Costume & Crafting Help

[DanusLight]

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[Submit]

Yeah, all that was in place. I got carried away backspacing and deleted a ] and a " .. lol But thank you!!!

[Savannah]

Oh, ha!

[waxpraxis]

Fully finished my disco suit tonight:

Unlit:


Lit the F UP!


Lazerfox - the sound reactivity is just a feature of the el wire driver I'm using. So all I have to do is flip a switch and then adjust the sensitivity to what I want. I got my el wire and driver from http://www.coolneon.com.

[Minxy]

OMG that disco suit!! I wannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnt it! That's going to look SO snazzy out on the playa!

[jella]

oh the Disco suit is Shexy shexy !!


I finally got started on my boot topper project
1st attempt


they have a spandex sock attached so you do a million things with them yay left overs !!

[Minxy]

Furry, green, happy goodness! SO cute! Wow, Jella, you're so crafty!

[Savannah]

Those give me the giggles. Very you. And so much fun, that blue n' green faux fur.

[jella]

Those give me the giggles. Very you. And so much fun, that blue n' green faux fur.

Thanks Minxy.......
Savanah I happen to have a matching hat , this is it's left over scraps hehee. I can't wait to make leopard and blue and brown and black and..................oh stop me somebody !

[junglesmacks]

the sound reactivity is just a feature of the el wire driver I'm using. So all I have to do is flip a switch and then adjust the sensitivity to what I want. I got my el wire and driver from http://www.coolneon.com.

OooOooOooOooOoo pick me pick me pick me *waving hand wildly*

Schweeet jacket.. for real. From one sparkle mule to another, you've got it going on. I'm super curious about that sound driver for the EL wire..

How sensitive is it? How cool is it? Worth it?

[waxpraxis]

Thanks! (And Jella - LOVE those boot toppers, and I really like the idea of modular decoration like that!)

The sound driver is pretty damn cool! I got to see it in action at Lakes of Fire - one of my camp mates brought a couple of strands of el wire and the sound activated driver and decorated our camp with it. Another camp mate ended up poking it in and out of some cardboard thus recreating our camps logo (it looked awesome!) We were only a few camps away from Freakeasy (one of the big sound camps there) and so all of our "signage" was joyfully pulsing to the breakbeats all night long (and thus attracting more than a few... um, inebriated folks who would keep wandering up and then staring at it slack jawed for a while).

So, anyways the sound driver is really freakin' cool and has a nice big slider on the side for adjusting the sensitivity. It seems to range from needed a loud clap right next to it, to one about 10-15' away. The driver also has a straight always-on mode. As for price, it's about the same as all of the other short-length drivers - $7, so yeah ABSOLUTELY worth it!

If you're new to using el wire (I was until this project!) keep in mind a few things...

First, get the right driver for the length of wire you're using. It doesn't matter if you're hooking it up in one long strand, or lots of little ones in parallel like I did. Drivers will state their minimum and maximum length, just follow what it says.

Second, el wire has a solid strand of copper in the middle and solid wire doesn't like to be bent repeatedly in the same spot - it'll fatigue and break. That's why all the wire on my suit jacket is in areas that don't bend when I move.

Third, if you go with lots of small strands like I did, be sure to grab some nice and thin speaker wire (multi-strand). It's great for hooking up between the sections. In my case there are 8 different sections of el wire sewed onto the jacket which are soldered to speaker wire which is run inside the jacket lining into an inside pocket where I keep the driver. I honestly can't feel the wiring inside the jacket when I wear it!

[Drawingablank]

Really nice jacket, and those boot toppers are awesome.

I've given up on painting an existing garment and scaled up my coat pattern for attempt number 2. Seems ridiculous having to add 10 inches in circumference to a pattern that is supposed to be my size.

Have cut all the parts for a mockup from an old sheet, but ran out of time to sew them last night. Since we are getting into crunch time I've decided against using brocade in favor of something easier to work with and have opted for a magenta zebra striped faux suede with fur trim.

[junglesmacks]

I'm curious what size/type of wire you used? I just got mine through Coolneon as well and am using the "phat 3.2mm". It won't be in spots of constant bending like the elbow or something, but will be flexing with the jacket. I was planning on running it around the main edge twice.. so.. around the bottom rim, up the front, around the collar, down the front, around the bottom rim and repeat. I'm worried a little about the flexing but...? What do you think?

