This is one of the Gothic Maidens patterns and the dress looks like it’s a mix of some of Eowyn’s gowns from LOTR. This was a ‘reduce-the-stash’ project, which produced a different look than what was in LOTR. The McCall’s design of the neckline to the dress sucks. I redrafted it to come closer to the picture of Eowyn’s gown on the alleycatscratch site, then piped the edge to give it support and substance. The top over-sleeve puff won’t puff if you use chiffon/georgette without first underlining it with stiff netting (which means you have to bind off the seam allowances to keep from being scratched to pieces by the netting). The lower sleeve drape is a pain to have to hem so it looks nice (I had to do it by hand). I suggest lining it with a lightweight fabric to make the construction more graceful and more finished. McCall’s suggests facings on the inside of the gown bodice. Pretty fiddly. I created a whole-bodice lining, which makes it possible to add boning to the seams and back opening for shaping. The back of the corset and gown both lace up, but McCall’s suggests adding thick, heavy bands with created eyelets on the outside. UGLY. Instead, run boning up the inside of the opening edges for support. Put eyelets on the bodies of the garments. I used little rings on the back of the corset for a bit of visual ping. The corset pattern itself is in one piece while the corset on the LOTR Shield Maiden gown is in two pieces. Personally, I think the design in the movie is clunky and overwrought. I just made the corset in the one piece. Be sure to make a muslin to check the fit. I think this pattern is designed for very broad shoulders and a large ribcage. Those are the major issues I had with the pattern. I didn’t make the cape/robe thing…enough is enough! There were some minor things but that’s because I’m idiosyncratic.
Theresa Eacker –
This is one of the Gothic Maidens patterns and the dress looks like it’s a mix of some of Eowyn’s gowns from LOTR. This was a ‘reduce-the-stash’ project, which produced a different look than what was in LOTR. The McCall’s design of the neckline to the dress sucks. I redrafted it to come closer to the picture of Eowyn’s gown on the alleycatscratch site, then piped the edge to give it support and substance. The top over-sleeve puff won’t puff if you use chiffon/georgette without first underlining it with stiff netting (which means you have to bind off the seam allowances to keep from being scratched to pieces by the netting). The lower sleeve drape is a pain to have to hem so it looks nice (I had to do it by hand). I suggest lining it with a lightweight fabric to make the construction more graceful and more finished. McCall’s suggests facings on the inside of the gown bodice. Pretty fiddly. I created a whole-bodice lining, which makes it possible to add boning to the seams and back opening for shaping. The back of the corset and gown both lace up, but McCall’s suggests adding thick, heavy bands with created eyelets on the outside. UGLY. Instead, run boning up the inside of the opening edges for support. Put eyelets on the bodies of the garments. I used little rings on the back of the corset for a bit of visual ping. The corset pattern itself is in one piece while the corset on the LOTR Shield Maiden gown is in two pieces. Personally, I think the design in the movie is clunky and overwrought. I just made the corset in the one piece. Be sure to make a muslin to check the fit. I think this pattern is designed for very broad shoulders and a large ribcage. Those are the major issues I had with the pattern. I didn’t make the cape/robe thing…enough is enough! There were some minor things but that’s because I’m idiosyncratic.