FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Alice’s Summer Dress
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Meet Alice. She's grown but she still loves adventure and fantasy. This is the first garment I've ever made. I took inspiration mostly from Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations from "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass". The pattern for the apron is essentially as is for a Victorian children's apron just sized up, but the dress is heavily modified from the pattern I'd chosen. I was also inspired by an 1864 children's dress from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wanted something that I could use in my everyday life which is one of the reasons I went for Alice. I can't tell you how many times I've looked longingly at the little girls section of Target thinking why don't they make things like this for adults. It gets HOT in the summer so this dress will be a super comfy God sent. Finally the recent interest in "Cottagecore" aesthetic was a major influence on the final dress. I definitely think Alice would approve.
Outline the construction…
100% hand sewn. Made from homespun cotton, unlined. There is a "bone" going down the front, a standard sized zip tie cut to size. I have "mommy tummy" so I struggled to find a design for the bodice that didn't accentuate that. I'm also short wasted, so I decided to create a white "belt" that went around the small of my waist. The original pattern I used (from etsy and linked on the mood board) became a jumping off point rather than something I followed to the letter. I removed the flair below the waist which gave the final dress more of the shape I was looking for. The white belt is interfaced with an old blackout curtain, white side out, black side in. Same interfacing was used for the pockets on the apron. I aimed for a school girl length. The apron is an unbleached cotton, with stretch cotton flowers on the shoulders. Close up photo is of my first attempt at decorative stitching as well as some flat felling and buttons.
So cute! I especially love your use of trim and your decorative stitching at the neckline, this is so fun!
Thank you. It was certainly an adventure.
This is so lovely! I love the details like the lace trim and the adorable sleeves! It’s going to be the perfect dress for summer 🥰
Thank you. I’m not a fan of summer so at least wearing this is something to look forward to. ☺️
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was my favourite book as a kid and you did a great job creating the character! Good work!
Thank you! Seeing other’s interpretations of Alice from other skill levels there seems to be a whole lot of places you can go with her.
I love your Alice outfit! The waist belt part is so well fitted! The trimming is all adorable! 🥰
Thank you! The trim is one of my favorite parts. I had second thoughts after submitting the entry form to admitting that the belt was “interfaced” with a black out curtain. *blush*
LOVE LOVE LOVE! What a great idea. Also, I totally relate to when you wrote, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked longingly at the little girls section of Target thinking why don’t they make things like this for adults.” Very creative and fun. Well done!
Now that Miss Cathy has pushed me to sew after thinking about it for 10+ years I guess I can take inspiration now instead of just drool.
Well this is simply delightful. It looks super comfy and so pretty— I would be proud to have made this outfit!
Oh thank you so much! It was so cold out but I had a really hard time wanting to take it off.
Very cute- loving the sleeves so much.
What a cute little dress! Love that lace along the hem!
This is so cute! I love the lace trim and the white stripe at the waistline, it makes the dress so interesting!
I love all the luscious lace! Annd I love the waist and how you got it to smooth over your womanly belly. I too have a belly and am happy to see how you smoothed over yours Love the soft point of the waist, too! Great creation!
A perfectly cottagecore grownup Alice!! Enjoy every summer day you wear this charming creation!
That dress looks so cute!
I really like the white part at the waist and the lace.
the trim at the bottom is perfect and just pulls everything together
Wow, very nice, I love that fabric. Alice’s innocence is conveyed in your simple design, I love it! Well done!
Thank you for all your support , an exceptional person who encouraged me to try too. You know I loved this costume from the moment I saw it and your stitching is so neat , It is a refection of it’s creator – beautiful. .
Your take on Alice is lovely. I adore the button accent on the bodice. Bravo!
Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations on entering! Good luck!
Lovely! Well done!
This is fantastic! I love the cottagecore inspo and agree, Alice would approve.
This came out so well! Good luck! @flissoire on insta