FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Mrs Hempstock’s Skirt
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photographer: Helen Vicary
Outline the story …
The inspiration for this piece came from "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman. It is a fantastical tale of childhood and friendship that takes you through a hidden, magical world. Mrs Hempstock is described as “a stocky woman with apple cheeks, a dark green skirt that went to her knees, and wellington boots”. With her mother and daughter, she runs Hempstock Farm at the end of the lane, but Hempstock farm is also at the margins of the 'old country' from where strange beings and creatures can escape through. I imagine the Hempstock women as guardians and ancient protectors of this border between worlds. The front of the skirt is very practical and simple, made from tough fabric and featuring large pockets. It has a 'farmyard apron' look that suits Mrs Hempstock’s daily life. The change in fabric colour and type between the front and back of the skirt represents this edge between a normal-looking, hard working life at the farm, and the magical land beyond the end of the lane that the Hempstock women are guarding. The intricate pattern in the dark blue fabric gave me inspiration of pleats, folds and hidden nooks in the fabric of time. I imagine this skirt as being made by her mother (Old Mrs Hempstock), as she is very competent with thread and needle and is in the habit of meddling with people's memories using a 'snip and stitch' technique on their clothing.
Outline the construction…
The garment was made entirely of repurposed materials, apart from the zipper. I chose not to use a commercial pattern for this piece, as I wanted to channel the creative practicality of Mrs Hempstock by allowing the materials available to guide the unique shape of the skirt. Accordingly, the blue patterned fabric for the back piece was cut out from an old bedsheet; the lighter green front pocket came from an old jumper; the trim on the hem was unstitched from a pair of shorts. The front piece used a patchwork of pieces from some men’s trousers, from which I also obtained the waistband. This last element of converting trousers to fabric presented a unique set of challenges and creative opportunities. It was important to me to keep as many of the practical aspects of the trousers as possible; hence the two side pockets became the starting point, and I also decided to reuse the button as the main fastening which allowed me to keep the original button hole. To reuse the waistband, I completely unstitched it from the trousers, cut to size and added to the skirt. Installing a zipper and waistband were also new skills to me. Originally, the waistband and pocket pieces of the trousers had belt loops, which, once removed, left white patches as the garment had been dyed after construction. I decided to embroider over these patches in a half moon shape.
Turning this semiabstract idea into a Thing with all the component parts is so cleverly done!
I am really enjoying your creativity and resourcefulness. A fantastic skirt.
Wonderful idea, especially the details. Those litte “bommels” on the hem, love it.
Thanks, I was unsure whether to add them at the end but I feel they fit into the final look.
Lots of details into this skirt! Love it!!
Yay Sweetie. I am so proud of you! You did a great job
Thanks Diane, you have certainly been a great inspiration for me and given me the push I needed for this.
This is a whimsical delight – that unexpected pocket! – and looks comfy and practical too. Love it!
Cute skirt, good job!
Wow, your attention to detail is amazing! I love re-purposing things. I really love this skirt! Thank you so much!
I love this skirt! Allowing your design to be guided by the fabrics you were repurposing was a great idea, and created something completely unique and quirky! I also adore how you interpreted all these abstract concepts from the story and the character and incorporated it into the design! It really is a skirt full of character!
I love it!