FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Morgan Le Fay’s Cape
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Credits to my grandmother, patron saint of stitchlings.
Outline the story …
"I have called on the Goddess, and found her within myself"
Marion Zimmer, The Mists of Avalon.
True artists, they say, cannot live without their art. Not to paint, not to dance, or play music, only that is death. I cannot live without my storybooks. I used to adore the tales King Arthur's knights of the Round Table. But as I grew older the stories I was told about who I was, who women are, who they were- came to a different light.
In researching this project I found records of legends older than the Round Table, where Morgan Le Fay was a healer, a fae, a Queen. The mistress of light magic. She was both life giver, and death bringer.
But when Christianity came to English shores, they rewrote our stories. The Goddess and women's rituals of healing and their power in society was cast down.
So too, was Morgan Le Fay. Who became a seductress. A sorceress. Bringer of death and evil. Stories were rewritten to break women and persuade them to doubt their beauty and their power. Stories like this remain today.
This is the story I was told. And now, I know better. I combined modern with ancient, myth with legend, and made my own interpretation of Morgan Le Fay inspired by 2 stories; Revenge of the Shadow King (Derek Benz), and- the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer.
Outline the construction…
Woven into this fabric are experiences of learning, trial, and self discovery. I learned how to finish a collar, chain stitch a seam, fit a shoulder, and hem an edge by hand. The sword and clasp were hand sewn. The fabric was expensive, the labor was laborious, and heart-breakingly hard because a loved one was terminally ill at the time of construction. The pattern piecing was done on taped paper at my grandmother's house, since my apartment is 300 square feet and the cape soon grew too large to spread out on my floor. The linings seams were serged with my mother's machine. The cape backing was sewn on my mother's machine which she gave to me. My grandmother taught me how to fold and finish the collar nicely. She would pin and fold and explain over and over again simple things she knows (as a couture maker of bridal gowns) and I lack (being a mere stitchling). I visited my dying grandfather, sewed with my mother and grandmother, then returned home alone to work into the dead of the cold winter's night in my lonely apartment.
The outer pieces were assembled first. Then the collar. Then the lining. I approached the joining of lining to backing with great trepidation, but by some miracle and armed with a video of my grandmother showing me how to do it, I sewed it down. In theory capes are simple. But then... beautifully finished, glorious, Morgan Le Fay capes... are not so simple.
I played Morgan Le Faye in a school play. Your cape took me straight back there. Thank you.
I think cloaks are particularly difficult to sew. This one is not only beautiful, it’s also practical wear today. I’m looking forward to seeing your next one.
Ah, I did a cloak, and it was certainly not simple. Lovely work, lots of toil and feeling clearly went into this. And my condolences x
From your description it seems like this was a great learning experience for you. The work clearly shows, it is a beautiful cape. I also love your writing style and the humor(dog not included, ha ha ;)). I am sorry about your grandfather, I am sure he is proud of you. Keep up the good work.
Indeed, not so simple. Dramatic cape! Well done!
Dramatic, elegant, and just a bit mysterious. Brava!
Lovely work, a big cosy hug of a cloak. My condolences for the passing of your grandfather.
Oh, um…good grief! This is awesome. I hope you are never without your storybooks! This is amazing! My condolences on the passing of your grandfather. You are a great storyteller yourself! Thank you!
A beautiful telling of a true story entwined within the pages of your life. I feel that with the turning of each page during this stitchling journey you have definitely created a cloak of enduring love.
This is a lovely cloak, suitably mystical, striking and, indeed, beautifully finished! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your entry, you definitely have a way with words, and also deserve credit for having preserved with this creation despite the personal struggles you faced during it’s making! I’m terribly sorry about your grandfather, I hope he is at peace, best wishes to you and your family, and good luck for all your future endeavours!
Your own mysticism, strength and experiences have certainly been woven in to every fibre of this beautiful cloak. Beautiful storytelling even in your construction and especially of the suppressed stories of women. What a strong woman who now has a cloak to match.