We used a "fish" driver which is good for up to 50', and then with an external battery cage for max brightness. I've got a Y connecter coming off the inverter which splits to the plug for the jacket and then a plug for the bottom skirt part which will have 2 lines of wire wrapped around the very bottom of it. 27' total.

If you're new to using el wire (I was until this project!) keep in mind a few things...

First, get the right driver for the length of wire you're using. It doesn't matter if you're hooking it up in one long strand, or lots of little ones in parallel like I did. Drivers will state their minimum and maximum length, just follow what it says.

Second, el wire has a solid strand of copper in the middle and solid wire doesn't like to be bent repeatedly in the same spot - it'll fatigue and break. That's why all the wire on my suit jacket is in areas that don't bend when I move.

Third, if you go with lots of small strands like I did, be sure to grab some nice and thin speaker wire (multi-strand). It's great for hooking up between the sections. In my case there are 8 different sections of el wire sewed onto the jacket which are soldered to speaker wire which is run inside the jacket lining into an inside pocket where I keep the driver. I honestly can't feel the wiring inside the jacket when I wear it!

[waxpraxis]

I used the 2.6mm high bright. My wire flexes with my jacket as well, which seems to be fine. The big issue appears to be either when you bend it too sharply or if you repeatedly bend it in the same small area. (At first I was trying to slip my wire into the trim, but it just kept jamming and bending the wire sharply, resulting in dead spots. I ended up giving up after only 4-5")

I think you'll be 100% fine with your plan. With that setup you can swap out for the medium length sound activated driver as well. (The short is up to 15', the medium length one has a minimum of 20')

[junglesmacks]

I used the 2.6mm high bright. My wire flexes with my jacket as well, which seems to be fine.

Ahh.. according to the site, it is a very stiff type of wire. That would be your problem. FWIW, for costumes they specifically recommend the 3.2mm phat..

2.6mm - "High Bright Long Life (2.6mm) Available Our Standard diameter of High Bright Long Life Cool Neon wire is 2.6mm, and about 150% BRIGHTER than our other grades of Cool Neon! It is stiffer (curl it around your finger and it will hold that spiral shape!) and perfect for many applications."

3.2mm - "Phat Cool Neon wire is 3.2mm and can bend around the radius of a nickel. It is a little more durable than our Standard diameter, as the PVC coating is thicker. We recommend this diameter for outdoor use. Although not as bright as the high-bright wires this diameter is highly recommenced for costumes."

[jella]

we got our el wire with battery packs in the mail finally yesterday , now to figure out how to get it on the pedicab.
Maybe I should figure a barter system .... sewing for pimping my ride hheehehehe

[waxpraxis]

Yeah, originally it wasn't going to go on a moving piece of clothing - my plan going in was to rig up my camel bak. Then I took the long way to work one day and stopped by a thrift store and found a canary yellow suit older than me in just my size...

Now, I have to say I'm actually really glad I went with the high bright stuff because the jacket's outer layer is fairly thin and I think without some sort of rigidity the collar would pull and droop - and it's ALL about the massive collar!

I'm using another 20' strand of purple wire to make butterfly wings for my wife to attach to her camel bak Tonight I start on the pattern!

[waxpraxis]

we got our el wire with battery packs in the mail finally yesterday , now to figure out how to get it on the pedicab.
Maybe I should figure a barter system .... sewing for pimping my ride hheehehehe

Shoot. It's too bad we're not getting out there until Wednesday night cause I would sign on that dotted line! I really discovered a cool zen place with all the sewing. I think it's hereditary... my mom does chair re-caning and when I was a kid she would always sit on the floor and listen to music and weave after dinner.

[junglesmacks]

we got our el wire with battery packs in the mail finally yesterday , now to figure out how to get it on the pedicab.
Maybe I should figure a barter system .... sewing for pimping my ride hheehehehe

It's not so hard!! Just use fishing line.. about 8-10lb test. Put the wire where you want it, and then wrap the fishing line around it or whip stitch it through fabric. You got this!

