Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:40 am

Look what i just made from an old bathrobe and bed skirt. The leopard is a kind of short-hair fur or fleece material. I took off the pockets and belt loops. The sleeves are open at the cuffs, (so it looks royal). Zero dollars.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:55 am

But...but...but...

That way I won't be able to go shop-ping!

(which will leave me unfulfilled as an american.)

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:05 am

For a more girly look. Old wedding tule and sheer curtains on a belt that I punched holes in. (I know, grammer, grammer.)

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:11 am

This one is really big. I can't wear it around my waist but I can sling it around my neck. It's made from 2 of those cheap woven belts buckled together. I cut long strips of stretchy black velvet pants, a pink leopard throw and a pink snugglie. I was careful to cut it the stretchy way so I could pull it longer and make it roll up into tubes. Then I poked it through the spaces in the belts. Very manly.

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:34 am

I love the orange & leopard coat, Ratty.

Katiebaby25 · Post by **Katiebaby25** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:37 am

Very cool! Can't wait to get started on costumes, thanks for the inspiration!

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:39 am

Thanks, Ratty! I have a leopard print bed sheet I don't need. Even I can sew that onto something!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:17 am

This came out Nice......Start with a cute dress. Cover one tit with fur. Sew a 12 inch piece of fur or fleece down both sides of the garment. You sew it in the MIDDLE of the 12 inches. This way you end up with 2 rows of fringe. Then cut it into fringe ,(about an inch wide), right up to the stitches where you sewed it on. But not too close. Test the fleece first to see if you want flat fringe or stretchy rolls of fringe. You do this by cutting alittle and tugging on it to see what it will do. Sweet little piece.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:28 am

This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.

Katiebaby25 · Post by **Katiebaby25** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 9:39 am

Your stuff is beautiful!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:19 am

Not exactly a tutu. I started with a standard pettycoat and added some strips of sheer curtain material. There was enough for a sexy little neck scarf too.

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:50 am

If one doesn't have sufficiently inspiring belts at home, Ross--& sometimes TJ Maxx--are great places to get them. Thrift stores are good too, but the one upside about buying new (if cheap) is that you can sometimes find 2 identical belts for perhaps $4.99 each. With two, you can use one embellished belt around the hips or waist, and scavenge the other belt for parts to make the upper body (or boots) correspond.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:22 pm

This was an old leather jacket and skirt. I sewed the spider web on, snipped it here and there. Then I shredded the skirt. I wish it still fit me.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:51 am

This was fun to make. I started with a severely shrunken wool blanket. The front, back and shoulders are just squares. It's for a warrior but iron crosses don't do a thing for me. I went with the spiderweb army instead. The sides have straps and 'D' rings. Easy to make and cozy warm at night.

wh..sh · Post by **wh..sh** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:55 am

Cool stuff! I am about ready to go tear up some old clothes and see what comes out of it.

wh..sh · Post by **wh..sh** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:59 am

Ratty wrote:This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.

I love the rose petals! (I like the girlie girl feel). I might try to make something with rose petals!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:00 am

wh..sh wrote:
Ratty wrote:This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.
I love the rose petals! (I like the girlie girl feel). I might try to make something with rose petals!

hey, I was gonna say that!!!

wh..sh · Post by **wh..sh** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:05 am

Ok, the whole rose petal conversation reminded me of this

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:08 am

I thought you have dark hair?

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:14 am

You'll surprise yourself at how fun and easy it can be. Browse a second hand store or your closet. Take your time and cut, sew, tie, punch, lace or paint. The next thing you know, You've made a great outfit or accessory. Just keep it simple. Do it the easy way. There's no reason to get fancy. Be flexible in your design. It may end up being a completely different look. The garment dictates the finished piece. Have fun with the process. It always makes me laugh.

This funny top started out as a lightweight jacket. I worked it till there was nothing left. The giant sequins are securely sewn on. (No moop here).

Katiebaby25 · Post by **Katiebaby25** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:32 am

Yeah you've greatly inspired me! I went consignment store shopping yesterday and I can't wait to start DIYing!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 8:47 am

Yea!! Have fun and don't hurry. My favorite sewing tool is a razor blade box cutter. Thank you and everybody for the compliments. It's a nice group here. Minds wide open.

Join the 'Poker Army'.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:38 am

Ratty wrote:This was fun to make. I started with a severely shrunken wool blanket. The front, back and shoulders are just squares. It's for a warrior but iron crosses don't do a thing for me. I went with the spiderweb army instead. The sides have straps and 'D' rings. Easy to make and cozy warm at night.

Holy cow -- I could make this without even remembering how to thread a bobbin! I could make this with my industrial grade stapler!

Now...

...why does she look so ticked?

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:49 am

Really nice stuff which reminds me I have to get back to slaving away at the sewing machine.

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:05 am

Elliot wrote:...why does she look so ticked?

Part of it is the lighting . . . but Mena Suvari's eyebrows have always looked just a little pissed off, by default.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:38 am

I've had a top hat hanging around the house for a while now, an Alice in Wonderland one from Hot Topic (clearance of course). I picked up a strand of battery operated seed LEDs shaped like hearts from the Christmas sale, they're on a wire. They became the hatband (over the fake red lace one which came with the hat), then I layered on stuff from the depths of the workroom. A wrapping of black tulle, and overlay of spiderweb lace ribbon with purple wire edges gathered into a pouf at the back, a strand of red rhinestones halfway up, and the back pouf topped by an 80s purple silky ribbon pouf barrette (to hide the wires, safety pins and battery pack). Then I added a Burning Man pendant in front, one from Shambala from a couple years ago. I'd have used the purple one, but it is on such a nice necklace I couldn't possibly take that apart!

Pictures to follow.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:01 pm

Yes!! I want to see pictures. Your hat sounds great. I keep having to re-size my photos to be smaller and some STILL won't go on this thread. I''ll have to remember to set my camera on the tiniest setting first.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:11 pm

I love PJs on the playa. What could be better than a pink cowboy? I sewed fringe down one pant leg and did conchos and a tad of fringe on the other leg.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:15 pm

It was just a petty coat till I sewed 50 tiny scarves on it. Each one has a shiney bead where it's attached. Twirl baby twirl.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:09 pm

Cool work Ratty!

I'm thinking about attemtping one of those cut t shirts, the finished result should look like a type of chain metal.

(got any more guy stuff?

)

Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.