Mother Ginger

Mother Ginger was a challenge.  Who wears pantaloons (pantalettes?) and big wide panniers on their skirts anymore?  Apparently the fashion craze in the 18th century that gave us these dresses had one main purpose (obviously not practicality).  The width of the panniers was supposed to accentuate the feminine silhouette AND was an indicator of a woman’s economic status. So, the bigger the dress, the richer the lady.  

After a lot of trial and error, Madame Ginger began to make herself known.  The curls are a pipe cleaner, wrapped around something 1/8 inch diameter round - a knitting needle, skewer, pencil, whatever.  This was also my first foray into metallic thread (thank you, Audra!).  

Since wool felt comes almost exclusively as a solid color, the embroidery is what will provide depth, texture, and interest for this ornament series.  Decorative stitches like up and down buttonhole, bullion, and French knots can be sprinkled all over to glam up her dress.