Stilt Walking Costumes

For all the years I have been creating costumes it was not until last year that I had the pleasure to venture into the world of Stilt-Walking!  I began researching and gathering images - take a look at my "Stilt Walker" Pinterest Board.

After talking with the talented performers I would be making the costumes for, we decided on a Victorian-isc Theme!  I was so excited!  The Victorian Era is one of my all-time favorite Eras!! Click on Victorian to see my reasearch.  I briefly spoke of it here.  After narrowing it down to a couple of designs for each person, and deciding upon a colour palette, I began!!

I would be building a Crinoline Bustle undergarment.  Here is the finished item:

 After a fitting I had to reduce the weight by creating some openings:
I actually loved how you can peak in see the mechanics of the performer on her stilts!

 She actually decided to perform also with only this understructure with a corset, other armpieces, and a headpiece I later created for her!
Here are her wrist pieces:

 

The layers of skirts can be removed or additional light-weight fabrics can be used for other layers which can always be added or removed.

I was pretty excited with the outcome!  What I learned about this first experience:

- A stilt-walker costume take so much more fabric!
-Use slightly stiff but light fabrics!
-You do not know what it will look like until you see it on the performer with their stilts!!

 

The men's coat contains a detachable shawl collar and cuffs- he can switch out to match the women's costume with another fabric.  

Men's Stilt Pants

I was so lucky to find the perfect fabric for the men's Stilt Pants.  They were a light wool blend which contain a light layer of interfacing which gave it the perfect body and hang!  You can purchase a pair here or a fancy Tuxedo style here. 

 

For variation of the women's costume, I also made an underbust corset to be worn with the sleeveless cotton button down I had made.  This is an option to wear rather than the vest in the above photo.

 Her hats!  His is the only item I did not make- a nice black classic top hat!

I really enjoyed making these costumes, this was this first!  My second- a Venetian Couple was my second!  I will post photos later of this beautiful project!! 

Note:  The above three performer photos were not taken by me- please contact me for information.

Create for Stephen Jones....

Wow, a dream come true-- WORK FOR STEPHEN JONES!!

Well, not really work for Mr. Jones... but.. 

create from one of his patterns!!!

It is the eight pattern offered by SHOWstudio 

in a series of eight  "Design_Download".

Master milliner Stephen Jones has been going strong for three decades!  
Quick download this pattern, 

click on the photo above to take you to the site!!

Have fun creating!!

Photo: SHOWstudio.com

Di Sera- Evening

There are evening gowns and those who
follow the more sexy silhouette.

Small satin bustier and panties from 'retro air.
The inspiration and clear. Cabaret. Cult Films of the Seventies.

Flair- Dicembre 2011- Foto: Bruno Dayan

About

Costume Design transports us to various places and time.
Perfect Millinery is achieved when the finished hat
“seems to have been blown together by the wind”, a beauty of nature.
Pattern-making is drafting shapes on paper which create
three dimensional beauties.
When Draping one molds the fabric to create something amazing.
And when Sewing one gives life to fabric.
Welcome to my little part of the world. Enjoy your visit!
American Sarta

Moda esiste in cicli. Costume Design ci trasporta
in vari luoghi un tempo di.
Millinery perfetto si ottiene quando il cappello finito
“sembra essere stato bruciato insieme dal vento”,
una bellezza della natura.
Creazione di modelli sta elaborando forme su carta,
che creano tre bellezze tridimensionali.
Quando Drappeggi si stampi il tessuto per creare
qualcosa di incredibile.
E quando si cuceuno dà la vita al tessuto.
Benvenuti nella mia piccola parte del mondo. Buona visita!
American Sarta

My Contest Entry!

So sorry I have been behind on just about everything, I am catching up! Last week I checked my Deviant Art account only to realize there was a contest taking place entitled- "One Cat, One Fruit, One Clock". Click here to take a look at the contest!

My Entry:

"I am Late, I am Late, For a Very Important Date......"

My Concept:

Strawberry Shortcake meets Shere Kahn in Wonderland!

I was inspired by Alice in Wonderland-The Mad Hatter character,

The Rabbits pocket watch,

A spray of strawberries, of Strawberry Shortcake,

And the Jungle Books- Shere Khan!

I then printed the images on fabric and made my hat!

Wish me Luck!!

Lady Gaga a Hat Designer?

Lady Gaga will be trying something new she loves- Hat Designing!

After meeting Philip Treacy at the the British Awards, she would like to move to London to team up with this amazing milliner.

"Mr. Treacy areet to give her an internshi when they met at the Brits. She hopes to take him up on the offer this summer. Lady Gaga has requested and internship but Mr. Treacy will have to check her sewing skills first."

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Presents 2009

I was very happy that this year I made sure a few of my presents were specially handmade.

Since this was the first year my son was attending pre-school, I made three little christmas angels for each of his teachers.

An Angel

And I had to make at least on of my son's gifts! He loved it, a cute little stuffed owl that he calls, "Gufo", that's owl in Italian. He does not go to bed without him.

