FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Karkulka
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Over the time, little girls and their grandmothers moved into towns and so did wolves. The story of a girl who wore a red cape (a present from her grandmother) so often that nobody would call her her name but Little Red Riding Hood instead is so iconic and relatable still today and I wanted to make a garment which is recognizable even in its modernized form. I didn’t want this to be “just a costume” but a piece of my wardrobe so I decided to use a modern pattern and replace the hood with a beret. The name KARKULKA is based on the czech name of the story “O červené karkulce” and the word literally means a woman’s coif. The look completes a wolf hat pin and handknitted mitts. I based my design on Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault (1996 reprint published by Everyman's Library). You can also find the story here: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/perrault02.html
Outline the construction…
For the cape, I have used V9288 pattern by Vogue and a self-drafted pattern for a beret. I have used a doubleface wool/poly blend (80/20%), iron on interfacing and decorative ribbon with twill tape for hem and embellishment. As the pattern suggests, the cape is unlined - another reason why I wanted to use doubleface fabric. I have made slight changes in the construction e.g. an inside pocket instead of patch pockets, I have sewn ribbon and twill tape together to cover the hem to reduce bulk, I have also modified belt construction for the same reasons. I’ve worked with the iron on interfacing for the first time. Also, it is the first garment I have sewn on an antique treadle machine (no electric machine involved). The biggest challenges were the thickness of the fabric and its unruliness. Tartan pattern helped a lot while cutting so I could follow the grainline. Seam allowances are closed together and overcasted to avoid streaks of red on the inside. The pocket is attached to a facing of a front piece so it wouldn’t be visible from the outside. It’s made from quilting cotton sewn into a tube and manipulated with darts to fit the shape. Buttonholes are handsewn and buttons have a little thread shank made with a buttonhole stitch. Crocheted loop keeps the belt from getting lost. Beret construction was fairly simple. I have used contrasting tartan side for a band and finished the raw edge with the same twill tape.
It’s so lovely ! I love the detail at the collar. And the beret ! I love that you used a treadle antique machine. Those machines are amazing, but require practive to get use to them, and you managed that beautifully ! Congratulations !
I love the modern take on a classic and you did an amazing job! I would 100% wear this!
You made this SO modern and cool!!
So beautiful! I love the colour and the interesting pattern, especially the buttons. Is it a coat? Is it a dress with a cape? If I hadn’t watched the video, I would have still been wondering 🙂 I would wear this as well!
I love this modern everyday version of Karkulka! Truly lovely!
What a wonderful look, and a unique interpretation of the story’s character. I also love your trim selection!
This is a wonderful garment. I love the deep red qnd the tartan! Gorgeous! Thank you!
This is a truly beautiful and gloriously red cape and hat set to go with the story! Outstanding work!