Sarah's Costuming Blog

Pictures part 2

2006-10-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

OK Here we go again...trying more pictures! Apparently I've fixed a few of them on my laptop, but they're also not appearing on my desktop through the network...hmmm.

YES I'm aware there are still more missing (poor Zerlina!) Still digging them out of the network.

Don Giovanni!

2006-10-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't actually sew these costumes, but I was the Costume Director (what does that mean anyway?) of the Taconic Opera's production of Don Giovanni this year. Basically I took measurements, picked out the costumes and made sure they fit (well mostly at least...there were a few issues, as there always are!). I have a few pictures to show everyone...more should be coming around Nov 2nd or 4th. For now...enjoy! NOTE: To those who find their picture not in this post...or the next one, I haven't ignored you...I've been having a few upload problems tonight :)

Updates

2006-07-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

Well I found out recently I can't go dor Dragon*Con, so that means less of a rush to get my costumes done which is always nice. I also just received my Phoenix fabric yesterday from Denver Fabric. http://www.denverfabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=26355&Product_Count=&Category_Code= This is what I ordered, for most of it. It's a crinkled red/black taffeta. I also ordered burgundy/black iridescent chiffon for the elastic top. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to have pictures of anything until I've dug out my camera from wherever it's hiding after my move.

I've also gotten my Bespin Leia tunic and belt fabric from Jo-Anns. It's 100% cotton, technically in the quilter's section, but I've been assured that it's wearable as well. I bought the last of what they had, which was about 7 yards. Since it's cotton, I have to wash it first to pre-shrink. I've also been given a template for the embroidery, from a NYC costumer named Jennifer, who snagged it from Surlygirl (I know the name is spelled wrong, I keep forgetting) from Theforce.net Costuming Forum. It was scanned in kinda crooked and needs to be overlapped when taping it together, but the problem so far has been that my printer doesn't want to print it out all the same size...there's only 1 section that doesn't match up, the top, so after discovering that I actually have photoshop on this computer (it's a hand me down from my dad's company) I'm going to see if I can fiddle around with it on there to get it to print out right so I can start the embroidery on the chiffon I got. It's just a plain white chiffon, 45" from Wal-Mart. First thing I'm going to do is Fray check the ends of it because chiffon is a pain in the butt like that.

Before I do any actual sewing, I'm waiting for my Brother 1034D serger to arrive for my birthday :) It's a basic serger, but it'll do the job and I'm THRILLED about having one finally, especially for all the chiffon I'm going to be working with. In the mean time, I have to finish clearing out my sewing room (that's where all the moving boxes were put) and start cutting out and altering my patterns.

OK time for an update

2006-06-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Yes it's been a long time...because I've frankly had nothing to say about my costumes. Although I did sew a nice black velvet dress for Chorus concerts and other performances and now Jeremy's sister wants me to sew a skirt for her so that's cool.

OK My costume list for Dragon*Con has been significantly revised. I'm going to do Bespin Leia (provided I can get all the embroidery done in time, if there's no chance in hell, I'm going to puffy paint it). I will also be doing X3 Phoenix/Jean Grey pictured to the left. Those are the only costumes I'm allowed to work on until they're finished! After that on my list are Moteé, Visas Marr, Orange X-Wing Pilot, Imperial Officer (black Stormtrooper officer). Not necessarily in that order because of fabric issues and prop issues for the officer and pilot.

At some point I'll get pictures of my black dress up...even if it's only on my dressform. I forgot to mention here a while ago that I've been working on a Professor McGonagall robe for a former boss/friend of mine...however it's a secret! Just waiting for a time where I can get in and put it on her so I can hem it LOL

In some other sewing related news, I've moved to a bigger and better apartment and have a sewing room! Obi-Wan is learning early on that he's NOT allowed in, although that doesn't stop him from trying or sneaking in (and then ends up getting locked in the room because I didn't realize he was in there...that DID teach him for a while).

