Costume & Crafting Help

[Drawingablank]

Drawingablank, you might be able to sew the mesh to itself using a serger, aka/overlock machine. It's the kind that does zigzag hemming really tightly. Look at the inside seam of any tee shirt you have and you'll see what the stitch they make.

If you have access to a serger you could sandwich the two edges of mesh you want to connect, in between two pieces of velum (tracing paper) or maybe even tissue paper. After you've sewn the seam you can pull the paper out. It would work like the disolving basting tape but no washing required. Of course, I'm just guessing...having not tried working with mesh myself.

I suspected that but the only serger I have access to is at my wifes company - i.e. it is a hassle to get to (business hours only) and is loaded with white thread so the mesh to mesh may have to wait until I get my own.

I will try the paper on the mesh to cotton though - great idea.

Thanks, I now at least have some idea as to how to attempt this.

[lazerfox]

when you say mesh...how meshy is it? wide spaces or just regular mesh fabric??

Question about faux fur: would it be very difficult to try to make something with lots of fur scraps? I can buy 3lbs of fur scraps for pretty cheap ($30) but was curious if it would be worth the trouble.
Thoughts from anyone

[deutlich]

do it!

[Drawingablank]

when you say mesh...how meshy is it? wide spaces or just regular mesh fabric??

Question about faux fur: would it be very difficult to try to make something with lots of fur scraps? I can buy 3lbs of fur scraps for pretty cheap ($30) but was curious if it would be worth the trouble.
Thoughts from anyone

Wide spaces - about 3/8 inch openings.

I considered making a coat from fur scraps too until I thought about having to quilt them all together, and that stuff is messy and a PITA to sew too. Wouldn't be as bad with a serger or for something small like a hat, but I would limit big stuff to full yardage furs.

Besides that monster furs weigh about 2 1/2 pounds per yard so 30.00 for 3 pounds is not a bargain for scraps.

[FIGJAM]

I worked on my hat for 5 minutes.

[waxpraxis]

In case anyone is wanting to get started with EL wire, I threw together this 1-page cheatsheet along with some links to other resources for a workshop helped teach this weekend for the local Burning Man MeetUp group:

Wax's EL Wire Cheatsheet

[lazerfox]

You are a mad genius! Thank you and much ♥!

[lazerfox]

Figjam - that hat is also genius! Is it a fisherman's hat?

[FIGJAM]

Nope, it's a $10 boonie hat and a $5 string of aaa led's.

[EspressoDude]

when you say mesh...how meshy is it? wide spaces or just regular mesh fabric??

Question about faux fur: would it be very difficult to try to make something with lots of fur scraps? I can buy 3lbs of fur scraps for pretty cheap ($30) but was curious if it would be worth the trouble.
Thoughts from anyone

Wide spaces - about 3/8 inch openings.

I considered making a coat from fur scraps too until I thought about having to quilt them all together, and that stuff is messy and a PITA to sew too. Wouldn't be as bad with a serger or for something small like a hat, but I would limit big stuff to full yardage furs.

Besides that monster furs weigh about 2 1/2 pounds per yard so 30.00 for 3 pounds is not a bargain for scraps.

you might try a couple passes of zig zag with the side to side set real wide, like 3/8 - 1/2". Bulldog clips to hold the seams together before sewing

[lucky420]

Thanks for the cheatsheet Wax!

[Drawingablank]

when you say mesh...how meshy is it? wide spaces or just regular mesh fabric??

Question about faux fur: would it be very difficult to try to make something with lots of fur scraps? I can buy 3lbs of fur scraps for pretty cheap ($30) but was curious if it would be worth the trouble.
Thoughts from anyone

Wide spaces - about 3/8 inch openings.

I considered making a coat from fur scraps too until I thought about having to quilt them all together, and that stuff is messy and a PITA to sew too. Wouldn't be as bad with a serger or for something small like a hat, but I would limit big stuff to full yardage furs.

Besides that monster furs weigh about 2 1/2 pounds per yard so 30.00 for 3 pounds is not a bargain for scraps.

you might try a couple passes of zig zag with the side to side set real wide, like 3/8 - 1/2". Bulldog clips to hold the seams together before sewing

Thanjks, I'll give that a try too as soon as I have a chance to play around with this project.

[waxpraxis]

Thanks for the cheatsheet Wax!

No worries! I'm working to do a bunch more of related ones (LED, Arduino, etc) with the goal being a small library of cheat sheets for doing lighted costumery that other regional groups can use to help people get started making blinky shiney stuff.

MORE BLINKY SHINEY PEOPLE! I WANT MOOOORRRREEE!

[HiBbY]

does anyone know if theres some kind of glowing paint? maybe neon paint? XXD not glow in the dark paint, im talkin like fluorescent paint man XXD if it exists id like to use it to paint my new homemade shpongle masks XXD

[AntiM]

I have a ton of water-based acrylic craft paint in florescent colors. Some are glow in the dark, some are not. Some have a high gloss finish. You can find them at any big box craft shop.

[lazerfox]

what AntiM said...it helps if you have a hand-held UV light and then you can bring it with you to the store and test the paints out.

I bought all of mine at Joann's and didn't test them prior to purchase but they all said neon in the name and worked just fine.

[HiBbY]

:::D sank yew

[Drawingablank]

Also - most flourescent paints are fairly transparent so if you want them to be more visible under normal light paint them over a white background.

[HiBbY]

:::D thanks for the tip

[EmilyD]

Does anyone here have experience making sculptural costumes that extend out from the body, with wire or some other kind of armature? I'm interested in creating at least one, maybe more, costume that has a kinetic component to it. I could use some advice from anyone with experience, even adaptations from mutant vehicle construction. Thanks.

