FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
1st Place
Rococo Harley Quinn
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
My intention was to make a dress that Harley Quinn could wear if she were an 18th-century aristocrat. Female villains aren't often represented as feminine and glamorous, so I wanted to take Harley Quinn's iconic red and black bodysuit from the Batman graphic novels and reimagine it as a robe a la francaise. The gown, along with the undergarments, was my first ever sewing project, and I wanted to include Harley's iconic color scheme in both the stays and the gown. The harlequin pattern on the petticoat is a nod to both Harley Quinn and the 18th century Harlequina- the female counterpart of the 'comedie de l'arte''s harlequin.
Outline the construction…
As seen on the video, I first made the undergarments which consisted of a linen shift, stays in linen made with zip ties using the American Duchess 8162 pattern, and pocket hoops that I drafted myself. The gown is based on the American Duchess 8578 pattern, that I adjusted to alternate the colors between red and black. I combined some period-accurate techniques, such as pinning the gown onto myself, with the modern pattern instructions, such as bag-lining instead of flat-lining. The gown, as well as the stays, were constructed using the sewing machine, while the details, such as the binding or the lace cuffs, were finished by hand. It was a challenging and a time-consuming process, especially since it was my first ever sewing project, however I jumped into the rabbit hole of historical costuming and I learned so much about the craft.
Ouah ! This Harley Queen Française is just… OUAH ! It’s beautifully done and the colors works so well !
I’m in love !
CONGRATS ! <3
This is amazing!! So many pieces but so well put together and such a fantastic effect in the end!
This is something I would wear all the time it’s so beautiful!
Impressive! Really great work!
Amazing! I’m in awe. Good luck x
Really gorgeous! I always love historical interpretations of pop culture characters. I love the way the back pleats look with the two different colors.
Wow – striking and so much fun. Beautiful colors and you look so happy in it. Congratulations!
Simply stunning. I’m speechless.
Love your fabric choices, so pretty!
Love the design, so striking.
This has me desperately wanting to attend a Rococo Themed party!
It’s divine!!!
I just keep coming back to drool over this one. Somehow, for me, it shows Harley as the powerful, strong character she eventually becomes rather than who so many people idolize her as (a brainwashed sidekick). It’s astonishingly beautiful, especially for a beginner piece, and I’m in awe of all the detail work.
Amazing! Well done. I love how it looks from the back it is very impactful.
Oh my gosh! I made my toile for my entry (1770s court suit) in a purple fabric and lined with green so I could use it for an 18th century Joker!
I love your Harley so much! You did such a fantastic job! I can’t stop gushing! 🥰
Oh my goodness, a particolor francaise! *hearteyes* Love your design choices, and beautiful work!
I love how you reimagined the character! The fabric and patterning choices you made are wonderful! Well done!!
This is beautiful! What an amazing job you did!
Truly an amazing entry! I adore the colors.
Absolutely stunning. This is awesome! I can’t say enough of how well done this dress is! Thank you!
Well done, I love taking a character and putting them in another time (I did the same with Mab! Haha) and this works so well!
This is wonderful! The colours get wonderful together. It looks really great, especially for a first project!
I absolutely adore this gown! I love the colours and the way you matched them and all the pieces that went into this outfit are very well made. I really like your version of Harley Quinn. Well done!
For being your first ever sewing project, this is INSPIRED. You should be so proud.
This is amazing! I would never have had the guts to go for this first off and you pulled it off perfectly. What a brilliant idea!
Very beautiful! I love the design of this.
This is so perfect! The twist on Harley Quinn that I didn’t know I needed. Absolutely amazing job!
Wow, simply amazing, I love it 🤩