Supanova 2011 - Friday

Supanova Day 1 - Friday night

I'm home. And pooped. I decided to re-wear my White Queen costume again. And as it turns out that was probably for the best. I really can't see me wearing it again. It hasn't worn well and is starting to fall apart. Not only that, it is getting a little too big for me. At any rate, I was glad to wear it one last time. And wonder of wonders it was actually recognised this year.

 There were a couple of big announcements made tonight though:

1. In 2012, Brisbane's April Supanova will be held on the Gold Coast in conjunction with the Gold Coast Film festival.

2. In 2012, they will also be putting on a Brisbane Supanova - in November.

3. And as it is such a long wait from April 2011 to November 2012, there will be another Brisbane Supanova held in November this year.

4. To top it off, Christopher Lloyd (Doc from Back to the Future / Uncle Fester from the Addams Family Movies) will be appearing at the November Brisbane Supanova, since he has had to pull out this April.

Should make for an interesting rest of the year. And, now I need to start planning my next set of costumes. :D

Adelaide 2010 Day 2

I thought it might be easier to read of my weekend journeys if I put them up day by day. So, we come to Saturday. (I will put the rest of my ball photos up on facebook.)

After tossing and turning on my hard bed through the night, it was rather nice to get all dressed up in Vintage to head out fabric shopping. The lovely Wenz and I were ready early, so we sat down to a continental breakfast at our hotel restaurant "The Snooty Fox". With a full belly, we were ready to go. Our first stop was DKs fabrics. Price-wise, I would not say that they are great (apart from the sale fabric), but they do have a very large range, which is one of the most important things when fabric shopping. I picked up a couple pieces - a remnant of blue dupion silk, and 3m of a blue polkadot fabric that is perfect for a 1920s or 1930s dress. Funnily enough, they actually had the same fabric for sale that I had made my dress out of, only I paid $3.95/metre instead of $14.

Our next stop on the map was to caffinate up for the day. A quick stop for food and coffee and we were back on the fabric road and on our way to Eastern Silk. I shop through Eastern Silk online quite a bit, as it is my place to go for silk. They have a lovely range of items and best of all, free shipping within Australia. But one thing that they have in the store is a larger range of embroidered silks and stripe silks. I could not leave without getting a few metres of a lovely pink and yellow stripe. To me, it screams Georgian. At this stage, I don't know what I will be using it for, but I knew that I would regret not purchasing some. The other lovely touch at Eastern Silk is the decor. It is actually split into to shops, which are a lovely vintage style on the outside with modern fittings. One is all the homewares...


and the other is pure fabric....


After making our way back to the hotel, I decided it was time to relax for a little while. At least until Abi came over to start getting ready for the evening ahead. The reason for our journey south... the annual Australian Costumer's Guild ball. We were a little late arriving to the ball (actually, we were a lot late) we went out for dinner beforehand and unfortunately were so intent on catching up that we did not realise that an hour had passed before we had even been brought our food. Note to self in the future, either get dressed first or get takeaway. At any rate, I had an absolutely fantastic time being there. I wore my Alice In Wonderland White Queen costume that I had made for supanova earlier this year, though I did have a new wig, which is just the perfect colour. (Amazing after all the drama I went through with the first two wigs that I bought). And even better I was photographed with a fellow costumer as Red Queen, her husband as the Mad Hatter and her daughter as Alice. It was great to see so many people that I don't see all that often, and to get the whole experience of the annual ball. I think I can safely say that I will be going next year, and may be convinced to enter the competitions too....

Update...

Well, my great Egyptian plans fell through. I was getting set to go on everything and I got sick. Again! I ended up spending the day in bed instead of work and was in no condition to go out at night in the cold wet with a head cold. I fully intend to wear my wig and costume at some point in the future, though after trying my wig on a couple of times, I realise that it needs a few adjustments. Namely it is too full at the crown of the head. Instead it needs to be flatter over the top with the bulk at the sides. But this is just a matter of brushing out the current style and having another go at the styling.

