FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
She sews seashells!
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
"Little Mermaid" is a well known and timeless fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. It tells the story of a mermaid who gives up her under-the-sea life in order to be with the man she loves. She leaves behind everything she knows, everything she grew up with, for a chance to join her beloved human prince.
Our heritage is something that lives within us, no matter where the tides of life events throw us. Whatever experiences we gather on the way, where we come from is still an important part of who we are.
I am sure it was so for the Little Mermaid. Outwardly human, she would still be a mermaid inside. While conforming to the rules of the human world, looking like them and dressing like them, she would never forget where she came from.
And since that would be the case, wouldn't she like to wear some reminders of this close to her heart? Hidden from the outside world, her undergarments would be a perfect way to celebrate her heritage in a discreet and unobtrusive way.
I hereby present to you a set of undergarments for an 18th century Little Mermaid:
- Stays covered in fishscale pattern, with mermaid's tail as the back panel
- Bum pad shaped like a seashell, with embroidered accents
- Garters with embroidered mermaids
- Set of jewellery made of pearls, ribbons and seashells
- Simple white shift
Outline the construction…
Everything in this project is handsewn, except boning channels in the stays.
Patterns:
Stays started out from a 4-panel back-lacing pattern from Norah Waugh "Corsets and crinolines" (1776, page 40). Over 6 mockups they have evolved into 7-panel front-lacing stays, adjusted for my high waist and small bust, with contrasting stomacher and elongated, fishtail-shaped back panel.
Bum pad is a slightly reshaped version of the "Frances rump" by Scroop patterns.
Shift made following sew-along video by Burnley and Trowbridge.
Materials:
Thick linen curtains, upholstery fabric, cotton and polycotton bedsheets.
Cable ties for boning. Polyfill for the rump.
Satin ribbons, embroidery floss, plastic pearl beads for decoration.
Challenges:
This project is my second corset and my first overbust/bodice type make. It is my first project using no-grid pattern, but my second attempt at stay making - the first one failed miserably because of overconfidence and horrible fitting issues. It is also one of my first projects using any sort of pattern.
It took me out of my comfort zone in many ways, from heavily editing a pattern and adjusting it to my body shape, to assembling it in historical methods. For someone who used to make only simple gathered skirts all her life, it has been a tremendous learning experience which took a great deal of courage, confidence and research. It helped me understand the challenges of fitting a garment and the need to adjust the pattern accordingly. It has taught me patience and humility.
Jumped on here, just to be the first person to congratulate you on a job well done! I’m heavily contemplating making a pair of stays like yours, (but one of Ariel’s sisters.) Mermaid twinners, anyone? I also LOVE the tiny detail of the embroidered shell on your bum pad! Not sure how I missed that in your IG photos! 🙂 WONDERFUL JOB!
Loved your stays the moment they popped up in my Instagram feed. Such a clever idea to incorporate the mermaid tail into the back of the stays. Really well done for only your second pair of stays. Congratulations
The mermaid tail on the stays is such a brilliant idea ! It looks great !
Witty and beautifully made – loved it on IG and I’m so glad you entered it in this competition!
I love your attention to all the details to suit your story! The embroidered mermaids are particularly sweet. Your selected colour palette is really lovely, and is complimented fabulously by your hairstyle for the photo shoot.
I love all the cute details. The whole thing is super charming.
that tail detail – is so cute and well-inspired. The fabric’s details and wavy fauxcul are also really cool.
Also the colors are so soft and well blended between each other !
The tail is so adorable, hands down the best part!
I love it!
This is adorable! I love this! It’s really very well done! Thank you!
THIS IS SO CUTE MAJA!! 🧜♀️🥰👏