Baby Pennywise

Rose City Comic-con 2019 announced that they were going to have Tim Curry as a guest! Naturally, the hubby and I wanted to meet him.

I could go into a long rant about not meeting your heroes and the terrible organization of the signage area of that convention, but at this point it really doesn’t matter. Honestly, Tim Curry is a champ for even attempting to meet his fans, and it isn’t his fault that things went the way they did. Do I hate the photo we got with him? Yeah, kinda, but that is my failing and no one else’s.

ANYWAYS you aren’t here for all that, you are here for this tiny adorable clown I made!

Husbeast asked if we could adapt the Pennywise costume to a baby outfit, and I was like, sure! WHY NOT!?

I had an old vintage baby sleeper pattern that I could adapt (that didn’t even have sizes marked properly so THAT was fun.) It buttoned down the front and down one leg. I opted for a dark grey zipper since I had it on hand, and because as you can see in the original costume, the suit Tim wears has a dark line down the front center of his bodysuit. To keep things simple I wanted enclosed feet, and since he is a baby and it isn’t safe to use makeup on their tender skin, we needed a fun hat. I wanted it washable, comfy, and easy to get on and off.

First, the fabrics. I found soft cotton flannel in the colors I liked for the main body and sleeves/collar. The fabric I chose for the body of the suit isn’t a flat yellow, its mottled a bit. Which was a bit of a hectic issue when I messed up the cutting and thought I needed more, and they didn’t have any at the store. But I figured it out and made everything work, so thats ok.

The sleeves and collar fabric doesn’t exist as-is. I was going to have to make it. I thought about getting satin to make it shiny, but again, I wanted it more baby-proof and soft and washable. So I bought the flannel in purple and teal, then I added pink ribbon for stripes and the bit of blue at the wrists.

Making the fabric: So first, I cut the flannel into strips, sewed it together with half-inch seam allowances, pressed the seams open, and then I sewed the ribbon down on top of the seams, which helped strengthen the fabric and kept it flat. I didn’t serge any fabric edges either, because sewing the ribbon down on top like this would keep the edges from fraying apart too. Serging can add a bit of extra bulk that I didn’t want.

I went back and forth on the vest fabric. I finally ended up with a one-sided minky fabric with stars on it, because I’ve read IT and the “Monster” comes from space and it worked in my head. Better for a baby costume than scratchy sequined fabric anyways!

The original vest is trimmed in pink so I used pink bias tape and edged the tiny vest that way. The vest wasn’t apart of the original pattern so I had to mock it up. Since I didn’t line it it was pretty simple to do.

I had some great orange yarn and made the pom-poms. I attached them to the costume with safety pins. Which is good, because Rodge-podge tried to eat them more than once and it was simple to remove them. It helps with the washable aspect of this costume too.

For the hat I just measured his head and created a simple pull-on out of white flannel. I sewed red yarn around it for a wig-style baby hat. But it was missing something. I put it on him and I was like, omg, the eyebrows. THE EYEBROWS. So I sketched a shape on paper until I liked it, used a Frixion pen to draw them on the front of the hat, then I used black sewing thread and my sewing machine and filled in the drawing.

It all worked! But I was running out of time, and with a 5 month old and no sleep, I really messed up the collar. I decided to use more white flannel and the last bits of my sleeve fabric and layered it just like the original costume. I DID NOT think that through. The flannel was wayyyyy too bulky. I should have used a bleached white Muslin so I could box pleat it and not have as much bulk. There was just not enough time to fix it after it was said and done. Oh well! You learn things as you go sometimes.

I think my fave part was trying it on Roger while I was making it.

Making this was a fun project though, over-all. I enjoyed making something for the convention. Our costumes were easy, since Rodge-Podge was Pennywise, we were in yellow rainslickers. We had a red balloon from Red Robin with us too.

I’m glad I could do this for Husbeast. He comes up with the best ideas.

I’m back!

I dropped off the face of the earth. Too long. Had a baby April 2019, been dealing with this crazy pandemic and the business. Lots of slumps and depression, but lately I’ve been itching to do more than just scroll through facebook.

