FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Historically inspired Alice
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
As a child I had a poster over my bed with an excerpt from Alice in Wonderland, and I would constantly have my father read it out loud to me, not that I understood it, as I had yet to learn english. For years I've wanted to create a Alice-costume, so this competition was the final push. I decided I wanted to create a dress for a more adult Alice (inspired by the 2010 movie), in as historically accurate ways possible with a students time and money. I landed on a 1860's ballgown in her signature blue. I wanted the outfit to be recognizable and chose therefore to have lace around the neckline in place of a bertha collar to focus on the fuller puffed sleeves. I also wanted symbolism from the book and so I put decorative rabbit buttons down the front of the bodice, and roses decorating the skirt (albeit not painted red). The hairstyle is inpired by 1860's hairstyles, but I took some creative liberty in adding bows to the wig as I thought looked nice. The bows in the hair are my take on the iconic bow she wears in most adaptions. I chose to keep all the decorations on the dress black, this was to keep them cohesive and the black popped nicely on the pale blue dress. The choice to work with cotton and silk organza was inspired by the 2010 movie, so I can repurpose the skirt as a screen accurate cosplay.
Outline the construction…
Materials: 5m cotton (width 150cm) and 8m silk organza (width 110cm), rabbit buttons painted black, flower-ribbon, cotton lace, piping and boning for the dress I used cottons for the chemise, drawers and corset The lace on the drawers was from my grandmothers stash The hoop-skirt was made from satin ribbon and metal wire I used commersial patterns I already owned for everything but the dress, however it was my first time using them and overall my first time making historical undergarments The pattern I used for the dress was based on historical garments, as I have nor the time nor money to gather the resources to draft my own pattern A challenge was acquring materials as I had limited time, budget and access to historical sources/equipment For the time limit I only ordered one thing online (pattern) and had to compromise by using modern busk, buttons and lace I found it hard to read the patterns as I usually just look at pattern pieces and sew them together how I like and not read the instructions I sewed most seams by machine, but finished all visible seams, sewed in the bodice-lining and embellishments by hand The skirt was pleated and for the gather-detail I gathered 8m organza down to 5m Eyelets were handsewn (my first ones ever) The waistband was sewn on using a overcast stitch by hand I using piping for the neckline, end of the bodice and sleeves (new skill).
Wig and bows were handmade.
Time: 98:56
Oh this is really pretty!! It’s not often you see people use black with their Alice interpretations, but it turned out wonderfully!
Oh, this is darling! I love the fluffy skirt, especially!
The back lacing on the dress is so pretty. Well done!
The silhouette looks great! And the skirt is so flowy, love it❤
Rabbit buttons are so cute and nice!
This is so adorable. Like the take on Alice’s classic costume.
Oh my….this is simply beautiful! very well done. Thank you!