Costume & Crafting Help

[EmilyD]

Oh Emily those are soooo cute... gimmie gimmie :)

seriuosly, what brand are those ?

Blush!!! Thanks Jella. I LOVE that these are platforms. I almost left them as is because they're so funny but then couldn't resist adding follage afterall. I think I'm just trying to avoid dealing with our coats. I've realized that we won't be able to sit on the string lights so I have to figure out where to place them for comfort. That will impact the design badly I'm afraid. I was hoping to have them go all over the coat now maybe they have to be just on the shoulders, sleeves and upper chest and back. Any ideas about this?

[Orchid]

Emily, those shoes are awesome! Excellent work!
Have you thought about adding a dab of glow-in-the-dark paint around the edges? It dries clear so won't mess up your beautiful daytime look.

[trystanthegypsy]

OMG I forgot how hard putting linings in vests is.

*smacks head into wall*

[EmilyD]

Emily, those shoes are awesome! Excellent work! :D
Have you thought about adding a dab of glow-in-the-dark paint around the edges? It dries clear so won't mess up your beautiful daytime look.

GREAT IDEA Orchid! Thanks...will get some.

[quote="Tristanthegypsy]

OMG I forgot how hard putting linings in vests is.

*smacks head into wall*[/quote]

Yeah, linings are a BITCH! Are you using that slippery nylon stuff or something else? Is it too late to make it a reversible vest with non-slippy fabric?

[jella]

I think I'm just trying to avoid dealing with our coats. I've realized that we won't be able to sit on the string lights so I have to figure out where to place them for comfort. That will impact the design badly I'm afraid. I was hoping to have them go all over the coat now maybe they have to be just on the shoulders, sleeves and upper chest and back. Any ideas about this?

I've found myself in the same boat lighted coat wise. Got my battery op leds and ran to add them to the coats still puzzling it out Im glad I have open hems at the bottom of my lining though ! I think I'm gping to concentrate on adding them to the shoulders and sleeves. dk yet

[trystanthegypsy]

Yeah, linings are a BITCH! Are you using that slippery nylon stuff or something else? Is it too late to make it a reversible vest with non-slippy fabric?

Yeah I'm using taffeta... part of the problem is I edited the pattern halfway through. so it doesn't perfectly match up with the outside.. which is fun fur. so turning the damn thing through the shoulder seams was very challenging. grr. Almost done.. just have to finish up the bottom somehow. I didn't follow the instructions very well cuz it was being a pain.

[EmilyD]

Yeah, linings are a BITCH! Are you using that slippery nylon stuff or something else? Is it too late to make it a reversible vest with non-slippy fabric?

Yeah I'm using taffeta... part of the problem is I edited the pattern halfway through. so it doesn't perfectly match up with the outside.. which is fun fur. so turning the damn thing through the shoulder seams was very challenging. grr. Almost done.. just have to finish up the bottom somehow. I didn't follow the instructions very well cuz it was being a pain.

Do you have a surger? If so, you could just clean the ends of taffeta up and then press under 1/2" and hand hem it to the back of the fur. If you don't have a surger just fold a double hem under and again, hand stitch to the back of the fur.

I'll bet pulling that through the shoulder seams was tough. I always change commercial patterns too because frankly they're crap. They always make sewing so much harder than it needs to be and...they make you buy way more fabric than you actually need. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

[trystanthegypsy]

I do have a serger but it's pretty new (well new to me) and I haven't figured out how to change the thread colour (re-thread it) yet... it came threaded with black

All done, I just have to add a button! Not sure if I'm gonna sell this one in my store or keep it... I ended up folding the fur over the lining on the bottom.

Commercial patterns are definitely frustrating. Not sure if I'll continue to use this one or not...

[EmilyD]

I do have a serger but it's pretty new (well new to me) and I haven't figured out how to change the thread colour (re-thread it) yet... it came threaded with black :)

All done, I just have to add a button! Not sure if I'm gonna sell this one in my store or keep it... I ended up folding the fur over the lining on the bottom.

Commercial patterns are definitely frustrating. Not sure if I'll continue to use this one or not...

