FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Jemima Puddle-Duck
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Outline the story …
Described as a simpleton, Beatrix Potter‘s Jemima Puddle-Duck is a sentimental and practical soul who knows her own mind, despite being overly trusting. The story, "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck", was published in 1908, so I designed my costume as an interpretation of what Jemima might wear if she were a person then. I drew inspiration from the Edwardian and late Victorian eras, particularly from photographs of rural farm life. Jemima’s anachronistic poke bonnet makes me think she would continue to wear her favorite things even if out of fashion, so I included some older Victorian elements. The green vegetation, pink foxgloves, and Jemima’s clothing and plumage inspired the color palette. I consulted my books about heritage livestock and traditional knitting, hoping the photographs might show country women in their workaday outfits. I noted striping, plaid, simple blouses, and skirts with high hemlines practical for working outdoors. I chose Truly Victorian patterns for the blouse and skirt. The blouse fabric has a subtle yellow stripe that brings to mind Jemima’s white plumage and yellow bill. A wool walking skirt with a high hem seemed appropriate for puddle jumping, and its dusty green and pink plaid evokes the colors of the landscape. I chose to knit Jemima’s shawl from an 1890s pattern with a rustic coral pink wool. Rather than perfectly imitate her bonnet, I took inspiration from the periwinkle blue and channeled that into the florals and satin ribbon on a boater.
Outline the construction…
The skirt is made of wool flannel and lightweight linen lining using Truly Victorian’s TV291 pattern. Based on my mockup, I added an additional 6” width to each back panel because I wanted more pleating as I’d seen in some photographs. The skirt panels were flatlined, and the seams were machine sewn then flat felled by hand. Pockets were inserted by hand. I took effort to align the plaid whenever possible—it wasn't always possible due to some seams meeting grain to bias. The blouse is made of a midweight linen using Truly Victorian’s TVE47 pattern. It was sewn by machine with French seams, but details such as the collar, wrist plackets, and cuffs were finished by hand. Fitting shoulders for the first time was a challenge, but I learned a lot, and I know what I'll do differently next time. Jemima’s shawl was hand knit from wool using an 1892 shoulder cape pattern adapted to modern knitting terms by Maike Fillmer. The socks were knit from wool on my 1923 hand-cranked circular sock knitting machine, itself a replication of an 1890s machine, with hand finished heels, toes, and cuffs. The straw hat was purchased, blocked for shape and stiffness using gelatin, and decorated with satin ribbons and flowers.
This is gorgeously whimsical, and so much thought obviously went into the design process. Not to mention how neat and well-made everything looks. I love it!
I adore this. Your design is exactly what I would picture Jemima wearing and I just love that you used her as an inspiration because I think Jemima is very underrated! The whole outfit is so neatly put together, so cohesive in color and design and compliments the model delightfully you should be so proud of yourself!
This is so sweet. The colours go so well together. The knitted items add am extra level of warmth. I could see a human Jemima Puddle Duck choosing so wear this.
This is so cute. I can’t belive you even knit the matching socks. the whole outfit is lovely.
It is so accurate to the Edwardian sillhouette and has so much character . Awesome work!
This is lovely and so well suited to the character. You’ve clearly put a great deal of time and consideration into this project. So nicely executed!
I think you would totally blend in 1908 farm
I love this look! And Jemima would have too methinks!
Love the complete outfit. It really shows the character.
The Puddleducks are my favourite and this is amazing! Truly inspired.
Oh I love this! Absolutely encompasses the feel of Beatrix potter not just jemmima puddle duck!
I love the creativity in the inspiration as well as the overall look!
I love everything about this!
Oh this is so adorable! Cute as a button and so tidy and well put together! Great work!
Just makes one smile, so cute.
This is just wonderful – I love the research that you put into this, and it reflects Jemima Puddle-Duck – a beloved character and story – so, so well. Beautiful!
The outfit comes together so well, love the skirt especially!
Yes! I loved seeing this one come together on Instagram, and it’s so fun to see the finished piece. It’s delightful!
Lovely construction. Fabric choices and execution are delightful.
This is so incredibly charming!
Absolutely delightful! I really enjoy your combination of both sewn items and your knitted ones!
This made me smile so big when I saw it! Such a whimsical idea, and I TOTALLY see Jemima in this outfit.
Also the fit, WOW, I’m swooning. It fits you so well! *all the heart eye emojis here*
What a perfect human interpretation of Jemima! Each piece is a tidy little masterpiece, and togeither they are a quirky joy that is so perfect for her.
It’s just as I imagined Jemima to be! Love that hat as well as the rest of your design. So lovely!! Thank you!
I loved seeing this on Instagram , This costume is in my top 10 . I think it is just smashing 🙂
The style is both cute and practical, just how I imagine a farm duck. Original idea and so nicely made (the skirt hangs right, which isn’t easy). Lovely! 🙂
I am absolutely enchanted by your entry. The attention to detail is spectacular. Truly great work!
Lovely fit, so neat. Even down to the number of perfectly aligned stitches on your eyes which definitely made me giggle – I love it! Very impressive.
This is so sweet! I love that you have a fully complete look and you captured the essence of the character perfectly!
Beautiful outfit. You did a fantastic job.
Everything about this is perfect!