FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Princess Alïanna
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
I imagined a ringed world where the plants have purple leaves and black trunks, where warm tones are rare and everything shines. On this world, there is a Kingdom - Terre Alana, and in this kingdom, Princess Alïanna wears only the rarest and most luxurious fashions. Her fabrics the color of fire with not even a hint of shine are accented with the shells of the rare creatures used as the basis of the hardest to create color of all.
Then, I imagined an outfit that not only appeared as if from out of this world, but took me out of my prior sewing world, using new materials and trying new techniques that both expanded my knowledge and tested my patience. More than four months of work, countless hours of hand sewing, and a half dozen new tools later, Princess Alïanna has a riding outfit, and I have a new favorite pair of shorts and a gorgeous bodysuit to wear daily, along with an exquisite gown for special occasions. This process involved more firsts than I can list and took me into a new world with my sewing.
Outline the construction…
I used a robe a la française pattern for the back, a mandarin collar tunic pattern for the neckline, drew the bodice front, and created the side panels using prairie points and bias strips, connecting each section with piping. The patterns were combined to create a zone front robe a l’anglaise with mandarin collar accented with quad-color trim and cowrie shells. This item gave me my first chance to create trim, a collar, prarie points and piping and to make a collar.
The bodysuit was made by replacing the cups of a zip-up bunnysuit pattern with a pleated bodice from a 1950’s sewing book. I spent 3 months hand-stitching sashiko on the fabric used for the center front of the bodysuit. I also cut the pattern short to make an internal corset out of powermesh with rigilene boning. It was my first time using either material, and the pattern had to be cut down multiple times to accommodate the fabric stretch and my short torso. I installed metal snaps and bias bound my edges for the first time on this piece.
The cargo shorts were made with a canvas twill, which I custom dyed in batches. I added smaller pockets into the right slash pocket to make a “purse-pocket” and installed copper rivets for the first time on them. Nylon webbing was used in both the purse-pocket and on the left hip as additional molle-style attachment points. These were my first time making pants.
Each item was made in cotton.
I love the colours of this, it is all so rich and bright. And your play with western historical clothing and modern is so interesting. The mix between long trains and practical riding clothes are so clever. I just love this, it looks stunning on you
Thank you so much.
These colours are absolutely gorgeous, and I adore the picture on the horse, absolutely Regal.
So bright and vibrant! And very clever of you to be able to add elements you can wear for daily use too.
I love the backstory for this piece, and you’ve created such a wonderful design from it! So impressive how many different pieces there are.