FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Young Weatherwax
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Granny Weatherwax is a powerful witch in the "Discworld" series by Terry Pratchett. She is very much a traditionalist; witches wear sensible, hard working black clothes, passed from hand to hand. I wanted to make an outfit that she would wear (and, in the spirit of Granny's thrift, that I would also wear in the future) but with subtle little details that connect to her story. The buttonholes on the cuffs are embroidered with animals that have a connection to her: the hare is a reference to Granny's skill in "Borrowing", sending her mind out into the mind of animals; the horse is reminiscent of the white horse carved into the chalkland where she lives. The collar label, reading "I aten't dead", represents the sign that Granny holds when out "Borrowing" to reassure visitors.
Outline the construction…
Both the blouse and skirt are made following vintage patterns (Vogue No.6704 and 7901 respectively), and all stitching unless otherwise specified was done by machine. The blouse pattern was adjusted to be wider at the shoulder (it's hard to find vintage patterns of the right size!) before making a muslin to check the size - I used a combination of my mum's experience and "Smart Fitting Solutions" by Kenneth D. King to help.
All internal seams are bound with black satin bias binding to increase their longevity and avoid stitch marks on the outside from felling. I bound the buttonholes by hand, and the buttons themselves are dark mother of pearl.
I embroidered the cuffs and collar label by hand. The designs for the cuffs were drawn freehand with pencil before embroidering. The pattern called for cufflinks, so I used two carved mother of pearl buttons tied together with crochet thread. The collar tag is a strip of binding tape, with the letters initially stitched with thick thread before being wrapped with a thinner, black thread to give a bold raised effect.
The skirt is made from a wool blend, with self-covered buttons. I added pockets to the skirt (as any respectable witch must have pockets!), the pattern for which was taken from a pair of trousers and inserted at the side seams, with the top stitched into the waist seam to provide support.
Oh my gosh, I completely love the embroidered hares around the buttons. I’m sorry but I might have to steal your idea in my future dressmaking! The collar label is such a great touch. I would write more but I want to go back to looking at your costume!
I love how you put little details like de tag on the collar or the embroideries on the cuff
Meticulous work, very nice! The satin binding looks so clean. A great interpretation of your story.
Those details are fantastic; love how you brought in elements of Granny’s story while keeping with the spirit of what she would wear.
The embroidery is so cool. And picture of you in the dark with that attitude, so Granny Weatherwax 🙂
“I ATEN’T DEAD” in the collar is such a masterful move! And the embroidery around the buttonholes as well!
And indeed, no self-respecting witch should be found without pockets. This is an excellent witchy ensemble!
Always love a Weatherwax- and the embroidery and label are genius 🙂
A great interpretation of Granny Weatherwax! I love the embroidery!
Such a fun idea! Love the details.
The embroidery on the cuffs is so cool. And YES of course any respectable witch has pockets. Love the simplicity and silhouette on the blouse.