A pair of glasses? A pair of glasses?
Okay…
Honestly? Unexpected complexity. And solid colours. This is where the unexpected part comes from 🙂 People see surface decoration and think "complicated" but I generally don't go for that layer of complexity. Mine is in pattern, construction and fit.
Take Elsa:
Fabric:
The fabric is custom dyed. And ombre dyed at that. Sequins. Ombre dyed. And also covered in a brical tulle tinted the same way and treated as one layer. The sequins are sewn in rows similating the vertical lines of sparkle in the original- they are not static but shift with the light, as per the original. The tulle helps knock back extra shine but also creates shade effects.
Pattern:
The skirt is a 7 panel gored shape based on a c1900s pattern, the straight to gored edge matching produces a line totally different to modern formal skirts.
The weight of the sequins makes it swish and yet drape smoothly over the hips.
The bodice is a mix of modern and late 19thC techniques- I was going to double dart only but the bodice swoopa back up and over the bust so needs to be smaller at the neckline than the bust so as to not come away from the actual bust underneath.
Construction:
The bodice liningis made from cross stretch charmeause wrong sides together, bust padded in graduating circles and boning to support the high back (high backs are not in fashion but they avoid cutting in to the flesh- also Elas's back is cut very high indeed). This padding also pushed the bust up very high like the original and like the 1890s (Elsa's wardrobe is 1890s in shape not 1840s like the rest of the cast.)
The skirt lining was tacked to the bodice then a new waistline created and unpicked then hand sewn then machine sewn.
The bodice shell was eased over and tacked in place, then the skirt shell also hand shaped, unpicked, hand sewn, machine sewn.
So the dress is a shell with all seams inside and a lining with all seams outside (aside from internal bodice support) apart from the bust line and the hem.
The split is part of a seam, this allows it to close completely and open with movement.
The hem was folded twice to make extra weight at the hem, but extra dyeing may have caused the dress to scrink a little, so the hem may be turned inside and some extra dress weights put in.
The zip was sewn by machine in the the lining (it is metal) and is supported by boning each side. The shell was then turned and sewn by hand (a shallow overhand).
So most people will never see this complexity, and only see the sequined bodice 🙂
Speaking of those sequins? I have had to settle on premade rectangles but have already dyed them and am sanding back the corners as well as eventually cutting some in to smaller shapes. Once I can get a tiny tiny hole punch.
So, hidden compexity, large colour blocks.
3. Your most recent costume.
4. Your costume communities, where do you go to talk about costuming?
5. Blatant self plug! Link us to your costume page, be it dA, ACP, Coscom, whatever!
6. Your favourite costume (that you have done)
7. The character you have costumed that is most similar to you (if none that you have costumed, then one that you will costume)8. Your costume plans for the rest of the year (if you have no more for this year, then do next year!)
13. Your costume specialty (ie. something that seems to apply to a large amount of your costumes, it could be a specific series, or a common feature in their appearance, such as glasses)
14. Your costume-making habits (eg. singing while working on costume)
15. Your least favourite thing about costuming
16. Do you belong to any costume groups? If so, what are they?
17. What events have you costumed to?
18. What is your best costume memory?
19. What is your worst costume memory?
20. Have you won any costume awards?
21. Show us your best costume derp photo!
22. Have you worn costumes in a regular situation? (eg. at school, to work)
23. Your most expensive costume
24. Your most comfortable costume and most uncomfortable costume
25. The costume you put the most effort into
26. Any unfinished costumes? Will you ever finish them?
27. How many wigs do you own? Which is your favourite?
28. Where do you work on your costumes and where do you store them when they’re done?
29. What is your favourite costume item? (eg. a pair of shoes, a wig)30. Describe your costuming in three words. No more, no
less.