Christmas Anytime

#9 method to get people to stare at you while shopping - tie a Christmas tree skirt around your neck.  They will move far, far away....all the better for you to get your hands on some neat stuff.

Seriously, you have never used Christmas stuff as or on clothing?  It is really a lot of fun and cheap.

Back to the tree skirts - I was shopping at Walmart after Christmas and thought I would look at the decorations.  My color scheme is black, white, silver, and gray and sometimes I get lucky. That year Walmart carried a line of black velvet tree skirts, stockings, and ornaments.  And, yes, I managed to clear the aisle when I tried on the black velvet tree skirt.

I added the fake fur collar.  But it is the back view that makes this $2 find a rare gem.

That is a beautiful tree outlined in black beads. I apologize for the lighting.

Not bad for a quick Victorian mantle - and no sewing required.

Here is my other find - this time at a Garden Ridge Pottery for $1.  I have added the purple trim (reclaimed from another garment).  I love the peacock colors and the hint of feathers in the back view.

Front view

Back View

Always a Bridesmaid - Part 2

Starting to play with the dress just a bit.  I put a high-necked, long-sleeved black lace blouse underneath and pinned some black rose trim to the neckline.  I like the look so far.  Still need to work with the sleeves.

Thinking of a couple of sleeve options.  I could run some elastic and gather them slightly and use the same rose trim as I planned for the neck.    I may use a smaller rose-themed trim for the waist.

Always a Bridesmaid - What to do with the ugly dress

There they are - languishing on the racks of thrift stores everywhere - those what-were-they-thinking bridesmaid and mob/mog gowns.

Sometimes you get lucky - this one was black with no silly decorations and a $10 price tag. The top is an embroidered tone on tone brocade that doesn't suck and thankfully the skirt is unadorned.  The short sleeves could be a problem - but there are remedies.  And - there are no shoulder pads to remove!

I am thinking this could work for a quick Victorian day or evening look.   The dress fits nicely, although it tends to hang off the shoulders a bit, but this could be an advantage.

Front view

Back view

The back has two nicely done satin roses and two long hanging tails.   I look at these as extra material - maybe for lengthening the sleeves.

I collect vintage-looking shawls so I pulled out a few that might work.  Paisley, roses, beading, and tassels are Victorian motifs.  I wanted to soften the neck and sleeve lines.

Silver-gray chiffon with embroidery, beadwork, tassels

Openwork beads and tassels

Black and silver paisley

Black and silver paisley detail

Black lace with embroidered roses and tassels



Chiffon with silver paisley and silver tassels



I like the back view

Of course I can do simple stuff

I do understand that less is more and I can prove it. The following tunics are perfect for the time-traveling witch or wizard, especially if you land in the 11th - 13th centuries.

Black heavy cotton gauze.  The arced hem allows you to display a skirt or underdress. Great for Houston summer wear.

Burgundy Unisex Tunic - cotton/poly - another hot weather outfit

Front view -usually looks best for women

Back view - looks best for men as tunic front

Jade tunic - simple, no trim, hugs curves beautifully and is great for displaying jewelry.  Not the best for summer wear but at least you will look good!

The Phoenix Project

Overrobe - a bit oriental, a bit Queen Amidala-ish.
Underrobe - modified kimono
Gown - purchased

Easily the most complicate costume I have ever attempted.  I wanted to create something really spectacular and original for Portus 2008.  Since I am normally in black, I thought a complete color change might be in order.  I've always loved the legend of the Phoenix and how variations appear in most cultures. 

I wanted at least two pieces - a lightweight robe to convey flames and rebirth and a heavier robe to symbolize aging and death.  I went through a lot of design concepts until I discovered the perfect fabric for the lighter robe - a red-orange-gold ombre chiffon overprinted with gold butterflies. I decided to make a modified kimono to minimize seaming.  I still needed to find the fabric for the heavier robe and some trim for both. 

I was tempted to title this post "You never know what you want until it hurts you" because the perfect fabric did just that - full bolt of a deep orange double layer Indian matte taffeta with dark gold diamond shapes every inch holding the two layers together. As I was carrying my treasure to the cutting counter, I dropped the bolt on my foot and discovered the perfect trim for the new fabric and my completed kimono.

And it gets better.  A few weeks after completing the overrobe, I found a red-orange-yellow ombre evening dress for $2 at a thrift store.

The Overrobe with Kimono Underrobe and Gown

Front View

Front View - Detail

Back View

Back View - Detail

Side View

The Kimono Underrobe and Gown

Front View

Back View

The Gown

Front View

Back View

And, something I don't usually have - me wearing the costume.

This is the lightweight kimono. I draped a gold scarf over a white paper umbrella for a fun, mysterious look! This was taken at the Texas Renaissance Festival in late October or early November and the temperature was in the 80's.

And another, taken at another Renaissance Festival. Did I mention it is hot in Houston even in the middle of winter?  Here I am wearing the heavier overrobe with an Indian choli top and skirt. 

Peacock Robe

 I love the colors in peacock feathers, but I have very bad luck with them.  I had always wanted to do a peacock-inspired gown and was overjoyed when I found a beautiful blue/teal/purple brocade at Wal-Mart for $1 a yard (those were the days when Wal-Marts had fabric departments). Unfortunately, there were only three yards left on the bolt, so my treasure languished for a few years in my fabric horde.

When I was planning costumes for Portus 2008, I attended a garage sale and found a couple of of iridescent purple/teal/blue 72" wide heavy taffeta.  I didn't have the right trim, but I started on the gown anyway.  I managed to find the perfect trim and had to sew it on at the conference.  I generally travel with enough sewing supplies to almost make an outfit!

It is similar in style to my Hufflepuff robe, but the stiffness of the taffeta gives a very different look.  I shorted the train to a 18" sweep. I have not yet found the perfect gown to wear under the robe.

Front View

Back View

Side View

Severus Snape - I've Got Your Robe!

My inspiration for this very Snape-y robe is the beautiful Kimberly Morrison of Sexy Snape/Harry Potter fandom fame.

The fabric is polyester Silk Essence which sews and drapes beautifully. I used McCall's M3789 (all purpose Wizard and Jedi robe pattern) as a starting point.  The wizard robe pattern calls for waaaay too much material, in my humble opinion, so I went through several tries to get the Snape-y, batwing, flowing effect. 

Both front. back, and sleeves feature many, many pleats.

Front View

Back View