An Owl

And for my husband I made him a nice hat, with a lovely pinstriped lining!

A Hat

A Bouquet

And using remenants from my wedding dress I made a bouquet of flowers for my mother-in-law.

We had a wonderful Christmas, now back to making thing for my shop!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! And Happy 2010!!

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The Week.

Apart from having a cold and my son having the chicken-pox I continued to move along!

One to my list, now I have a dress ( which I am awaiting fabric) , a men's hat, and a blouse to complete. The list never seems to get shorter, and that's a good thing because it means I continue to work!!

Dress Project

So I sent off the package to the UK! It not only contained the desired dress, but a matching bolero and matching headpiece! I hope she enjoys!!

Hat

I completed the black woolen women's hat with black veil!

I love creating such classic lovliess! I am so glad people still request them and wear them!!

A Little Sweetness

And since we are now into December and all the Christmas decorations around town are now up I was in the holiday mood.

Candy Striped Fascinator

Using a buckram wire based disk, I constructed this lovely fascinator / headpiece!

I had the feathers, the fabric, and the veiling! It was completed yesterday morning! More photos and purchasing can be found in my Etsy shop.

I am off to the workroom!!

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A Small Project!

A client who runs one of the two local grocery business once asked me to make her a hat for her new grand-daughter. At the time I was swamped with projects and I never got around to making in. This morning I decided to take a few hours from my morning to finally complete it for her.

I had been thinking about it for days. Now I finally got it done!

I loved the red wool, but I thought it needed a little something. So I hand stitch the felt flowers and center beads. What a cutie!

Now I don't have to try to avoid here everytime I see her! (That's bad!!)

I will deliver her cute little hat later this afternoon!

Her grand-daughter will now be styling in the cold weather that has already arrived.

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Moving Right Along!

Projects, projects, projects!

Recently I have been very blessed that I have had work coming my way! So little time, so many ideas!

I had to stop from my goal of two new items a week for my Etsy shop. But I am fighting against time to begin a couple of new ideas I have had!

Wristlets

The cold weather is here, I hate it when I am working and my hands are cold! Therefore I drafted a glove pattern. Varying that pattern I have started making Wristlets, gauntlet length.

All the current Italian Fashion Magazines contain variations of gloves, fingerless, gauntlet and opera length. I have been inspired! I am beginning to fill up my sketchbook with ideas!

I just wish I could sew faster!!

Inspiration for my Wristlet Collection.

Spats

I began making men's spats! Soon I will be able to post them in my shop!

Oh, I am also making this pair for a friend and client who is a performing artist.

Spats!

Using an orange and pink cotton fabric which I have cut 1 1/2 wide stripes, then stitched together, will be the top layer be very appealing and fit perfect with the rest of her costume and show! (I am also constructing a similar men's pair.)

The photo on the below that one, is the base made of canvas which the top layer is attached. They will contain a hidden lacing closure at the center-back. This closure will allow comfort for all types of movement which she requires as a performer. The closure will also allow her the ability for the spats to be worn with a variety of shoes.

Other

I am also working on a few custom orders including two dresses, one blouse, and a hat!

Dress Decor.

This photo is the decoration of the first dress which will be sent out on Monday!

Back to my workroom I go! I sure do love to create, I just wish I had more time!!!

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Anna Sui Spring/Summer 2010

In he eighties Detroit-born Anna Sui began designing, in 1991 she debuted on the runway.

Love the hat!

Her aesthetic is easily recognizable in her patchwork and aesthetics of boudoir. So of her clients consist of Nicole Kidman, Marilyn Manson, Drew Barrymore, Sofia Coppola, and Stevie Nicks.

She has 32 boutiques, international cult status, a successful beauty line, and the Anna Sui BoHo Barbie®.

Here are three pieces of her Spring /Summer 2010 collection.

Wonderful detail.

In this collection it is wonderful to see how she mixes prints with plaids and everything else! And there is wonderful mixes of color, color, color!!

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Linen-Bamboo Hat Completed!

The hat is finally completed! It took me slightly longer than I anticipated, in between alterations, fittings, and a wedding, I am glad to say it is complete.

It is more of a couture headpiece, it is not an everyday hat for sure.

Working from my sketch I constructed a small top hat from buckram. It is covered in the linen fabric from the skirt I purchased. The linen was perfect to work with, I enjoyed working with the printed white and blue stripes on the fabric.

The tip of the hat is made of rows of bamboo stitched together.

Bamboo pieces are used as a small accent in the front of the headpiece. The top hat is attached to a buckram base which contains horsehair along the edge to attach to ones head.

The top hat is attached to the base at a slight tilt to the side. I also used the linen fabric between the base and top hat with an additional accent of bamboo.

It is perfect for a special occasion, worn at a slight tilt on the head!

Note: This lovely can be purchased in my Etsy shop! It can be yours if so desired!!

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