C is for Cotton, Rosie

Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to this being the "C" installment of my April blog challenge, it's also the official reveal of my next costuming project after I finish Rapunzel:  Rosie Cotton from Lord of the Rings!!

My very, very favorite line of dialogue from the Lord of the Rings films is at the end of Return of the King when Sam reminisces: "Rosie Cotton dancin'! She had ribbons in her hair."

Commence to sobbing. Every time. It's just such a wonderful moment for him, finally being able to let go of his own burden for Frodo and think about himself for one small moment. Sean Astin's delivery is heart-wrenching and timeless.

Lord of the Rings is full of beautiful costumes. Last year when my friend and I went to Dragon Con, we found a wonderful party called "An Evening in Bree" which featured free style folk dancing to a Celtic-inspired live band and a costume contest. It was a wonderful time. Just the sort of "non-traditional" party we'd been looking for, as neither of us is big into the dark, heavy, loud music and alcohol-laden kind of party. We resolved to make An Evening in Bree part of our traditional itinerary from here on out. I had so much fun that I started thinking about actually making a LotR costume.

Although there are plenty of more glamorous choices (Arwen, Eowyn, Galadriel), for a dancing party, I immediately thought of Rosie!

Here she is in action:

 

Here is the shame shot, with a lovely hi-res look at the detail on her bodice.

The trickiest bits of this costume will be the detail on the bodice: the texture of the center panel, the knotted trip, and the center keyhole (plus piping). Still, once all that was complete the rest of the outfit will be a cinch.

It took a while, but I finally found a screenshot that shows the three-layered skirt that Rosie is wearing. Although I didn't bother finding a picture, the only other thing worth noting is that the bodice laces with criss-crosses in the back.

I have actually already bought the patterns I'm going to be using for Rosie:

Pattern (Blouse and bottom skirt): McCall's B3906 I'll probably make the whole dress on this pattern because Rosie's bottom skirt layer and blouse look to be made out of the same material. For all I know, that's exactly how her costume is! This will prevent me from worrying about anything peeking out when I move around in the costume. I am very long-waisted, and short shirts and I don't get along.

Pattern (Bodice):  McCall's M4107 (when I said I already had this one in the Briar Rose post, Rosie was the reason)

Pattern (Skirt): McCall's M4090

The most exciting bit will be this: My friend who goes to conventions with me is getting really good with professional makeup techniques. She did her own ears for her Tinker Bell costume last year and she said if I do this one she'll make me some hobbit ears! I'm going to see what she thinks about making some hairy feet too.

And of course I'll need those ribbons for my hair....