FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Down the Hobbit Hole
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
The draw for my entry was to also make it something that I could wear as part of my normal wardrobe. In "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien, Rosie Cotton is the hobbit that Samwise marries on his return to Hobbiton after all the adventures that he undertakes as part of the Fellowship. I wanted to draw on the ideals that make Hobbiton somewhere that the local only worry about eating, drinking and being merry.
Tolkien describes hobbits loving colour, particularly green and yellow. The main descriptor in the books, (LotR or The Hobbit) refers to waistcoats. I interpreted this as both male and female hobbits could wear waistcoats. Tolkien also describes Hobbiton as somewhere similar to rural pre-industrial England. Though the date actually given by Tolkien is closer to the end of the 19th century, I chose to move it to mid 18th century. This was to reflect further on the storyline at the end of the Return of the King, where industry has come and destroyed the gardens and beauty of Hobbiton, making a stark change to the lives they had left at the start of the Fellowship of the Rings.
This led to to square neckline of the vest and the simple pleated skirt to give the silhouette of the era. I also wanted to bring the beauty of the garden to the outfit by embroidering on both the blouse and vest.
Outline the construction…
I have kept to the ideals of materials that could have been used for the period and location. The skirt is a cotton wool blend with a wonderful soft nap. The original pattern that I chose would not have been suitable for the material so a change was required and it let me to be more accurate in the silhouette I was wanting to achieve. The blouse was taken from a pre-fitted dress bodice pattern that I have been using for a few years now. It is from one of Gretchen Hirsch pattern books. I had to dramatically fit it for my shape originally and have used it multiple times. The challenge was to adapt it for a top/blouse I extended it so that it wouldn't ride up when moving around, factoring in the darts both front and back I had to also factor in the extra fabric in the back to fit over my hips. I also let out the darts a little to give a bit more ease of movement and added a side zipper. It is made from cotton voile and hand embroidered in cotton. The vest is a modern Simplicity pattern that I adapted. The neckline is where the main changes happened, and correctly fitting the upper bust into the armhole was some fun. It is made from linen outer and cotton lining. The embroidery was done in cotton. The addition of functional welted pocket was a new skill that I learnt for this project.
This is so cute, i love the embroidery!!
Lovely work!
Love the embroidery work! And the colors really fit the theme, great job♡
Well made. Authentic outfit. Excellent, beautiful embroidery!
Fantastic construction and lovely embroidery! Embodies Rosie very well.
I can definitely imagine Rosie wearing this, but you also succeeded in creating something you would have no trouble incorporating into your daily wardrobe, and the flower embroidery is such perfect touch! Well done!
I like that you had similar embroidery on both upper garments, but that you made one very subtle, and the other with a bright pop of colour. The blouse looks to be a perfect and incredibly flattering fit; the adjustments you made are spot on! A lovely ensemble.
Nicely done!
I love the embroidery!
A very darling and comfortable outfit, well done <3 Great color combinations!