FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Woodland Dweller
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Other Credits
Photography for the thumbnail : https://www.instagram.com/julia_mitraa/
Outline the story …
This dress is made for a Broceliande fairy or druidess, a creature from Brittany folkore, in the west of France. It is cut inspired from high medieval fashion and pre-raphealite paintings, which is the most common representation of the Graal's legends these mythical being accompany. The embroidery is a stylised image of acorns and an acorn tree's leaf which are the holy plant for breton druids.
It is a piece which merges with the wood but is visible enough to stand out and show the importance of the character it clothes in the natural order.
Outline the construction…
This dress is made out of a linen and wool blend. It is cut with a self-drafted pattern : two backs, two fronts, four gores and two one piece sleeves. I ran out of fabric for one of the sleeve so I pieced it together with a small amount of fabric near the seam. The fit comes primarely from the side seams. The dress is machine sewn. The seams are finished with a lighter green bias tape, by machine. The hems and the neckline are also finished with bias tape, the first side by machine and the second with a felling stitch. The neckline and the sleeves' hems are embroidered with a coton thread, which took some time but was very rewarding once done. The dress opens in the front with a fingerloop braided lace (made with Morgan Donner's tutorial) through handsewn eyelets.
I really love how genuine this looks. Like you really are a character from another world who somehow found themselves here.
I really enjoy the understated monochromatic look here, it’s elevsted tgrough shape and embroidery. Stunning work.
Elegance through simplicity
I love both your inspiration and your design. The dress looks deceptively simple but it has such lovely details. That embroidery and your careful fitting and finishing are wonderful.
This dress has a wonderful understated beauty. I love all the detailing that you’ve achieved using basically one simple ‘unbleached’ colour. The oak leaves and acorns are really special.
As a former Renaissance Faire performer I applaud your creation! It’s beautiful. Very well done. I’ve made my own garb for fair using linen and drafting my own patterns. Yours is wonderful and I hope you have lots of places to wear it proudly.
I love the fit and finish as well as the characterisation and embellishment.