Costume & Crafting Help

lazerfox · Post by **lazerfox** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:53 am

*adding to google doc BM notes Retrofrolic*

Got it.

delle · Post by **delle** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:21 am

MyDearFriend wrote: The thing about hats and other structured pieces is that they usually need to be blocked; look here. Blocking makes an amazing difference.

I don't have a pattern for a stiff-brimmed hat but if you want something that will have its own shape (rather than the shape of your head) you need a sturdy yarn and a tight stitch, careful marking and counting, and blocking.

Well, poo! I'd never even considered blocking it. Ripped out what might have been a perfectly good brim twice before going with the squigglies. (tho I think I prefer the squigglies anyhow, now that all is said and done)

I'm definitely going to try this next time before ripping out! Thank you VERY MUCH for the trick, MyDearFriend.

delle · Post by **delle** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:29 am

Ok, here we go!

A preview of the bikini top to go with the hat.

It's far from finished. The cordage needs adding to, adjusting and will probably be weaved, and the nips will be pierced --- probably with chicken bones.

I've decided that the bottom will be a loincloth.

Together with the hat, I'm calling it my "Perms 'n Piercings" getup. Frankly it makes me laugh everytime I look at it!

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:52 am

delle wrote:Ok, here we go!

A preview of the bikini top to go with the hat.

It's far from finished. The cordage needs adding to, adjusting and will probably be weaved, and the nips will be pierced --- probably with chicken bones.

I've decided that the bottom will be a loincloth.

Together with the hat, I'm calling it my "Perms 'n Piercings" getup. Frankly it makes me laugh everytime I look at it!

The hat is great, but this is awesome!

jella · Post by **jella** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:57 am

Oh this is too awesome for words Delle

can't wait to see you model it .

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:35 pm

I went with this instead of just leather needles (they didn't look much bigger than the regular ones)

The tips are pretty fat, seemed like a nice awl/needle hybrid to use on the leather.

Also dressed up for the Game of Thrones premiere and really enjoyed their costuming melange....made me want to get all fantasy on my burns this summer.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:50 pm

C.f.M. wrote:"I wanna make sure I get to see the results of your top secret project on the playa!"

You'll need to go to Retrofrolic for that! It's only a secret because I want the commissioner to be surprised when they get what I've made them.

Whatever it is,,,, I plan to wear it to the MnG.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:42 pm

Okay, I have cigar boxes that I wish to use as "dioramas". They are too small, but you can put together two boxes of the same size, take out the side and make a bigger shape.
My concern is with the "seam." I don't want a zone of near total weakness on my work, but I'm not sure how to strengthen them. The obvious (to me) is to have a 1 x 2 along the "seam" or attach the whole damn thing to a piece of plywood. The problem is the sawing. I don't have an electric saw and I'm pretty sure I don't have the room, or the itch for one.
Of course, this is totally futile, because I like the basics of the cigar boxes--cheap, easy to get hold of, a little retro... It has been suggested that I go and buy shadow boxes from Mic-hell's, but those are not cheap. So basically, I want a way to bend shape and time and it has to be cheap and easy.
So make suggestions, so I can sulk and not select them and complain about how nobody understands my art.
Actually, I will listen to ideas and but I may not actually follow them. This is some sort of brain-storming, so I'll see where it goes.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:46 pm

Do you want to make them longer, or deeper?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:47 pm

Longer, for the most part. I've done deeper, and that's easier. Especially if I odn't want to make them free of playa dust.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:55 pm

Then I would use particle board, peg board, cheap paneling.

Even strong cardboard, that would be easy to cut.

Any of those would be about 1/4".

Cut a piece the size of the bottom and top of the lengthened box and glue them in.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:02 pm

Thank you.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:06 pm

How about gluing them together with mat or illustration board. Putting a piece on inside and outside should make them pretty strong, and that stuff is relatively easy to cut.

If you prefer wood, most hobby / train stores sell thin wood (1/8 and 1/4 inch in 2 inch and 3 inch widths (Midwest is the manufacturer iirc). It is relatively easy to cut to length. They also make aircraft plywood which is super strong but harder to cut.

If you just need a few pieces, PM me the sizes and I'll cut some for you (I usually have some thin wood scraps out in the shop).

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:34 pm

Could you not simply use the material you remove from the ends and sandwich the splice between them? Or if you want it only on the outside or the inside, cut one in half for the sides and leave one full length across the bottom. Glue it, staple it, done deal.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:31 pm

Some of material removed (depending on the box and where it comes from) can be sort of flimsy. Which doesn't make this a bad idea, but on a long box, having a cross brace thing is probably a good idea. Especially when it comes to hanging um, mounting it. So right now the pegboard and box scraps, glued, plus a nailed on 1 x 2 or something looks pretty good.

delle · Post by **delle** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:36 am

Bondo, or some other kind of fibreglass resin over gauze strips, or some kind of homemade industrial modpodge in layers for strength?

I used to work with something called Papydur, which, although used like a clay is a paper mache product that dries as hard as a rock. That, with some kind of netting within for reinforcement, could be interesting.... the advantage being it can be shaped, sanded, cut and painted in any way you wish for added effect.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find the stuff anymore. I'm looking for a home-recipe now........ if not for this, then for any number of other things (because frankly I miss it!)

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:16 am

I am about to attempt my first machine sewn garment (coat) and could use some advice about fabrics.

