Costume & Crafting Help

[Drawingablank]

This is my table, I freaking LOVE IT.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718

I also have the fold out cardboard thing, but don't really use it. Usually I'm on the floor (rug) or at that table.

Nice, I may just build something like that over the winter but much taller. If I'm going to keep making coats I may also build a quilting style table for my machine. I have a standard (fairly compact) sewing machine table / stand but the table to the left of the machine is only about 6" and the weight of a full length lined coat hanging off it makes things more awkward and difficult than they need to be as the coat progresses.

Coat attempt # 2 is done now except for 1 hand sewn hem between the upper and lower linings and the buttons. And as nervous as I was about scaling up a pattern by 10 inches it actually looks right and fits well. I'll post a photo later today.

[MyDearFriend]

Coat attempt # 2 is done now except for 1 hand sewn hem between the upper and lower linings and the buttons. And as nervous as I was about scaling up a pattern by 10 inches it actually looks right and fits well. I'll post a photo later today.

WOO HOO!!! That's fantastic! See?!?!?!!!???? The other coats were not for you.

[Drawingablank]

I was planning to add some EL wire to the coat, but I'm running out of time and way, way over budget so maybe for next year.

[MyDearFriend]

I was planning to add some EL wire to the coat, but I'm running out of time and way, way over budget so maybe for next year.

Check your PMs.

[waxpraxis]

Finally got around to soldering together one of the el wire wings. Took a little bit over an hour... damn my soldering skills have gone to shit!

Well, to be fair, part of it was sorting out the new copper "tape" I was using. The wire came with a few inches of copper tape, but I ran out of that making my disco suit. I ended up picking up some copper foil from the local art store, cutting off a strip and spraying it with spray mount (Super 77) and snipping it into little pieces. It worked just as well as the actual copper tape thank goodness!

[lazerfox]

looking good waxpraxis! Loving the color combination too.

So ran across a snag in the plan...the plan was to attach the light tape with velcro so it could be removed from the clothing to be washed and for ease of use...however didn't realize velcro is so darn expensive and difficult to find in long quantities (need about 10-12 ft). And even if I do find enough of the sew-on kind I realized I would need to glue the side that attaches to the lights. Hmmm.

Do you lovely folks have any recommendations/suggestions/extra velcro??

[MyDearFriend]

I don't think velcro will work. In my experience, the gripper bond between the strips is so much stronger than the adhesive that the adhesive always fails. And, I have read that the playa dust clogs velcro.

I would just sew it in with big long stitches. I have not seen the el-wire tape, but I hear you can sew through it? A long basting stitch should go pretty quick and be easy to remove for washing.

[C.f.M.]

looking good waxpraxis! Loving the color combination too.

So ran across a snag in the plan...the plan was to attach the light tape with velcro so it could be removed from the clothing to be washed and for ease of use...however didn't realize velcro is so darn expensive and difficult to find in long quantities (need about 10-12 ft). And even if I do find enough of the sew-on kind I realized I would need to glue the side that attaches to the lights. Hmmm.

Do you lovely folks have any recommendations/suggestions/extra velcro??

you should be able to buy it by the foot at a fabric store, they sell it on rolls (like elastic and lace)

[lazerfox]

you should be able to buy it by the foot at a fabric store, they sell it on rolls (like elastic and lace)

Yeah I had a ton of problems at the fabric store. They didn't have enough in stock (both times I've checked) and it was 3.99 a yd. I think I found a suitable replacement online that is much cheaper and I think Goop will work to glue the respective pieces to the actual light tape.

MDF I thought that was more of an issue with zippers and velcro was a more durable solution? (One of the reasons they used to use it on military uniforms and such... although they changed them back to buttons as the velcro was too loud in times of combat )

[Drawingablank]

Finally got around to soldering together one of the el wire wings. Took a little bit over an hour... damn my soldering skills have gone to shit!

Well, to be fair, part of it was sorting out the new copper "tape" I was using. The wire came with a few inches of copper tape, but I ran out of that making my disco suit. I ended up picking up some copper foil from the local art store, cutting off a strip and spraying it with spray mount (Super 77) and snipping it into little pieces. It worked just as well as the actual copper tape thank goodness!

Just in case you need more in the future - rolls of self adhesive copper tape can be found at any stained glass supply store and is available in several widths.

[MyDearFriend]

you should be able to buy it by the foot at a fabric store, they sell it on rolls (like elastic and lace)

Yeah I had a ton of problems at the fabric store. They didn't have enough in stock (both times I've checked) and it was 3.99 a yd. I think I found a suitable replacement online that is much cheaper and I think Goop will work to glue the respective pieces to the actual light tape.

