FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Princess Addie of Bamarre
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Sarina Tubbs/TubbsTrinkets (Photographer), Samantha Tubbs (Model)
Outline the story …
"The Two princesses of Bamarre" by Gail Carson Levine is the inspiration for this costume. Princess Addie is shy and fearful. Her older, much braver sister Meryl is sick with the Grey Death. Addie goes on a quest to find the secret cure. Fighting monsters and overcoming her fears along the way as she tries to save her sister.
Growing up, I listened to "The Two Princesses of Bamarre audiobook" whenever I could. Last year my younger siblings uncovered the tapes and began listening to it incessantly, they quickly became entranced by the same story that I have loved since I was their ages. My sister Samantha immediately began to beg me for an "Addie Dress".
Not long after that I was watching a YouTube live by Foundations Revealed and I heard the announcement for this contest. The costume I would make was obvious.
I began looking through the story to get ideas of how I would make an Addie Dress. I also began looking to see what was online in way of conceptual art (there isn't much). I pulled everything together onto Pintrest.
I decided to go for a 1540's French gown silhouette, feeling that it suited the story. I did borrow the color scheme of brown and tan from a passage in the book, but everything else is completely of my own making.
Honestly, I think I bit off more than I could chew. I have been working on this costume since October and have only now finished.
Outline the construction…
I decided to step out of my comfort zone and drafted my first pattern. It took several mockups on paper and fabric until I figured it out. The majority of the materials I used was already in our fabric stash. Since I am very new to historical sewing, I had nothing pre-made I could use for an undergarment I deciding to combine SEVERAL garments into one.
The base layer (shift/kirtle/petticoats) I made from white corduroy. Bodice is a double layer with steel bones down the front enclosure to keep it from bunching, I made the braided lacing with old crotchet thread we had. Skirt is a pleated rectangle. My neighbor helped me embroider the cuffs and neckline. I beaded the corners.
The bodice is made from a thick velvet (it was just enough!) from our stash. Both the sleeves and bias strips were made from a chocolate brown cotton blend tablecloth. It hooks down one front seam.
The skirt material I had to buy. I wanted tapestry type fabric to help give that cone look. The store had cording-on-tape on clearance. It was perfect! I had some left over which got added to the sleeves of the bodice. I made the ties from tan curtains.
Addie is given a blue cloak that disguises her as a shadow. I can't imagine her without it. Lining is made from blue corduroy. The outside is blue polyester velvet from JoAnns. I would've liked to make it fuller, but I only had 3 yards.
From your description of the character, you seem to have chosen the perfect fabrics to suit her personality. It is a sweet composition
Thank you, Susanna!
Samantha has worn the costume several times since I finished it and she loves it! I am glad that I was able to make her something that she enjoys wearing as much as I enjoyed making it.
The shape of your dress looks great! And the details seem very neat and delicate♡
Thank you Manon!
Your dress is great! And I love that book.
Thanks Briana!
I was wondering if anyone here had read it before… Now I have my answer! 😉
I love this book, and your sister looks like Princess Addie come to life! This is a beautiful dress, and you should be proud.
Thank you so much, Helen! 💕