[Drawingablank]

Does anyone here have experience making sculptural costumes that extend out from the body, with wire or some other kind of armature? I'm interested in creating at least one, maybe more, costume that has a kinetic component to it. I could use some advice from anyone with experience, even adaptations from mutant vehicle construction. Thanks.

I haven't actually made one but was considering it. The following is just how I was planning to attempt it - i don't know how well it would work.

I was thinking to make a leather harness - i.e. one that looks like a pair of suspenders attached to a belt to provide a firm anchoring point that is unlikely to tear. I was considering using clay sculptor's armature wire because it is fairly light and holds its shape well (although a bit pricey). The inside ends would be formed in a loop then riveted to the leather in the appropriate places then bent to shape.

[AntiM]

Anyone have a picture of the Black Rock Lobster?

[trilobyte]

Back in 2004 I made a costume for the first Sea Of Dreams NYE party in LA that had a lightweight frame (made of 1/2 inch PVC of all things) that I wore as a sort of backpack. It was covered in fabrics and I swear it was awesome on paper - but in practice it was cumbersome and clunky and uncomfortable. I filed it under "what was I thinking!" but at some point I'll get around to revisiting.

Lessons I learned from the experience - comfort, comfort, comfort! When I was making it and trying out ideas I let things that were slightly uncomfortable go figuring it was only a minor inconvenience. Over the course of wearing it for hours, that minor inconvenience turned into a major nuisance and pains in my backside. Another lesson - easy on, easy off! When I made my costume back in 2004 not only was I broke but a total novice. I got the backpack piece on and secured with the help of a friend, but there was really no easy way to put it on or take it off (it went on me, then the robes I was wearing went on over that, and then fabric elements went on over the frame). Put more thought into the design than I did - how to get pieces on and off easily. Remember, you'll probably need to use (and get into) the porta-potties, or depending on your plans it may need to be bike friendly or have pieces come off so you can get on board some awesome art car that will give you a lift home.

Good luck!

[FIGJAM]

Anybody got sleigh bells they don't need?

I could use them.

[theCryptofishist]

It's christmas. Wait for after-xmas sales at your local craft store. Or, if you're impatient, you can just hold them up now.

[EmilyD]

Thanks for the tips Trilobyte and Drawingablank very helpful. I was thinking of really lightweight fabric (like chiffons and such on wire. Wearing a harness for hours, in the heat, does sound awful. I'll definitely put comfort and ease-of-entry/departure first on the list of requirements.

-Emily

Back in 2004 I made a costume for the first Sea Of Dreams NYE party in LA that had a lightweight frame (made of 1/2 inch PVC of all things) that I wore as a sort of backpack. It was covered in fabrics and I swear it was awesome on paper - but in practice it was cumbersome and clunky and uncomfortable. I filed it under "what was I thinking!" but at some point I'll get around to revisiting.

Lessons I learned from the experience - comfort, comfort, comfort! When I was making it and trying out ideas I let things that were slightly uncomfortable go figuring it was only a minor inconvenience. Over the course of wearing it for hours, that minor inconvenience turned into a major nuisance and pains in my backside. Another lesson - easy on, easy off! When I made my costume back in 2004 not only was I broke but a total novice. I got the backpack piece on and secured with the help of a friend, but there was really no easy way to put it on or take it off (it went on me, then the robes I was wearing went on over that, and then fabric elements went on over the frame). Put more thought into the design than I did - how to get pieces on and off easily. Remember, you'll probably need to use (and get into) the porta-potties, or depending on your plans it may need to be bike friendly or have pieces come off so you can get on board some awesome art car that will give you a lift home.

Good luck!

[Ratty]

I love tutus. This one is made on a belt out of scraps. So comfy.

[EmilyD]

I love tutus. This one is made on a belt out of scraps. So comfy.

You can't beat that design for simplicity...no need to sew!

[illy dilly]

Does anyone here have experience making sculptural costumes that extend out from the body, with wire or some other kind of armature? I'm interested in creating at least one, maybe more, costume that has a kinetic component to it. I could use some advice from anyone with experience, even adaptations from mutant vehicle construction. Thanks.

I haven't actually made one but was considering it. The following is just how I was planning to attempt it - i don't know how well it would work.

I was thinking to make a leather harness - i.e. one that looks like a pair of suspenders attached to a belt to provide a firm anchoring point that is unlikely to tear. I was considering using clay sculptor's armature wire because it is fairly light and holds its shape well (although a bit pricey). The inside ends would be formed in a loop then riveted to the leather in the appropriate places then bent to shape.

Is the wire you're talking about anything similar to bailing wire?

[Drawingablank]

Does anyone here have experience making sculptural costumes that extend out from the body, with wire or some other kind of armature? I'm interested in creating at least one, maybe more, costume that has a kinetic component to it. I could use some advice from anyone with experience, even adaptations from mutant vehicle construction. Thanks.

I haven't actually made one but was considering it. The following is just how I was planning to attempt it - i don't know how well it would work.

I was thinking to make a leather harness - i.e. one that looks like a pair of suspenders attached to a belt to provide a firm anchoring point that is unlikely to tear. I was considering using clay sculptor's armature wire because it is fairly light and holds its shape well (although a bit pricey). The inside ends would be formed in a loop then riveted to the leather in the appropriate places then bent to shape.

Is the wire you're talking about anything similar to bailing wire?

No, much thicker and stronger. Hit any art supply store and visit their sculpting section and you will see it. I believe it is called armature wire.