you have created to go with it. I also like the fact that you look comfortable. Does anyone ever think Cinderella is comfortable in her gown? I think we can put that to rest with this lovely undergarment set! Well done!
Beautiful and neat work, great job <3 I love the fabric choice for the corset, very delicate^^