FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Dean Evelyn Sader and her Butterfly Spies
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
The character of Evelyn Sader joins the School for Good and Evil in book two of the series written by Soman Chainani, "The School for Good and Evil: A World Without Princes", as the Dean of the newly formed Girl’s school. She wears a high-necked “teacher’s” dress covered in blue butterflies. The butterflies look beautiful, however, since this is a school of magic, they also fly off and spy on the students for her. The book is a mix of modern and historical elements so I felt that should be reflected in my construction through the historical elements of the regency chemisette and the sleeves inspired by the 1890s contrasted with a modern print and pattern. Evelyn is described as shapely, so I wanted the dress to be fitted at the waist and used the dramatic sleeves to emphasize that. The Victorian inspiration also fits with my image of a boarding school where they read only fairy tales. I personally do not like butterflies so the idea of an evil character who loves them was appealing to me.
This year I knew that I wanted to use my stash for as many projects as possible. The blue butterfly fabric was perfect for a fantasy series. I accidentally took the second book out of the library before the first but finding Evelyn, the secretive new dean covered in blue butterflies, for this contest was perfect.
Outline the construction…
I used machine and hand stitching with hooks and eyes for the front closure. I used the free Poppy dress pattern from Mood Fabrics; to make it more flattering I raised the waist and changed the top from gathers to darts. The butterfly fabric is a silky synthetic and I added skirt panels with blue velvet to add contrast. Since the dress has a plunging neckline (not school appropriate!) I drafted a ruffled silk chemisette with fabric from an old shirt to fill in that space and add drama around the face. To add 3D detailing and sparkle I made beaded butterfly clips that move around the dress and my hair. Each beaded butterfly is different with metallic and blue shades. I beaded around the bodice to pick up elements of the butterflies. The Poppy pattern was very helpful, and I referred to RosieStyle’s Youtube video: Making a Dress for Autumn (free Pattern) to see how she put the pattern together. I looked at online images of chemisettes before starting that piece. I found a butterfly clip making kit from my childhood and made my own designs after the first one. The fabric shredded terribly, and I wore a mask while sewing with all the bits around. I wasn’t sure I could make something like my vision, I almost stopped when I felt it looked terrible, but I kept going and I’m really happy with it. The photos convey the image of Evelyn communicating with her butterfly spies.
Incredible job!
Thank you dearest!
Very nice! Well done, love the details!
Thank you! So nice that you both commented at once.
Love the flamboyancy of the design and beautiful details!
Thank you- I had a lot of fun with this!
Love those fabrics! And the details are exquisite♡
They feel really nice too. Thank you so much!
Wonderful job. The fabrics!! The poof!! I love it!!
Thank you so much!! The poof makes me so happy!
I like your interpretation of the story and can really see this dress being worn by a schoolmarm. I’m glad you persevered with using the shredding fabric, as the final effect is quite lovely.
Thank you so much, Laura. I’m really happy I kept at it.
The beading on this is absolutely gorgeous! I love the full sleeves and fabric choice too, all goes so nicely together, well done!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment!