| Dark Force Witch 2003 |
 |
|
| This Dark Force Witch costume recreation is based on a drawing by Doug Gregory in the 2001, "Star Wars, Dark Side Sourcebook" by Bill Slavicsek and J.D. Wiker. This character is described as one of the Nightsisters of Dath-o-mir, who are among the most infamous of all the primitive cultures of Dark-side Force-users. Force-sensitive inhabitants of these outer-rim worlds have developed their own traditions isolated from the formalized training of the Jedi and the Sith, hence the absence of the more familiar lightsaber weaponry. This costume incorporates multiple layers of textured, metallic cotton fabrics to create the color gradation. The armor and staff are made of Sintra. |
 |
 |
 |
| Harlequin Can Can 2003 |
| Turn-of-the-last-century inspired carnival/circus/can can style dress. This is not an exact replica of any one particular costume from any one source. It is a conglomeration of structures that interested me from a variety of different historical reference pictures I found in a reproduction paper products catalog. I was fascinated with the original costumes pictured in these turn-of-the-century postcards. I decided to make my own version of what a turn-of-the-century carnival costume would look like. I wasn’t sure where to start other than to look for some very interesting fabrics and trims and go from there. I based my final dress design upon incorporating the diamond harlequin patterned of lime green and orange on white organza I found at a local fabric warehouse. I found an orange accordion pleat ribbon on black lace trim, a lime green sequin trim and another black over lime green trim. These 4 elements coordinated well with each other so I decided to design around them. The other main parts of the dress would be mostly black and white. The dress: I used Simplicity’s #9899 can can costume as a starting point for my costume. I had used this particular pattern to make another dress last year, so I was familiar with the pattern’s limitations. I used aspects of the skirt design in view “A” and the basic bodice design of views “C & D”. I had read about how to create specific decorative hems with my serger that would make it possible to achieve some interesting ruffle effects like a had noticed in the reference material. I was hoping to get a lot of stationary volume in the skirt of this dress, so I bought 20 yards of white netting with black dots. I bought several different black and white taffetas and poly-blends for the structural elements of this costume and an iridescent orange taffeta with big black velvet polka dots for another part of the costume. I made the bodice three layers thick with a black moiré taffeta on the outside, the lining layer which is a black slipper satin and the middle layer which is a pre-interfaced black cotton/poly blend material. I constructed this in three layers because I wanted to be able to put a lot of tension on the fabric when I laced it. I also wanted to use a lace-up closure rather than the zipper that was described in the commercial pattern. The lacing feels much more period accurate. Now this bodice is nearly bulletproof and achieves 'special effects' with ease! I sewed a decorative latticework onto the outer layer using one of the interesting trims. I would have compromised the integrity of the outer fabric and lining if I had not incorporated the inner layers of fabric in this construction. I wanted to be able to dance in this costume! I used the basic design of the outer skirt in the Simplicity pattern #9899 View “A, but slightly shorter. I used the patterned organza and added the ruffled boarder. I sewed another one of the interesting trims at this seam. The organza layer was too sheer, so I sewed another skirt layer made of white taffeta underneath. The underskirt with the layers of ruffles has a separate lining. I cut gradually shorter in length and wider in diameter layers of ruffles as I went around the underskirt from the center to the outer edge. I achieved my desired voluminous effect by sewing a total of 5 rows of net ruffles with the outermost layer of ruffles being doubled over. I serged a small hem of decorative orange thread on each layer of ruffles to create an interesting look at the hem. There are 81 linear yards of ruffles on the under layer of this can can. I sewed lime green sequins on the dress at the waistline. It was looking a little plain. The accessories: I used the iridescent orange taffeta with the big black velvet dots for the 'bloomers' for this can can. I put real, big, roomy pockets in them. They look a whole heck of a lot like big "clown shorts". Which is actually the look I was trying to achieve. I used a glow-in-the-dark ric rac in combination with black lace on the leg openings. It really does glow-in-the-dark! I made the neck and cuff ruffles out of a florescent neon green sparkle organza fabric. I made these pieces very much like the ones in the Butterick #3598 clown costume pattern. Although, I made my ruffles about 4 times fuller. I used a jester’s hat design for the headpiece of this costume. The black-on-black sequined material I chose for this turned out to be very difficult to sew. I added large brass jingle bells to the points. I really wanted to exaggerate the circus clown influences of this costume. I used black because I wanted to accentuate the ‘evil’ connotations of the turn-of-the-century carnival costumes. I purchased a half-mask that I covered with some of the fabric from the dress using spray glue. I made "sleeves" for the dress out of the same sequined material that I used on the headpiece and added similar bells. |
| (some) New costumes for 2003 |