no sewing required! steampunk costuming for the sewing-machine challenged
DESCRIPTION
You’ve planned the perfect steampunk ensemble, but with just one problem – you can’t sew! Never fear, this panel will show all of the amazing costumes you can make without ever stepping near a sewing machine. After teaching you how to find the best raw materials, we’ll demonstrate how to rip, glue, grommet, tape, staple, shred, heat press, knot, and bind readily found thrift store items into the steampunk outfit of your dreams. This presentation includes before-and-after photos as we turn thrift store rejects into one-of-a-kind costumes. Originally given at Teslacon 4, November 2, 2013.TRANSCRIPT
No Sewing Required!
Brittney Benjamin &Laura Croff Wheaton
CHOOSING YOUR MATERIAL
Fabrics
• Can be used to tie overall ensemble together• Can make bustles, scarves, cravats, etc• Things to look for– Fun colors– “Fray Test”• Can sometimes get away with easily frayable fabric if
you use fray check before cutting
– Already hemmed
Shapes
• Think about era– Wide prom dress skirts = civil war– Huge 80’s sleeves = mutton sleeves
• Versatility of shape– Many ways to add to a straight skirt
Fun Embellishments
• Things to look for– Cost efficiency– Easily removed
Things to “Avoid”
• Ill-fitting leather• Very obvious decade pieces
• 80’s dresses work; 60’s pantsuits probably don’t
• Knits• Wool• Heavy linings/layers
Good Staples
• Ladies– 80’s prom dresses– Bridesmaid dresses– Button down shirts– Fashion vests– Long fitted skirts– Blazers/suit jackets– Curtains– Belts
Good Staples
• Men– Button down shirts– Coats that fit in the shoulders
– don’t worry about sleeve length
– Vests– Ladies’ silk scarves– Leather and canvas belts
NO SEW TECHNIQUES
Seen vs. Hidden
• Seen– Grommets– Knotting– Ribbon Ties– Hardware– Stamping– Dyeing
• Hidden– Hot Glue– Fabric Glue– Fray Check– Interfacing– Iron-on Hem Tape– Safety Pins/Staples– Tape
Grommets
• Pros– Variety of Material– Can help resize– Can “join” fabric– Pretty!– Strong
• Cons– Expensive-ish– Time consuming– Permanent
• How to:– Punch– Grommets (dif. Sizes)– Hammer vs. Grip
Knotting
• “Fleece Blanket Knots”• Pros– Can “join” fabric– Decorative/Punk– Easy
• Cons– Time consuming– Requires extra fabric
Ripping/Shredding
Wrapping
Ribbon Ties
• Several Techniques• Pros– Easy– Drawstrings, bustles
• Cons– Somewhat limited
Hardware
• Pros– Strong– Decorative
• Cons– Heavy
Stamping
• Pros– Easy– Can change/cover
patterns– Decorative
• Cons– Doesn’t change structure
of cloth
Dyeing
• Pros– Cheap/easy– Update plain outfits
• Cons– Limited to certain fabrics– Permanent/Messy– Color matching– Doesn’t alter shape/fit of
garment
Hot Glue
• Pros– Easy– Quick– Fairly stable/permanent
• Cons– Melts in hot weather– Not stable over time– Burns!
Fabric Glue
• Pros– Variety of fabric– Usually machine washable
• Cons– Takes a long time to dry– Messy
E-6000
• Pros– Will last a lifetime– Washable– Good for joining different
materials • Ex: leather to cloth, cloth to
metal
• Cons– 48 hour drying time– Messy/smelly while drying
Fray Check
• Pros– Can be used in conjunction with many other
techniques• Cons– Takes a while to dry– Sticky while drying
Interfacing
• Pros– Many uses• Stop fraying• Stiffen fabric• Add appliqués
• Cons– Can stick to iron
Iron-on Hem Tape
• Pros– Hemming!– Join fabrics– Varying sizes
• Cons– Long term strength– Iron burns
Safety Pins/Staples
• Pros– Easy– Quick– Alterable– Punk!
• Cons– Not very durable**
• Can fix by “sealing” with hot glue
– Accidental stabbage
Duct Tape!
• Pros – Cheap– Easy– Quick– Can “Join” fabric– Duct tape crafts
• Cons– Not very pretty (generally)
COMMON FIXES
Resizing
• Generally easier to make things smaller
• Making things bigger: probably still need to be within a few sizes
Resizing a dress
• Rule of Thumb: Make sure it fits over your hips!
• Grommets: can either make dress bigger or smaller
• Too short/long: bustle and wear over another skirt
Resizing a vest• 2 ways– Split back: grommet or
add panel– Add fabric with
buttons to front
Changing Length
• Making sleeves/pants SHORTER:– Safety pins or hem tape
• Making sleeves/pants LONGER:– Can add fabric “inserts” to ends – “Cheating”: Can sometimes just hide with gloves
or spats!
Altering a Shirt Collar
• Fray Check• Cut off collar!
Making a Bustle Pad
• Pillows– Small throw
pillow + ribbon
• Purses!– Stuff “slouch”
purse, add ribbon
Making a Bustle
• Curtains!• Can do similar trick with
sheets, scarves, prom skirts, etc.
Altering a Coat (Ladies)
Altering a Coat (Mens)
Pockets Galore!
• Gail Carriger’s Excellent Tutorial
PUTTING TOGETHER A TOTAL OUTFIT
Color Scheme
Accessories!
Accessories!
Things to consider…
• Character!• Tropes– Adventurer vs. Aristocrat
Things to consider…
• “Era”
Comfort
• Can you sit?• Can you get through the door?• Will the costume last the entire time you want
to wear it?• Temperature
“Afters”
Overall…
• Learn new techniques! – Sewing is NOT scary, and many of these ideas can
be applied to simple sewing– The “next step” is not always a sewing machine,
but a dress mannequin! • Can help with draping, hemming, etc.
• Trial and Error• Cheap/Fast/Well-made: Pick 2• HAVE FUN
QUESTIONS?
THE END