Here's a trick to changing thread colors. You basically cut the existing thread and tie the new thread to its end with a single knot then gently pull all the threads through the system. Here it is step-by-step:

*Cut the black thread at the top ends (close to the spools).

*Remove the black spools.

*Put the new color spools on the machine.

*Tie the new color thread ends to the snipped black thread.

*Carefully pull the threads through the entire system as you jocky the wheel (forward and back a bit so as not to pull the thread too hard).

*When you get to the eye of the needle the knot of the threads will probably not fit through so there you may have to cut and hand thread. Sometimes though the entire 3 or 4 threads change through just gently pulling through the system.

*If all else fails, read the manual. ;-) Hope this helps.

[C.f.M.]

Here's my latest crafts and such, that some of you have already looked at

http://playabound.wordpress.com/2010/07 ... the-wurst/

[illy dilly]

I have a question for some of the fabric gurus. I searched but found lots interesting answers to questions i wasn't asking.

I have some old baggy jeans, that i want to make sorta cut off long short things. I'm hoping to fray the edges were i cut so that they look like kinda stringy and old. But if I cut them with scissors I'll just have a straight edge. I also want to avoid the cut part kinda rolling up like cut fabric some times does.
Does any one know how to fray cut parts of denim? (other than wearing it for a couple years)
I was thinking that instead of using scissors maybe i would use a metal file or sander and just rub through it.
Any ideas?

[lucky420]

back in the olden days we used to just pick and pull the thread that goes horizontally out. Depending on how long you want the fringe it might take kind of a long time. Sorry I am not very crafty

[jella]

back in the olden days we used to just pick and pull the thread that goes horizontally out. Depending on how long you want the fringe it might take kind of a long time. Sorry I am not very crafty

It goes faster with a fork

[shroom]

I bought fur to make a hat today, but Ms. Presto's videos are no set to private. Does anyone remember the measurement she said? I remember how to sew it, just want to cut it right.

Thanks!

[jella]

11 1/2 by 9 I think
I made one and ended up taking it in a little to I made it 8 inches tall after seam allowance but I have a small head so take that with a grain of salt haha

[shroom]

Thanks so much!

[jella]

Now that makes a hat for a 22" head circumference If it's for someone larger say 24 ya might wanna measure . Although like she sais the fur does stretch

[EmilyD]

I have a question for some of the fabric gurus. I searched but found lots interesting answers to questions i wasn't asking.

I have some old baggy jeans, that i want to make sorta cut off long short things. I'm hoping to fray the edges were i cut so that they look like kinda stringy and old. But if I cut them with scissors I'll just have a straight edge. I also want to avoid the cut part kinda rolling up like cut fabric some times does.
Does any one know how to fray cut parts of denim? (other than wearing it for a couple years)
I was thinking that instead of using scissors maybe i would use a metal file or sander and just rub through it.
Any ideas?

illy dilly instead of just cutting them, snip only a bit then tear them. Then do take some tools to the fabric. Sanders, hammers, pound between two rocks, drive a car over them, abuse them. That's actually how they first "distressed" jeans back in the 80's.

[theCryptofishist]

I have a question for some of the fabric gurus. I searched but found lots interesting answers to questions i wasn't asking.

I have some old baggy jeans, that i want to make sorta cut off long short things. I'm hoping to fray the edges were i cut so that they look like kinda stringy and old. But if I cut them with scissors I'll just have a straight edge. I also want to avoid the cut part kinda rolling up like cut fabric some times does.
Does any one know how to fray cut parts of denim? (other than wearing it for a couple years)
I was thinking that instead of using scissors maybe i would use a metal file or sander and just rub through it.
Any ideas?

illy dilly instead of just cutting them, snip only a bit then tear them. Then do take some tools to the fabric. Sanders, hammers, pound between two rocks, drive a car over them, abuse them. That's actually how they first "distressed" jeans back in the 80's.

But don't go so far that things are falling off and creating moop.

[EmilyD]

I have a question for some of the fabric gurus. I searched but found lots interesting answers to questions i wasn't asking.