[jella]

we got our el wire with battery packs in the mail finally yesterday , now to figure out how to get it on the pedicab.
Maybe I should figure a barter system .... sewing for pimping my ride hheehehehe

It's not so hard!! Just use fishing line.. about 8-10lb test. Put the wire where you want it, and then wrap the fishing line around it or whip stitch it through fabric. You got this!

Funny Waxpraxis, I always have my music on when I sew !

Hmm it's the canopy frame that I want to put to wire on,,sooo I'm thinking a combo of fishing line wrapping held in place by a "pea sized dab of silicone" per FigJam might just be the ticket...thanks guys.

[waxpraxis]

Yeah, the fact that I was able to just jump in and start making something somewhat cool speaks to how easy it is!

One hint I found that proved to be awesome was to double strand the wire. Spool out about a double-arms length of fishing line, thread it with a needle, and then tie the ends together. Viola! You won't ever lose your needle and you've got some extra strength as well!

[junglesmacks]

Hmm it's the canopy frame that I want to put to wire on,,sooo I'm thinking a combo of fishing line wrapping held in place by a "pea sized dab of silicone" per FigJam might just be the ticket...thanks guys.

Yeah.. or just lash it and tie a knot. Around a frame should be super duper easy, really.. you're not even sewing it into anything.. just tying it into place with the fishing line. Since you aren't sewing with it, you may want to use a little stronger stuff just because you can. 15lb test or so..

[Drawingablank]

I think I discovered crafters heaven this past weekend in Middletown, NY. A small strip mall with Joanns, AC Moore, and Michaels almost side by side - within about 200 feet of each other. And huge stores too - about twice the size of the ones we have here on Long Island.

[illy dilly]

I think I discovered crafters heaven this past weekend in Middletown, NY. A small strip mall with Joanns, AC Moore, and Michaels almost side by side - within about 200 feet of each other. And huge stores too - about twice the size of the ones we have here on Long Island.

Hell yeah!
Crafter's row!

[waxpraxis]

I think I discovered crafters heaven this past weekend in Middletown, NY. A small strip mall with Joanns, AC Moore, and Michaels almost side by side - within about 200 feet of each other. And huge stores too - about twice the size of the ones we have here on Long Island.

A couple of months ago that wouldn't even have elicited a shrug from me. Yet now, as I read that, I felt my eyes go wide with wonder and possibility...

[junglesmacks]

I think I discovered crafters heaven this past weekend in Middletown, NY. A small strip mall with Joanns, AC Moore, and Michaels almost side by side - within about 200 feet of each other. And huge stores too - about twice the size of the ones we have here on Long Island.

A couple of months ago that wouldn't even have elicited a shrug from me. Yet now, as I read that, I felt my eyes go wide with wonder and possibility...

Welcome to the family..

[theCryptofishist]

Wow on the boot toppers. Who needs Ilianowear when we have Jella.

Of course, I suppose I could adapt them as sleevegarters...

[junglesmacks]

Of course, I suppose I could adapt them as sleevegarters...

Ya know.. I was just.. gonna.. not say, but say..

[junglesmacks]

So a fellow sparkle mule and I were talking today, when he told me about these no-sew one piece skirts that his girl makes..


"[She], will get a bit of stretchy fabric, and cut a whole in the middle, then round out the fabric, about 8-16 inches from the original inside whole. Then just step into it and pull it up like a skirt. If you're girl has never done one, tell her to start with the inside hole small, Its easier to keep removing small bits of fabric than add more, lol. And don't cut the outside round until you know the inside hole is just barely big enough.
In the end it should look like a big doughnut."

Any thoughts? I'm down to try this with the girl later this week...

[Savannah]

I used to do that with my Barbies. Fold a circle or square twice, then snip off a piece of the "point" in the center. Just once. Start with a really small cut. Unfold, look at it, try again if you need a bigger waist. It worked really well with square pieces of fabric; you'd get a makeshift "handkerchief" hem. Little points hanging down, very faerie-like. Add another layer, offset the points so they're staggered, and you could have something more elaborate.

I haven't thought to try it with myself . . .

[junglesmacks]

Very cool! Sounds like a nice, easy option. I saw some really cool fabrics at JoAnne's that we could try this with. Gonna get to it maybe later this week and post some experimental pics..

(on the girl, not me. Sorry.)