FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Empathy
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
After reading the theme of the Competition of this year, i thought quite immediately to a word: empathy. I think empathy could help to identify yourself with someone else or something else. So it's a door, a way for entering into another world.
With the word "empathy" i thought for something to wear before the full identification with a character, or an historical period, or some other aesthetics. Something to wear before the upper garments. Here came the idea for using only undergarments.
For my project i did not follow a particular aesthetic, but i like the styles of the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, so i prefered working on a style that recalls that period of time.
I mostly use no-saturated colours and plain colours because i'd like to recreate an introverted atmosphere. I'd also loved trying some new techniques like lace insertion, handmade button and corsetry, so i took the chance for trying them. The original project had also handmade laces, but i did a mess with them so at the end i took the laces at the haberdashery's! The corset is my very first corset and i was very nervous at the beginning, but i tried to follow the suggestions of the lessons and i also tried to be kind with myself.
I honestly enjoyed the whole creative process that took quite a lot of time and i loved this slow approach.
Everything is handsewn.
Outline the construction…
The project includes a petticoat, an underbust corset and a chemise.
The patterns i used are quite simple.
The petticoat has five panels (one front panel, two side panels and two back panels), and for drawing the pieces i follow the advices of the lessons "1890-1910, petticoats, part 3: shapes", by Sunny Buchler (the "Lacy petticoat"). My petticoat is made with a black light cotton fabric. I decorated it with lace insertion, then ruffles, laces, simple tassels and tapes. For the closing i added an handmade button, just above the placket. The button is a thread ring button - a dorset crosswheel. For making it i used a black cotton thread. On the petticoat i added also an handmade tape i made with an 18th century little box loom.
For the corset i used a pattern of Redthreaded that i modified for making an underbust corset. I used a second-hand striped fabric that i found in an antique shop. For the lining i used a bown light cotton and for the waistband a cotton tape. Then i used german plastic whalebones. The corset is decorated with braid and lace. The flossing is made with a cotton thread. For the closing i used eyelets. In the front i did not use a busk.
The chemise is made with a green cotton fabric decorated with laces, lace insertion, tape, passementerie and three green rhinestones.
Everything is mostly handsewn and i almost use backstitches.
I love the hem-detail on the skirt, the texture just gives it that little extra. Beautiful work.
Thank you a lot.
I really loved working on this project, also because i had the chance for trying new techniques. I spent hours for the skirt and i loved adding details and laces; couldn’t stop myself!
Old magazines give a lot of inspirations for fluffy petticoats
This is an absolutely incredible first corset! The fit and design is lovely, and the petticoat feels like an authentic piece – congratulations!
Thank you so much.
The corset was so hard to make for me!
I tried to match the stripes and being more accurate i could. I’m quite proud of It and i’ll do more corsets.
And i’ll probably use also this petticoat under my walking skirt during my every day life.
Well done for trying some new things and stretching your skills. I love the lace insertion and your whole ensemble is loved 🙂
Love the colour choices, beautifully done pleating on the petticoat, love the pop of colour from the red lace, and that Dorset button is gorgeous!