Costume & Crafting Help

[FIGJAM]

http://www.gammarelli.com/ing/chisiamo.aspx?lingua=EN

[Drawingablank]

Will you still be in business somewhere?

*crosses fingers, still waiting for news on this*

Sorry to keep you hanging, but I'm just now starting to get things back in order. I may have posted this elsewhere, but things are so hectic I don't remember.

Yes, still in business. We are reverting the business back to 100% online sales. The storefront was costing me 80k a year to operate and in this economy that made it a money pit.

We have gone back to the way we did business in the 90's. Seems like a giant leap backwards, but while not hugely profitable, the business is no longer hemmoraging money. Now to just get caught up on all this debt.

The only thing I really miss is the daily interactions with customers, as now I just get to talk to the mailman and UPS driver.

[Savannah]

Will you still be in business somewhere?

*crosses fingers, still waiting for news on this*

Sorry to keep you hanging, but I'm just now starting to get things back in order. I may have posted this elsewhere, but things are so hectic I don't remember.

Yes, still in business. We are reverting the business back to 100% online sales. The storefront was costing me 80k a year to operate and in this economy that made it a money pit.

We have gone back to the way we did business in the 90's. Seems like a giant leap backwards, but while not hugely profitable, the business is no longer hemmoraging money. Now to just get caught up on all this debt.

I used to work for a small business that had to take things online. It was really scary for them, but they're doing a LOT better now. No shame in it. It's not a step backwards, in my eyes. On the contrary--I think it's very flexible and realistic. I think it takes guts to adapt and experiment. Some folks never can.

Glad to see you.

[Drawingablank]

I used to work for a small business that had to take things online. It was really scary for them, but they're doing a LOT better now. No shame in it. It's not a step backwards, in my eyes. On the contrary--I think it's very flexible and realistic. I think it takes guts to adapt and experiment. Some folks never can.

Glad to see you.

Well it is a step backwards in that the business started that way so basically I am right back where I was inthe 90's, except with a massive debt load now.

Trying to keep a positive attitude, but things are seriously screwed up right now.

[Ratty]

I'm hearing the 'buzz' in our little group about costuming. It's time to start stitching, gluing and painting your dream clothes.

[Drawingablank]

Picked up several yards of assorted tri color monster fur.

[slvrnmph]

I've already been sewing this year. First piece for a friend is what I am calling the galaxy kilt. I made up new pocket construction for this one, and added blue rhinestone rivets for more detail.







And I made myself some leggings.

[Drawingablank]

Saw this today and thought some of you mighht get a kick out of it.

[Savannah]

Beautiful work, Slvrnmph!

[Ratty]

SLVRNMPH, Now that is a beautiful kilt. I love the idea of the store-bought ones but they are so drab. Take a bow. Good job.

[VultureChow]

Anyone have any brilliant ideas on how to add pockets to a non pocketed coat?

Not a great sewer, but would want them on the inside of the coat anyway so as not to disturb the look of it. But there's only a thin nylon liner.

[Drawingablank]

For a while now I have been using a rotary cutter to cut my patterns because it is easier on my arthritic hands, faster, and minimizes the time spent leaning over the table which is rough on my back.

Having decided to try some high pile monster fur, I realised that the rotary cutter would not work well and my scissors was pretty crappy so I went to buy a new one.

I discovered a product by Fiskars called Easy Action Scissors #8. These are so much easier to use than a traditional scissors. Basically 4 fingers go in the bottom and they operate by closing your hand (like making a fist). They are spring loaded open, have a cusioned grip, and are offset to cut while against a board if you like to pin to a pattern board.

If you have trouble with traditional scissors you might want to try a pair of these.

[Drawingablank]

Anyone have any brilliant ideas on how to add pockets to a non pocketed coat?

Not a great sewer, but would want them on the inside of the coat anyway so as not to disturb the look of it. But there's only a thin nylon liner.

Make the pockets, pin in place and hand sew them through to the outside. Use a thread that matches the outside and bring each stitch back through close to where it came out.

[VultureChow]

Anyone have any brilliant ideas on how to add pockets to a non pocketed coat?

Not a great sewer, but would want them on the inside of the coat anyway so as not to disturb the look of it. But there's only a thin nylon liner.

Make the pockets, pin in place and hand sew them through to the outside. Use a thread that matches the outside and bring each stitch back through close to where it came out.

I was trying not to mar the outside, but it does have those idiotic fake pocket flaps that women's clothing always has to have. I'll bet I can go behind those and hide most of my horrible stitching.

Thanks.

[Ratty]

Embrace your stitching. If you can't hide it, make it show BIG TIME.

(Check out my new sig line)

[VultureChow]

Embrace your stitching. If you can't hide it, make it show BIG TIME.

I might even try to embelish more than I was originally. It's got a bit of a military cut, so I'm thinking some gold fringe might be in order.

(Check out my new sig line)

I just saw that above. I've never posted anything sig line worthy. I'm honored.

[FIGJAM]

I don't sew much either.

If I were doing inside pockets, I would cut a square the size I wanted the pocket, then use gorilla tape to attach it to the inside.

If I wanted it more permanent, I would run a bead of 100% silicone around the 3 sides of the pocket and just press it in place.

After the silicone cures, I would be surprised if it ever came loose.

GOOP or E-9000 would be indestructible, but still flexable!

[theCryptofishist]

I found a glitter painting for AntiM. It is mooping. I was thinking of putting a few layers of acrilic medium on it to seal it. Do you have a better idea?

