FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Interchangeable Emmas
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
scale-mail by Stephen Taylor
Outline the story …
The Sunshine Sanctuary for Sick Dragons plays an important role in Terry Pratchett's Disc World novels, especially Guards! Guards! and Men at Arms. Lady Sybil Ramkin (later Vimes) established the sanctuary to take in former pet dragons that have been abandoned usually because they occasionally explode. The Sanctuary is run by volunteers that Captain Vimes calls "interchangeable Emmas". Here is how he describes them-
" Ladies, rather. They were far too untidy to be mere women. No ordinary women would have dreamed of looking so scruffy; you needed the complete self-confidence that comes from knowing who your great-great-great-great-grandfather was before you could wear clothes like that. But they were, Vines noticed, incredibly good clothes, or they had been once; clothes bought by one's parents, but so expensive and of such good quality they never wore out and were handed down, like old china and gout.
Dragon breeders, he thought. You can tell. It's the way they wear their silk scarves, old tweed and grandfather's riding boots."
Outline the construction…
Starting on the inside, I drafted patterns for the chemise and drawers using Textbook on Domestic Art. I took it apart and re-did it 16 times, but finally got a pattern that fit at the armholes and shoulders. The corset-waist serves to change my shape to give the right profile. It is padded at the hips, butt and bust. I used pictures of the Ferris Good Sense Waist and the patent of the King Corset. I redid the buttonholes after sportswear Live Workshop. I used the chemise pattern as a base for the waistcoat and to adjust the thrifted shirt. The skirt I made using a circle skirt generator for the cutting measurements. I still want to add pockets when I get the courage to cut them. The coat I made from piece of fabric -wool- that I bought in NYC ten years ago. I used a Folkwear pattern. The cuffs and collar have pad stitching showing on patchwork. I wear the coat often - not just for this cosplay. The dragon puppet came from a conversation with a talented friend. His scale mail looked so alive that I wanted to make a dragon out of it. He wanted a Santa suit. We made the trade, but it has taken me all this time to put together the rest of the puppet.
Yesssssss love it!
Thank you
Aww, your little dragon friend is -so cute-!!!
thank you!
Your dragon is lovely! And that silhouette looks great on you♡
That is such a cool costume!
Love it, from the frilly undies to the tweed undercollar and I think we all want pet dragons now!
Love it, that someone took up the “Emmas”. And that dragon is so cute!
I was hoping there would be Terry Pratchett fans among us! Thank you.
Dragon breeders unite! That quote is so spot on and I love your interpretation. I’m saving that close-up of the front for inspiration!
Love the pad stitching on collar and cuffs – and the ever so cute dragon. The whole look is lovely.