FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Harlequin’s revenge
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Entry inspired by Arlequin by Andrée Chedid. My entry for this competition is also my first attempt in sewing ever. I did not own any pattern or printer, so I decided to copy a dress I own and replicate its shape. I made a simple black cape with the harlequin lining underneath from a free cape pattern I found on the internet.
I took my first inspiration from a poem I learned as a child, Arlequin, by Andrée Chedid, but this character is a well known figure in all Mediterranean culture. He is of course present in plays, but he is as well found in novels, children's stories and poetry, and most of all, in the oral culture of Italy and France.
Harlequin represents the poor servant of rich masters, he can be cynical or playful, but he is always smart and aware of his condition and of the way the world goes, that’s why he succeeds in making the most of the worst situations. His colourful garment represents his poverty, he mended his livery so many times that it is now a patchwork of every colour, traditionally diamond-shaped and framed in black or white. I choose to invert the ratio black and white/colour to create a less costume-y garment I could wear on a regular day.
Outline the construction…
The dress is a short apron-like white dress with diamond-shaped touches of colour placed on a irregular pattern. Made of four panels, it is closed on both sides by three buttons placed on the hips. The braces have two buttons to make it adjustable. The dress is lined with a synthetic white fabric fully attached to the bust and back part but independent from the skirt part.
The cape is made of half a circle of fabric on the back and two eighth of the same circle on each side on the front. I copied the global shape of a collar on a capelet and tried to replicate it. It is closed by a ribbon of Harlequin fabric, the same I used for the lining.
The most difficult part was the lining because there is none on the garment I copied, I had to imagine how to make it work and I unstitched the whole dress 2 times. I also had to make 8 buttonholes without the special presser foot, which was challenging. And of course, the pattern copying process was very hard too, and led to some fit issues later.
My mum and my grandmother helped me via mails and phonecalls to solve the major issues I encountered.
Very fun design, and I adore the lining peaking out from the cape.
Wow, you really approached this with resilience, ingenuity and determination. And it paid off. Best of luck x
I like the ”appliqué” cut out from the lining and sewn on the dress. It’s a great idea.
Your use of the diamond print fabric in multiple ways is inventive and a great choice to invoke the character.
I love the sparkling of colour from underneath the black and white! I hope you wear it a lot, it’s very cute. And a great way to bring Harlequin to life in the modern world!
Love your determination. You finished it and it looks lovely on you.
Such an impressing first project ! And drafting the pattern from an existing piece is no easy business. Great job !
Well done! I love how the cape lining is bought into the dress!
I love the shape and the bold diamond design! And kudos to you for working without a pattern on your first try.
How lovely and unique! Very nicely done, thank you!
So cute! It’s so impressive that you copied the shape of a dress you already own instead of a pattern. I love how colorful it is without being too over the top.
All the work with the lining was totally worth it. This looks amazing! I especially like the colour not only on the lining, but alo on the dress.