A chronically fabulous,
chaotic swaMp goblin
(...also seamstress, costume designer and artist)
/ Seamstress / Knitter / Artist / Designer
Paper Crafts / Lino Printing / Quilting / Sewing / Writing /
Spinner / Prop Builder / Costume Designer /
COstume design
An interest from childhood that grew into an absolute passion. From the everyday wear of Medieval serfdom to Victorian lobstertails to the development of the WW2 Siren suit - it all absolutely fascinates me.
Artwork
I've only relatively recently, within the last couple of years, returned to the world of 2d art I'm having an absolute blast, my love of bold colour isn't limited to fabric.
Crafts
I don't think I've met a craft I don't like, I've a long list of crafts that I want to explore, heaven only knows where I'll find the time to fit it all in.
writing
Creative writing has always interested me, I've written since I was a nipper. I'm currently working on two very long term projects (Thank you imposter syndrome!) A murder mystery inspired by the Mythbusters TV show & a stage adaptation of Dracula.
Drums
Yup, it's been on my bucket list since I first clapped eye's on Animal, the off the chain Drummer in the 70's supergroup Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (IYKYK). Since turning 50 I realised, if not now, when?
Just some of the Things I do...
(not) aged 13 & 3/4...
Diary of Robin Flatbattery
I make “stuff” - That’s the long & the short of it really… ‘Kay, byyyye-eeeeeeee!
Ok, Ok…
'Ello, I'm Robin. My Husband says that my favourite hobby is collecting hobbies & I can’t say I disagree.
Part historian, part fearless seamstress, and full-time maker, I’ve spent over two decades bringing stories to life through fabric, foam & just about anything I can get my hands on. From the massive scale of global stage productions like the Commonwealth Games to the meticulous detail of period-accurate dress recreation, my work is all about blending historical authenticity with a fearless making mindset.
Whether I’m turning a 1930’s era sketch into a theatrical reality, tackling a complex prop build, or just building my hand crafted wardrobe, I believe the real magic is in the details. I created my Patreon community & YouTube Channel to pull back the curtain on that process—sharing the technical deep-dives, the hard-earned lessons, and the beautiful chaos of the craft. If you love the "how’dya do that?" as much as the end result of making, you’ve found your people...
Oh, Just a few other things...
05
What you Achieve at Proudigy
A Thing
I need a little bit of audience participation here, if you don’t mind indulging me...
I can’t afford the licence for it so, I need you to start playing Asteroid by Pete Moore in your head* for the next few slides, if you don’t recognise the name you might know it better as the Pearl & Dean Music from the cinema, because I present to you:
COMING SOON TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU….
(They’re in no particular order as I work on multiple projects at a time so it’s worth keeping an eye on my Diary page, signing up for my newsletter & following me on Instagram & Blue Sky to keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the Temple of Doom)
*you could also hum it, if you’re feeling extra saucy. You do you boo!
Another thing
First up is a project for my ever loving, ever patient long suffering Husband. I’ve promised him a Victorian gentleman’s housecoat & as he's my biggest cheerleader it seems only fitting that the first BIG project in the Temple of Doom is one for him. Using historical tailoring & pattern drafting techniques taken straight from my antique Savile Row tailoring textbooks & using my Husband’s measurements, I’ll be using British wool fabric, a beautiful silk lining & traditional hand sewn soutache decorations, quilting & eleventy thousand cups of tea to create the housecoat of Hubby's dreams. You’ll also meet Madame Mina, my much loved 1892 Singer handcrank sewing machine…
Another thing
We’re skipping forward a few years to Edwardian England to meet Stephanie Rogers, a suffragette… She doesn’t like bullies & doesn’t care what gender they are. A historical suffragette, genderbend Captain America Cosplay pop culture mash up. I’ll be creating an Edwardian walking suit from the chemise & corset outwards with the suit detailing Capt. America’s “stealth suit” from Captain America: The Winter Soldier (My personal favourite of the Marvel Supersuits, natch) & of course where would Capt. Rogers’ be without her shield? I’ll be using a historical recreation pattern for the tailoring & corsetry but there will be extensive pattern manipulation to get the look just right, along with the tailoring I’ll be restoring an extant Edwardian parasol & adding millinery into the mix.
Another thing
Up next: My favourite discipline, hand sewing EVERYTHING in sight. We’re off to Medieval Greenland (Pack yer thermals, I’ve heard it can get a bit breezy around yer nethers) to create garments based on extant clothing found at Harjolfsnes, during archeological digs of the area. Taking the lead from ‘Woven into the Earth’ & ‘Medieval Garments Reconstructed’ texts I’ll be using some gorgeous British wools to recreate a 14th Century dress (D10580), chemise, hose & hood with Liripipe (D10597) - I absolutely adore handsewing & cannot wait to get stuck in. I’m also, going to have a go at weaving my own braid. I'm more than likely going to end up in a tangled mess but it’ll be entertaining to watch, regardless of the outcome…
Say hello. I do don't bite.
I'll be back in touch as soon as I can!