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Jemima Puddle-Duck

stitch-1

SUBMITTED BY:

Carrie Gawne

LINKS:

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.

COMMENTS

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31 Comments

  1. Avatar Sadie on March 11, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    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!

  2. Avatar Bethany Rush on March 11, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    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!

  3. Avatar Lynda Carlson on March 12, 2021 at 2:07 am

    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.

  4. Avatar Mathilde on March 12, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    This is so cute. I can’t belive you even knit the matching socks. the whole outfit is lovely.

  5. Avatar Divya RV on March 12, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    It is so accurate to the Edwardian sillhouette and has so much character . Awesome work!

  6. Avatar Teri Plemel on March 12, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    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!

  7. Avatar Stanislava Pilkova on March 12, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    I think you would totally blend in 1908 farm

  8. Avatar Lynne on March 12, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    I love this look! And Jemima would have too methinks!

  9. Avatar Carolien van Alphen on March 12, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    Love the complete outfit. It really shows the character.

  10. Avatar Esci Q on March 12, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    The Puddleducks are my favourite and this is amazing! Truly inspired.

  11. Avatar Alexandra Cherrett on March 12, 2021 at 11:21 pm

    Oh I love this! Absolutely encompasses the feel of Beatrix potter not just jemmima puddle duck!

  12. Avatar Amy Sakovich on March 13, 2021 at 12:25 am

    I love the creativity in the inspiration as well as the overall look!

  13. Avatar Missy on March 13, 2021 at 1:11 am

    I love everything about this!

  14. Avatar Ari on March 13, 2021 at 6:07 am

    Oh this is so adorable! Cute as a button and so tidy and well put together! Great work!

  15. Avatar Andrea Olinte on March 13, 2021 at 9:17 am

    Just makes one smile, so cute.

  16. Avatar Whitney Carnahan on March 13, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    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!

  17. Avatar Elowen Blackthorn on March 13, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    The outfit comes together so well, love the skirt especially!

  18. Avatar Melanie on March 13, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Yes! I loved seeing this one come together on Instagram, and it’s so fun to see the finished piece. It’s delightful!

  19. Avatar Donna G Earp on March 13, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Lovely construction. Fabric choices and execution are delightful.

  20. Avatar Karen Johnson on March 13, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    This is so incredibly charming!

  21. Avatar Catherine Sutton on March 14, 2021 at 5:41 am

    Absolutely delightful! I really enjoy your combination of both sewn items and your knitted ones!

  22. Avatar Lyndall Cave on March 15, 2021 at 6:34 am

    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*

  23. Avatar Valerie on March 16, 2021 at 2:30 am

    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.

  24. Avatar AnnaCatherine Sendgikoski on March 21, 2021 at 12:31 am

    It’s just as I imagined Jemima to be! Love that hat as well as the rest of your design. So lovely!! Thank you!

  25. Avatar Senta on March 21, 2021 at 3:09 am

    I loved seeing this on Instagram , This costume is in my top 10 . I think it is just smashing 🙂

  26. Avatar Bill Baillie on March 21, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    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! 🙂

  27. Avatar Laura Ingalls Gunn on March 21, 2021 at 11:01 pm

    I am absolutely enchanted by your entry. The attention to detail is spectacular. Truly great work!

  28. Avatar Peta Pendlebury on March 22, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    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.

  29. Avatar Renee Starling on March 25, 2021 at 4:29 am

    This is so sweet! I love that you have a fully complete look and you captured the essence of the character perfectly!

  30. Avatar Sue (sue-mcfluzen) Assenmacher on March 29, 2021 at 5:22 am

    Beautiful outfit. You did a fantastic job.

  31. Avatar Felicity on March 29, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Everything about this is perfect!

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