Does anyone know the relative difficulties of using:

Brocade
Fleece
Crushed or patterned velvet
Low pile fur (1/4" or less)

Most of my sewing experience is with much heavier / stiffer materials such as coated woven fiberglass and reinforced vinyl.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:26 am

Drawingablank wrote:I am about to attempt my first machine sewn garment (coat) and could use some advice about fabrics.

Does anyone know the relative difficulties of using:

Brocade
Fleece
Crushed or patterned velvet
Low pile fur (1/4" or less)

Most of my sewing experience is with much heavier / stiffer materials such as coated woven fiberglass and reinforced vinyl.

Well, "difficulty" is relatives to your skill, machinery and just what you're doing. Out of all of those, brocade and velvet are the easiest (esp. if you're not trying to keep patterns matched).

Fleece can stretch. I don't really like sewing fur - I always end up doing it by hand. But you want to trim some fur from the edges so you're sewing the fabric. If you google it, there's lots of instructions.

I started two projects last night (which I'll be blogging about after I finish Eplaya) but decided it'd be much easier to do with my boyfriend there to hang shit on. I also got a new costume piece (there will be pictures in the blog) that I have to figure out something awesome for...and I decided to sell a corset, if anybody's interested.

delle · Post by **delle** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:01 am

C.f.M. wrote: decided it'd be much easier to do with my boyfriend there to hang shit on.

Heheheh. What would we do without them???

(looking forward to seeing it all on your blog)

On the previous vein, I found a recipe that looks really easy, cheap and very sturdy for the papydur (after figuring out that the majik words were actually "paper clay"!!)

Ingrediants:

*Cheap toilet paper (measure the wet paper pulp, and use 1.24 cups â€“ some rolls contain more paper than needed)

*1 cup Joint compound from the hardware store (get â€œregular,â€

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:26 am

Mod Mischief, a Canadian burner who's blog I enjoy, has a recipe too.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:50 am

[quote="C.f.M]Well, "difficulty" is relatives to your skill, machinery and just what you're doing. Out of all of those, brocade and velvet are the easiest (esp. if you're not trying to keep patterns matched).

Fleece can stretch. I don't really like sewing fur - I always end up doing it by hand. But you want to trim some fur from the edges so you're sewing the fabric. If you google it, there's lots of instructions. [/quote]

Thanks, I've been leaning towards a brocade, but having trouble finding one I like within the budget that will not make it look like a kimono so have been exploring alternatives.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:05 am

Drawingablank wrote:[quote="C.f.M]Well, "difficulty" is relatives to your skill, machinery and just what you're doing. Out of all of those, brocade and velvet are the easiest (esp. if you're not trying to keep patterns matched).

Fleece can stretch. I don't really like sewing fur - I always end up doing it by hand. But you want to trim some fur from the edges so you're sewing the fabric. If you google it, there's lots of instructions.

Thanks, I've been leaning towards a brocade, but having trouble finding one I like within the budget that will not make it look like a kimono so have been exploring alternatives.[/quote][/quote]

Have you been to a fabric store? There's a plethora of options outside of the four you listed.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:48 am

Have you been to a fabric store? There's a plethora of options outside of the four you listed.

Yah, have been to over a dozen so far ranging from chain fabric stores to upholstery and drapery warehouses as well as looking online. Most of the stuff I like is either thin cotton prints or well beyond my budget or only available in drab colors so I am starting to lean towards settling for a non stretchy crushed velvet.

I am a bit reluctant to make a coat in most of the fabrics available as they seem rather thin for such a use. Although I suppose with a decent lining it would be warm enough.

If I was making it for use in defaultia, the choice would be easy but being costume wear I'm looking for something a bit out of the ordinary. No complaints though, the harder I work for it - the more I'll enjoy wearing it.

jella · Post by **jella** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:07 am

Drawingablank wrote:

I am a bit reluctant to make a coat in most of the fabrics available as they seem rather thin for such a use. Although I suppose with a decent lining it would be warm enough.

If I was making it for use in defaultia, the choice would be easy but being costume wear I'm looking for something a bit out of the ordinary. No complaints though, the harder I work for it - the more I'll enjoy wearing it.

My next playa coat is gong to be brocade, I found a huge curtain panel at a garage sale but you might have better luck at thrift stores. whole panel was 5 bucks ! and they even had it dry cleaned

And I agree the more sweat equity you out into a garment the more you enjoy it, and keep track of !

jella · Post by **jella** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:08 am

Stupid comp....Ugh it shows blocked content so I re-submit the post and wham three show up

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:09 am

What are you making?

Fufa · Post by **Fufa** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:45 pm

I was contemplating making my own mini-vests from some warm and fuzzy material, and then behold! I found these at the thrift shop today! $2 sunglasses and $6 vests from the kids section. I got this black vest, and a hot pink one too! I am so pleased right now.

delle · Post by **delle** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:10 am

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!

I'm lmao at the various thoughts of onlookers as you tried that on that kids vest in the store. Musta been quite a range.

Very nice score!

Fufa · Post by **Fufa** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:07 am

Somehow, given the other people there (picking out theme costumes for 80s parties), I don't think I got THAT many stares

Purrjian · Post by **Purrjian** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:00 am

Reduce, reuse, recycle, burn ...

http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/22/re ... tml?hpt=C2

Costume & Crafting Help

Togs from trash