I have some old baggy jeans, that i want to make sorta cut off long short things. I'm hoping to fray the edges were i cut so that they look like kinda stringy and old. But if I cut them with scissors I'll just have a straight edge. I also want to avoid the cut part kinda rolling up like cut fabric some times does.
Does any one know how to fray cut parts of denim? (other than wearing it for a couple years)
I was thinking that instead of using scissors maybe i would use a metal file or sander and just rub through it.
Any ideas?

illy dilly instead of just cutting them, snip only a bit then tear them. Then do take some tools to the fabric. Sanders, hammers, pound between two rocks, drive a car over them, abuse them. That's actually how they first "distressed" jeans back in the 80's.

But don't go so far that things are falling off and creating moop.

Good point. You can also tear them up the leg to get that just-washed-up-on-shore pirate look. ;-)

Actually one of the coolest pair of jeans I ever saw was when my friend in Houston banged big ass wood nails (about 5" long) into her jeans all around the hem. They jangled like wind chimes when she walked. The only problem with them was she couldn't wash them in a washing machine.

[jella]

aaaauuuugh I spent two days sewing the most awesome screaming yellow tiger print cargo pants that turned out to be 1 size too small for my husband...
* takes the bag of chips away*.. and says , ok honey you got a month to fit in these hahahahahaha

[Orchid]

aaaauuuugh I spent two days sewing the most awesome screaming yellow tiger print cargo pants that turned out to be 1 size too small for my husband...
* takes the bag of chips away*.. and says , ok honey you got a month to fit in these hahahahahaha

Oh dear!

But! You may have actually done him a favor - a lot of people find they shrink up a bit on the playa (based on my highly scientific method of observing my campmates.)

[Orchid]

If anyone is planning a Metropolis themed outfit or project, I just found some really cool fabric. Not sure what I'd do with it, but some of you clever folks may be inspired

http://secure.netsolhost.com/191487.194 ... _Code=FQNY

[jella]

yellow cargo pant update..... extra extra !
the awesome yellow pants have been salvaged . ripped out the structured waist band and sewed wide elastic.. woot woot !
oh and a very manly black tutu has been constructed hehe

[EmilyD]

WOW Orchid that stuff is GREAT! I'm going to try and get some for the mister's coat. It would be so much easier than hand cutting and piecing all the buildings like I was going to do. THANKS!!!

jella, I LOVE a man in a tutu. I wonder if I can get him to....hmmmm. ;-)

[giroux68]

McCalls 9576 has been my pattern of choice for 7 big ass furry coats. This was my first sewing project, easy to make short or long. The collar needs to be cut off in one piece and sewn back on reversed to make a non reversable coat. You can make the pockets HUGE!!! if you want. I have never bothered with liners or buttons just a big huge fur coat!!! Highly recomend. as for the seams on fur sewing...a brush or comb work well for getting the fur out of the way, as does cutting the fur off the edges. A little extra work on the prep makes the machine work soooo much easier.

[EmilyD]

McCalls 9576 has been my pattern of choice for 7 big ass furry coats. This was my first sewing project, easy to make short or long. The collar needs to be cut off in one piece and sewn back on reversed to make a non reversable coat. You can make the pockets HUGE!!! if you want. I have never bothered with liners or buttons just a big huge fur coat!!! Highly recomend. as for the seams on fur sewing...a brush or comb work well for getting the fur out of the way, as does cutting the fur off the edges. A little extra work on the prep makes the machine work soooo much easier.

Thanks for the tips girous68. Do you mean you give the edges a haircut before sewing?

[EmilyD]

Oh Emily those are soooo cute... gimmie gimmie :)

seriuosly, what brand are those ?

jella I just realized that I never answered your question about these boots:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010Q ... ss_product

They're super comfy and really cheap (though the shipping was pricey). I think I got them in about 3 days.

[jella]

haha,, Thanks Emily I'm at my limit for footwear now with the black goth stompers

[EmilyD]

haha,, Thanks Emily I'm at my limit for footwear now with the black goth stompers :)

Wha? There's a limit to footwear? ;-)