A Hobbit Costume for Expecting Mothers

I recently finished re reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I remember finding a battered old 1960's copy of Fellowship of the Ring at a thrift store one golden autumn. It was 5 cents and I bought it and thought "well, this looks interesting." And after the first chapter I was taken, hook, line and sinker. So, forever the autumn will be connected with those books and those exciting, fluttery, soaked-with-happiness feelings that come along with the deep pleasures of great literature (not unlike being in love). I love reliving those feelings every time I read these books! Though I have new and nicer copies of the trilogy now I have a sort of worshipful adoration for that falling apart paperback from the 60's. I will never get rid of it.

Whilst preparing for our Second Breakfast I have been thinking about making a new hobbit costume. I am working on making David a better hobbit outfit (though on reflection he would make an excellent Bill Ferny, wouldn't he? He just looks the part so.) and I've been dabbling with the idea of making myself a new one. However, I couldn't justify making one for myself when I have a perfectly serviceable one already and the boys need proper hobbit clothes, too. But then. . .

. . .I found out I am expecting! (yup it was a shock. . .a rather enormous one. But I'm getting used to it and am feeling rather excited now that I've had time to digest the news!)

Now, on September 22nd I am sure I will look no more pregnant that I do right now. .. namely not so. . .but by the time the Hobbit (part 2) comes out in December there will be a little belly bump and a new, looser, more comfortable hobbit outfit will not be amiss. In fact, it will be quite necessary, don't you agree?

I have had two ideas in mind for maternity wear. Here are some rough sketches:

#1 ~ Fitted Empire Bodice Outfit

This one is very much the same as the hobbit outfits seen worn by the women in Fellowship of the Ring. The only difference I made was raising the waistline to sit above the bump and making a front opening (a front opening can be seen on at least one bodice in Fellowship of the Ring). To make it more hobbit-like in appearance I though some slanting lines of trim and bold buttons would make it look less historical and more fantasy.

Underneath is the regular shift or blouse, which is adjustable and roomy enough for all of the pregnancy. And double skirts, which can be worn above the bump or made on a drawstring (or a partial drawstring, in the front waistband). An apron could be worn over it too, just tied above the bump.

#2 ~ Loose Jumper Outfit

This is a more casual outfit than the one above, I think. It is inspired by the frocks the little girls wear in The Fellowship and consists of the regular shift and a loose fitting jumper or sleeveless dress worn over it. The dress could be made with adjustable drawstrings in the front waistband as well - sort of like regency gowns, that had strings to pull up the fullness in the front. A kerchief for modesty and to make the wearer look less like an overgrown little girl and more like a woman in a comfortable outfit. An apron could also be worn with this, and a longer underskirt to peek out beneath the bottom.

Outfit #3 ~ Cold Weather Wear

This is still a very rough idea, but I plan to expand on it to make some sort of coat to wear for cold weather. Last December I wore my hobbit outfit to see An Unexpected Journey and though I took a shawl with me, I was very cold. Especially since we went Christmas shopping afterwards and there was a lot of walking on icy sidewalks and being blasted with gusty cold winds!

The coat is inspired by the jackets worn in The Hobbit and also from the 1790's style of jackets with the long fitted sleeves. This could be easily adapted from the jacket pattern I used for my 1790's jacket last winter - made in wool with a quilted lining in the bodice it would be quite cozy, I think. The quilting would firm the fabric up enough to give gentle support without needing to use boning. And with a high waistline and pleated skirts, it would keep the rest of me warm, too! This could be worn over just a shift and skirts, or over the #2 sleeveless dress outfit, or even over the bodiced #1 outfit. A warm neckerchief would be tucked into the neckline to keep the chest covered.

I have some fabrics in mind to use for an outfit. I would like to use what I have instead of having to buy new. I have a very lightweight pale pink cotton printed with darker pink sprigs that I purchased for $1 (for 5 yards!) at a flea market a few years ago. I intended to make it into a regency gown but the print is not quite right for it. But it would work well for a hobbit outfit!

I also have 5 yards of an olive and salmon striped fabric that is heavier, with texture to the stripes. I planned to make it into a 1770's style dress but I am not sure if the textured stripe is appropriate. It could work well as either a sleeveless dress or as a skirt.

I have numerous other small pieces that could work well for bodice fabrics - various colored woolens and linens, and a few plain colored yardages that work for skirts - light blue, grey-green, and yellow.

