FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Edelweiss
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Model: Shanti F-P (me), Photographer: Jasmin (my sister)
Outline the story …
I chose the world of Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and the character of Scarlett, one of two sisters around whom the story revolves. They live with their cruel father and are drawn to the legends they’ve heard of Caraval, a magical game of sorts overseen by a man called Legend. They obtain tickets to Caraval, but when they get there, things go awry and they are separated. As time passes, the mysteries of Caraval deepen, and things are almost never as they seem.
I took a backwards approach to this design because of more limited access to materials while in lockdown. I started the process by looking through my stash and seeing what inspired me. I quickly chose fantasy genre, which was exciting because I’ve never let myself make something like that from my imagination, without constraints of practicality and wearability. I decided to go where inspiration took me with this dress, and through that find my character from one of the many fantasy novels I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Caraval struck me as the perfect world for this dress. Scarlett sees vivid colors with her emotions, and such colors come alive in the world of Caraval. The clothing described is magical (often literally), and Scarlett wears many beautiful gowns while there. The burgundy, creme and gold of my dress seemed to fit easily into the color palette. I incorporated edelweiss into the embroidery design, which in Victorian flower language symbolizes courage and devotion, both of which reflect Scarlett’s character.
Outline the construction…
This dress, which I made to fit myself, includes an underskirt with lace and an overdress of red satin. I used flat pattern drafting with detailed measurements I took from my body to make the pattern for the bodice portion, and draping to add the skirt panels. I also draped the underskirt, which is a muslin circle skirt overlaid with lace.
The structure of the overdress is made with boning channels at each seam sandwiched between the two layers and topstitched, and cups in the bust. I particularly struggled with the bust area of this dress, as it was the first time I made a sweetheart neckline that needed to stand alone. I underestimated the stiffness required for this, and it wasn’t until I had cut the neckline to shape in order to finish the edge that I realized it would need additional stiffeners. Luckily I had millinery wire on hand, which turned out to be a good weight for this purpose, so I whipstitched it along the top edge of the bust before encasing it with twill tape. There is a panel behind the front opening, which provides the ground for the hidden hooks and eyes I used to close the bust.
I enjoyed using some techniques in the embroidery that I don’t have a lot of experience with, and improvising a little along the way. I wove the leaves separately before attaching them to the fabric, and used three ways of making petals for the edelweiss flowers.
My god, this has me jaw on the floor. I’m in love with the lace and the embroidery, and it fits -so- well!!
I had the same reaction! This is, wow, just wow.
Stunning!
Wow thats so pretty! Nicely made
The choice of fabric and lace = stunning!
Nicely constructed. Very pretty. I especially like the back of this dress. Beautiful colours and details, too.
I am dumbstruck. Your color choices, your fabric, you construction. This is incredible. I absolutely love this! Stunning. Positively stunning.
Beautiful work! I love this dress so much. Your draping of the skirt is perfection!
The dress is amazing! I love the fabrics you chose, they fit so well together and make the dress look wonderful! It suits you really well.
Beautiful! I love the shape and the scarlet colour of the outfit, and the edelweiss embroidery is just such a perfect decoration! Well done for all the work that went into creating this gorgeous outfit!
Beautiful! Your details and textures are indeed magical!
This is sooo pretty, the front of the bodice if beautifully designed and sewn!