FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Aiel Wise One
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
On of my favorite fantasy series is "The Wheel of Time" by James Oliver Rigney Jr., and with the (hopefully) soon coming Amazon series, I knew it was time to make a costume. I have also been more interested in historical costuming as of late and decided that the general skirt pattern of the mid 18th century would lend itself well to that of an Aiel Wise One.
I had already completed the shift and petticoat when the theme of the contest came out and I was very happy since I could use what I had already created. I had purchased a few of the American Duchess Simplicity patterns for the shift and skirts, but then had to decide what to do for my blouse. Luckily, Bernadette Banner put out a video about making a "pirate shirt" and that was exactly what I needed to finish my outfit. I then further searched Youtube to learn how to make button holes and loops as I had no idea how to make those.
My whole thought process throughout this whole thing was learn something new. I have made a few things before but in modern style and under supervision. This was a great learning experience and I have gained new skills and want to continue to make garments that are more than various squares sewed together since that is what every piece of this look is.
Outline the construction…
The shift was a cotton gauze which I altered slightly, making the neckline smaller and hemmed rather than with a ruffle as per the pattern.
The petticoat, make from cotton, and the skirt, made from a linen/rayon blend gave me some trouble because I have never created pleats before and my brain was having trouble figuring out how to get them to lay correctly. When making the skirt, I got too excited and just threw the waistband on without trying it on (because the tape measurer doesn't lie right? ) only to find it was far too small. After wallowing in despair and berating myself slightly, I picked it all out, redid the pleats (which looked better afterwards anyways) and reattached the waistband The raw edge of the inside of the waistband was covered by hem tape to prevent more bulk as was the hem around the skirt.
The shirt was an adventure as I didn't have a pattern, only measured squares. All was going well until I realized I had sewed the final sleeve on inside out. I put it away for a day and weighed whether or not it was worth it to tear it out, (I had felled everything down and it was "complete" at that point) but I did in the end. I also learned how to make a button hole and button loops for the shirt.
Such beautiful and wearable garments. You look lovely in them and should be proud of those button loops!
Thank you! I live in Arizona right now, but someday, when I move, this is definitely something that I would wear should I need something a bit warmer!
So neat and beautiful! Great work
Excellent! Neat work. I like how you gave yourself a head start by making the basic layers before the theme came out.
Thank you! I t was kind of a happy accident that it happened to work with the theme!
Such beautiful work ! Looks delicate and very neat ❤
This is a lovely outfit! The pleats on the petticoat and skirt are so neat and the buttoned cuffs are beautiful 🙂
Thank you! I had never done pleats before and they about drove me up the wall when I was making the petticoat!
Wow, I love everything about this outfit! Very well done! Thank you!
This looks very nice! My favourite part is the skirt! And I´m a bit jealous of your pretty cuffs.
THE WHEEL OF TIME IS MY FAVOURITE SERIES!! I’m so glad you made this!!!!