It will be fun planning this outfit and making it. I'm not sure when I will start on it but hopefully sometime soon. The boys and I just started school so my sewing time will be rather less than it has been.

Love,

Sarah

Baby Hobbit Dress

We have a baby hobbit!

I've wanted one for so long. And now I have my very own. Hobbits are adorable and baby hobbits are even more adorable.

I used the Sense and Sensibility Girls Regency Gown pattern for this. The pattern arrived yesterday so I whipped this up in feverish excitement. I ran into a few snags along the way - mainly, the tan double-knit fabric I tried to use to line the thing just did NOT work out at all. . .so I had to rip the lining out and re-line it. But besides that, the pattern went together well. I like Sense and Sensibility patterns a lot. (and there was a purpose to the insanity of attempting to use a non-woven fabric for the lining. I thought it would be warmer for the baby to wear.)

I dug into the stash for fabrics to use so this costume ended up not costing me anything at all. The main dress fabric is a sheer woven plaid in sage green cotton. The trim is made of strips of wool-blend fabric that I dyed to a light violet color. The lining is natural colored muslin. I made the skirt lining a smidge longer than the sage-green skirt to give the appearance of a double skirt.

Now, I cannot claim authenticity on this dress. Simply because there are so few pictures of hobbit babies from the LOTR movies. The most famous example is Rosie holding little Frodo and the details are almost impossible to see. It looks like the baby is wearing a simple shirt and a sleeveless gown over it and a little gathered brimless cap.

I thought about making an outfit like that, but then decided I really wanted the baby to look as hobbity as possible. A simple jumper and shirt could look like ANYTHING. . .it doesn't really scream "hobbit".

In the end, I decided to combine elements from my own hobbit costume with modern practicalities for dressing an infant. Anne's dress is all one piece instead of being different elements (like the chemise, skirts and bodice that make up my own outfit).

I still wanted to give the appearance of having different elements so the sleeves are different from the main fabric of the dress, the waist seam has a welt of wool to give the appearance of a separate bodice and the two skirt layers are treated independently. Instead of lacing up the back I used flat buttons (bulky buttons would maybe look more "hobbity" but would be uncomfortable for the baby to lay on).

The sleeves are gathered with elastic to make a "cuff" that loosely fits Anne's arm.

I made the size 1, which fits her a bit roomily at present but still looks well. I think she will be able to wear this dress all winter.

I made a little mob cap to finish it off. Gathered-circle mob caps are not historically accurate so I thought that it would look hobbity to have one since a mob cap does not point to any particular era of history. Besides, several hobbit ladies in the LOTR movies wear mob caps so why not??

Just a few more days til the movie comes out!!! I can't wait!!!

Love,
Sarah

Lady Hobbit Costume ~ Finished! At Last!

We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating the 75th anniversary of the publication of "The Hobbit"!

A friend reminded me that September 22nd is also the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins so there was extra reason to celebrate. I hope to have a post up soon about our breakfast and the Magical Fall Festival we went to last evening but in the meantime, here are some pics of the finished hobbit outfit. Note: It was really terribly windy yesterday so these didn't come out as well as I would have wished but hopefully they will do!

Oh and yes. I did my hair especially for the day by putting it up in pin curls. I learned from my mistake last year when we attended the colonial faire and so did NOT use a million pounds of pomade to make my hair stay in place. Instead, I just let it damp-dry after I showered in the morning and ran some hair oil through it (you can get it in the ethnic hair section at Wal Mart for a few dollars - I love the stuff and use it often). I coiled (around a crayola marker - hey, it was perfect!) and pinned tiny lengths of hair all over my head and then let the hair dry the rest of the way (about 4 hours or so). Here is my hair before taking the pins out:

All unpinned!

To get it really curly and wild looking it was just a (lengthy) matter of carefully pulling all the curls apart. It's quite a weird sensation to walk about and have your hair jiggle like jello, but that is what it did! Judah told me first my hair looked like it was electrocuted and then later informed me I looked like batman. (?) Maybe next time I will spring for some sleek banana curls instead?

I really like this costume. It is odd to do something that is not historical and yet not modern. I really enjoyed working on this outfit and it is definitely fun to wear! If I dared, I'd dress like this every day, I think.

But not necessarily would I do my hair like this every day. Yikes.

I may go back and add more lacing holes. These worked to keep the bodice shut but if I add more the X's will be smaller and the look will be better. I will try to do that before the premiere of The Hobbit later this year.

