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THE WOMAN IN WHITE from the novel by Wilkie Collins

lou19 | Posted in Photo Gallery on

This life size figure was made for an art Exhibition. Artists were asked to create a work of art based on a favourite book.
I choose the victorian novel “the woman in white.” I was inspired by the chilling and dramatic description of Walter Hartright’s first meeting with a mysterious lady dressed from head to foot in white clothing on Hampstead Heath in London. 

My idea was to make a 2D figure with 3D details using just wire and fine transparent muslin fabric. I wanted the gown to look ghostly so designed the gown making it as transparent as possible. A ghostly look was more important than historical accuracy although I still wanted the dress to look Victorian. The vintage thread buttons were an ebay find. The book I found most useful was the “V&A Nineteenth-century fashion in detail” by Lucy Johnson

The hat. bag, and hands  were made by  adapting   Butterick sewing patterns using only the very fine muslin,  trying to get a transparent ghostly effect.

The frame was an ebay find, I removed some pieces and  painted it white.  I added the wire head and arms, then covered it all in bias cotton tape.
You can read more about this project at  thecrinolinelady.wordpres.com

Replies

  1. HelgaPataki | | #1

    Your beautiful masterpiece

    This is gorgeous.  What fabric fiber did you use?  When I think of drapy I think of rayon but it isn't transparent, and when I think of transparent like gauzes silk, or cotton its sticky and when cotton is like organza then its too stiff.  is it hanky linen?

    1. lou19 | | #2

      Thanks for comments.

      The fabric was a very fine even weave cotton muslin. This fabric was semi transparent. Also quite a popular fabric in the 18th and 19th century.

      In the book the woman is described as carrying a small bag and wearing a gown, shawl, and hat  "not  composed of  delicate  or expensive material"

      1. HelgaPataki | | #3

        wow great homework

        hey I like the sounds of that.  when you correspond the fabric of the day you really created an equisite piece of fine art!!!

        you deserve a round of applause.

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