FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Hobbit Project
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
We all love the Lord of the Rings novels, by J. R. R. Tolkien don’t we? The Hobbits especially own a very dear spot in my heart and therefore I did not have to think twice before deciding on what character to choose for my "Once upon a Time" entry. I decided to make a dress for one of my favourite Hobbitses: Rose Cotton.
Who is Rose Cotton??
Ohh right, the one Hobbit girl that barely even gets mentioned and then all of a sudden becomes Sam’s wife! I grew up knowing only the books, not the movies, therefore I had my very own ideas of what Rose, or Rosie, must look like. This idea might not correspond with other people’s pictures of her or with the movies, but I really love how the project turned out.
In the beginning of "The Fellowship of the Ring“ it is mentioned that Hobbits do prefer vibrant colours like yellow and green and since I prefer yellow over any other colour, I pictured a young farm girl like Rosie in a mustard yellow dress with flowers on it, and as her surname suggests, made from cotton. Now I had to choose a time for the dress because one cannot have a "once upon a time“ without settling for at least any vague period… or maybe that’s just me…
I set my dress for Rosie somewhere in 1740 regarding the silhouette, but this is still fantasy and therefore I wasn't too strict on historical accuracy. If that even exists...
Outline the construction…
I started by making the foundation garments: the stays using a 1740s pattern altered to my size, and I did many mock-ups until I was sure it fit. But the stays did not fit me at all.
Slightly frustrated I followed a YouTube Tutorial to draft my own pattern for a pair of stays, and without even bothering to make a mock-up again besides cutting up a calendar of 2020 for a cardboard mock-up, I made the stays from plain white linen, using reeds for boning and thin yellow-ish leather for the binding. To my own delightful astonishment they fit just like that!
As a next quick win I made the petticoat from two meters of yellow cotton with white flowers, and some lace, and there was no problem arising here. :) For the gown used the American Duchess’ pattern for the 1740s English Gown and made two mock-ups beforehand – since I dreaded to ruin the expensive wool. Then I made a reversible stomacher: One piece of very sturdy buckram, then a piece of linen and on the outer sides the two fashion fabrics: one flowery side and one more toned down in the checked wool. I used tight whipstitches quite decoratively along the edges. After this I made a fichu edged with a rose motif, lace, an embroidered pocket and frills for the sleeves. The outfit was completed with a woollen hobbit cloak made with the AD Cape pattern altered in length, front and with a gigantic hood.
This costume is adorable. Perfect fit, colours in harmony and pretty lace above that.
It’s a beautiful dress and suits you well! Accessorizing with a cat puts it over the top. Love your creativity!
I really like the color and pattern of the fabrics you’ve used and the pleats on the skirt are very neatly done. On top of it, it’s really hobbit-y, so a perfect match for the theme you’ve chosen. Very well done! Good luck with the competition!
What a success! This costume perfectly captures the feeling of “hobbit.”
All the time and thought put into the beautiful layers that you created, from the embroidered pocket to the outside cape, ensures that your ensemble doesn’t look like a costume thrown together, but rather the real clothes of a hobbit.
The fit is fantastic, the colors are lovely and all together, just a beautiful costume that warms the heart!
Thank you so much 💕 your kind words really brought back some courage to me 💛
This is such a beautiful outfit and it is definitely fit for a hobbit! I love the colours and the little well thought out details like the embroidered pocket or the reversible stomacher and of course your little kitty cat!
Thank you 😆
Beautiful construction! Elegant! Lovely colours and embroidery!
This is a wonderful Rosie!
I love this outfit! It is so perfect for Rosie! I adore the lace details on the sleeves and the fichu, and the sweet embroidered pocket! Well done for all the hard work that went into making so many pieces for this outfit, it came together beautifully!
All in all a well put together ensemble, great job 🥰 The fit is spot on!!