So I have been studying skating boot covers...seem pretty simple if...

you can find the right fabrics and strappings.  So...I think I shall build OVER boot covers and take them up the legs with chunky zippers in the back for Dr. Meltor.  Most cost effective way to do this and it will look great!  I'm finding the more I sketch and get ideas on paper, the more that I am using my constructions skills to design the sketches..if that makes any sense.  This is becoming a great learning exercise for me...see you CAN teach an OLD dog new tricks!

Dani's Dream Prom Dress

Totally designed by Danielle!  We will sew this dress some day!!

One Idea for Revolution. I gave her green hair. ;)

Evil Doctor Meltor

Back to the sketch board....the fire dude is now The Evil Doctor Meltor!  Here is how I see him, rather 40's in concept, but steampunk, evil mad scientist type...I'm not good at evil faces LOL

The gun on the right of the EVIL DOCTOR is the Melt Master 3000 that can melt glaciers within 30seconds!  Rob is constructing the evil weapons of Meltor and Hypno-Lolly!!!

I need to sketch my ideas...so here is my first serious go at it.

This is my idea for a cape for Gene for Superheroes on ice...first rendition.  I see the base in sky or carolina blue and flames coming up the back of the cape and the skate boot covers.  All done in bright colors and 4 way stretch fabric for the unitard.  I am working on the unitard sketches right now.  Justin is doing some sketches right now, so it will be interesting to see how we think on this.  We usually share a brain.....LOVE you Justin.

Blazing Blades from the back with the cape on.

How I see the front of Blazing Blades in my mind.

Some photos of the GREAT Jay Poole as Edna Turnblad...

I was given a base pattern and the fabric and was told...just make a long sparkly dress and a robe with the blue poodle  fabric, a pink 60's shift and a purple plaid day dress.  I was seamstress/pattern alterer on this one.  Their pattern maker did a great job on the base pattern.    There is one more dress that I made from the base pattern all with altered necklines and different fabrics.  I'll try to get photos of that one too, it is a purple plaid number, but Jay YOU rocked these dresses!!  You were sensational in CTG's production of Hairspray!!  I had 1 1/2 weeks to turn these out!

Welcome to the 60's dress.  Jay looked amazing in this one.  He owned these costumes that is for sure!!

Watched a movie called: Paperman with Ryan Reynolds dressed as a superhero.

His costume was wonderful.  At the I checked out the credits for the costume maker and it was:  Yvette Helin....WOW.  Her body of work is AMAZING.  Click on the photo and it will take you to her website.  She has worked hard to get where she is,  If you get the chance, visit her website and blog...FABULOUS!!

And here is Yvette with Ryan Reynolds as Captain Excellent:

This is one of Yvette Helin's Fish Costumes...It is AMAZING!!!!!

Justin and I will be working on something like this for The Children's Theater for next summer!!  I'm so excited to expand, grow and learn new techniques!  Please visit Yvette Helin's site if you LOVE costumes like I do, you will be drooling over her wonderful creations!!

Scroll down to see some really awesome women's catsuits, freaking awesome leggings and t-shirt corsets!!!!

 This first Rubber Cat Suit could so be part of a Halloween costume.  I love every one of these and if I were younger, I most definitely would wear them!!

Rubber look catsuit

Catsuit with cutouts

Catsuit with cutouts, corset and thong. Well, maybe I wouldn't wear this one!  LOL

Catsuit with Lace Panels and front corset

Freaking Awesome Leggings!!!!  Only $25 on Amazon.com

  AND this awesome corset T-Shirt!

I've actually made these before...they really are GREAT and fun to make!  Enjoy looking, I am going to be making some of these VERY soon!!!

Our next adventure is: Super Heroes on Ice!

The Children's Theater is doing Super Heroes on Ice at the Dixie Classic Fair in late Sept., early October....So I am venturing into the field of ICE SKATING Costumes!  I'm so excited.  I have been wanting to do Skating costumes for years, now is my chance.  I'm meeting funny, great skaters, and we are cooking up some great ideas.  Be sure to check back for photos in the near future!

Rob has started sketches of his super hero weapons already!  Watch out Nicole, your hypnotizer is under  construction already!

Adventures in Costuming...

