Costume & Crafting Help

[gidget]

You can also get some gentle-release blue masking tape and cover the edges (get the wide one) and then just peel it as you sew the pieces together. The tape will pull some of the fur off but at least it won't be flying all over your house and up your nose.

That's a really good tip! Never heard of doing that before!

[EmilyD]

You can also get some gentle-release blue masking tape and cover the edges (get the wide one) and then just peel it as you sew the pieces together. The tape will pull some of the fur off but at least it won't be flying all over your house and up your nose.

That's a really good tip! Never heard of doing that before!

Yeah you can actually sew through paper and tape but the tape may make your needle sticky. You can clean the gunk off with rubbing alcohol. ;-)

[EmilyD]

So nobody has ever sewn shadecloth?

[trystanthegypsy]

nope, though it's on my lists of projects for the summer...

[EmilyD]

nope, though it's on my lists of projects for the summer...

Okay so we'll experiment together then. ;-) Where are you getting yours? I found a pretty reasonable source: http://www.gemplers.com/shop/shade-cloth-b

[EmilyD]

In case anyone is looking for petticoats and pettipants here are some links. I'm not sure why they're all in the Northwest but they all have comparable prices and a big array of colors:

Portland, OR: http://carriebs.com/

Lynnwood, WA: http://www.petticoatjct.com/index.htm

Seattle, WA: http://www.dancecenter.com/

[trystanthegypsy]

nope, though it's on my lists of projects for the summer...

Okay so we'll experiment together then. Where are you getting yours? I found a pretty reasonable source: http://www.gemplers.com/shop/shade-cloth-b

I will probably just get mine at a brick & mortar, shipping anything over the border is a HUGE pain. I just went over my budget, and I have to sell a bunch of my clothes or get some serious commissions before I can buy ANYTHING else for the burn... which makes it hard to work on projects without supplies. For now I just get to sew and work with what I have Being an unemployed gypsy clothing seller is hard...

Let me know how yours goes!

[AntiM]

I covet the gold lame pettipants. I wonder if that's actually my size or if the charts lie. They so often do.

[Token]

Gemplers is good if you buy from stock and need it in a few days. They are fast.

You can get much better prices for shade materials from other vendors if you can tolerate the 4 week lead times.

[EmilyD]

I covet the gold lame pettipants. I wonder if that's actually my size or if the charts lie. They so often do.

If they're by Sam's they run pretty true to size or even a bit large.

[EmilyD]

Gemplers is good if you buy from stock and need it in a few days. They are fast.

You can get much better prices for shade materials from other vendors if you can tolerate the 4 week lead times.

Token, how have you finished your shade cloth edges?

[Rice]

I would actually love a whole sub-forum on costumes & crafting, so we could have specific topics. but then i'm a sewing geek.

my hints? Double stitch the shoulders on fur stuff- it's heavy.

CUT FUN FUR WITH AN EXACTO KNIFE!!!

from the back side. it's like 10000x easier and your living room looks less like you murdered a squirrel.

HAHAHAH!!!! As I wipe coffee off my screen...

For all the winy, demanding posts we see there is always a awesome jem!!

I can sew buttons. Mostly where they belong, sometimes to my pant leg. When it comes to costuming, I envy your skill...

Rice.

[elmozap]

Arrrgghh. I have no sewing talents - guess I will wear beads and dangling earrings and regular clothes and call it done. Actually, if I bring fabrics, maybe I could trade someone who can sew a really nice footrub for a costume?

[theCryptofishist]

Some people do bring treadle machines out, but don't expect to find many who are going to want to spend hours of their burn making you a costume. There are costume camps and thrift stores and glues that work on fabric and seamstresses for hire.

[Token]

Gemplers is good if you buy from stock and need it in a few days. They are fast.

You can get much better prices for shade materials from other vendors if you can tolerate the 4 week lead times.

Token, how have you finished your shade cloth edges?

I didn't. I got the clip things they sell for it. It is knit shade cloth so no hemming needed.

Btw, I don't use it on Playa. It's in my garden at home.

[elmozap]

[quote="theCryptofishist"]Some people do bring treadle machines out, but don't expect to find many who are going to want to spend hours of their burn making you a costume. There are costume camps and thrift stores and glues that work on fabric and seamstresses for hire.[/quote]

Not really thinking anyone would take time out for this - just yakking. So glad I am finally coming to my first burn that I lurk around all the forums reading.

[jella]

this is sort of a double post but thought it would help folks out here.
I found a neat tutorial on tutu's wanted to share
http://hubpages.com/hub/TuTu-Tutorials

[EmilyD]

Gemplers is good if you buy from stock and need it in a few days. They are fast.

You can get much better prices for shade materials from other vendors if you can tolerate the 4 week lead times.

No shit they're fast! I ordered it yesterday and it came today at no extra charge!

[EmilyD]

this is sort of a double post but thought it would help folks out here.
I found a neat tutorial on tutu's wanted to share :)
http://hubpages.com/hub/TuTu-Tutorials

Excellent, thanks for posting this find jella!