Phantom Costume

2006-01-30T22:28:00.000-08:00

Ok so here's the Phantom costume that Jeremy wants me to make for Dragon*Con *gulp* I haven't agreed to it yet... for obvious reasons...but there ya have it.
Jeremy has agreed to wear the Phantom costume from that scene if I wear the dress...

The costume from hell

2005-12-27T15:33:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the one that I have agreed to make for Dragon*Con but very reluctantly....Padme's fireside corset gown. Why I get myself into these situations is beyond me!

My other costume ideas for Dragon*Con are Christine from Phantom of the Opera (with my boyfriend going as the Phantom...or maybe Raoul since his hair is longer), River Tam from "Serenity", an Imperial Officer, and probably Visas Marr if my friend is going to be Nihilus so we can do our schtick. Of course these costumes (except Visas) are pending my losing a minimum of 50 lbs by September...so I have to make plans for costumes if I don't lose that weight...but I know I'm going to be pushed to make Padme anyway *le sigh*

FIDM pictures

2005-12-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

I was recently in LA and went to the last Fan Day at the FIDM where they're just wrapping up the "Dressing a Galaxy" exhibit. I have a picture of me right now and more pictures will be coming shortly (along with those Dragon*Con pictures)

Another costume I have to make!

2005-10-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

Well on the Star Wars.com site under Sith Snapshots they put up a promo picture of Motee one of the handmaidens from Episode III! Before I could only really see small pictures and not much detail of the costume but since it was purple, I really wanted to make it. Well now with the promo shot and I heard that "Dressing the Galaxy" has good pictures and a write up about it, I'm going to end up making it! Uhm, yeah after I make Visas Marr which I promised to a friend of mine would be made next. I already found everything I need for Visas, I just couldn't afford it.

Here's the picture of Motee
on the left. Photo is copyright George Lucas and anything Star Wars that I post probably is too. I'm not posting them for profit, only for comparison of the costumes I make and for research purposes if anyone wants to search my site for how I make them.

Another costume to add to the queue

2005-09-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Well a friend of mine decided to make a Darth Nihilus costume from Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, then she mentioned she thought it would be really cool if I made a Visas Marr costume (Nihilus's apprentice) and we could go around cons as Master and Apprentice. I hope to have this done by Farpoint in February...until then I already have enough costumes to work on!!!!

DragonCon pics

2005-09-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well DragonCon has come and gone and I have some pics to post. All of these pictures are courtesy of Spat http://www.spatcave.com the pictures I took will be up shortly

That is Misty in the Padme gown I sewed for her, the trim didn't get put on in time which is just as well because the costume didn't survive the convention.

Me in the Childlike Empress costume! Not a great picture, but next time I'll have a better one

Padme family gown

2005-08-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well it's official I have finished cutting out ALL the fabric for the Padme family gown. I'm working a 12 hour day tomorrow so I can't sew it tomorrow and I have to be at work at 7a so I can't start sewing tonight, but I have Friday and Saturday before work. I'm working 46 hours this week so NOT MUCH is getting done today was my only day off and I spent much of it resting my knees and ankles (gotta love arthritis and working a retail job). I'm beginning to have doubts that they'll all be finished in time now.

21 more days

2005-08-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have 3 more weeks until I fly to Dragon*Con YIKES! I finished modifying the pattern for the Padme AOTC dress and cut out the fabric for the top. Next comes some minor modification of the skirt and cutting that out then sewing then dyeing it.

I'm going to modify my front seams gown patterns to make side seams since I feel a LITTLE more comfortable modifying patterns now at least something that simple.

Still sewing on the damned pearls on the Neverending Story costume. I'm considering getting a poncho pattern for the top of the drape since there IS a seam at the elbows and then just sewing on more of the fabric underneath it to about the same length as the dress.

I still have yet to get my digital camera from my car so sorry, no pics yet!