I have CERTAINLY been costuming, especially little-man’s first Halloween and krampusnacht, but mostly for others, not myself. I have multiple designs I’ve created and I want to share sketches and plans, as well as jumpstarting my Padme picnic dress and try to get it finished, and do some other things this year. Including a fun take on the Sanderson sisters with my friends.

So stay tuned! I will be updating Padme’s page and creating pages for baby pennywise and Krampus, as well as the Victorian gowns I made this year. And more! So much more! I’m erupting with ideas! Even if I can’t actually make much with bebe running about.

Thanks for visiting!

Here goes nothing….

I won’t lie, I’m tired, I don’t have a lot of time to do my own art at the moment, because every minute seems I’m scrambling to try to make ends meet. So I’m attempting to get a grant. I spent most of today writing the description of my art, why I love it, my artist resume, and getting good photos of my tablet-weaving together in an attempt to get it.

Now if I can only have a solid day to sit down with this warped up band and weave it!!!!!!! You have no idea how much I long to turn cards and see the pattern emerge.

So here is to art, and the attempt to earn money making it, in one form or another! It will certainly help things a lot. I don’t hear back until June so I will let you all know if I manage to win anything! :: crosses fingers and toes::

I’ve moved! AHHH!

I’m super excited about moving my business and starting a new creative enterprise. We hear a lot about “Maker Spaces” in the creative circles I run around in, and I’m so proud to say I’ve started one with an amazing partner that has the same kind of vision I have! I’m happy to announce that The Productivity Parlour for Artful Living will be holding classes and events starting in November 2016, at 741 St. Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402.

What does this mean?!? It means that instead of spending my days sad about how I don’t have time to make things, now MY ENTIRE JOB IS TO MAKE THINGS! You have no idea how thrilled that makes me. From head to toe. It isn’t just because I get to make things either, but potentially I get to help other people make things too! A Maker space is exactly that- a space that people get to create in. The Productivity Parlour for Artful Living will be a textile one. A space dedicated to textile crafts.

I don’t know how familiar you are with textiles dear reader, but that is a HUGE range of activities. From working on regular clothing, (alterations and repair) to creating grand ball gowns and wedding dresses, cosplays, historical items, and more. The potential customer base is as varied as the activities possible. From folks who need to explore alterations because they aren’t a standard fashion size and shape, to people within the varied world of re-enactment and multi-faceted fandoms, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who no longer have the basic skills they need to make clothing and costumes. Single moms who want to try and save money by repairing and altering their clothing, maybe someone who is attempting to dress as the gender they identify as but their body doesn’t yet match… there are so many different people who need what we want to provide, and I’m so happy to be doing this.

Talking about it makes me happy. Sitting in the space designing classes and reaching out to different communities to find amazing instructors, these things make me so happy! I hope people join me in creating things. I can’t wait to help others discover the joys of sewing and other textile crafts that I love.

Costume “Rules”

I always laugh about how people talk about my “off season” times at the costume shop. While it IS true that I don’t have hundreds of people walking into the store during the majority of the year like I do during October, there is no true OFF season anymore. The economy is getting better (or so they say) and people want to have themed parties, attend conventions, dance at masquerade balls, and parade about at historical re-enactments and faires year-round. And why not? Costumes are fun!!!

There are no rules as far as costumes go, no matter what people have told you. There are merely guidelines depending on the groups you may be spending time with. While you may find groups like the Society for Creative Anachronism, the 501st, or those like them, remember one important thing. If you aren’t having fun with them, there isn’t much point in being there. Don’t let someone who has to be “correct” ruin your day. They’ll puff themselves up being right, and eventually they’ll find themselves alone while you’ve moved on to better things.

That goes for more casual affairs too. If you get excited at the thought of being dressed from head to toe in the costume of your choice, and you are invited to a party, GO ALL OUT! If you are shopping with a friend and they aren’t into it, don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself. I can’t tell you how often I’ve had a pair of people in the store and one person was happy and excited until the other acted like a jerk. It drives me crazy.

