Sarah C. - USA

Rosie

The bodice was made from a 17th century bodice/corset pattern from The Cut of Women's Clothes by Norah Waugh . It and the apron is made from a silk which I dyed from grey to green many years ago, using RIT dark green dye. The fabric actually began its life as my Leia Endor poncho. It is flatlined in white denim and boned using 18 steel and spiral bones.

The central panel is made from a rayon blend with a hand-embroidered pattern. I began it with only a week to go since I kept losing eBay auctions for appropriate panels. I started with a very simple bookmark/bellpull pattern in an embroidery book which I then tripled to fit in the panel.

The skirt is made of a multicolored silk and is cartridge pleated. This makes it fuller than most hobbit skirts, but I really like the lines of it. It and the apron were made with no pattern, just big rectangles. Underneath is a very simple rectangular white cotton petticoat.

I went barefoot though I glued bits of suede to my feet to protect the soles and to avoid health department issues. I didn't have time to do foot wigs, though I plan to before I next wear the costume.

The baby will also have a wig and a better-fitting hat. The baby is a La Baby doll which I've had since I was 10. She has been retro-fitted with a rice-filled body to give her good weight (she weighs about 5-7 pounds, and it's impossible to hold her without rocking, bouncing, or patting, even my non-maternal friend had to rock her when she held her) Her costume consists just of clothes that I bought in thrift shops, which was cool 'cause she has little pockets in her "jumper," which allowed me to carry my museum membership card and some cash (though I made my friends carry my camera and wallet).

This page was last updated 11/21/09