MDF I thought that was more of an issue with zippers and velcro was a more durable solution? (One of the reasons they used to use it on military uniforms and such... although they changed them back to buttons as the velcro was too loud in times of combat )

Well I don't know about the playa since I have never been. But, I have thrown away a shit-ton of unused velcro over the years because, nine times out of ten it really is more trouble than it's worth. I repeatedly have thought that velcro would work, but, then found another method to be faster, easier, cheaper and more durable.

If you are choosing velcro for ease of washing, be sure to put the soft side on your garment, because, that spiky side will tear things up.

[lazerfox]

I think this would be cheaper in the long run as the robe itself is not my best work and I think I can make a better one some time later. PLUS I haven't found a very reliable source to describe the proper way to sew the EL-tape and don't want to risk ruining it so close to our departure date.

If you are choosing velcro for ease of washing, be sure to put the soft side on your garment, because, that spiky side will tear things up.

You are an angel from heaven...I would have totally forgotten.

[junglesmacks]

you should be able to buy it by the foot at a fabric store, they sell it on rolls (like elastic and lace)

Yeah I had a ton of problems at the fabric store. They didn't have enough in stock (both times I've checked) and it was 3.99 a yd. I think I found a suitable replacement online that is much cheaper and I think Goop will work to glue the respective pieces to the actual light tape.

MDF I thought that was more of an issue with zippers and velcro was a more durable solution? (One of the reasons they used to use it on military uniforms and such... although they changed them back to buttons as the velcro was too loud in times of combat )

Pssst... don't forget to check Amazon for stuff like this. Get a free Prime trial and get it shipped for 2 day shipping free. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... elcro+tape

[Foxfur]

CFM posted a pic of some lovely glow-in-the-dark jeans on her blog:
http://playabound.wordpress.com
Want!

[waxpraxis]

Just in case you need more in the future - rolls of self adhesive copper tape can be found at any stained glass supply store and is available in several widths.

Thanks! My local art store just recently stopped carrying things for stained glass - they said the exact same thing. Thank goodness the foil worked!

[Drawingablank]

CFM posted a pic of some lovely glow-in-the-dark jeans on her blog:
http://playabound.wordpress.com
Want!

Those are pretty cool, I'm a big fan of glow in the dark stuff especially if made with a quality GID product - I find the common craft store glow paints to be inferior as far as duration of glow. I am planning to outline the patches on my patch pants with GID paint if I dont run out of time before departure, however I suspect making the entire pair of pants glow would make them rather stiff to wear.

[waxpraxis]

Woo hoo, wings are done! Video coming shortly...

[waxpraxis]

And, here's the video: EL wire wings for Burning Man 2011

[MyDearFriend]

Great wings, Waxpraxis! A lovely gift for your lovely wife. Thanks for posting the vid, now I can look for her on the playa!

[SouthernExposure]

And, here's the video: EL wire wings for Burning Man 2011

Very Kewl! Nice use of the technology.

SE

[jella]

~~~~~wild clapping~~~~~~ fabulous, just fabulous !

[lazerfox]

Those turned out great! thanks for taking the time to make a video too!

Can't wait to see you on the playa!

[waxpraxis]

I JUST noticed that one of the strands is out.... DAMMIT!

At least it's just craft foam so I should be able to get in to the connects and fix the busted joint quickly. Grrr...

[Foxfur]

Wow Waxie, those are incredible. I love how you followed the contours so meticulously. You have the patience of a monk.
Great job!

[Drawingablank]

And, here's the video: EL wire wings for Burning Man 2011

Great job on those wings.

[waxpraxis]

Thank ya! I cut out each of the panels and the el wire was sort of like mortar between the panels. That way you can see the lights from the front or back. Everything is held together with a prodigious amount of cyanoacrylate aka Super Glue. It seems to work REALLY well with the craft foam.

[Drawingablank]

Hmm - keep an eye on them for a few days - in my experience CA's melt some foams. The ones I've used were deadly to styrofoam, not sure about craft foam though.

[waxpraxis]

Oh, I did lots of testing first! I even built a simple testing rig that let me hang some weight off of some samples I made with extra foam and left over snippets of el wire.

A few of the other glues I had did eat right through the foam, but plain old superglue did the trick perfectly. The joints aren't particularly flexible, but since the foam is it works out really well.

[lazerfox]

just wanted to say
I finally finished the pants!!!!!


WWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Trying to finish the robe with the el-tape by Wed night...le sigh

[kitkatseattle]

And, here's the video: EL wire wings for Burning Man 2011

Wow, those turned out amazing! I love the sound reactivity setting, can't wait to see these on the playa!