FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Raven’s Soul
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
My husband, for going to different locations to get pictures done
Outline the story …
The Design and Inspiration:
After learning about Foundations and the Foundations Competition that has many of the inspiring historical sewers I follow, I decided why not try and step out of my comfort zone and show my work. My interpretation for this year’s competition 'Once upon a time' is about Edgar Allen Poe's poem “The Raven". As Poe describes himself sitting and pondering about world’s before and the lost Lenore, my costume is the depiction of the transformation from Lenore to the Raven that speaks the word of Nevermore. Therefore, for the design of this competition piece I found that I must include feathers and wings to show the transformation from one being to another. The main inspiration occurred whilst fabric shopping. I found this black brocade jacquard fabric with pinkish skulls and my first thought was that I needed to make a Victorian style outfit.
Outline the construction…
For the construction of this project, I used TV Pattern #E22 for the skirt and TV Pattern #440 Pagoda for the bodice. I had to make 5 toiles for the bodice to find the best fit, as well as extending the bodice down because it felt too short. This was my first attempt at altering a pattern. It was challenging figuring out how to alter the pattern. The last toile I made I had used an old bedsheet and ended up using it for the inside lining of the bodice. The fashion fabric is a brocade jacquard, and hand beaded the collar of the bodice.
For the hat, I used the Simplicity pattern 8361. I learned that I do not enjoy or have the patience for making hats at this point in my sewing endeavours. It might change in the future. There are several sewers I follow on YouTube and they have shown techniques that have made construction easier on this project. One particular YouTuber is Abby Cox, she demonstrated in one of her videos how to nicely conceal seams with braiding that I fell stitched some, as I could not use my sewing machine due to the beading on the collar of my competition piece.
Those feathers and wings are cool.
Thank you
l liked the way you looked outside the box and made something beautiful.
Thank you very much
The beading is amazing and I love your fabric choice. I also love the hat and the feathers! You depicted the character of Lenore transforming in such a unique and unexpected way. I love this poem and enjoy very much the way you made it your own. Thank you!
Thank you. It is one of my favorite poems.