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Sabriel’s Party Dress
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Outline the story …
A 1920s style evening dress for Sabriel, the main character of the eponymous 1995 book by Garth Nix. Sabriel is the daughter of the Abhorsen, a necromancer who makes sure the dead stay dead and an important figure in the Old Kingdom. Sabriel grows up in the neighbouring country of Ancelstierre, where magic does not work. In the course of the first book Sabriel becomes the Abhorsen herself and falls in love with the young man who will become the king of the Old Kingdom, being a lone survivor of the foul act that wiped out the royal family centuries ago (he was stuck as a ship's figurehead and brought back to life by Sabriel). Sabriel thus becomes the queen of the Old Kingdom. I designed this dress for her to wear when she goes back to visit Ancelstierre for royal and/or political matters (so the timeframe is about two years after the book has ended). The reason I chose the 1920s style is because I always though that while the Old Kingdom is sort of perpetually stuck in medieval times, Ancelstierre is in the 1920s (this based on Sabriel's hair being described as 'fashionally bobbed' and based on the state of the technology). It is blue because it is the official colour of the Abhorsen and the key is the emblem of the Abhorsens.
Outline the construction…
I drafted the pattern myself and used cobalt blue cotton satin. The bow/key embroidery was made in silver metallic DMC embroidery floss with an embroidery pattern from the 1920s. The little silver seed beads were sewn on by hand. I used vintage snaps for the side closure (something I've come across a number of times in 1920s extant garments and sewing manuals). The internet was my main resource for information about satin and how to handle it, and the digital version of the late 1920s book 'How to make dresses - The modern Singer way'.
I love this! It’s a great mashup of the Old Kindom symbols and the more modern Ancelstierre fashion, such a great idea!
Thank you very much!
I love the details of the silver embroidery and beads.
YES!! The embroidery makes it ‘just right’.
Very nice embroidery! And the shape looks so flattering on you, great job♡
Your silhouette is Divine. The simplicity is very elegant, and your needlework is whimsical. Great Job.
That shape is perfect! 🤩 The scalloped hem adds a really nice touch to the whole outfit, well done!