An Update Of Sorts

Just a hello from your too-often-absent author.
I haven't had much time to post much here, since work and other activities have been keeping me busy; however, I will say that much of that has involved some costuming of the burlesque variety for a new stage persona! If only I had some good photos, but those might follow soon.

In other news; all the materials needed for my version of Elsa's Snow Queen gown from Frozen have been collected. Next week, I dive in headfirst to at least finish this one, and perhaps start on the coronation gown.
I think the only other thing I want to get are some of the chunky rectangle Swarovski crystals and smaller round flatbacks for the bodice details.
To make things move along even faster, I've found a few patterns to use as the basis for the skirt and bodice, and I just need to decide on a different closure for the bodice. I'm considering placing a strong zipper to the side of the center back. The center back will have lacing to adjust the bodice a sleek fit. (I've been hitting the gym and suddenly started losing excess winter weight from my waist and upper back, so I need this to fit snugly later on too!)
I may need to make two totally separate versions of this costume, since one will be for a burlesque act.
As much as possible, I want to be able to keep the 'real' one nice for events like Dragon Con and Disneyland costume events. Burlesque costumes get tossed, thrown, pulled, stepped on and flung on stage. Light colors such as pastel blue/aqua get dingy quickly, and beads & rhinestones pop off or get damaged. It's a hard-knock life for those creations and they often need replacing. I have some older stage costumes that look perfect on stage from the audience, but I would never want to wear them in broad daylight or convention lighting, nor up close in person for photographs.
Plus, it will be easier to make various layers for the burlesque version and focus on the performance itself, if I'm not worrying about the safety of my costume ;-)

So, you can look forward to more updates in the following weeks as my adventures in cosplay ensue.
I'm excited to once again experiment with Dharma acid dyes for this project, to get a slight ombre effect on Elsa's skirt.

'Valkyrie' Photos

Photo by RJ Johnson

As per my last burlesque costuming posts, here are more photos of the act in motion; my tribute to Loie Fuller.

"Loie Fuller (born Mary Louise Fuller in 1862) was one of the most innovative dance artists of the twentieth century. Her work influenced not only future artists in modern dance, such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham, but also a whole range of poets, painters, sculptors, and intellectuals. She brought both revolutionary dance forms and technical innovations in costume and lighting to American, Caribbean, London, and Paris stages." - The Modernism Lab

I, however; put a little personal twist on mine, adding a bit of Scandinavian lore in the form of crystallized deer antlers and the coloring of the costume itself. The theme is The Valkyrie.

Photos by Johnny Crash





Photo by RJ Johnson

Wow...That Actually Worked!

Dyeing is no easy process, especially when dealing with lots of fabric.
My past experience with using dye to color fabrics has been on a much smaller scale, so I was a bit intimidated at first. Not for the solid color pieces, but the two-tone effect I was after on the largest piece. This process is also known as Ombré.

Luckily for this newbie, I was just using one color; a lovely blood red onto the hem of a white silk 'cape'.
During the process, it looked as though I'd just prepared the neighbors for dinner..muwaha.
(Don't worry, those are just mannequin arms in the background. Part of an old Halloween zombie prop of Anders').

I had discovered there was a tiny hole in my glove. Oops.

Really, it's not what it looks like.

Success! So far.

If you're curious, the red hem is supposed to be as if it were dragged through a battlefield, so I wasn't going for a perfect gradient to the color.
The surprising ease in which the projects of the day transpired, also involved my search for some fake hair for the headdress portion of this costume. I ended up finding a great local place, just minutes form my house. I found exactly what I needed and fast. A rare thing for a last minute adventure on a Saturday evening, let alone finding the closest shade of blonde I need.

Super long, and each pack was only $5

As for the headdress, more to come on that subject soon ;-)