FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Cornflower Fairy
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Make up and photographs by my talented wife Abbi Davey https://www.instagram.com/abbidavey
Outline the story …
I’ve loved the "Flower Fairies" since I was a little girl dressing up as the Cherry Tree Fairy, so once I started sewing I knew I wanted to make a flower fairy dress at some point, and the competition was the impetus I needed. I chose the Cornflower Fairy partially because I had an old dress in blues, and mostly because it is my wife’s favourite flower. The Cornflower Fairy in the books is a ‘boy blue,’ but I decided to turn this into a ‘girl blue’ instead. I’m also much older than the children in the paintings in the books, so I decided to embrace this and create an outfit for an adult flower fairy, one which would show off my pregnancy bump once it becomes properly visible..
I chose a handkerchief skirt primarily because I naively hoped I might be able to wear it at a festival once the plague is over, but also because I think the light fabric and uneven edges lend themselves nicely to a wildflower fairy. The crop top shouldn’t be considered as part of the competition as it’s an existing top to which I added cannibalised sleeves and some binding, but I wanted to include it in my photos as I think it completes the outfits.
My previous sewing experience is turning pillowcases into scrub bags and making rectangular masks, so this is by far the most complicated thing I have made to date, but the competition helped motivate me!
Outline the construction…
I took apart an old dress for the fabric as I love the colours. I found a guide online on how to make a handkerchief skirt and used this to draw up the pattern, although I forgot to leave seam allowance on the waistband which I regretted later. While planning I found out I was pregnant, so I used my hip measurement for the waistband so I could wear the outfit when I’m showing. I originally only put together the outer layer, but then realised that this was see-through, so created a second layer and stitched the two together. I took pockets from another old dress and added them, although the right pocket is a bit too narrow for my hand! I realised it needed to open and close and so cut an opening in the back. I did this based on the centre of the skirt, forgetting that I have a twisted pelvis (!) so the opening is not centred when I wear it. I made a waistband from bias binding, and closures from poppers and hooks and eyes because I didn’t want to work out how to put a zip in, and I thought this would give me more flexibility down the line. If I was to make it again the main thing I would change is planning it through in advance, and taking a lot more care with my stitching and lines. However, I’m really proud- I want to try making an actual pattern now!
I love all of the textures and shades of blue!
I really love the colours and the flower concept, and how you’ve repurposed so many materials. And also that it has pockets!!!
Congratulations on the bump by the way, I hope this is comfy for you as it grows!
Great combination of colors and textures. I admire your perseverance. Well done!
This is beautiful- the many blues are so beautiful, and cornflowers are my favourite flower! Gorgeous
Love the fabric and inspiration! Nice work adding pockets! Congratulations on the bump!
It is lovely, I like that the fabric is so light and airy.
Excellent upcycling, and adapting the fit for a body in flux is smart planning indeed! So pretty, and you look comfortable and happy in it.
I *love* the flower fairy books so much! and the cornflower fairy is one of the best– though it’s very hard to choose!) makes me think of a line from “Room With A View”– “I find the cornflower the most delightful of flowers, don’t you?”
Congratulations on your baby! Maybe you can make them a forget-me-not outfit! Best of luck from Icarus!
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments! I was incredibly nervous submitting this due to the incredible caliber of the other entries, but everyone has been so ridiculously nice that you’ve put me at ease 🙂 I also love the fabric- I didn’t want to let it go to waste!
Repurposing is a favorite of mine. Congratulations on your baby, that’s so exciting! This is a fun garment and I am sure you learned so much in designing and putting it together. Thank you!