Category Archives: costume

McCall’s 5414: Finished Project, Halloween 2010

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This was supposed to be a gory, beheaded (or almost beheaded) French revolution countess costume, but I couldn’t bear the thought of spilling fake blood on something I’ve worked on for three weeks.

This picture is of terrible quality and is nearly a month old, but this is the best representation of the costume being worn as of now. This was also taken on Halloween night inside my kitchen. I did finish McCall’s 5414, and it turned out better than I thought it would. I’ll probably have to reshoot these since I don’t think the pictures do the costume any justice.

This is the second time I’ve gone as something not gory or bloody or generally scary. I think I’m losing my touch.

Brief pattern review: The bodice turned out well enough, with a few waist adjustments. The skirt was very voluminous and this entire outfit required 5 yards of 60′ fabric. I ended up using all of it, mostly in the skirt part. Gathering the side skirt parts was a pain. The gathering thread broke and I had to pleat the sides of the skirt together. I used an invisible zipper on the center back. I sewed the first zipper in perfectly, then realized the zipper was too short since it wouldn’t zip over my hips or waist. I ripped out the first zipper and inserted another invisible zipper. Brocade frays very easily and is hard to work with. Not as bad as silk, but the metallic threads were difficult to sew through. I couldn’t be bothered with hemming my entire skirt since I’d probably only wear this once (and possibly to a future Rennfaire), so I serged the ends instead. I finished the middle of the dress with facing, and sewed gold-trimmed lace to the bodice and sleeves. I omitted the ribbons going down the bodice of the dress since it just seemed like too much. I accessorized the costume with a pearl headband and a wool cape from my closet.

Beta test results: I ended up walking about 20 blocks that day in the cold, and it was actually very comfortable and warm. I did almost trip on my skirts while going up the subway steps, and learned to walk around holding parts of my skirt so it wouldn’t drag on NYC streets.

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Halloween-2010aPresiding over the kitchen like a princess.

McCall’s 5414: Muslin

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Here’s the muslin of the bodice from McCall’s 5414. It fits pretty well but needs adjusting at the waist. I’m making it out of medium weight brocade (home decorating?) fabric. I think I’ll leave out the lining and just use facings since it’s pretty stable as it is.

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McCall’s 5414: Costume, 1790s inspired

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m5414-gThis year’s Halloween project: early colonial pattern does French noblewoman, or so I hope.

m5414-aSophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette was stunning with its costumes and pastels.

m5414-bSuch graceful sleeves.

m5414-cOverall outfit.

m5414-dThe masquerade scene is very inspiring.

m5414-eEven when sprawled on a staircase the masquerade scene is inspiring.

m5414-fThis is one of Marie Antoinette’s lackeys in the movie, but her hair and costume are gorgeous.

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Ever since before I’ve known how to sew I’ve always wanted an elaborate, over the top, Halloween costume. I’m starting early this year with McCall’s 5414. My criteria for a costume this year is comfortable, easy to make, and reasonably priced, since it will be covered with fake blood. This is an Early American costume (colonial period) but I plan to translate it into something French circa 1790s. I’m going as a guillotined noblewoman, something flashy and gory with elaborate hair, a fancy gown, and loads of fake blood. Some colorway ideas are dark red, emerald green or dark purple, trimmed with black lace. I don’t have fabric for this yet, but I need to make a muslin of the top bodice for fit since it needs over five yards of fabric.