[MyDearFriend]

I found a glitter painting for AntiM. It is mooping. I was thinking of putting a few layers of acrilic medium on it to seal it. Do you have a better idea?

Fishy, I dunno about the glitter on your painting but I use spray acrylic sealer to keep the glitter from mooping off my bras. Works fine even through the washer/dryer.

And Bobbin, for cutting long-pile fake fur I use an exacto knife on the backing and then pull the pile apart; draw your cutting line first with a sharpie. Trim the pile from your seam allowance and you are good to go. That's what I learned watching the naked lady make a hat on you-tube, but, I understand that some of the content there is lost on male people...

[Drawingablank]

And Bobbin, for cutting long-pile fake fur I use an exacto knife on the backing and then pull the pile apart; draw your cutting line first with a sharpie. Trim the pile from your seam allowance and you are good to go. That's what I learned watching the naked lady make a hat on you-tube, but, I understand that some of the content there is lost on male people...

LOL, well I learned how to work with fur from that video too and don't recall her using an exacto. I just pin my pattern and cut the backing using really short snips with just the front of the scisssors. I'll dig out a scalpel and try it as that is probably much faster.

[Ratty]

Was that naked lady making something? Really? I missed it. Get the industrial razor cutter out of your toolbox. That's what I use.

[MikeGyver]

The only one I watched was her making the fur hat and she used scissors, but we use Xacto knives to cut fur too. Not sure if it will be any faster, but you don't cut any of the fur. Like Ratty said, a box cutter will work just fine. I actually like using them better since its more to hold onto, Holding the thin Xacto knife gets annoying sometimes.

[Savannah]

I'm glad to hear a box cutter works, because that does sound easiest.

I would probably give DAB's trick of tiny snips an attempt, too.

[Bounce530]

I have a bunch of thin fabric that I want to make into flags for my MV, right now it's just a 2yd piece of fabric. My thought is to cut it to the desired shape, then use 'stitch witchery' fusible bonding tape for the edges. Then lay a bead of hot glue along the back edge of the flag and place it on the PVC flag pole, then rotate the pole, lay another bead, and on and on, till I get back to where I started. So my questions are;
Will the bonding tape keep the edges from fraying while the flags flap in the wind?
and,
Is the hot glue idea ok? The hot glue has held up with loads of other projects that I've worked on for the event. Or what would be a better way to attach them to PVC?

I guess I should add that I don't have, or have access to a sewing machine..and if I did, I wouldn't have the first idea of how to use it.

[Drawingablank]

I have a bunch of thin fabric that I want to make into flags for my MV, right now it's just a 2yd piece of fabric. My thought is to cut it to the desired shape, then use 'stitch witchery' fusible bonding tape for the edges. Then lay a bead of hot glue along the back edge of the flag and place it on the PVC flag pole, then rotate the pole, lay another bead, and on and on, till I get back to where I started. So my questions are;
Will the bonding tape keep the edges from fraying while the flags flap in the wind?
and,
Is the hot glue idea ok? The hot glue has held up with loads of other projects that I've worked on for the event. Or what would be a better way to attach them to PVC?

I guess I should add that I don't have, or have access to a sewing machine..and if I did, I wouldn't have the first idea of how to use it.

I haven't had great success with fusible bonding tape, and seriously doubt it would hold up to the winds all week. If sewing is not an option, I would probably consider goop, barge contact cement, or some other adhesive.

As for hot glue I've never tried it on the playa since I've seen so many folks suggest not using it that I would probably attach them with the same adhesive.

Hopefully some others will weigh in on this as well since I don't normally glue fabric too often.

[Bounce530]

Thanks DAB.
I wasn't at all sure about this bonding tape, but bought some since it was cheap.

[Drawingablank]

Thanks DAB.
I wasn't at all sure about this bonding tape, but bought some since it was cheap.

Generally I find it is only useful for holding difficult to pin stuff together until I sew it.

[Savannah]

DaB's right. Stitch Witchery and other bonding tape is gentle stuff. It can't be relied upon for a flag. There have been mixed reviews on hot glue. Some people said "It's let me down!" others have said "Never a problem!" It could be a matter of technique/workmanship.

Figjam was talking about GOOP (an adhesive) several posts up. I'll bet that stuff would work pretty well. I see that there is a Sport & Outdoor version which can repair tents, bike tubes, backpacks, raingear . . . oo, now I want some.

You could cut your flag to the size you want (but a couple of inches longer, so you have something to work with) and then run several stripes of GOOP on perhaps 3 sides of the flagpole, lay the pole down on the fabric and roll it carefully more than one full turn, such that the pole will glue to the fabric and then one more stripe to glue the fabric to itself. Then clamp it for a while. I've never tried this, mind you, but I believe it could work.

I just googled to see if there are spray sealants for your cut edges (I am more accustomed to fray check liquids, on small areas) and it turns out there are sprays! Fray Stop, Sprayway, etc.

You can also do your cutting with pinking shears (sawtooth scissors) to help limit fraying.

[Elorrum]

Love Goop. it doesn't melt in the heat, but stays pliable, and can be pulled off semi smooth surfaces if needed.
high odor density (?) though, so don't use inside if odors are a problem for you.
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34090

[FIGJAM]

I made a big FIGJAM pennent for my trike out of billboard vinyl.

I used 3 screws to attach it to the pvc pole.

No problems yet.