FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Smolineck
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Outline the story …
My inspiration was the tale "Smolineck" by Bozena Nemcová. I wanted to stay within the time and general region of the author of the fairy-tale as writers at the time collected these stories as spoken word passed down by generations. I purposefully didn't go for historical accuracy, to have more freedom with the embroidery design. The whole costume serves as a representation of the characters, golden antlers and accents as for the stag, mischievous fairies with unruly hair on the back, looming, and the white chemise as Smolineck. Naturally I picked a beloved fairy-tale from my childhood and fully set my mind to making something just for me. Paired with finals at school, part time job and a loss of beloved family member, I found that working on my very own traditional costume is the best way to get away. We used to have a board game based on Smolineck and loved playing with the small wooden figures as kids.
The rose hip under the antlers on the front is a nod to my own childhood as most people make tea out of it and mischievous children used the crushed fruit as a natural itch powder. These were also my first ever stays, and I was very excited to make one for myself, with some forest keeper motives.
Outline the construction…
80% ended up handsewn. Thanks to the pattern being traditionally out of various rectangles, the shirt was easy to draft and put together. The top sleeve embroidery could not be done other way and each sleeve took a few days. The collar is my modification of a pattern found online. I also lengthened to chemise so it can be used as a dress of sorts. The stays saw the most modification, as I am petite around the bust and traditional costumes are very full in the cleavage area. The apples on the embroidery are traditional Moravian pattern I got from the archive. The rest was drawn by me with various internet references. The first time I embroidered was 5+ years ago and I haven't touched it since, so logically, I picked a personal project full of it. In the end I learned mostly on the go and by fixing my many many mistakes. It's safe to say my hands are thoroughly stabbed and the result feels well deserved I got a beginner guide on embroidery and a 60s book from the library's archive on the construction of traditional Czech folk costume. I have used all natural fibres like cotton and linen. I had saved some traditional buttons make from nacre that were in their peak more in last centuries. Only thread that was synthetic was the golden one I used for accents. It brought me frustration but was my only available option. I did three layers on the stays, no boning.
This is all so gorgeous. . . you look like a matryoshka in the best way.
Thank you! That is such a nice compliment!
Wow…this is the costume of my dreams!
Every element, every piece is perfect. The shirt, the vest, the embroidery, ah so beautiful.
All the research and time you put into this costume is very commendable and the result is inspiring.
Well done!
Thank you so much! I am so happy with the shirt I wear it all the time, best quarantine outfit! =)
The embroidered and smocked details are so pretty! I love the multicolored aspects of this.
Thank you so much! They took the most time, but it was kinda relaxing =)
I love seeing all the inspiration from stories from around the world. The smocking on this is wonderful.
Thank you! I was inspired by the traditional folk wear of my country, so I had to have it there too =)
where to start ? the smocks, the embroideries, the bodice… Everything is super neat and beautiful, I love the strong and dark colors mixed with the flowiness of the shirt and skirt.
Thank you!! Even I was surprised how well it turned out!
Beautiful work. Stunning embroidery.
Great embroidery and smocking details!
The level of detail is insane, beautiful smocking and overall look
I adore this outfit! I love the embroidery and the smocking, you did an incredible job of it, and I’m a big fan of cultural folk clothing, so I think it is so cool that you were inspired by your own culture to make this! Well done!