For the pics I have the corners of the apron tucked up into the waistband to form a pocket. My necklace is a brown flat shoestring and my copper brooch. I don't have real hobbit ears yet but my hair covered my ears anyway so it was all good.

To finish the outfit I would like to make a kerchief at some point to add a bit more coverage. I was able to nurse the baby in this without any problems but the neckline is a tad low for total comfort. I have some lightweight windowpane cotton in a sagey green color that would work well for a neckerchief.

I'm already daydreaming about making a "party" bodice in brighter colors (maybe plaid or stripey!) with a cut out "keyhole" on the bodice. Since the elements of the outfit are all separate and can be mixed n' matched there is so much you can do with just a few things! Hobbit costuming just may be slightly addicting!

Edit: 7-30-2013

Here are some new photos of the outfit, without the apron and with my baby daughter in her own hobbit dress - which is finally fitting her well 8 months after I originally made it! Hair in these photos: front hair pin curled (not brushed out or pulled apart, just messily arranged) and back hair in a low ponytail. I like this style much better!

Love,
Sarah

Happy Hobbit Day!

I put the last stitches early this morning, people. So of course, I had to try everything on, unshowered and messy-haired as I was. And yeah, the apron is horribly wrinkled so excuse that. I'm sure we'll get tons more pics tomorrow at the festival but for now, a sneak peek!

I feel short and fat when I wear this but isn't that kind of the point? Hobbits are supposed to be.

Love,
Sarah

More Hobbit Bodice Progress. Almost There.

Bit by bit the bodice is getting there. As of today it is *almost* done. I just need to attach the lining and bind the thing off. Maybe it will be done by tomorrow? Maybe? Hopefully. I still have no clue what I will use for a lacing cord. Maybe I will have to fall back on my old stand-by; an extra long shoelace.

After my last update, I sewed the back bodice pieces to the front bodice pieces at the sides and shoulders. The side seams are piped with the same green fabric as the center front panel. Here is the bodice all sewn together and ready for boning:

I use cable ties for almost all of my boning needs. They are cheap, local and can be cut to any length. And they work brilliantly! Here is my pile of cable ties all snipped to the right size and ready for melting:

Melting, you say? Well, I have learned (the hard way) that snipping my cable ties leaves sharp edges. The sharp edges can scratch skin in sensitive places. It also tears through labor-intensive binding jobs and can be a cause of frustration and unladylike language. So now I melt the tips of the snipped ends just til they round out and soften:

And then once they harden up again, I have a smooth, rounded edge on my cable tie bone instead of a sharp pricky edge. (and it's cool to melt things in a candle flame. Yes. It is.)

Then they just slip right into the little boning channels and there is your boning job all nicely done.

The next thing to do was to slip stitch the seam allowances to the interlining. This keeps the seams nice and flat. Because there are so many layers in the seams they were really bulky until I finally just stitched them down. The stitches are large and sloppy but they do the job and no one will ever see them once the lining is in.

Next I sewed the eyelets. I finished the back edge by sewing on a narrow strip of fabric as a facing and then made the eyelets that will lace the bodice shut.

And after that, I cut the lining and sewed it together. I decided to use the rest of the old sheet I made one of the hobbit skirts from. It works quite nicely and is a very smooth and tight fabric, which will help prevent the bodice from stretching much when it is worn. Here it is all pinned in to the bodice:

The folded under edge of the lining at the center back covers the raw edge of the facing strip. This will make it easy to take out and replace the lining if that becomes necessary. (Since I won't be wearing this often I do not foresee the need to have a replacable lining, but one never knows.)

And here it is as of now! Binding can take kinda a long time. So, I hope to be able to finish the job tomorrow. If not, at least by Saturday, which is the day we will be having Second Breakfast since hubby will be able to be home with us to share in it. ;)

Love,
Sarah

Hobbit Bodice, Progress Is Made!

This little thing is coming together well! I was able to make some good progress yesterday afternoon. David was home earlier in the day than usual and the baby napped more than usual and the boys had new watercolors to paint with so. . .sewing time was achieved!

First, I traced the pattern pieces from last mock up onto brown paper. (I ALWAYS do this - I have learned the hard way to ALWAYS make paper copies of your last, nicely fitted mock up!)

Then I cut three layers for the interlining. The top layer is cut from a striped cotton pillow slip. The fabric is tightly woven and does not have much stretch so I thought it would be good to retain the shape of the pattern pieces. The middle layer is cotton batting and the bottom layer is a light cotton flannel.