Thankfully though, I am mostly better now with only a slight cough left. And just in time to. This weekend sees me heading down to Adelaide for the Australian Costumers Guild ball. When it came down to costume decision, I chose to go with my White Queen. I put a lot of effort into it when I made it earlier this year and I don't really get to wear it much as it is a character costume instead of a historical one. The only change I have made is to purchase a new wig to go with the ensemble. It has been a huge relief not making something new to wear for the ball (no stress!) but I have put my time to good use, making vintage dresses. It's my intention to wear vintage the entire time I am in Adelaide. We are planning to go to a Vintage Fashion Fair on the Sunday, so I have whipped up a new 1920s dress for that (with matching hat). I've also pulled together a new 1930s dress and a 1950s dress. I am very excited about the weekend and am so looking forward to it all.

Supanova Day 2 - White Queen

And it came to day two of supanova. It has been a long and exhausting day (not to mention stinking hot) but I had an absolutely fantastic time. I bought a couple of new additions to my character collection and a super poofy petticoat. We also made it along to a couple of the talks going on today; James Masters, Corin Nemac and Karl Urban. We even made it along to see James Masters perform this evening. It was an absolutely fantastic day.

But, onto my costume. Today, I got to wear my White Queen costume. It took me quite some time to get dressed, but I am so pleased that I made the effort to get this costume finished. I simply love how it turned out. Unfortunately today was probably not the ideal day to wear a costume made of about 90% synthetic fabrics. It was sweltering underneath all the layers. Note to self; Winter. Next time I wear this costume, make sure it is in winter.

White Queen Post #7

I spent a few hours last night working on the very last step in my White Queen costume. I rolled up the wig. Again, I used a combination of spraying the hair with water and then hairspray and rolling in velcro rollers and pinning them in place. I intend to leave them rolled up until Saturday morning when I am getting ready and am about to wear the wig. It really will be just a matter of unrolling the curls, brushing them out lightly and pinning back the front sections to match the hairstyle in the film. Quite simple really.

I think the only other preparation that I need to do is painting my finger nails (I may use false ones) and putting on my make-up. My only worry is that knowing my luck it will be stinking hot on Saturday and my make-up will melt off my face.

The next time I post about this costume will be photos of me wearing it. *so excited*

White Queen Post #6

Only one more step to go. The costume in and of itself is now complete. Today I finished the under blouse and sleeves.


The under blouse is made of crystal organza as well, so it gives a nice shimmer. Unfortunately it is a little hot to wear not to mention rather itchy (I learnt that the hard way on a dress I had when I was about eight), so I will definitely be wearing a singlet underneath to absorb the sweat and stop the itching a bit more. It also has the iron-on diamontes over the exposed parts as well as the taffeta ribbon fringing on the edges. The sleeves are slightly long and fold back like she wears them in the film. It was a bit of a pain ironing on the diamontes because of the open weave of the fabric, but it is done.


The other part I finished today were the sleeves. I decided to make the puff sleeves as separate pieces so that they would move with my arms a little easier. It will also make getting dressed simpler. They are made of the delustered satin covered with iron-on diamontes again. It also has the taffeta ribbon at the top and bottom and gathers up by elastic to give the puff shape, while allowing for comfort.

Now I just need to roll up the wig so that it has some curl. I am aiming to do that tomorrow evening after work. (I knew I should have taken more holidays).

White Queen Post #5

After all my had work and time consuming hand sewing, I finally have something to show for it. Today I have managed to finish three pieces of my White Queen costume. I am so happy that it is coming along as I need it completely done so that I can wear it next Saturday.