Go out. Find your happy. Dress like a pirate to go grocery shopping like I do occasionally. Why not? Worst that can happen is you end up on “the people of Walmart” website. And if you are wearing a Mandalorian mask no one will know its you.

Soooo busy…

Been a crazy busy last couple of months. Weeeee! Have I worked on projects? Oh yes. Have I created costumes? Oh yes. Do I have the energy to write them all down and show you pictures? Nope. Nope nope nope.

I’m going to continue this trend by signing off with that and cuddling my cat while watching the Vampire in Brooklyn. YAY!

Had a blast at Emerald City Comic-con 2015!

So, been recovering from con-crud as we all lovingly call it. Eating gluten by mistake made me miserable and open to catching a cold, and then working Norwescon 38 the following weekend didn’t help. Hey, when they pack 80,000 people into a convention center, you are bound to catch something! I had a good time though. Didn’t get to see as much as I wanted because we didn’t go Friday like usual, and I volunteered Sunday with the 501st for over 4 hours (leaving directly after so that Manbeast could watch WrestleMania… sigh) but it was worth it. I got to meet Tom Hodges, but most importantly, Anthony Daniels (He is so incredibly funny and awesome!) Manbeast volunteered with me too, and I must say, our RSO outfits looked awesome! Here we are with my friend Nikki!

Saturday we spent with some amazing friends of ours. Dena was a steampunk vampire hunter, and I was her vampire. I loved the subtle light/dark looks we had, even though I was the evil one, I tried to wear my lightest colored steampunk costume pieces, while hers was a lot of darker pieces, even the rosary and sword were dark. It was glorious! I loved it.

luring me in with her sweet blood, little did I know that the hunter had a silver chain in her hands!

The holy silver chain! HOW IT BURNSSSS!

She pierces my heart with her wooden sword! Curses!

 Yes, cleavage happens. Its called a corset.

I hope everyone else loved Comic-con as much as I did! I will post photos of the final Steampunk costume and a more in-depth look at the bustle skirt that I made for my friend Taylor’s wedding in my next post! (I’m eagerly awaiting the photos from the wedding! I loved my hair and my tiny black top hat from Brigid’s Whispers, you have no idea…)

If I didn’t make my costume, most of the pieces I wore came from the costume shop I own/work at, or from other local businesses and vendors at Ren Faire’s and Conventions.

 

Comic-con is coming up fast!

So I’ll be at Emerald City Comic-con again this year, yay! I received my badge for Saturday in the mail, I’m so happy! I’m volunteering for the 501st booth as my ISO gal Sunday too (maybe a good group shot photo of all us Pacific Northwest gals at the con). Double yay! I’m currently working on a steampunk costume for my friend Taylor’s wedding the weekend AFTER Comic-con (NORWESCON! WHERE GEORGE R. R. FREAKIN MARTIN WILL BE! SOOOO EXCITED! AHHHH), so I’m going to finish the costume for ECCC, so that I can wear it and test it out. Special note here: You should ALWAYS do a test-run by actually putting on the entire outfit when dealing with a special-costume for a special day… it saves a lot of heartaches later. My project progress will be posted soon hopefully! I’m making a bustle-style skirt for this, using gold and blue, should be interesting! I’ll post photos and which pattern I’m using and ALL the things. Happy March! (Woah, this year is almost 1/4 over! Crazy!!!)

New Tablet Woven Band from Applesies and Fox Noses!

Decided to make the 15th band called “Ladders” in Applesies and Fox Noses! This band is a replica of a Finnish band found in the Kaukola Kekomaki graveyard and dating from the Carelian Iron Age. The band has 12 cards (6 for the borders and 6 for the central pattern) and I used two colors, dark and light purple in Cascade 220 wool fingering weight yarn. Finished width of band is 1/2 an inch.

Updates and changes!

Welcome to the easier to read Pixie Costumer! I wanted to make my blog a little easier to navigate, so no worries, its still me! I will be tweaking the look of everything over the next couple days until I’m happy with it! See you all again soon!