Official Costume Making Tips Thread.

LunaXJJ

New member
I thought it would be neat to have a thread specifically for giving out tips on costume making.

Share tips, websites, and anything else you can think of to help people create their own personal dance outfit. This includes general sowing tips for those who aren't accustomed to it.

I personally don't sew much, and haven't made a costume, but I can try to offer some advice.

Make sure you have your design perfected before starting. Try to draw it out as best as you can beforehand on paper first to see that it all looks ok.

Keep in mind how heavy, or light you want it too be. Make sure you have strong enough fabric, and thread to hold everything together.

Have a lot of extra beads/coins/sequins etc. on hand. You don't want to get close to finishing and realized you underestimated. Better safe than sorry right?

It also helps to double up your thread when you sow, its makes it twice as strong.
 

Amulya

Moderator
Good idea for a thread! I don't have anything to add at the moment, but I'll get back here when I can think of some tips and tricks
 

Shanazel

Moderator
A note on doubling your thread: this is really not as good an idea as you might think. Doubled thread can lead to tangles that will drive you nuts. Consider using a single strand of heavier thread, run it through beeswax, and iron the beeswax into the thread for stronger thread. This works well for sewing on pretties, but beware of using wax on hems and facings where ironing may cause beeswax to melt onto fabric.
 

LunaXJJ

New member
Thanks Shanazel. Yeah I do get tangles when doubling, but they usually straighten right out. Your idea is better though.
 

Jane

New member
I had a light bulb moment when I realized when you have a lining that is a different color from your outer fabric, you can use a different color thread for the bobbin so both sides of the fabric match your threads. Derp.

Changing your machine needle is a good idea. They get dull more often than you realize.

You can save some money by buying cone thread, like sold for a serger pic below, for your sewing machine. Just use something heavy with a vertical pole to hold it upright. Second pic below is way fancy and expensive, but you get the idea. Some vertical paper towel holders work okay. I had a friend rig me a homemade one with a thread guide.



 

Shanazel

Moderator
Oh, cute idea, Jane!

I dislike buying thread colors that I may never use again and that don't quite match anyway. As an alternative, I've invested in a full range of gray thread, from almost white to near black. I match the values of thread and fabric: the proper value of gray completely disappears against the colored fabric.

I've also learned it pays in the long run to buy really good thread. The cheaper varieties such as Coats and Clark are far fuzzier than more expensive brands like Mettler and make a bigger mess of your sewing machines innards. Put a strand of each kind of thread side by side and you'll see what I mean.

To solve the problem of hemming circle skirts of material that ravels, I invested in very narrow iron on bias tape that I buy in quilting stores when it's on sale. I ironthe tape at the very edge of the right side of the skirt before turning up the hem. It not only keeps the fabric from raveling but makes a very nice guide for a perfect hem.

Ha! I love this thread. Great idea, Luna.
 

adiemus

New member
Totally agree with you about buying good quality thread, it's just not worth it to have stuff that breaks and the fluff does get into the machine.

One of my tips is to draft patterns/designs onto interfacing, especially if I'm going to re-use it - eg for choli tops, belt shapes and so on. This makes the patterns much more durable especially if you've taken time to alter it on a muslin mock-up.

I've also 'invested' in lots and lots and lots of long glass-headed pins, the type you usually use for quilting. So much easier than short normal pins, and they're easier to find when you drop 'em.
 

Azrael

New member
I would give the following tips:

* Don't think you can "wing it" your first time and just make it up as you go along! It doesn't work and can end up looking terrible! (I should know)

* Think out your design carefully and how you're going to do it [I'm currently stuck because I didn't think my design through!]

* If you're unsure, ASK the ladies on the forum! They're very wise and can answer any question (no matter HOW ridiculous it seems to you. ) :)
 

LunaXJJ

New member
Shanazel - Thanks. :D

Azrael - I agree, there are a lot of members here who know their stuff, and are always ready to offer advice.

