How many dirndls are too many? What started with one dirndl to wear to a wedding reception in Germany became several to wear to Texas Renaissance Festival and Oktoberfest events here in Texas…so why not make one a little more witchy for a dirndl group at Costume College? Following yesterday’s post on my 1950’s McGonagall with leftover fabric from my Yule Ball costume, today I’m sharing another McGonagall spare fabric project.
[Related: Oktoberfest in Texas: What to Wear and Oktoberfest at Texas Renaissance Festival: What We Wear]
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Pintucking about 12 yards of fabric, I am damn determinted to use every scrap of it! Most went into my McGonagall costume from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and more of it into my 1950’s wizardbounding costume.
[Related: Costuming McGonagall from Harry Potter and Wizardbounding 1950’s McGonagall]
I found a PDF pattern on Etsy that was easy to follow. I didn’t have enough olive fabric for the skirt part of the dirndl, and to honor the pintucked diamonds in the olive green, I ordered pintucked fabric in black. If I am to wear this to Oktoberfest events in Texas (including RenFest), which are held when it is still very hot here, I wanted a fabric that would be somewhat sweat-proof. The cheap poly-taffeta feels like ripstop nylon, so it should be resistant to wooden benches and beer as well. I also ordered a yard of gorgeous silver embroidered lace fabric in for the apron to lighten up the dark colors a a bit.
Black pintucked fabric: Pintuck Taffeta Fabric black, doll clothing, Weddings, tablecloths, clothing, decor, pillows, bedding
Silver embroidered lace: Floral Tulle Lace scalloped Edges Embroidery Fabric Sold By Yard AVAILABLE MULTIPLE COLORS
I didn’t make any modifications to the pattern, but I did alternate striped and pintucked fabric in the pattern pieces to best mimic McGonagall’s robes. Between some pieces, as directed, I included black piping and really liked that effect.
Piping: PEARL 1/2″ Wide Broadcloth Cord Piping, 15 yd, Black
I also added piping around the neckline even though it would be covered with trim. I purchased a black dirndl blouse with lace sleeves. A note on dirndl bodices, including the one in this pattern: a dirndl bra must be worn for proper fit, otherwise the breasts sit too low and you’ll think the bodice is too small. Just trust me.
Dirndl blouse: Women’s Black Authentic German Dirndl Blouse for Traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest Carnival(Large)
Dirndl bra: Boolavard Women’s Magic Bra Shaper Vest Breast Support Dirndl Oktoberfest (L, Nude)
I made the skirt as directed, but pleated the skirt instead of gathering. Because the lace was pricey and I wanted to use half of it for another project, I cut it in half with the scalloped edge at the bottom, and pleated it until it looked right.
I stitched the skirt to the bodice and sewed the lace to a 4-5 yard long 3″ wide satin ribbon. The front closure is an invisible zipper. I might add belt loops later if the apron moves around too much.
Inspired by some gorgeous trim seen on Pinterest, I made my own trim with 1″ black satin ribbon sewn onto ribbon I made with the olive fabric. I box pleated the composite ribbon, stitched the trim to the neckline of the bodice, and stitched the free edges of the box pleats with gunmetal beads to make it look like flower trim.
1″ Ribbon: Topenca Supplies 1 Inch x 50 Yards Double Face Solid Satin Ribbon Roll, Black
The finishing touches are the dirndl hooks, which I ordered from a shop in Germany found on Etsy, and black satin lacing through the hooks.
3/8″ Ribbon: Topenca Supplies 3/8 Inches x 50 Yards Double Face Solid Satin Ribbon Roll, Black
From my 1950’s McGonagall costume, the little witch hat was found on Amazon. It almost looks like the blue hats the Beauxbatons wore, but this is more symetrical. I used spare pintucked fabric for a band, and made a cockade with black ribbon and a silver button. The feathers in McGonagall’s other (not Yule Ball) hats are pheasant, and I had surplus pheasant feathers in my stash from a prior project.
Prost!