FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Wings of Wizardry
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Gandalf the Grey who is later transitioned into Gandalf the White was my chosen subject for the Foundations Revealed 2021 competition. Gandalf is a wizard from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and is seen in other literary works by J. R. R. Tolkien. In the film adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf is seen communicating with a moth to send for help when he is trapped at the top of Orthanc. I was inspired by his communication with moths – and the delicate sheen gossamer and web on the wings of the creatures that are omniscient of the wispy robes of Gandalf the White.
Outline the construction…
My competition pieces are a mix of both a pre-existing pattern and my own. The base of the corset was made using Simplicity 1139. I used metallic silver leather to construct the garment using a sewing machine. Over the leather, I hand stitched a layer of sheer tulle. On top of this tulle, hand-embroidered moths were placed, and on top of these moths another layer of tulle. I hand-sewed channels of silvery grey ribbon on top of where the boning lives. Eyelets and ribbon were added to the edges to complete this garment.
The sheer shirt below the corset was handmade as well but by my own pattern. The sheer white fabric resembles the fine gossamer that connects the vein-like margins of moth wings. I crocheted a metallic twine to create an illusion of moonlit sodden wings. The crochet technique combined stitches with much room for an open look to provide the attempted illusion. Using this same crochet technique, I repeated this to create another, larger crochet piece for the washed-out lilac skirt. An intentional slinky, yet metallic attempt to create something that appears can flutter. The skirt was created by my own pattern and features a high-low cascading look.
I like the moth inspiration.
The embroidery is really lovely! You gave a well-known character a whole new twist, I love your inspiration. You did a great job!
Love the idea behind your entry! You can really see the character in your outfit♡
This is such a creative interpretation of Gandalf! I loved how you based your outfit around the moths (even though they are small, they play a big role in the story) and make lovely accents for the corset!