[Filling the Space is a flexible column where our writers could vent, deconstruct, and work their way around the emotions brought on by TV, films, books, music, and key moments in pop culture. This isn’t meant to be analytical, but instead, a way for us to explore our feelings.]
Spring is ever so slowly starting to peek out its head, but even so, if you live in a cooler climate, we’re still firmly in “hunker down” season, the highlights of which include staying home, getting cozy, eating soup, and the like. Some people call it hibernating, the trendy name for it is the Swedish word “hygge,” but if you’re at least a little bit of a nerd (I mean this lovingly and with respect), you might think of it as living like a Hobbit — the ultimate laid back homebodies of Middle Earth. Even though my heart lies with the Dwarves (constantly yelling about something and ready to fight at all times), I can’t deny that it looks like a pretty good way to live. And if you’re going to putter around the house and poke around your bookshelf all day eating as many meals as you can fit in your mouth, you have to dress the part. Enter: Bilbo Baggins’ patchwork dressing gown.
Bilbo (Martin Freeman) only wears it for a short time at the beginning of the first film of The Hobbit trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, but it’s become his most iconic look. Crafty Lord of the Rings fans love this robe. At the very least, it’s got to spark a bit of joy for anyone because it’s such a beautiful piece of costume design, but for those who watch movies with a special laser focus on what everyone is wearing it has an especially strong hold — going beyond appreciation, to fixation, finally landing on coveting. I can’t tell you how many YouTube tutorials I’ve watched of people sewing their own Bilbo dressing gowns. But it doesn’t just look nice, it fits perfectly into the story, too.
I want to make it clear that I’m not a Tolkien expert by any means. Just someone who likes the movies, is slowly making their way through all his written work, and is obsessive enough that I become analytical about things like Hobbit-wear. So I’m sure there are many fans out there who take this stuff extremely seriously and will have qualms with my take that Bilbo’s robe is a thoughtful piece of character and world-building, but gatekeeping is gross, and I don’t care.
Traditionally, patchwork and other quilting is an artform born of necessity. Without material in abundance, it’s important to make sure that absolutely none of it goes to waste. That’s not actually something Bilbo Baggins has to worry about. Both sides of his family are prominent in Shire society and have done very well for themselves. It’s clear that the fabrics that make up his robe aren’t cheap — they’re rich in texture and colored in deep jewel and Earth tones. So, while it’s homey and simple garb, it’s still elegant. A bachelor (who has yet to take in little Frodo) and an only child with both of his parents gone, Bilbo can afford the best. But the fact that he’s alone is also why a humble garment like a patchwork robe is so touching. That fabric represents small bits of memories made over the years with all the people who aren’t with him anymore, stitched together to wrap him up in the love and comfort of his past.
This is a robe for early mornings and late nights alike. It’s exactly the kind of thing you want to put on after a hot shower or when you’re sick. I truly believe having my own Bilbo Baggins robe would solve all my problems. One day, I’m determined to join the ranks of brave cosplayers and seamstresses and make my very own, even though I’ve been sewing long enough to know that about halfway through the affair, I’ll curse myself for ever attempting it. Sewing can be a bit masochistic that way, but it’s such a spectacular piece that I have to try. I’m sure there’s a story out there somewhere about an object that emanates a force so powerful it renders everyone who lays eyes on it defenseless to resist it… but it’s not coming to mind!
First Featured Image Credit: ©Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer