FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Charlotte’s Toil
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
HLF, who made me do it. BAL, who handled a bad model.
Outline the story …
I was a girl when I first read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. It's the story of a young woman who finds adventure and intrigue on the high seas in 1832. By the end, she found her moral compass and followed it.
Reading that book made me love boats and the ocean, and it inspired me to live according to my own truth.
I always wondered what happened to Charlotte in the many years from her first adventure to the time she narrated her story as a fully adult woman. I hope she found a balance to her life. I hope she found love for herself and for another.
I wanted to make this outfit as a blend of what she might have had to make to fit her body as it changed from a 13-year-old girl into an adult woman, all the while surrounded by men. Would she have tried to fully integrate into the rough world of a sailor, or would she have held on to the feminine gentility that she enjoyed when she was young? I'd like to think that she struck a balance. That's why I tried to convey here.
Outline the construction…
I used and then modified the "Pirate Shirt" as presented by Bernadette Banner's YouTube video. While I drafted it based on my shoulder measurements, I soon realized that it was a bad idea as I have narrow shoulders. So I inserted a side panel to increase the chest circumference. I used linen cloth with linen thread.
For the vest, I used a modern pattern, but I modified it by adding eyelets and lacing so it can be a supportive garment. Since I wasn't going for historical accuracy but more of a history bounding look, I felt that using a modern pattern with a fabric that had a historic feel would achieve the look I wanted. The vest is made of thick cotton fabric and lined with the same linen as the shirt is made of.
My idea is that Charlotte might have had to modify her own skirts and shifts in order to make clothing more suited to the job she had to accomplish as a sailor in the 1830s and beyond.
All items were hand sewn using a mix of modern (interfacing, princess seams) and historic (tacked in lining, felled seams, arm gussets) techniques. I even made a historically adequate pocket as an afterthought to go along with it.
I love that shirt such some amazing stitch work. I have vest envy too.
That linen looks lovely – where did you get that from? 🙂
Thanks!
My mother sent me the linen, and I think she got it at linen-store.com.
The more I wear the vest, the more I like it. I wore it with another, modern, shirt the other week, and got so many compliments.
And so you should it’s a lovely vest. I’m going to have to steal this idea for my shirt I’ve made for my self same style just very red! I will also check out the site. I love increasing my fabric supplies thank you.
Your stitching is wonderful! Very neat and delicate. Love your pieces♡
Thank you! <3
This is such a beautiful combination of garments! The vest and shirt really compliment each other well and it just looks wonderful. Amazing work and love the attention to detail with the eyelets!
Thanks so much! I thought the eyelets would be nice and not take me very long. I was wrong! They took soooooo long. But it was worth it!
Sewing has run in the Cameron/Forster family for 3 generations–so I’m sooooo pleased to see your beautiful handwork ! I must confess to having used the “machine” most often,tho. Love’n hugs, Muzzi
❤️
I like how you’ve decided to interpret the character! And your choice of fabrics is lovely. I’m always a sucker for those colour combinations! Your stitching looks very neat and precise. Very nice.
I think about this character a lot more than is likely healthy! Lol. Historical costuming just seems the right way to interpret her. Thank you!
Beautiful! I love the fabric and I’m actually jealous of how neat your lacing and eyelets are!!! This is a wonderful outfit!
Thank you so much! I must admit that taking a technical drawing class around the same time was very helpful in accomplishing those eyelets!
Beautiful stitchwork, the eyelet holes are just.. *chef’s kiss* <3
Wow, I’m in love with this vest!