[Token]

@emillyD

If you got the knit shade cloth and you want to hem them, easiest is to tape them. Gaffers tape, gorilla tape, duct tape, whatever type you like.

They really don't need taping since they are knit and won't run or shed. No moop.

[EmilyD]

@emillyD

If you got the knit shade cloth and you want to hem them, easiest is to tape them. Gaffers tape, gorilla tape, duct tape, whatever type you like.

They really don't need taping since they are knit and won't run or shed. No moop.

Whew, thanks for that info Token. You just saved me hours of work.

[EmilyD]

Gemplers is good if you buy from stock and need it in a few days. They are fast.

You can get much better prices for shade materials from other vendors if you can tolerate the 4 week lead times.

Token, how have you finished your shade cloth edges?

I didn't. I got the clip things they sell for it. It is knit shade cloth so no hemming needed.

Btw, I don't use it on Playa. It's in my garden at home.

Yeah I got the clip thingies too. I will be using it at home after Playa use. We will hang it from the shade structure that will be keeping (hopefully) our little popup trailer cool.

[Token]

I love shade cloth. I had a 24' x 20' piece of 90% that went to the playa half dozen times and it works very well.

I ended up installing that piece over my deck and the temperature dropped 20 degrees there during the summer which in LA is 9 months long.

I also have a bunch of 40% aluminet I got from Gemplers over my heirloom tomato garden. Even better than the regular shade cloth. Much lighter. I built a framework out if 1/2 inch conduit for dirt cheap and the tomatoes love it.

For playa I use white camo netting doubled up. I got a bunch long ago and it has yet to fail me on the playa. 9 years of BRC, regionals and mojave camping and no rips or tears.

I love getting all geeky about my obscure hobbies.

[EmilyD]

I love shade cloth. I had a 24' x 20' piece of 90% that went to the playa half dozen times and it works very well.

I ended up installing that piece over my deck and the temperature dropped 20 degrees there during the summer which in LA is 9 months long.

I also have a bunch of 40% aluminet I got from Gemplers over my heirloom tomato garden. Even better than the regular shade cloth. Much lighter. I built a framework out if 1/2 inch conduit for dirt cheap and the tomatoes love it.

For playa I use white camo netting doubled up. I got a bunch long ago and it has yet to fail me on the playa. 9 years of BRC, regionals and mojave camping and no rips or tears.

I love getting all geeky about my obscure hobbies. :)

I bought three 12'x20' panels to cover a 12'x20'x10' structure with 80% shadecloth. That should do us. Yeah, through this planning process I've become a equipment geek. I was already a sewing geek (like several people here) but I've always liked building stuff and making something out of nothing whenever possible. It's a satisfying challenge.

[EmilyD]

What's the best way to temporarily attach faux fur to a bike frame? I was going to use velcro and then zip-tie a string of lights on over it but thought I'd better check with more experienced folks.

[Orchid]

What's the best way to temporarily attach faux fur to a bike frame? I was going to use velcro and then zip-tie a string of lights on over it but thought I'd better check with more experienced folks.

Skip the velcro and just use the zip ties. Two birds, one stone and all that stuff

Edited to add: make sure the "nubby" end of the zip ties are all pointed down so you don't scratch your legs on them when you're riding.

[Token]

I have had good results with the grommet pliers from craft stores. The ones that punch a hole, insert grommet, squeeze, done.

Granted, I'm a big guy, so the squeeze part is no problem.

I still have the fur on my bike from 2002. Same bike, same tires, never cleaned just oiled.

[EmilyD]

Thanks for the tips Orchid & Token.

I started working on covering up my thrift store coat. Here's a sneak peek:


Oh and I wanted to share a lights source that I heard about on Tribe:

http://www.michaelslights.com/

I haven't used them but someone named Gwen recommended their stuff.

[Orchid]

That's going to be gorgeous, Emily!! *applause*

Last night I made a hat out of some silver quilted fabric I had laying around. It looks like a tea cozy. A head cozy, perhaps?

Do any of you have any advice/patterns for making a boot cover? I want to make furry barbarian-looking covers for My Sweet Love's boots, but I'm having trouble with making a pattern.

[LeChatNoir]

Arrrgghh. I have no sewing talents - guess I will wear beads and dangling earrings and regular clothes and call it done. Actually, if I bring fabrics, maybe I could trade someone who can sew a really nice footrub for a costume?

Don't let that stop you. Seriously. I had no idea how to sew until about six months before my first burn. Headed west that year with a bunch of sarongs, a kilt, plus a soft-top camper for my truck made from tonneau cover material.

You can do it, you just gotta get started. Being nuts helps with tackling projects, too. It's easier than you think. Look at the clothes you are wearing, examine the ways they are put together. They can teach you how to sew.

Try Goodwill for machines. Older treadles work great and don't have to be plugged in. Mine is an treadle and I love it.