FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Cho Chang Skirt
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Ever since I was a kid, I've been enamored with the Wizarding World of "Harry Potter". Cho Chang, a smart, soft-spoken witch, has long captivated me as the only Asian role model in popular literature I could find. Although I grew up to be a very different person, I continue to admire her courage in the face of adversity, her drive to be the best Quidditch player on the pitch, and her big heart. This skirt is part of the outfit I imagined she would wear on a fall afternoon while lounging next to the Giant Squid by the lake.
Outline the construction…
This is the first sewing project I have ever tackled and I'll be the first to admit that I should have started with something smaller. This skirt is modified from Truly Victorian's Walking Skirt pattern and has seven panels, a waistband, and I've chosen to also add the ultimate treasure: pockets! The pockets were inspired by a very specific pocket pattern introduced to me in a video by Bernadette Banner but if I'm being completely honest, it's a weird modern mishmash of how I thought a pocket should look. Chief among the multitudes of techniques I was introduced to and attempted to use include hemming, flatlining, gathering, pinning, basting, the running stitch, the backstitch, and ironing. You'd have thought that I would have encountered ironing before but never have I more appreciated the importance of ironing your seams before finishing. I also learned how to insert pockets with a stabilizing twill tape attached to the waistband, learned how to attach a waistband, and tried my hand at strengthening embroidery for the corners of my pockets as well as for the back of the skirt by the placket. The placket itself was also rather challenging for me but I can see why it's so important. I also learned how to put in hooks and eyes from watching Cathy Hays' videos which was its own delightful challenge. I sewed this skirt entirely by hand and it was both a huge struggle and an absolute joy.
That’s impressing! It’s your first sewing project and it has pockets, embroidery, a placket, etc…? I wish my first project was as beautiful as this one! AND YOU SEWED IT BY HAND??? I’m completely stunned by your skills.
So many long seams for hand sewing the entire thing! Nicely done.
Thank you!! I got through a lot of my Netflix playlist on this project. Now to find a new obsession… Thank you for taking the time to comment!! <3
Thank you so much!! The pattern by TrulyVictorian was an absolute godsend and of course I obsessively watched and rewatched many a YouTube video on walking skirts. I’m not sure I’d choose it again for a first project but boy was it fun! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! <3
I’m blown away at the act you sewed this entirely by hand. Well done, you must be very proud of your work!
Thank you! I was both sore, relieved and proud when all was said and done. If time permits for next year, I might do it by hand again! I found it kind of theraputic. Thanks for taking the time to comment! <3
I’m blown away, you portrayed her so well! I can 100% see her wearing this in autumn, and the fact that you did this by had! Big congratulations on this stunning entry.
Thank you so much! I intend on hijacking a friend next time to do a proper photoshoot. I always imagined Cho in this kind of skirt, relaxing after an exam on the grounds and chatting with her friends. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, thank you! <3
Great interpretation of Cho, and very nice history bounding outfit! Do you have a cat by chance? 😊
Thank you! 😅 Yes, I absolutely do. Keeping his fur off of it was absolutely impossible! Believe it or not, I lint rolled obsessively for ten minutes before I took these photos!! I’m considering lint rolling him next time; gotta get it at the source!! Thanks for taking the time to comment! <3
Yay for Cho! I love her character – inspirational and relatable at the same time. The skirt is FABULOUS!!! It’s unbelievable how much you dedicated to this project. I hope you have the chance to wear it often and feel how amazing it is to be out in the world in your own creation.
Thank you so much!! I adore her character as well! It’s been a lot of fun for me to wear it out on my errands and twirl! I wish I could say I embodied Cho but I think she might be too dignified to twirl at the market. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! <3
I’m very impressed by your construction of this skirt and all the hand sewing. I like the fabric color. It seems like it would go with her personality and it makes me wish that there had been more done with Cho’s character in the book.
Thank you! I wish there had been more done with her character too. To see her fleshed out would have been an amazing perspective on the wizarding world. Maybe she had siblings? Perhaps she danced? We may never know! Thanks for taking the time to comment!! <3
Nicely done! I love the fabric choice and your dedication to hand stitching.
Thank you!! The fabric was heavier than I expected in places but overall this project was an absolute joy to work on. I still can’t believe I’m done! Thank you for taking the time to comment! <3
(screams of joy) This is so perfect! I love this skirt! The fabric is a good, sturdy fabric you know is practical! love it all! Thank you!
(squeals right back) Thank you so much!! The fabric was certainly practical! Pretty sure it can withstand everything lol. I kind of want to try making this skirt in a lighter weight fabric and see the differences in the constructuon process 🤔. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, thank you!! <3
Absolutely beautiful and the fact that it is all by hand is stunning. Lovely choices on every element.
Aw, thank you so much! I really had a blast making this project; some days I still can’t believe I finished it! I’ll be tweaking it here and there but for now, it’s just lovely to be able to wear it out into the world 😁 Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! <3
This is a lovely interpretation of the character. Makes me wonder what other items you might imagine for her in different situations. Well done. Sewing by hand can be extremely rewarding (there is nothing wrong with machine sewing), but slowing down and taking the time to savor the process is very gratifying. Its wonderful that you’ve learned the value of pressing/ironing. To some people its a chore but I like it because it makes the sewing tasks easier. So finding ways not to fight with fabric and make sewing assembly tasks easier when you are trying to create something is very valuable.
Thank you so much! For daily wear, I can see her donning an adapted Edwardian blouse and some sensible but stylish boots. I would love to do a whole outfit for her one day, time permitting. (And don’t even get me started on what she’d wear to a Quidditch game or to her first day of work or her wedding!) To the point of ironing/pressing, I was originally reluctant as fighting with that amount of fabric on the ironing board is not inviting but once I saw the actual, tangible difference it made? You can bet I was all over that iron! I’m really glad I went through with it and “did the thing”. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!! <3
To everyone who saw this: Thank you so much for looking at my first project! It’s been terrifying and a delight to have eyes on it!
To everyone who commented: Thank you so much for your kind and friendly words! I feel seen, appreciated, and welcomed! <3
To the lovely folks at Foundations Revealed who let my wobbly first project participate: Thank you for giving me the courage to take my first step on this meandering costuming journey! Thank you also for cultivating such a supportive and nurturing atmosphere! I look forward to participating again!! <3