Home Artists Corner FRAMED??

ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK

Cassandra Peterson, 51, invented Elvira in 1981 hosting late-night horror films on Los Angeles TV. The upshot was a long-running gig as a cult celebrity for events, product endorsements and bit TV appearances. She lives in Hollywood with her manager-husband and daughter, 8 on elvira.com.

How many more years can you play Elvira?
I change my mind every day. Sometimes I'll quit tomorrow; sometimes I'll continue until I'm Mae West's age. Because Elvira tempers sexiness with humor it won't become pathetic.

Much is made of your low-cut costumes.
I show less cleavage than J Lo at the Grammys. I'm covered up compared to what some celebrities wear.

Do you wish you'd had a performing career other than as Elvira?
No. I jumped on the bandwagon and went with it, happy to find a character that works and makes money. I never tried to escape from it.

Seven of Nine becomes a Perfect 10

Robert Blackman designs Jeri Ryan's costume

What it Took - Seemingly seamless shrink-wrap catsuit nylon and Lycra blend with darts instead of seams when possible. Leg inseams, no outer seams. Invisible back zipper. Velcro chest patch for the Combadge.

The Hook - Elastic corset with side zipper, covered in cord elastic. Underwire bra portion of the corset layered first with a souffle, or sheer-weave material, finally with thin fleece making edges soft and blurry. The bra attaches inside the suit with bar and hook closures for a perfect Borg fit.

Shoes are worn inside, not outside the suit. It has built-in feet like a leotard. Velcro sole slits accommodate Ryan's 3 inch pumps. Soles have snti-slip treads.

No spontaneous restroom visits. Ryan takes 35 minutes to get into costume, assisted.

---

Starship Enterprise $13 trillion

Transporter $9 billion

Optional transport PRICELESS [Very funny, Scotty. Now beam me my pants!]

---

Civil War costumes

In Gone With the Wind notice Scarlet's dress she made from her mother's green velvet curtains (velvet was expensive) Prewar women wore hoops with lots of petticoats and ruffles. Fitted bodices showed off corseted 18" waists and full mutton sleeves. Most colors were naturally dyed. Red was more pink, peach, orange, blues, browns, yellows, ecru (tea dye) Study color and calico in old quilts. Turkey red was not the red of today. Start with yards and yards of eyelet underneath. Build up to a pastel overskirt or dress with tight bodice. Homespun Patterns and Past Patterns are accurate.

Women had bright fabric colors then. Depending on residence and social class they bought bright new aniline dyes. Natural dyes, professionally done, are also bright. Depending on age she wore lighter bright colors (young) or deeper rich colors (married or older) Solid color silk and fine wool were common, as were modest plaids and small checks for silk, fine wool or cotton dresses. Unless you're familiar with prints available then, use a simple check or plaid. Avoid neon. Most blues, browns, reds, subdued greens are safe choices.

Norma's intentions were the best but don't let Gone With The Wind illustrate what women wore then, especially Scarlett. It's pure Hollywood, Scarlett Fever. Before cutting dress material make a muslin mockup of the bodice. Do careful fittings until it fits snug at waist and midriff and smooth everywhere else. Make it at least 1 - 2" short-waisted. The skirt pulls it down to where it should be, at least 1/2" or more above the natural waist line. Remember she wears a hoop and a short petticoat under it and at least one or two petticoats over her hoops to hide the bones. Work dresses still need a couple of petticoats underneath, preferably at least one corded and well starched.

Curiosity Shop Glenna Jo "Obsessive Reenactor" Christen

Instant Halloween Costumes

Static cling - wear mismatched clothes. Pin small clothes (socks, underwear, washrags, etc) on. Roll up one pants leg.

Jellyfish - pin ribbons to the outer edge of an umbrella. Partly open and shut it.

Zipper - one-colored clothes, preferably black. Use duct tape for zippers.

Christmas tree. Fasten ornaments to green shirt, brown pants.

Freak of nature - fasten plant material to your clothes.

Wear a trash can bag. Tape a picture or a sign, whatever, on it.

Black-eyed pea - black felt-tip circles around your eyes, cardboard letter P.

IRS agent - suit and briefcase.

Wear pink or green, used bubble gum, shoe on head

MC or host

baked potato

Movie theater floor - litter

chia pet - tape sticky side out, roll in mowed grass

werewolf - above with hair (barber)

Cover vest with little mirrors - disco ball

Invisible - trash can bag, fasten on plants or branch

Elvis, M Monroe, Groucho Marx

game show contestant - cardboard podium

hippie, artist, 50s, lamp, toothpaste

Martian - antennae

newsstand, dust bunny, scarecrow, keyboard, flag

30-point buck - bare tree branches for antlers

rainbow with pot of gold

wind chime, plastic, wood, or metal tubing

yellow brick road, yellow duct tape bricks on black trash can bag

Mermaid - wig, duct tape or fabric scales, fins

refrig poetry - duct tape words

adman - tape ads to your shirt

flotation device - tape plastic containers to yourself

fire - duct tape or fabric flames

Pinnochio

super-hero- trash can bag shirt with logo, cape, hat

Einstein - white mop head for hair, white mustache, shirt & tie