FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Lady Sybil and Errol
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
A few years ago my niece started cosplay and I was fascinated. I thought about who I would cosplay for a while, but never really planned to do it. If I would do it, it would be Lady Sybil Ramkin from Discworld (Terry Pratchett – Men at Arms). She is a tall woman, has a strong will, does what she wants to do, she doesn´t care "what the neighbours will think“ - and she loves dragons. I liked her more and more, every time I reread the books.
2020 came and I started sewing my own clothes. I was searching for patterns and how to alter patterns when I stumbled upon online Costume College and the world of historical clothing. I got a picture what my Lady Sybil would wear but still didn`t intend to do it. When would I ever wear it? And then came the motto of the competition – a person out of a book. I have to say, it was like "a sign". I decided to do the full set of garments, bought a set of patterns for undergarments, corset, fan skirt and blouse and started sewing.
Outline the construction…
Every one at costume college said "start with the chemise“, so I started with the chemise. It took me ages. Understanding the pattern, finding, buying and getting the right material in covid times, cutting fabric, learning new techniques every single step – it was a challenge.
To finish in time I gave myself rules: Hand sewn if needed, machine sewn if not seen. Not perfect, but finished. Redoing mistakes if they were having an influence on the construction at once.
So I tried different hand stitches on the chemise, made four button holes instead of two, made pin tucks and learned how to handle lace. Following the pattern of the split drawers was a training in doing something you not quite sure how it should look like. It worked out fine.
The underskirt taught me never again to underestimate the radius and circumference of a circle. I loved how the insertion lace came out. The bum pad went well. The corset was a tough one – making something so fitting was an experience in itself.
The fan skirt was easier then expected, loved the pockets and the inside cotton band solution, that helps to carry the weight. Redid the underskirt, made the front part flatter und put more gathers in the back. Working with taffeta and making puff sleeves were the main challenges of the blouse.
Black Snail Patterns (#1115 undergarments, #1014 corset, #0414 fan skirt, #0420 blouse“). Undergarments light cotton, corset coutil/cotton, skirt wool, blouse taffeta/cotton lining.
Love Lady Sybil, and your Errol is so cute!
Lady Sybil is such a great character, and I think you’ve really captured her essence! Those sleeves are just to die for as well 😍
This is fantastic work! The pintucks on the chemise and the lace, I love it all!
Glorious work. Inspiring character and the clothes suit her perfectly.
You make a formidable Lady Sybil! What a splendid outfit.
Very well done! I don’t think I could have done myself. Lady Sybil is such a treasure and you’ve made her come alive.
That’s exactly how I pictured Lady Sybil in my mind 😅
What a huge amount of work to do all the layers! It looks great too, everything turned out beautifully, even the detail on the chemise is to die for
Wow! You did a ton of work! Awesome!
Love the colors, the silhouette, and the whole thought process! Well done.
Fantastic job, love those SLEEVES! So good!
Yes! That is Lady Sybil! Great piece of work, well done 🙂
I love the whole outfit, but that chemise!! It’s beautiful! Thank you!
Lady Sybil! Yes! I can totally see her in this outfit, out there tending to her dragons. I really like the colors you picked. They’re good practical colors while still being pretty, which really feel like Sybil would appreciate.
I love that we’re more than one Sybil in the competition!
Great Sybil – I love this character and she would have a beautiful chemise.