Trying to concentrate on things other than Halloween

So, I've started my next dancing bra - nope it's not the one I showed last time. Instead, it's a basic striped covering I'll be able to build on and make more interesting in the future, but for now it's just something I can wear under a vest that goes with the next costume.

So it begins:



In non-bellydance, not even Halloween, related news, I'm making a new cropped hoodie for myself. I found a button up cardigan-type shirt at Goodwill that I liked the buttons and unfinished hem on, but the cut was all wrong. So, I took off the bottom of the thing and am making it into a hood.


Hope this will be a quick project so I can start to wear it as the weather turns more and more Spring-like (alright, maybe I'm getting a little bit excited about it).

While I work tonight, Igor and I are watching a classic: Leon, The Professional. Jean Reno, one of Natalie Portman's good roles, and a drug crazed Gary Oldman - yes, please! My only question is: why do they make such crappy trailers for such awesome movies?

Already? Really?

The last couple days I've felt a little wistful for Fall. For those who worship the sunnier seasons, this probably sounds crazy. Maybe it's all the costuming I've been doing the last few weeks, maybe it's because I've been doing some Halloween 2011 planning and purchasing . . but I kinda wish it was the beginning of Autumn instead of Spring. I know, I know, winter's just ended and here I want crisp winds and decaying leaves already. I'm sure I'll change my mind on the first truly glorious day we have, but for now I'll dream of Fall.

Speaking of which, Halloween costume stuff!

This mask will become part of Igor's evil gnome face once it's painted up right.


This is the fur I just purchased to make my take and ears

It's almost mangy enough, maybe if I rub it around in the dirt a bit . . .

Bra



Skirt




Belt





Headdress




Underneath I wore these nice subtlety sparkly pants and the vest I wore is currently undergoing modifications for another costume. Speaking of which, I have to finish the next dance costume by May 5th because I perform again on the 6th! Woohoo? What happened to my promise to myself to not perform again until August? Oh well.

The Costuming - Halloween 2010

I've already started my and Igor's costumes for Halloween this year, partially because I want to try and make as much of them as possible, and partially because I don't want to wait 'till the last minute and then spend a whole bunch of time and money on the things I need to complete the costumes at the last minute. So, I'm doing them gradually and I'm doing them cheap (as possible).

The costumes: Quasi-Late Victorian Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood - after she gets out of his stomach (this means lots o' blood and scratches on me and for Igor his guts falling out of a slit across the stomach of his vest)

So far I have
- Patterns for everything I need to sew
- Fake fur for Igor's ears
- Fangs
- Liquid Latex (because of zombie related activities I always have a supply on hand)
- A jacket to modify into Igor's frock coat
- Shoes for both of us (from past costumes)

What I need
- Fabric for my dress, my vest and Igor's pants
- Fabric for my hood (can't forget that)
- Make-up for Igor's wolf face
- Flower for my hair (properly wilted and perhaps half digested)

First, I'm making a test vest for myself out of Simplicity "sewstylish" #2862. I'm going to have to adjust the vest to give it a more Victorian look, but nothing too drastic. My friend Sara, who also happens to be a sewing genius, is helping with the fitting.

I just bought a vest I can use for Igor.

So far I've already removed the zippers and plan on adding pocket flaps and perhaps trimming the edge with black silk or velvet - on the other hand I may not do too much with the vest since I am just going to slit it open in the end and the main feature of it will be Igor's wolfy guts hanging out of it. I chose a double breasted vest so there will be more fabric available to attach the guts to. In the past I've had trouble getting the guts to stay in place and/or the backing I've put in to support them slipping out and showing.

Well, it has begun.

Next step: getting fabric for my dress and Igor's pants.