Costume Dream List

2005-08-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

I figured while I'm here I might as well write about what costumes I plan to start in 2005 other than the ones I've mentioned:

Bespin Leia which is pictured to the left. Great costume, requires countless hours of embroidery...that I'll start as soon as I'm ready to even THINK about more handsewing *shudders at thought*

Episode III Obi-Wan based for me I have the boots, fabric that will work but I have to lighten up the colour a bit, patterns and undertunic fabric. I need the boots to be made to fit me, a belt which I know where I'm going to get it from and a pattern and fabric for the pants. Yeah lightsaber wouldn't hurt either and I know my friend Wendy will be making me a robe since she can finish seams and I can't (don't have a serger)

Sheltay (Bail Organa's Aide) is one I'm considering....and I really think that's enough since school will be starting in a few weeks and I hope to get some commission work as well.

Oh! My tips and picture of me in my Flame Handmaiden costume made it to Maggie's site! Yay!

Update

2005-08-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

I received my fabric for Padme's Family Gown yesterday. I'm going to wash it today and I should be receiving the pattern tomorrow when I'm going to start cutting and modifying the pattern and possibly start sewing the costume.

Still sewing on the pearls for the Childlike Empress costume (more like the Neverending Costume) and going to start cutting the fabric for the LOTR dresses as soon as I fix the sleeve for the Arwen Arch gown. All things considered, it's all moving along quite nicely. As soon as I get my digital camera out of my car, I'll start taking pictures of my progress.

4 Costumes for Dragon*Con

2005-08-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

This is the first costume I decided to make for Dragon*Con. The Childlike Empress from The Neverending Story. In my sheer stubbornness, I wanted to make a costume that almost no one ever makes. Unfortunately, that leaves me to figure things out alone and I've only recently started sewing...I will learn one of these days...really! The dress itself was really simple to make, I used Simplicity 7964 view C, and modified the pattern to have a scoopneck instead of a v-neck. White fabric found relatively inexpensively since I was working at Jo-Anns at the time of the purchase. Now if you take a look closely, you see there are pearls all over the bodice...yep handsewn pearls. This is the kicker. I'm actually giving up on a pattern and starting toput them on there randomly because it's going to save me time and energy and I don't have that much longer left to finish it and the rest of the costumes (Dragon*Con is Sept 2-5 2005). The drape will be a little harder to figure out because I can't figure out if she actually has SLEEVES or if its just a full drape. There aren't any really good reference photos. I found a trim for the neck that will work. Too expensive, but I didn't have to get that much of it. My friend Tara has a sodering iron so I'm going to see if I can find wire thin enough to string the beads on for the head piece and improvise the brooch type thing on the forehead and attach the pearls to it. Bobby Pins will hopefully help keep the head piece on. The hair is not difficult, it's a half pony tail and then at the bottom, a full pony tail.

This is a dress from Lord of the Rings that was never actually seen in the movie. I saw it on Maggie's Costuming Site http://www.costumersguide.com and fell in love with it. Fabric seems to be either a sheerish blue or a blue/purple cross dyed fabric. There's some gold embroidery at the neckline and on the upper sleeves along with a belt made of multiple gold strands connected in the middle with a type of knot or something. There is a pink lining for the sleeves and bottom of the dress. My theory (as wrong as it may be) is that the overfabric is translucent and that the color changing effect is mostly from the pink lining. Again, could be completely wrong. I bought some Shantung from Jo-Anns that's a cross dye light blue and purple that will work. Not the best, but it'll do. I also bought a pink lining from Jo-Anns as well as a Simplicity pattern which I'm going to have to find again. The problem with the pattern is that it's a front seam pattern, while the dress isn't. It has the upper and lower sleeve thing though so it makes it easier for me. Unfortunately while working on the muslin, I found the upper sleeves don't fit me and the pattern isn't generally true to size so I'm going to have to make it bigger. I don't know how to make a lining either, so that's going to be interesting...seam ripper will be my new best friend. I'm not good enough at modifying patterns to make the sleeves on my own otherwise I'd use the same pattern I did for the Childlike Empress except use the V neck this time. Not sure if I can take the sleeves from one pattern and use it on another...maybe I'll do another muslin and try. For the belt, I'm skimping on details again. I just bought a really fat gold cord trim and that's just going to have to do for now.

