FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Herald-Captain Kerowyn
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Outline the story …
"A herald in Whites is a Herald on duty."
Herald-Captain Kerowyn is a Herald of Valdemar - agent of the Queen, protector of Valdemar's people. She's also a mercenary captain and swordswoman, straightforward, practical, and no-nonsense. Her mercenary company, the Skybolts, accepted a permanent contract with Valdemar's Queen rather than lose Kero as their captain when she was Chosen as a Herald. Although she'll wear Heraldic Whites when necessary, she refuses the "oh-shoot-me-now" uniform when there's fighting to be done - something that is a source of continual disagreement with her partner.
Although Kero can be found in several of Mercedes Lackey's "Heralds of Valdemar" series, this interpretation comes from her appearance in "Owlsight", specifically her arrival in chapter 11. She and her partner, Eldan, have been sent by the Crown for a multi-purpose mission: they are the first official visitors to the newly-established k'Valdemar Vale (which is to serve as a kind of embassy between Valdemar and the Taledras), and also are to investigate the intentions of an incoming Clan of northerners who may or may not be friendly. Her arrival at the Vale is her only appearance in Whites in the novel.
Outline the construction…
The Heraldic uniform, as stated by Mercedes Lackey in multiple sources, including old website pages and multiple books, is comprised of a short, pants, and an over tunic. Due to financial considerations, my costume was made from thrifted polyester bed sheets.
The shirt of my costume was drafted based on Bernadette Banner's "pirate" shirt tutorial on YouTube, although I modified mine to include a yoke in the front and the back. I attempted hand-sewn buttonholes and tried the counter-hem seam (on the shoulders) for the first time. This shirt features more hand-sewing than I have attempted before, as seams were felled down by hand and collar and cuffs were attached by hand backstitching.
For my first time making a pair of pants, I worked with Simplicity pattern 3688. I modified the pattern to open at the front with a button fly (following a YouTube tutorial by HDTailor Design) instead of a side zipper, and added pockets inspired by Cathy Hay's recent Victorian skirt-making video. This garment was constructed almost entirely by machine, except was side seam finishes and hemming, finished by felling.
The tunic/vest was drafted as three rectangles, and facings were made for sleeve and front openings. Ribbon trim and frog closures were added (by hand) to reflect the diplomatic nature of Kero's arrival at the Vale.
I love this! One of the ideas that I had thought of was a Court gown for Princess Elspeth before she was Chosen, but I went with the Elemental Masters series instead. I’m glad to see the Heralds represented so well.
Your felling looks OUTSTANDING!! Especially for a first attempt, for real! I love thrifting materials, and I am delighted that it worked out so well for you!
A lot of details in that piece! You can easily see the hard work that went into it♡
I like the frogs and ribbon details on the vest. It looks like a practical but dignified version of Herald’s whites.
Great work making those white on white details so visible. I too love a puff like that on the sleeve cuff!
Great job!! I’ve been sewing for 10+ years and I’m still too scared to sew button-up trousers 😂 Well done 👏👏👏
Lovely details on the front – really striking. And excellent felling too.