Celluloid Machinations

Pattern selection for Vintage Sewalong

2011-01-02T01:53:00.000-08:00

This is the pattern I have chosen, which I purchased over a year ago from "eva dress". It is based on a design that Katherine Hepburn wore in "Christopher Strong."

It is a 16, which will only involve some minor size alterations, mostly in length and hip. I intend to do version A, but do not know if I will do the hat.

For fabric, I have a piece of wool plaid I purchased on the Isle of Islay during a vacation in Scotland. I believe the pattern is titled "Lord of the Isle" I need to buy a matching fabric for the skirt/dress and lining, and buttons - which may end up as covered buttons.

Reading the instructions, it appears that the dress was not intended to be worn without the jacket. After the mock-up, I may choose a contrasting fabric for the "underbody" so that it will stand by itself.

Vintage Sewalong 2011

2010-12-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

here we go a blogging, as a New Year's resolution/schedule tightener/and general improvement of process, I have decided to join in an online sewalong.

Vintage Sewalong of 2011

couple of additions and self governing rules I am adding for myself:

* I sew from vintage patterns all the time, as most of my fairly large collection is vintage, so I cannot choose a pattern I have already used.
* I am always sewing costumes, so this cannot be a burlesque or Rocky Horror
* this can be a costume compliment for pre and post performance
* this can be a photoshoot or public appearance costume
* I will make a muslin (this is in the guidelines) but I never do this step
* I must post at least 5 times (includes finished and choosing pattern/fabric steps) - I never post anything anywhere - and I need to do th is for several things.

Hopefully, I will end up with an exciting new outfit, and I will improve some of my technical skills - since there will be documentation, and I will work slower than I usually do.

and now - to the pattern bins......

Ahead of my time???

2008-10-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

I was researching a new cigarette girl/usherette costume for a Cult of the Eye project, and came across this picture of a 2007 Barbie...

and couldn't help but think, I made that costume in 2004 for Rocky Horror, because the cast leader/stage manager said I should have a "traditional" Trixie costume (The colors aren't traditional for Rocky, but noone seemed to mind :) )

Skirt vs shorts - funny thing, I always intended to make a matching corset, jacket, pants, and shorts - tuxedo style with the gold stripe up the sides, and purchased enough fabric that I could, maybe I will this year....

This costume actually gets a lot of use, and has been expanded past the original dress and Tea length overskirt (which never gets used). It now includes a matching bra, shimmy belt, crinoline wrap skirt, hat and tray. It is also useful for Christmas.

The other research also presented these options, as an art deco theme is being bantered around -

The military style decorations are very fun, and an easy removable decoration, the other style could just be a simple little dress with some accessories. What I am pretty sure will not be discussed, is the current rock-a-billy/burlesque style of an over-cinched corset over a crinoline skirt.

They will probably end up in a red/black palette, hopefully with some fun flame accents...

I will post the results...

revisiting some old ideas

2008-08-06T03:29:00.000-07:00

I drew this concept for "love for Sale" early 2007 - about Mayish - and pulled it together really quickly for a tour. Did not end up using the version I intended, and wnet through over a dozen before I stopped with Ella. I am currently using some pieces from my costume stash to complete it, and still wonder if I should complete the velvet corset and garter belt.

These show the fabric nicely - it is a subdues green lace on black - I think it will look very nice mounted on black velvet...

I drew this one at about the same time, and even purchased the fabric in a color I was imagining to begin with... haven't made it yet. Which makes me wonder if I should keep holding off till it is needed or let the fabric go to something else.

Also, wanted it to be for "One for the Road" and am still trying to find the right version.

This brings up my obsession with "Saloon Songs" and how pretty and glamorous they make me feel, even though they are some of the saddest and most melancholy pieces around.

Not dead yet

2008-08-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

Crazy idea involving an obscure remix of a skinny puppy song - seems like a good idea, so must be having a crappy week...

anyways, this is a classic and lovely costume worn by Sherry Britton...

I want to build a costume of this style from plastic and metal, some fabric - but ripped and worn, kind of a post-apocalyptic view of burlesque. All in tarnished and old metal colors with dark reds, greens and black.

the song is from a Skinny puppy tribute album titled "Hymns of the Warlock" but the song is not titled correctly on the album - or the title was changed to encompass all of the remixing and and other work done on the song - I recognize the lyrics as "Worlock"

The song has an infectious -bump and grind- beat, and several movie samples that I have not figured out how to deal with.

some other costumes that might lend to this design:

Gypsy Rose Lee

and Lily Munster :)

Just Ask Alice, part I

2008-07-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

This is my sewing and costuming blog, and what better way to get started than to discuss my current project...

Rocky Horror, WUT Theme night - The Rocky Horror Horror Show

I, as Janet Weiss, will be "Alice" from the Resident Evil Franchise - or is that I, as "Alice" will be playing Janet...

either way, you get it.

Now, as with any Rocky Costume, there are a couple of issues:

1-money
2-film accuracy
3-flattering, appropriate
4-functionality
5-Plot line/flow

I"m not going to discuss all of them this time, but will probably come pack to them in a follow up.

This is the look from the first movie, and will probably be used for the "Purples" Looking at it, it shouldn't be hard, but I bet I will have to make the dress from scratch, sincerely doubt I can find one in a thrift or cheap store. She does wear a jacket later in the film, but I don't think I will use it.

This is the look from the second movie - probably used for the pinks. She loses the left leg of her pants during one of the action scenes. I have a pair of old jeans I will die black for this costume and happen to have a net sheath I can modify for the top. will need to get an orange tank. However, two handguns on her thighs, two machine guns on her sides and a sawed off shotgun on her back, plus all the necessary straps and rigging - not as easy - and then I don't know how the stripping in the castle is going to be handled either. I can't fight zombies if they take all my weapons!

For floorshow, I am looking at the third movie. I really like the coat, but probably won't use it. the garter and strap setup work well for stocking and a corset. But again, a bevy of weapons, this time blades, strapped everywhere. The scarf might make a good boa substitute.

This doesn't really leave any options for the bra/slip look Janet wears for most of Rocky - but Alice ends up wrapped in a sheet or towel or hospital gown at the start and end of every movie - so maybe I'll wander across the stage in a sheet between each costume change?

I think this costume will be challenging to assemble, because it will be found items and dyeing, not sewing. I will have to get a wig as well, more red than Milla's hair but still wavy and shoulder length.

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Once I get a camera, I will start posting process and some of my sketches for other projects, and this is how I start a blog :)