This is what I am calling a class that I will be teaching for the Children's Theater of Winston Salem starting in September.  I hope somebody signs up for it!  It will be a low sew/no sew class.  We will cover simple design, construction and embellishment of:  Wings, capes, wands and tutus.  Ages 4 up to high school age...with an adult accompanying the younger children.I have drafted some cute and easy caps with hoods and tutus.  Hats will also be included and I am building a website with my patterns and step by step instructions that will be available to my students and their parents.  The patterns will be included in the class.  We will cover different fabrics and their care and use, how to use a glue gun, adding bling aka:  shiny things to costumes etc.  I think it will be a really fun class and I am going to teach it with the help of my daughters.  We are all planning on making and wearing these items into the classroom each week.  At the end...the Saturday after Halloween, we will have a little costume party and parade with photos. I really want to give my students...if I have any...their money's worth, give them a desire to learn more about sewing and creating and hopefully start a lifelong love of costumes and the feeling of doing something with their child.  Costumes made accessible and changeable as a child grows.

Really looking forward to this.
Georgann

The Somewhat True Tale of Robinhood!

Well, the Summer Season 2011 for The Children's Theater of Winston Salem is now over.  It was an incredible and exhausting experience.  I've learned soooooooooo much and lost 8 pounds during the process...not eating or sleeping much, but it was worth every stitch and every comment from the children.  I heard over and over:  This is the best costume I've ever worn!    THAT made it all worth it!

Taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary!

This is the bridal veil that Robinhood wears.  It is Maid Marian's veil.  It was a sad old 60's short veil.  I repaired it, added 12 feet of creamy colored tulle, a vintage dimestore necklace and some spray glitter  (aka fairy dust!) and voila' a gorgeous, high dollar looking bridal veil.  It is gorgeous in person.  I would so rent this if I were getting married...That will NOT happen, but Dani said she wanted one.  Be sure to click on the photos on this blog to see them larger and you can take a look at the fine details!

Sheriff of Nottingham is on the cutting table and ready for the machine.

It is cut, marked and hardwared and ready for to be sewn together..

Counting down to the deadline for Robinhood...the Somewhat True Tale...

Deadline looming.....sewing machine zooming
Men in skirts and tights....oh what a site!!

Lots of fun.  Almost done!!  More photos later tonight!

A lovely bridal skirt I am going to adapt

Bridal Skirt.  Hand washed hanging to dry and ready for steaming

This gorgeous skirt was at the Goodwill for about $5.  The lace appliques are worth at least 20 times that amount.  It is stunning in its simplicity.

Close up of lace appliques

Repairs are also part of the costumer's skillset

Prince John's Jacket with a new sparkly knife holder and pendant

Prince John's princely pants

Poor Prince John's pants were in shreds.  I was able to open up the pant legs and salvage enough of the velvet pieces that were sewn in as part of the seam to fuse and mend the huge shredded holes in these pants.  One would never know from a distance, but these pants were disjointed and in shreds when Danielle...my daughter and costume assistant extraordinaire' found them in the dark recesses of the Little Theater's Costume shop.  She also miraculously found the original jacket that was made to go with these pants, also in terrible shape....I know they are a matched set from the inner lining used in both.  It also have been lovingly repaired and brought back from rag bag status to stage ready!

Maid Marion is turning out beautiful.

Maid Marion:  work in progress

I decided to do a clean lined tunic in saturated shade of apple green with a slub weave  over a simple cream colored soft cotton dress.  I also found a killer belt at the Goodwill today for 10 cents!  Yes, you read that correctly 10 cents!!  I think it goes perfectly with it.  I'm doing a double pass single fold bias tape application on the edges.  It is tedious, but it will be strong and it is going on without any rippling of the bias tape.  The bias tape is a metallic gold!  I'll post a photo as soon as I can find a camera with a card in it!

Close up of Maid Marion.  That is the hand beaded/embroidered belt from the Goodwill for a dime!

I am really tired tonight...been sewing tunics all day.  I have a nice plaid one for one of the girls that has 24 button holes in it with lacing up both sides.  Sewing hooded neck collars...kind of a funky look and crocheting around some of the edges with a bulky stitch.  Trying to make this look organic, woodsy and a bit cheeky.

One of the more tailored tunics with the side lacing for one of the Merry Maids!

Rob is doing a FABULOUS job on the "swords" and scabbards...they are sensational!!  He is doing it with venetian blinds, magnets, wooden spoons, dowel rods, wood finials and silver spray paint!  I LOVE them.

Well, I'm calling it a night...really tired and can't shake this darned headache that I have been sporting all day.  More photos as soon as I can take them!

Love and light and FABRIC dreams!

G

OMG.....Seriously cool designs!!

LOVE THESE!!!!!

Going in a different direction in my life.

It has been a year filled with changes, frantic sewing and pushing myself to my own human limits.  I have realized just how important my family is to me.  I have also learned how much they love me for being just me.  I'm tired of running and hiding who I really am.  I am just me...take me or leave me.  I love to sew, costume, design and be with my dear family and wonderful friends.....that is who I am.