Adventures in Dyeing

I've added one last costume to my Dragon*Con list. I said I'd only do this one if I can across the right fabric, and I have... and so far, this costume is coming out cheap and accurate... I might just break the Rule of Three :) (If I don't jinx myself). As of right now, the Girl On Fire dress is in the sample stage and waiting on fabric samples, and the Hunting I'm playing with arrow making. Can't quite afford my jacket leather yet, so it's nice to have something concrete to work on.

Here's my fabric. The original fabric used in the movie is described as a vintage rayon that was found in a California store that was bleached and dyed. Looking at the promo pics, it's not a solid fabric, it's almost mottled, as if there's the slightest print to it. I set out to find a vintage rayon that had a small, white floral print to it and found this lovely one from a site that sells from estate sales, I managed to get 5 yards (of 30-36" wide) fabric for only $14.99. It was a medium blue with little white leaf clusters. I took some iDye color remover and lightened it up. It didn't lighten evenly around the ends, but the bulk of the fabric lightened fairly well until the print was just visible. I dyed it in some leftover brilliant blue and jet black dye. I determined it was too blue and too light, so I did a more concentrated bath. I found some periwinkle in my dye stash so I added some of that and more black and got a neary perfect color. The print is so barely visible that it gives the same subtle feel as the original. I'm very happy with how it turned out! Hopefully I will be done patterning and begin construction this week!

NEW Historical Shoes at American Duchess!!

In case any of you (historical costumers especcially) haven't heard, American Duchess is THE WORD in historical shoes. They make real leather soled historical shoes. I own a pair of their first 18th century shoes which I wore with both my Padme costume and my 18th century costumes and I have to say.... these are THE most comfortable costume shoes I own... they might even be the most comfortable shoes I own, period. I just got in a new pair today, my lovely Kensington Edwardian shoes. I'll post pics later, I might have ordered a half size too large, I'll have to try them on with stockings, but they are *lovely* The new style that are being pre-ordered at French Court shoes! Go to American-Duchess.com for all the details :)

Snow White and the Huntsman

Damn you, Colleen Atwood...

So once again there is a movie coming out with Colleen Atwood's GORGEOUS costumes, and it mixes fairy tale with sick-and-twisted, which I love. Now I would LOVE to do one of the evil Queen's, but I don't think I could pull her off (I can't pull off White Witch and I'm doing her anyways...) I'm kind of tempted to do one of these Snow White costumes but it hasn't made The List yet. While searching for Hunger Games costumes of all things, I stumbled across this picture which led me to search for videos... good god there are so many little costume videos and the movie isn't even out yet! We're usually lucky to get one!

Embedded videos behind the cut:

State of the Costumes Address + research page

Hello!

Well, I've had to do some rethinking about my costumes for this Dragon*Con year. I do have a fair bit of progress on my main costume, The White Witch.

I don't have a current picture, but the panel to the right is complete, and I have a gore that's half done. However, I'm not quite to the half-way point and I have four months left. There's no way I can complete this in time. Since I have no hand-sewing, I'll still be chainmailing on this, but it won't be complete for Dragon*Con, especcially since I need to buy fur and latchhook the mane, make the crown, and any combination of two swords and a wand.

I have the finished Hobbit costume, and the added Katniss hunting costume. That one the shirt is finished except for buttonholes and weathering, all I need is to make the quiver and make the jacket (which won't take long, I just can't afford the leather at the moment. I've also decided to add this one:

Provided I can find the fabric when I'm in Chicago (or online), I don't think it'll be too expensive or take too long to make. Looks like D*C will be a Katniss-a-thon for me!

Which, speaking of Katniss, since starting my facebook group I have a ton of research on all her costumes, so since I'm not updating my website anymore, I made a page here, and hopefully I'll be able to add more information as I compile it. http://rebelshaven.blogspot.com/p/katniss-research.html

Girl on Fire - Now on Facebook!

I created a Katniss costuming group on Facebook! It's pretty much women-exclusive for Katniss designers and costumers, and I'm occassionally posting some costume analysis also. I've already done one for the GOF Interview Dress. If you're interested, come join :)

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/204044403031343/204044753031308/

The name of the group, fittingly, is Girl On Fire

White Witch Petticoat Brainstorming

I've been doing some thinking as I build this that my skirt needs more structure to hold it's shape. It's more evident now that I'm experimenting with the gores in between the panels. The problem is, I'm having trouble determining just how to do this. Here are some research pics:

When she walks and fights, the skirt seems to flow very freely, but collapses when she is standing still, to a bit of an a-line. I don't think layers of petticoat will be practical, what I am thinking is possibly a corded petticoat. I've never done one before, so I don't really know how it moves or holds up, other than the romantic era petticoats I've seen. I'm contemplating possibly cording the hem up for about a foot? Maybe more in the back? I can't quite decide. Has anyone experience with corded petticoats who might have some insight?

More Katniss pants

Hey all! I got a haircut so I felt it was time for Katniss pics. Just a trim so I can grow it out but styled the front a bit. Hair still a little too short and I have ends sticking out all over the place. I'm fairly happy with how the pants turned out, but I have to take it in at the waist. I will still be looking for fabric though to make an improved pair. I found this one that might at least have a better at-a-distance look:

Anyway, this is just my pants and boots with the rest being closet costume. I can't wait to get to the jacket!