FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Road Goes Ever On and On (so wear quality togs)
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Keith Boyles, my dad-in-law and model. Mark Boyles, my husband, who hand crafted the buttons on the waistcoat from antler and provided tea and encouragement. Avalon Cloaks for the rather gorgeous cloak clasp
Outline the story …
Entry inspired by Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins.
Frodo Baggins is carrying The One Ring to its fate, if only he can resist the power it seeks to gain over him. Armed with good sense and great companions, he will have many adventures before he can return to the peace of Hobbiton.
A hobbit on an adventure, serious as it is, needs a fine warm woollen cloak and waistcoat to see him through experiences as diverse as nights by campfires, sojourns through misty mountains, and meetings with Elves and Dwarves
Bilbo’s cloak is a green tartan wool with a cotton mix lining, cut in a full circle for maximum warmth and swoosh. There are arm holes for sensible hobbit types, closed with hooks and eyes against the elements if preferred. The leaf clasp has echoes of the Lorien leaf cloak clasp as seen in the movies.
The waistcoat is the same wool as the cloak, with a linen lining and back covered in willow leaves, redolent of the companions’ brush with Old Man Willow and rescue by Tom Bombadil. The buttons are made of antler, a nod to the white hart that symbolises their meeting with the Elves at the halfway point of the story.
If Frodo looks a bit long in the tooth, it’s time to rethink your expectations about the energy and determination of your elders and betters!
Outline the construction…
Cloak
The cloak was the product of much online research. I wanted a swooshable, cotton lined woollen cloak to wear through a northern U.K. winter, hence the full circle design. It required learning several simple stitching basics and discovering what my (inherited) sewing machine and I could accomplish together. The circles were made by folding the fabric and using string and a fixed point to mark the cuts for neck and hem. The long double hems and overstitching were examples of learning-by-necessity - to keep the lining in place, and to secure the extra fabric I wished to preserve in case I wished to make changes in the future.
Waistcoat
I’m daunted by the idea of commercial patterns, so I traced the shape of one of my husband’s waistcoats onto paper, then used the paper pattern as a first toile, and flannel bedsheets as the second.
After cutting the final pieces from the wool, interfacing and linen, I sewed the tucks, welts and belt in place before assembling the main pieces. I followed a friendly online tutorial (AnitaByDesign) so that I’d have some hope of doing it right. The inside side seams were achieved by machine and witchcraft, but I ladder stitched the outsides together by hand. Finally, I overstitched the whole thing for a finished look.
The button holes - my first ever - gave me 24 hours of terror, but while not perfect, I am elated that they are very passable.
Very Bilbo Baggins- excellent, congratulations.
Frodo! It was Frodo. I’m sure Bilbo had something more like a daily wear frock coat. Frodo had a cloak. My brain was clearly very full that day, and I switched hobbits halfway through my description. Oh dear.
And thank you!
A distinguished look for the travelling hobbit!
Thank you ☺️
Wow! The stitching on the waistcoat came out SO well! Such a good ensemble for a Hobbit on an adventure 🙂
Thank you! I keep looking at it and thinking, ‘whoa, did I really do that? It looks so smart. Can’t be me!’
I like your use of complementary fabrics. And the handmade buttons do add such a nice touch!
Thank you! I’ll pass your button compliment on to my husband. He’ll be chuffed.
I love that cloak. And greetings to Keith, he is presenting it perfect.
That is now my actual winter coat. Pity Spring is here. And yes, Keith is a star! And a surprisingly convincing hobbit.
Definitely makes me think of a hobbit at the first glance. The different pieces of the outfit go really well togehter. Well done!
I love the whole outfit, but that waistcoat! Wow! I love the willow leaves on the back, what a brilliant touch. I’d wear any of those pieces proudly, what a lucky family you have. 🙂
So kind! Thank you xx
I love the fullness of the full circle cloak. It is the one regret I have about the hobbit cloak I made. Great job. Good luck!
Love this! The cloak and waistcoat combo is delightful, and the gorgeous clasp is a wonderful detail! (When I read your description, I assumed that the cloak was an heirloom which Frodo inherited from Bilbo) either way, its a perfect outfit for any hobbit to wear on an adventure!
You did a beautiful job. That outfit represents a lot of work, and the way it just flows is lovely. Once again, beautiful!
Just a perfect Hobbit cloak! The waistcoat is beautiful, and the willow print back is a delightful surprise.
Perfect Hobbit ensemble – very well done! The waistcoat is exquisitely finished, and the cloak looks practical and elegant.
This is awesome! I love your designs. Very well done! Deer antler buttons! Now I need some! Thank you!
This looks wonderful for a hobbit on a journey! Oh, and the back of the waistcoat is absolutely amazing.
This outfit is great! I love all of the little details in the styling and the fit is spot on!
This is an amazing Frodo outfit! I love that you even incorporated Tom Bombadil into your design