Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

[Ratty]

Look what i just made from an old bathrobe and bed skirt. The leopard is a kind of short-hair fur or fleece material. I took off the pockets and belt loops. The sleeves are open at the cuffs, (so it looks royal). Zero dollars.

[theCryptofishist]

But...but...but...

That way I won't be able to go shop-ping!

(which will leave me unfulfilled as an american.)

[Ratty]

For a more girly look. Old wedding tule and sheer curtains on a belt that I punched holes in. (I know, grammer, grammer.)

[Ratty]

This one is really big. I can't wear it around my waist but I can sling it around my neck. It's made from 2 of those cheap woven belts buckled together. I cut long strips of stretchy black velvet pants, a pink leopard throw and a pink snugglie. I was careful to cut it the stretchy way so I could pull it longer and make it roll up into tubes. Then I poked it through the spaces in the belts. Very manly.

[Savannah]

I love the orange & leopard coat, Ratty.

[Katiebaby25]

Very cool! Can't wait to get started on costumes, thanks for the inspiration!

[Elliot]

Thanks, Ratty! I have a leopard print bed sheet I don't need. Even I can sew that onto something!

[Ratty]

This came out Nice......Start with a cute dress. Cover one tit with fur. Sew a 12 inch piece of fur or fleece down both sides of the garment. You sew it in the MIDDLE of the 12 inches. This way you end up with 2 rows of fringe. Then cut it into fringe ,(about an inch wide), right up to the stitches where you sewed it on. But not too close. Test the fleece first to see if you want flat fringe or stretchy rolls of fringe. You do this by cutting alittle and tugging on it to see what it will do. Sweet little piece.

[Ratty]

This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.

[Katiebaby25]

Your stuff is beautiful!

[Ratty]

Not exactly a tutu. I started with a standard pettycoat and added some strips of sheer curtain material. There was enough for a sexy little neck scarf too.

[Savannah]

If one doesn't have sufficiently inspiring belts at home, Ross--& sometimes TJ Maxx--are great places to get them. Thrift stores are good too, but the one upside about buying new (if cheap) is that you can sometimes find 2 identical belts for perhaps $4.99 each. With two, you can use one embellished belt around the hips or waist, and scavenge the other belt for parts to make the upper body (or boots) correspond.

[Ratty]

This was an old leather jacket and skirt. I sewed the spider web on, snipped it here and there. Then I shredded the skirt. I wish it still fit me.

[Ratty]

This was fun to make. I started with a severely shrunken wool blanket. The front, back and shoulders are just squares. It's for a warrior but iron crosses don't do a thing for me. I went with the spiderweb army instead. The sides have straps and 'D' rings. Easy to make and cozy warm at night.

[wh..sh]

Cool stuff! I am about ready to go tear up some old clothes and see what comes out of it.

[wh..sh]

This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.

I love the rose petals! (I like the girlie girl feel). I might try to make something with rose petals!

[ygmir]

This darling was too plain so I sewed some of those 'wedding' cloth rose peddles onto it. It dressed it up just enough. I'm not much of a girlie girl myself. But I'm not the one wearing it. I enjoy looking at lace and sheers, just not in the mirror. The belt you start with dictates what material you can force through the holes.

I love the rose petals! (I like the girlie girl feel). I might try to make something with rose petals!

hey, I was gonna say that!!!

[wh..sh]

Ok, the whole rose petal conversation reminded me of this

[ygmir]

I thought you have dark hair?

[Ratty]

You'll surprise yourself at how fun and easy it can be. Browse a second hand store or your closet. Take your time and cut, sew, tie, punch, lace or paint. The next thing you know, You've made a great outfit or accessory. Just keep it simple. Do it the easy way. There's no reason to get fancy. Be flexible in your design. It may end up being a completely different look. The garment dictates the finished piece. Have fun with the process. It always makes me laugh.

This funny top started out as a lightweight jacket. I worked it till there was nothing left. The giant sequins are securely sewn on. (No moop here).

[Katiebaby25]

Yeah you've greatly inspired me! I went consignment store shopping yesterday and I can't wait to start DIYing!

[Ratty]

Yea!! Have fun and don't hurry. My favorite sewing tool is a razor blade box cutter. Thank you and everybody for the compliments. It's a nice group here. Minds wide open.




Join the 'Poker Army'.

[Elliot]

This was fun to make. I started with a severely shrunken wool blanket. The front, back and shoulders are just squares. It's for a warrior but iron crosses don't do a thing for me. I went with the spiderweb army instead. The sides have straps and 'D' rings. Easy to make and cozy warm at night.

Holy cow -- I could make this without even remembering how to thread a bobbin! I could make this with my industrial grade stapler!

Now...



...why does she look so ticked?

[Drawingablank]

Really nice stuff which reminds me I have to get back to slaving away at the sewing machine.

[Savannah]

...why does she look so ticked?

Part of it is the lighting . . . but Mena Suvari's eyebrows have always looked just a little pissed off, by default.

[AntiM]

I've had a top hat hanging around the house for a while now, an Alice in Wonderland one from Hot Topic (clearance of course). I picked up a strand of battery operated seed LEDs shaped like hearts from the Christmas sale, they're on a wire. They became the hatband (over the fake red lace one which came with the hat), then I layered on stuff from the depths of the workroom. A wrapping of black tulle, and overlay of spiderweb lace ribbon with purple wire edges gathered into a pouf at the back, a strand of red rhinestones halfway up, and the back pouf topped by an 80s purple silky ribbon pouf barrette (to hide the wires, safety pins and battery pack). Then I added a Burning Man pendant in front, one from Shambala from a couple years ago. I'd have used the purple one, but it is on such a nice necklace I couldn't possibly take that apart!

Pictures to follow.

[Ratty]

Yes!! I want to see pictures. Your hat sounds great. I keep having to re-size my photos to be smaller and some STILL won't go on this thread. I''ll have to remember to set my camera on the tiniest setting first.

[Ratty]

I love PJs on the playa. What could be better than a pink cowboy? I sewed fringe down one pant leg and did conchos and a tad of fringe on the other leg.

[Ratty]

It was just a petty coat till I sewed 50 tiny scarves on it. Each one has a shiney bead where it's attached. Twirl baby twirl.

[moonrise]

Cool work Ratty!


I'm thinking about attemtping one of those cut t shirts, the finished result should look like a type of chain metal.



(got any more guy stuff? )