FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Professor Sprout
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photos & Video by Emily Riddle
Outline the story …
I was inspired by the character of Pomona Sprout from the Harry Potter series of books. I initially hesitated in this choice because I do not wish to promote the discriminatory views the author has been sharing more recently... However, the story is an old favorite and I feel a strong kinship with Pomona's welcoming personality that is always trying to share her love of plants (and their magic) with her students. I felt I could costume her as I imagine her: a kind woman, who especially looks out for her students who are less accepted by their peers. And I feel strongly that good stories and characters take on a life of their own in the minds and hearts of the reader.
I drew my inspiration from nature, several vintage clothing pieces, and my own favorite things to wear in the garden. I imagined a backstory that included a young Pomona who went into service with the British Woman's Land Army during WWII. I saw the practicality of their uniform influencing her later wardrobe (linen blouse & overalls), when she was still a younger teacher at Hogwarts in her early 40s. I imagined that she would love, as I do, attention to detail and a sense of beauty in her wardrobe (a work cloak inspired by a 1902 Cheruit evening wrap and the collar lines of blouses from around 1912 ) and I included embroidery and beading, lovely natural fibers, and tried to include practical touches (like pockets!)
Outline the construction…
I drafted all as original patterns, with a small assist from Folkwear's Armistice Blouse 210 at the shoulder/armscye of the cloak.
This was a "stash busting" project, almost totally created with fabrics on hand.
Linen Blouse: Reconstructed thrifted vintage original - fabric recut to include new seams, inserts & plackets, buttons, darning and Sashiko mends, and patches of a variety of linen fabrics. Dyed Hufflepuff yellow with turmeric.
Overalls: Brown linen/Cotton blend Inspired by the 1940s, but cut with plenty of room for a chubby Pomona to move with ease. Embroidered front pocket flowers (thread inherited from my grandmother.) Pockets lined to match cuff-tabs (vintage fabric.) Vintage buttons and hand-sewn buttonholes. All seams felled for smoothness and durability. Top inner-lining sewn down by hand.
Cloak: Cotton velvet body, with Melton wool collar and cuffs (the only fabric purchased!) Lined with brown cotton/linen blend floral, with yellow linen at hem, in sleeves, and under collar. Entire lining sewn in by hand. All seams felled by hand (lining and outer layer) to lay flat. Pieced sleeve & pocket seams felled with fern stitches. Embroidered fern embellishments done with fair trade cotton threads, faux-gold thread, and bronze glass beads.
Hat: crochet from wool blend yarn (the other purchase for this project) and shape stitched to hold wrinkles and brim.
Belt: Vintage velvet tape, with woven leaves Matched (it was in 4 pieces!) and sewn to be reversible.
Besom Broom: Handmade from privet growing in my yard, with hemp twine and a earthenware button.
The embroidery is such a lovely touch on this awesome design 😀
This made me very happy! I love the trousers, they look perfect for gardening, and the overall colour combination is lovely. Spring is coming 😊
This is perfect in every way! The colour palette works so well, and the hat has such character! If I had made this I’d never wear anything else!
I would actually wear clothing such as Pomona’s beautiful garb … well done!
I love this design! so nice to see everything together here on this page, with your thoughtfully finished cottage witch clothes and homemade broom! best of luck to you! (from craftyroo aka icarus!)
Sooo charming! Speaks to my inner gardener! I love the embroidery details, but also the entire overall look!!
Such attention to detail, and an excellent interpretation of the character! Such a cohesive look. Nicely done!
A really happy recreation of a lovely character. Your embroidery and details are wonderful. Thank you for sharing this joy.
oh my goodness a Land Girl Sprout. a lovely adorable Professor Sprout take. I love the beautiful embroidery and the practical overalls . well done
Land Girl Pomona headcanon accepted!
Beautiful interpretation of Sprout! I love all the little elements you added, and the embroidery is a perfect touch on the back. Probably the only place it wouldn’t get muddy. 🙂
Aww, I love this! It’s so adorable and perfect for the character. I love all the little details!
Awww Professor Sprout! So cute!
This is fantastic! I love the embroidered details.
Very charming. Earthy and exquisite embroidery. Fine work. Cool hat! 🙂
This is lovely and really well constructed and detailed – extraordinary!!
I love the idea of a young Pomona Sprout spending time with the land army. The outfit is perfect for a gardener and definitely suits her. The little embroidery details and the natural fabrics and (at least in the case of the shirt) natural dyes as well are perfect.
I haven’t stopped smiling yet. I loved the back story for Pomona and all the little touches including the stash busting and using vintage and notions from your grandmother. Please tell me that’s your wand sticking out of the pocket in the video?! I think Miriam Margolyes would love this outfit too.
Great job working all those aspects in, with natural dyeing, your embroidery, the fabric textures… this is great! Absolutely looks like a teacher full of love!
I love this outfit so much! The coat and the overalls are just brilliant, you’ve made me want a set like this for my wardrobe! The details are so lovely too, I love the little silver flower on the end of the hat, and the embroidery is just such a sweet touch! Perfect for the kind-hearted Professor Sprout!
I love this idea, it feels simple yet elegant and makes me smile.
This whole outfit is so stinkin’ cute! I would totally wear that when gardening 😀 Sprout if one of my fav. characters from the books/movies.
This whole outfit makes me smile, you did an amazing job. I love the embroidery at the front 🙂