FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Falme fairy
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
As a mum of 3(8, 5, 2 months) I spend a lot of time reading children books with, or to someone. One of my favourite authors is Mária Rázusová-Martáková. Generations of Slovak children have enjoyed her poetry, including me. This design is inspired by her poem Plamienočka (Flame fairy) first time published in 1948. It is about little fairy in a red dress living in the ashes. She comes out when you add kindling to the fire and joyfully dances in the flames until the fire goes out. Then she goes back to sleep in the ashes and waits for new fire.
The whole design is based on Slovak folk costume. As I intend to wear the pieces as everyday clothes and I am not yet brave enough to wear full on historically accurate costume I adapted them to look a little more modern.
The skirt is based on Spiš region skirts, but it is meant to look like a petticoat, skirt and apron even though it is just one garment.
The shirt (or rather shift- since it is knee length) is based on Liptov region shirts. It is less full than traditional and a little longer, so it can be worn as summer dress. The embroidery is not traditional, just mine.
The vest uses Liptov region shape, but is much more simple. I decided to use recycled fabrics on this, since by the time I made it, we were in lockdown.
Outline the construction…
The skirt is made of lightweight cotton fabrics - striped and patterned with eyelet lace border. Front and back are both rectangles gathered at the top and sewn into two waistbands both long enough to tie around the waist, sides are partly sewn together leaving 20 cm at the top unattached. Eyelet lace trim is sewn at the bottom. You tie the back part in the front, and than front part in the back.
The shirt is made of lightweight cotton. It is made out of four rectangular pieces and square gussets under the arms. Neckline and sleeves are gathered, cuffs are hand embroidered. I had to figure out the order of operations while sewing in the gussets, I found Morgan Donners YouTube video about it very helpful.
The vest was a recycle/stash busting project. The lining was a cotton skirt I inherited from distant relative. The back was leftover fabric I used for upholstery, the piping and front were pieced together from an old store bought modern corset. I used a pattern from Uši si svoj kroj (Sew your own folk costume) by Simona Kožuchová to begin with. This was my first time fitting a garment. I used the lining as a mock-up and unpicked it several times. The front closes with hooks and eyes (My 5-year old son helped me to sew those on :o).
This is SO COOL! I hope you don’t mind me saying, it looks like a piece of history come to life. I am especially in awe of the PERFECT embroidery and the fabric you used for the skirt. I need a heart eyes emoji right here!
I don´t mind at all. That´s what I was going for. Thank you
There are a lot of details here and they all look so lovely! You did such a great job ❤
Thank you.
It must be specially honoring to wear such a good clothes when helper was none other than your son! You are very blessed with both talents and kids. Congratulations on doing this project! It’s lovely.
You made my boys day for acknowledging his contribution. He was glowing when I read him your comment and so was I. Thank you from both of us.
Lovely.
Thank you.
Nicely done! Each element is well made and adds to the overall look.
Oh my….this is simply beautiful! very well done. Thank you!
I love the practicality and versatility of your costume. And thank you for reminding me of this poem, I should recollect of more of her work