The stripes on the fabric made great ready-made guides for quilting. I just stitched along the edges of each pink stripe, after first stitching the boning casing lines (one at each seam).

Instead of stitching the interlining and outer layer separately I decided to stitch them together as one layer. This way the outer layer won't shift over the interlining - it will be firmly attached at all the seam points. First, I had to decide whether or not to decorate the center front panel of the bodice. In the movie it seems a lot of  the hobbit bodices did have some sort of decorative trim on the center front panel. I decided to go with a very simple trim of some antique lace that was given to me by the lovely Natalie from A Frolic Through Time. The lace is a bit yellowed from age but I decided to just leave it that way instead of attempting to (gently) wash it. I think the "old" look of it adds to the overall Hobbity-ness.

I then laid the outer layers of fabric onto the interlining pieces and sewed the front bodice pieces together. The side bodice pieces are of dark blue wool (not quite as bright a blue as the photo makes it appear).

The seams are pressed open. After the boning is inserted into the interlining the lining will be sewn up separately and attached to the inside of the bodice. I'm still not sure what to use for lining. . .plain white linen? I have a lot of cheery bright green linen too. . .or maybe black polished cotton. . .(but that tends to bleed if it gets wet).

Love,
Sarah

The Hobbit Bodice, Pt. 1

I really think that I am very bad at scheduling, organizing and carrying through with my sewing projects. Lately it seems nothing gets done unless I have a deadline. Deadlines always motivate me. There is some sort of adrenaline-pumping pleasure I get out of beating a deadline. But when there is no deadline, unless I am really, really, really in love with a project, it usually lingers on my sewing table for a long, long time. I'm especially bad about finishing details. Like sewing on hook and eyes. Or doing a hem. It's like I get almost done with something and then my steam runs out. And besides, I have a very cute distraction from the sewing room. Sometimes it's a lot more fun to sit and cuddle a baby, trying to coax out a smile, than it is to work on stitchery.

7 weeks old!

So that is why the hobbit bodice still isn't done. Last week I half heartedly cut out two woolen 14th century style cotes for the older boys. I pulled out David's 1840's fall front trousers (which should have been finished before Christmas last year and lack only a waistband and hem and buttons to be complete) and I spent a day or two going through my stash, organizing things and trying to get inspired. Then I found out about the soon-upcoming Second Breakfast day and I got inspired. Not to finish the cotes or the 1840's trousers, but to make the hobbit bodice!

So far all I have been able to do is to make a mock up and refine it and make a second mock up. The second mock up works pretty well but I need to add a little bit of length around the sides and back, I think. Just an inch or inch and a half.

I started with my 1780's bodice pattern and cut the point off the front. It fit okay, but since I am not wearing stays with the bodice I had to take in the front under the bustline. This actually improved the look a lot and made the bodice look more like the ones in the movies since it created some princess seam shaping. Then I had to take in the waist a bit (since my stays actually make my waist bigger when I wear them!) and take out some extra flappy material at the front armscye. The cut of the neckline is a lot lower than the bodices in the movie but this is for nursing purposes. I can do my usual "lift, flop, feed" method with a lower neckline and that is a lot easier than having to make a tight fitting, front-opening garment.

I added a side seam and eliminated the curved side back seam. The fit is tight. It is a "negative ease" garment, because I want this to be a supportive garment. I don't want to have to wear modern undergarments underneath it since I don't think hobbits had bras. ;) The cut of the bodice and the fabric will shape my body and the boning will support the fabric so it won't buckle (the wrinkles you see here are, I think, mostly stress lines, not a result of fitting problems). I will lightly bone the bodice at each seam and then at the center back to support the lacing.

The back looks pretty messy here. Mainly because I automatically cut the bodice to have a few inches of gap in the back because of the lacing. (corseting habit). Then I realized that the bodice ought to lace shut in the back, so I sewed on an extra strip of cloth to close the gap. I left the bodice unsewn for a few inches at the back waist so I could wiggle into it to check the fit, thus the messy look. . .I know that when the bodice is finished and laced properly there will be no gap.

My plan is to create a stiffened interlining using quilted fabric that is boned at the seams. I will probably quilt the interlining with cotton flannel and cotton twill. Then the outer layer will be mounted on top and then the lining stitched to the inside before the top and bottom is bound off and finished. That at least is the plan at the moment. It may change as I make progress. We'll see! It must be finished before Second Breakfast day so I hope to make good progress on it this week.

Love,
Sarah