The first piece I finished was the skirt. This was a bit of a time consuming and patience sort of project. It is pretty simple in design, however since I was unable to purchase white organza with a snowflake print, I had to find a way to do this myself. I turned to dimensional fabric paint. My first intention was to sponge the design on over a stencil. Unfortunately the very nature of organza is that it is very light and has an open weave, so this really didn't accomplish anything. It ended up with me painting with dimensional paint straight onto the fabric. And it actually worked. Then came the front apron which is made of white bridal tulle with star sequins handsewn on and taffeta ribbon pulled apart at the edges to give the frayed edging. It took a little bit of experimentation to get the idea of the fraying working, but I ended up buying around 10 metres of taffeta ribbon. (I only have 70cm left). The base skirt is made of delustered satin pleated in at the waistband so that it does not add too much bulk in gathering. It also has a blind hem (I discovered the stitch on my sewing machine today, mind you I have had the machine for 5 years now and this is the first I have actually thought to look in the manual for a blind stitch feature). I like that the bulk of the fabric over my petticoats gives a large shape that is very close to what is worn in the film.


The next piece is the necklace. It is very simple. Just two layers of organza ribbon that is decorated. I decided to add a strip of bias to the centre of the layers to strengthen the fabric under the beads. The necklace itself is made of a bracelet that I found in diva and pulled apart and a couple of faux pearl beads hand sewn on either side. It also has the previously mentioned taffeta ribbon on either side.

And finally, the most time consuming piece of all - the bodice. As I mentioned in another post, my first attempt at making a bodice that fit over my existing stays was a complete failure. So instead, I decided that I would make a bodice with a set of stays incorporated into it. It also meant that I could customise the shape of the stays in the front. This was actually the easy part - making the bodice. The base layer is made of three layers of cotton and it is only half-boned (ie, one in each second casing) so that it is a little more comfortable but will still give the required shape. I the attached the outer layer of the bodice with a bias strip that is tacked in place. The only place that there are two pieces is at the back where the underneath back panel can be tightly laced (it's stronger) and the outer layer can be decoratively laced.

Before I attached the outer layer, I made the base lace on the front by back stitching in silver satin embroidery thread onto a bridal tulle backing. I also applied all the heat set diamontes. After attaching the outer layer, it was time to start the painful decoration process. I first pinned in place the diagonal strips of lace (they are painted with a champange coloured paint to match my research images) then I added the "fringing" by using white satin embroidery thread knotted into clips and hand sewn in place. The next layer was the petal shapes over this. They are made from painted gerbra petals, cut into 3 and 4 petals and sewn in place. I then stitched down the lace and then added the taffeta ribbon on the front.

Talk about layers, I then had to make the petals that are attached along the side hems of the bodice. They are made from silver embroidery thread onto a layer of the netting backed by organza. I then cut them out and tacked them in place. I then added the taffeta ribbon in place over the petal tops. Then came the pearl beads on the hem. The last step was attaching the pearl strand to the top of the bodice. This slips in place over the arms and sits on top of the sleeves.


No wonder it took me so long. Now I just need to finish the undershirt, sleeves and style the wig. Good thing it is still a public holiday tomorrow.

White Queen Post #4

It is a slow and painful process. Whoever decided that it was a good idea to have decoration on the front of a set of stays is an idiot. My fingers are sore from pushing the needle through at funny angles so that I only catch the outer layer with my stitches. I haven't bled on it yet, but I've came close. I am making progress, it's just at a very slow rate. I JUST WANT IT TO BE DONE ALREADY!

White Queen Post #3

It was one very busy weekend that I spent. I had Friday off, so I managed to make a start on my White Queen costume. As it currently stands, the only things I have ready are petticoats and boots to wear. I will need a little more that this, so I decided that it would be prudent to start with the bodice (probably the most complex part of the whole costume.

After the fail that was my first attempt where I tried to make a bodice that fit exactly over the top of my Georgian stays, I had a bit of a re-think. And instead I am building the bodice around a new set of stays. (I'm starting to get good at Georgian stays now). Thankfully though, these ones have no tabs to be bound as it is stylised into the shape of the character bodice. So far the base of my bodice is complete and I am up to decorating it. I will go into more detail about the construction of the bodice when I have finished.

