FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Respectable Clothing for a Wandering Bard
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photography by Thorn Reilly @thornreilly
Outline the story …
I found out about the Foundations Revealed competition later in the year when the new website launched with only a few months remaining until the deadline, but I have always loved stories regardless of format. I ended up with multiple ideas and chose the one that best fit the tightened time constraints. My outfit is inspired by the descriptions of second hand clothing purchased and modified by Rune of Westhaven in the Mercedes Lackey's novel, "The Lark and The Wren". While not a musician myself, I love music and do have a classical guitar that this project convinced me to relearn. I admire Rune's continued determination and good nature despite her challenges as well as the elegant description of her ribbon trimmed "respectable" clothing for her time in Nolton, so these are the outfits I set out to recreate. I also made sure to include her hat with the feathers "snatched from the tails of several disgruntled roosters." Since the overall descriptions reminded me of Renaissance Fair clothing, I took that as a secondary inspiration. The overall look inspired by extant 16th century clothing and portraits as well as Bernadette Banner's Pirate Shirt video.
Outline the construction…
Materials Used:
White Shirt: linen, linen thread, silk ribbons, silk buttonhole twist, silk sewing thread, mother of pearl buttons, beeswax Blue shirt: linen, cotton thread, silk ribbons, silk buttonhole twist, silk sewing thread, mother of pearl buttons, beeswax Breeches: cotton corduroy, linen, cotton thread, linen thread, silk buttonhole twist, coconut shell buttons, beeswax Jerkin: wool, linen, cotton thread, linen thread, silk buttonhole twist, coconut shell buttons, beeswax
Construction:
The shirts are both completely hand-sewn with backstitches and felled seams following the process demonstrated by Ms Banner with a modified collar to better match my vision The silk ribbon is delicate but a joy to work with. This was my first time sewing with both waxed linen and silk threads including the hand-bound buttonholes.
The breeches and jerkin ended up with a combination of machine sewn construction seams and hand finishing for everything else as time got away from me by the time I finished the shirts I partially drafted both of these items.
Ultimately, I traced the crotch seam from a pair of jeans for the breeches and cartridge pleated the width of the fabric into bands at each knee and at the waistband.
The jerkin was my biggest challenge I used a Dirndl vest pattern from PaperScissorsFrocks on Etsy as a starting point, but fitted my own mock-up, raised the neckline, and added ease, making alterations without a friend around to assist for the first time.
Thank you to the FR discord community for their support and advice throughout.
Those breeches look so comfy and appropriate for a wondering bard. Would like a pair for myself.
Thanks. I do need to go back and lengthen them a bit, but they are comfy. I used a pair of jeans to figure out the crotch seam. Otherwise each leg is a fabric width cartridge pleated into the waistband and cuff. They have generous pockets too.
I see that you fully handsewed something and I want to just take a moment to appreciate that because I think when we see a finished product these days we take it for granted a little bit, because machine sewing is the norm. So good job!! Looks insaaaaanely comfortable. 🙂
You put so much work into such a charming character. I love the ribbon details and the vest. The title whimsical and thoughtful. So we’ll made and a joy to read about. Thank you for sharing!
So cool to see this all put together at last!
Well done! I like how you brought whimsy into the outfit, as a bard always has that element as part of their style. It looks so comfy!
i love the shirt and silhouette ! it works really well.
I like how the ribbons add some colourful details to the outfit, they really are fun! This is indeed respectable clothing for a wandering bard.
Thanks. The ribbon detail is pulled directly from the novel and is an identifying feature of the shirts worn by bards. Certain colors had specific affiliations, but I just chose colors that would harmonize with the dark blue and dusty rose ribbons she chose for trimming the collar and cuffs of these two shirts.
Very nice!