05/09/2026
The finished outfit for Fantasy Forest! Started this on 21st August after a writing deadline drifted from July to mid August and I decided to still make this ludicrously ambitious outfit (I have only made a sweatshirt and Barbie clothes since 2018!) The rough inspiration was “Hobbit at Le Petit Trianon” but I think we ended up nearer “orange seller about to become the king’s problem.”
The floral fabric is an old set of IKEA bedsheets and until 48 hours ago, that shift was a bed sheet on a shelf at Primark. (Turns out 2am when chronic pain is keeping you awake is actually a good time to have ideas?) The hat was a Topshop boater from 2008 - I cut down the crown and repurposed it for a wider brim.
Both the shift and stays use patterns from French Meadows Corsets. All sewn either by hand or on my granny’s sewing machine that she bought for £99 in the Welshpool Argos in 2000.
Huge thanks to my trio of sewing fairy godmothers, , and Dr Serena Dyer | Fashion Historian for their support and advice (and materials in Faith’s case!) and to Toby Johnson and Hannah GB for a lovely day out.
Here’s to the upgraded version - first step, more pillowcases to become a skirt.