I spoke recently with my best friend, Misty and have gotten her to go to Dragon*Con with me. This will be interesting because she's a mormon and there's a lot of alcohol and debauchery there...although not essential to participate in. So after talking to her and to another friend of mine who has gone before (since I haven't) named Wendy, we decided it would be more fun for Misty to be in costume even though she's not as huge of a fan as I am. So I had her look at the Padawan's Guide (another site from Maggie) http://www.padawansguide.com and she picked out this costume. This was Padme's family gown from Episode II which was cut from the final movie, but shows up in the deleted scenes on the DVD. Maggie's site is a godsend people! With all the reference pictures and other people writing in their comments and how they made their costumes, I can actually make this for Misty. Thanks to Jennifer (Ferd) for the whole write up and pictures of the pattern modification! I bought fabric for this on ebay and bought dye as well. I also found labradorite strands on a link from the Padawans Guide to make the trim. This is one of those costumes that if I could pull it off, I'd want to wear it as well, but alas, I'm too fat. Still waiting for the fabric to arrive in the mail.

Eowyn's White Wool gown from The Two Towers...Misty liked it a lot, so I'm going to make this for her too. She said it didn't have to be exact so it's not going to be wool (she would fry, she lives in Arizona!) and no sleeve lining. I bought the trim for the neck and arms and am using crepe backed satin for the dress, except I'm using the crepe side because the white velvet is too sheer. For the belt, I found a ribbon that doesn't quite look right or wide enough, but it'll do and I'm using puffy paint for the embroidery at the neck (I'm doing the same thing for the embroidery on the Arch dress) Eh people will get the general idea. Same problem with arch gown...side seams, but the pattern I found has front seams and a zipper...don't know how to do those yet either so again, my seam ripper and I will get to know each other very well. I've cut out the pattern, have all the fabric, just need to get started on it.

New Blog

2005-08-07T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a costuming blog now. Keep up with all my costume progress! Pictures will be included of what I'm doing and how my costumes look! I'm currently in the process of making 4 new costumes for Dragon*Con and I have people asking me all the time how it's going, so here's a quick and easy way to find out!

This is me from Shore Leave 2005 in my Flame Handmaiden costume. I had help making it (THANK YOU TANYA!) and I've received many compliments on it! I made it from a silk velvet that I ordered online, used a pattern for a Medieval Knight costume, altered the pattern for the sleeves (OK Tanya did that with me too hehe), sewed it up (again with Tanya) and we dyed it using RIT Tangerine Orange and Yellow dye. We dipped the entire dress in the yellow except for the very bottom, let it soak up, then quickly dipped the bottom to get a lighter yellow fade. Then we drained the sink, put the dress on a hanger upside down and make the orange dye. We dipped in the hood past the shoulders and left it in there, then took foam brushes and brushed the dye down (well up) into the yellow. After a while, we emptied the sink again and flipped the dress over right side up and let it dry that way, which helped with the fade effect. Then I bought red crepe backed satin fabric and made a belt with it. I bought a red turtleneck shirt, bought fabric to match it, made a hood, extended the sleeves and VOILA! There's still a little more to be done (I need to put interfacing on the hood to make it a visor like and put trim on the sleeves). The dress sleeves was the hardest part because it had to be done inside out...to this day I can't remember how we figured it out, but we did, and everything turned out really well! Unfortunately, I washed it recently and the nice pale yellow I had at the bottom is now an orangey-yellow :-( I might use dye remover and dip it in yellow again and then just dry clean it from now on. I don't wear it often enough to be incredibly expensive to dry clean.