I've conquered the sleeves, tamed the zippers and answered the eternal question: just what the hell can I use to make realistic looking guts? I'll come to that in a minute, but first the dress:
And here's a detail of the arm (I didn't have enough of the red fabric so I improvised)
I've also revamped the cheap prop hatchet I got and it has been transformed from this: to this:
Igor has had his teeth fitted: (I think he really likes them)
And (essential to my costume) my hood is done!
Now, as to guts. I was fully prepared to work with pig intestine casings to make realistic looking guts for Igor. Fortunately for my budget, my vegetarian friends and perhaps those who will have to smell Igor on Halloween, I've found an alternative: old bike tire tubes. These should be thin and flexible enough to mold into the configurations I need, while being more durable and (let's face it) won't rot. Perfect!
Next up on The Strange Stitchery: How to make the best fake guts ever!
They are done! Well, except for needing buttons by which to attach the suspenders, and they do need to be ironed, and maybe taken in a smidge at the waist (I might just add a nifty little cinching buckle in the back like on vests) - but other than that: DONE! Rejoice!
So, I am getting there on the dress for my Halloween costume, Igor's pants just need the zippers (that's right, plural) and I have almost everything else I need except for the gory effects. Still, progress has been slow. I do have a good excuse though: I'm belly dancing! I made my first performance costume and actually danced in public (scary and awesome!). Also, my best friend had to go and get married and I decided the best thing to do was to make her something for her wedding night. So it's not like I've been lazy, just distracted from finishing the Halloween costumes.
First, a few picture of the headdress I made for dancin'. It's mostly lace and a flayed bracelet with two beaded appliques (not made by me) all set securely on a headband.
Here are a couple shots of the headdress (and me!) in action.
I also made myself some *huge* and quite comfy harem pants. They will get a lot of use in the future! As soon as I get a good pic of them I'll post it.
For my hitched friend, I made her what I've since dubbed a "bedroom bustle". This is a fluffy, frilly, frothy bit of silliness that is meant to be worn over something, under something or without anything else at all. I'm not usually a frilly person, so this was hilarious to make. Yes, it's hard to sew in a straight line when you're giggling. It can also be worn as a wrap!
With all that done, and it being nearly mid-August(!), it's time to return to the Halloween costumes. My plan is to have the garments done by the end of this month and then spend September perfecting makeup and prosthetics (which may involve working with real pig intestine casings, we'll see as I'm still looking for an alternative for Igor's guts).
Today it seems easy to start thinking about Halloween as it feels like fall. The air is brisk, the sky is a mesmerizing molted gray and I can almost smell the woodsmoke and falling leaves. This summer's been wonderful, and I'm learning to appreciate the sunny season, but I'm getting giddy for autumn to return.
So, in my next post I'll show pics of my recent productivity, but first I must rave about the new "perfume" I just bought. I put perfume in quotes because I have never been a perfume person, to me perfume was something that old ladies and high maintenance types wore - but all that has changed. There are an amazing array of natural scents out there these days, hand mixed by artisans and all made without animal testing or chemicals. And I've fallen in love with one of them.
Before I go on, let me make this clear: I love the smell of figs. Fresh figs, fig dishes, and especially fig essences (here imagine me rubbing my hands together and saying 'essences' like that creepy mad scientist Skesis from the Dark Crystal). Up until a few months ago it was almost impossible to find a good fig lotion or soap like I had years ago when I first discovered my obsession. Then I started finding fig products everywhere. I got soap and candles and body wash, but still could not find a good fig lotion I liked. Then I searched on Etsy (which is a whole different obsession). When I searched the word fig a shop called The Morbid The Merrier was one of the first that came up, selling a fig perfume and even though I wasn't looking for a perfume the name of the shop and the look of the bottle made me click through. TMTM sells perfumes with names like Saucy Jack, Barnum, Harlot and Lizzie. She also has a black fig concoction called Athelia. I know what you're thinking: Ooo, that sounds beautiful - wait, isn't that the name of a fungus and a rare congenital disease? Right on all three accounts, which is what makes it so awesome!
I just received my little Morbid package this morning and the scent does not disappoint. It is layered and rich and very figgy without being too heavy or sweet. Now that I know Morbid mixes a mean scent I am fairly giddy for the next line she is coming out with which will include perfumes inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (my favorite short story of all time!), including a Horseman scent that sounds swoon worthy!
So, having shamelessly promoted this artist, go check out her wares on Etsy here, or at her new shop site The Morbid The Merrier.
I got the fabric for Igor's pants and man is it stipey! I've also collected all the fabric I need for my dress and am ready to start cutting and sewing.
The pants are already about half done - easiest things ever! At least so far, but I still have to fit them and put in the zipper.
For his frock coat I'm combining a blazer that Igor wore a couple years ago with another second-hand blazer to get the correct length. I have a pattern to go off, but it's just going to be easier to put it together without the patter (plus the coats already have finished hems I can use - plus I just don't have enough fabric to cut out the pattern pieces).
Now, if I could only figure out how to get started on my dress because that is one involved pattern.
On the makeup front I've been purusing wolf looks and gash options. I came across the video below and might actually spring for the sculpt gel she uses because it makes some amazing looking wounds.
that I needed this top for my LLR costume. An actual victorian era blouse that's in my size and I could (potentially) afford. Sigh, but I just couldn't justify the purchase - especially since I've been spending so much money on other bits for costumes - so instead I memorialize it here.
This blouse needed love and a home - and I just couldn't give it to it.
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.