* Have some hook, and eye fasteners handy for small costume adjustments. Especially if you get something from a store that's not custom made to your measurements.
 

adiemus

New member
I offer slightly different advice from a couple of you - have an idea in mind when designing your costume, but be prepared to go with the flow as you create it, because sometimes what you have in your head just doesn't work when you make it up. I usually have a reasonable idea in my head of what I'm aiming for, but the finished garment almost NEVER looks like what I intended it to - so be creative and allow yourself to experiment. Provided you have plenty of fabric, the worst that can happen is you'll have to unpick a whole lot and redo them - and I've done THAT a fair few times!
Oh and I wouldn't be without my duct tape dummy EVER.
 

Shanazel

Moderator
I'm another one who goes on an idea and a wing when it comes to design. I don't think I've ever perfectly followed a pattern, a recipe, or an instruction in my life.:cool:
 

Daimona

Moderator
If you ever use a pre-made pattern, remember to COMPARE YOUR MEASUREMENTS TO THE measurements of the actual PATTERN to see if you need to do any adjustments. Unless the pattern was made for your body type, don't rely on comparing your measurments to the sizing chart.
 

Nejmeh

New member
Some budgetadvice: If your fabric isn`t 'flowy' enough you can soften it up by laying it a bucket of fabricsoftener overnight.

If a fabric is extremely runny I usually put a little bit of non staining fabricglue on the edge. But I like the bias tape advice Shanazael gave better though, thanks!!!

Needlepins, lots and lots of needlepins! If you can put a pin it, please do, don`t be modest in this. I can`t even count how many times I taught I had everything secured to find out the fabric was shifted somewhere during the process!:mad:
To find the dropped ones back I use a magnet. Just waive it across the dropping area.

Ow and an advice I still don`t follow myself. Do your crafts at a table or something else. Not in front of the tv having your beads on the arm of the sofa. That will inevidebaly end up in your project scattered across the room, either your cat will decide he can sit there or you will push it over. I`m talking from experience here:(
 

Shanazel

Moderator
I have a tray that is meant to be used serving breakfast in bed- it has short little legs and fits over a lap. I hate sitting upright at tables (I was the despair of those good female relatives who believed a lady sits in a straight chair with both feet on the floor) so I make myself comfortable on the couch with my feet up and put my tray across my lap and VOILA! A piece of felt makes a nice pad to keep my beads and sequins from gettng away from me.
 

Nejmeh

New member
I have a tray that is meant to be used serving breakfast in bed- it has short little legs and fits over a lap. I hate sitting upright at tables (I was the despair of those good female relatives who believed a lady sits in a straight chair with both feet on the floor) so I make myself comfortable on the couch with my feet up and put my tray across my lap and VOILA! A piece of felt makes a nice pad to keep my beads and sequins from gettng away from me.

Hehe, same here with sitting up straight and the despair of familymembers, I prever curling up on the couch with my legs under me! I had the same idea as you have but when something is on my lap thats just a cushion invitation for my cats.
 

Shanazel

Moderator
I have two cats that are constantly circling any project on the tray. You must be FIRM and bounce their little butts off the floor if they even breath in the project's direction. ;)
 

Chani

New member
Keep your thread wrapped in plastic or in a air tight container. It can dry out and become brittle meaning it will break and drive you mad. If it becomes like this throw the whole spool out and don't bother.
 

Rania

New member
Im going to make one...hopefully it will turn out lol

I don't want to use someone elses costume design as an inspiration, because I might end up copying, instead im using a shoe I have as my inspiration..a really pretty shoe ;)
 

Amulya

Moderator
I have two cats that are constantly circling any project on the tray. You must be FIRM and bounce their little butts off the floor if they even breath in the project's direction. ;)

:lol: Try cutting veils or other flimsy material, I have to lock mine in another room when I am busy with material like that.
 
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