March Hare breeches and waistcoat

Back before fitting

Front before fitting

The March Hare fitting was specially for the breeches, hat and waistcoat. We firstly worked on the breeches which were made out of calico to begin with. Instantly when put on we could see the crutch was to low and would need to be heightened. The bottoms will need to be baggy as the actress will be wearing tights underneath as well and needs the appearance of being a tatty hare. The director has requested that the trousers are a size larger than the actual actress. To solve this I feel adding elastic to the top of the breeches and around the bottoms shall help keep the garment puffy along with fitting the actress.

Notes from breeches fitting:

• Raise crutch
• Shorten legs to pinned line (just under the knees)
• Heighten waist
• Add elastic to the waist and legs

Front after fitting

Back after fitting

Close up of leg

Front of waistcoat

Back of waistcoat

Fitting the waistcoat was quite simple as wool stretches. This garment fits well across the back and once the fringing has been added to the waistcoats edge, it shall be complete. Elizabeth has asked for it to be quite chunky, however the only stitch I am that is slightly chunky is a treble stitch. If I repeat this stitch so it becomes a quadruple treble stitch, it would be chunky enough to form a braided fringing which would also be decorative statement. The buttons which Elizabeth has picked out shall be attached the edge of the waistcoat through the braiding and poke through the holes, making a fastening. The waistcoat shall be needing a very hot press with the iron, as well as watching for stretch.  I have been asked to add pockets to the garment which shall contain various watch faces, so following the pattern on the waistcoat I shall knit various size squares which can be sewn onto the waistcoat.

The hat was the final garment which had to be double checked. Using the spare hat (it is always better to have spread of everything) we placed it onto the actresses head and got her to move her head around. We found it was the perfect fit and required no extra padding. However the hat shall require a chin strap for added security.