The one thing that I did manage to get done, was the quilted petticoat that I will be wearing underneath my existing Georgian petticoats. It is very very simply constructed. I purchased quilted calico and a piece of cotton to make them. They are made in the same way as my outer petticoats with two side plackets and the two separate waistbands, the back tying in front and the front tying in back. I had considered making the petticoat complete, but thought it would create less problems in the lining was not stitched on at the hem. Instead I basically made two petticoats on the same band, that are tacked together at the placket. It was pretty quick to whip up and they are giving me a great rounded shape for my skirts.

Now back to that bodice...

White Queen Post #2

I am slowly making a start on my White Queen costume, including rolling up the wig so that it will curl. But yesterday morning, my white boots arrived. I will be wearing these for the costume, but they are leather and historically appropriate so I will be able to wear them with my Victorian costumes in the future. I am very pleased with my purchase. :D

White Queen Post #1

After a quick trip up to Lincraft at lunch time today, I am on my way to starting my White Queen costume. So far, I have two base petticoats (my georgian ones) and the false rump that I will be wearing. I started working on the quilted petticoat on the weekend and it all it requires now is a hem.

My first attempt at the bodice was not at all successful in that it was way too short and not stylised enough for my liking. So I went back to the drawing board and started again. Instead of makeing a bodice that sits over my current georgian stays, I will be makeing the outer bodice onto a new set of stays. Time consuming I know, but they will not have tabs which takes the longest time to bind. The biggest advantage is that the stays themselves will be stylised and I won't have to worry about the outer bodice slipping and the orange silk stays underneath being seen.

I have also had to re-think my undershirt as the first attempt also failed. (I was having am awful day. On top of the stomach bug I had, nothing I was sewing was going my way). It's not that much of a step back, it will actually be simpler as I will make the base shirt and then just cut the neckline while I am wearing it so I don't have to worry about drafting up a pattern.

Adding to the list of failures, the wig that I purchased (not cheap either) was the wrong colour. I need something that is platinum blonde, almost white, and while that is what it was called on the internet and the photos showed a very white blonde, I got stuck with yellow blonde. Not only is it too yellow, it really does not suit me so I can't use it anyway. In revolt, I went hunting through my wig stash and dug out my plain white one. It is going to have a trim and styling to hopefully get it into an acceptable shape.

On the other hand, I stopped by Diva on my way back to the office and managed to pick up the last of the jewelery pieces that I need. I got a necklace of fake pearls for $5 that I intend to chop up and use to decorate the bodice. And I picked up a couple of sparkly diamante bracelets that I can pull apart and turn into the necklace. They are just about perfect for what I wanted, and since they are on an elastic, they are simple to dismantle.

Now I just need to get cracking on it all and stop getting sidetracked by computer games *shakes fist at the sims*.

Supa plans

Amidst the planning for the Jane Austen Festival and making a few Regency and Georgian dresses, I am still cognisant of that fact that I will be attending Supanova again this year, and it falls on the weekend before JAFA. Originally I had all my costumes planned and organised, but then again, I am a woman. I am still going to wear my Tia Dalma costume because I adore it, and I will be re-wearing something from last year on the Friday night, but my plans for my third costume have fallen through.

Instead of making a Battlestar Galactica uniform, I have decided to go with the White Queen from Tim Burton's Alice (to come out in March). I had bought the accessories for the BSG costume, however I only got 2.5metres of fabric and was worried about squishing a jacket and pants out. I will instead put the fabric towards work clothing (it only cost me $5 a metre).

But now, this means that I have to plan out my fabric purchases. Thankfully the style (probably what draws me) is very Georgian inspired. Basically meaning that the stays, pockets, false rump and petticoats that I am currently making for JAFA are the perfect Foundations for the White Queen. It saves me a bit of work in that all I have to make is a skirt, overskirt and bodice. Granted the lot of it is trimmed to hell and very sparkly, but I think I should be able to do it justice. Stay tuned for updates on my progress...