Baby Stitch Up Blog

Body language- the soul of every costume

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:03:07 +0000

What is the importance of body language when you are trying to pull off a costume? In my opinion, the body language is the only thing that will help you convince the other person that you are not just wearing a costume but have actually become that person whom you are trying to ape. Want proof? Well, just check out pop up stands advertising Daniel Craig as James Bond. Compare the images with his role in Lara Croft’s movie where he plays a mercenary renegade explorer and treasure hunter.

If you notice carefully, the change in body language will what make the ultimate difference. Wear the costume of a clown and then go ahead with a shift to the costume of a gangster or a funeral home director. Get the body language right and you will astound the people in front of you by coming across as two different individuals in a span of a few minutes.

The body language also happens to be the most difficult aspect of pulling off a costume. Buying the costume is not a difficult task. Anybody with enough money in the bank can go ahead and purchase the same. Even if you do not have money, you can go ahead and rent the same. If you have no money whatsoever, then you can even borrow the costume from a friend.

Unfortunately, you cannot borrow the body language from a person who is an expert in wearing different costumes. This is something that you will have to inculcate by regular practice. You must develop a keen sense of observation to identify small mannerisms that set different people apart. 007 will have a suave and even bored approach towards mundane treasure. This, on the other hand, will be the biggest motivator for a treasure hunter. Getting this right will take time.

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Costumes at Christmas

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:33:07 +0000

When I tell people I am a Costumier, they smile and seem to come over all strange and peculiar. I know what they’re thinking at that moment – they’re usually thinking any of the following: 1) Oh, I’d love to be someone who makes clothes all day. That sounds like remarkably good fun or 2) Oh, to do a job that’s a laugh and not hard work at all. I am jealous. Or 3) All those colours, can you even really call that a job?

Well, here are my answers to all three: 1) would you? Would you really? Hmm. 2) it IS hard work I’ll have you know! 3) Yes, yes you can. Now be quiet, that’s quiet enough from you!

…one way to do this is to grab an old coat hanger and fashion it into a body…

Sorry, got a bit stressed then, but am all calm again now.

And with that we begin today’s hints and tips: how to make Christmas costume presents…

A) you don’t need to have my Costume-making skills, really you don’t! There are loads of tutorials on Youtube now so just about anyone with a brain and hands can make custom clothes. How very cool.

B) Fancy dress parties are a big part of Christmas so who knows…you may have to dress up as executive office furniture or something bizarre like that. Anyway, the point is that you should feel free to incorporate anything you like into costumes. Lady Gaga does it with meat and stuff, so why shouldn’t you do it with whatever you please as well? For example, I know someone who went to a fancy dress party as a pair of wardrobe doors. She actually managed to look quite sexy as well…not the easiest thing to achieve!

C) Make mini costumed people for the Christmas tree! This is something fun that anyone can do. For example, one way to do this is to grab an old coat hanger and fashion it into a body, and then take a door-knob off a door or a cupboard and use that as the head. And hey presto, you have your doll which can be hung from the tree!

Strictly stunning!

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:33:07 +0000

In the UK these days you’re either X-Factor or you’re Strictly. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about then you must have been living in a cave for the last ten years! I was always going to be a Strictly girl; not only is their evil judge much wittier and cattier than Simon Cowell, but the sheer showmanship of the programme was always going to appeal to me. That and the fabulous costumes, obviously.

Ballroom dancing seems to have never heard of the phrase “less is more”. All the guys are in Lycra or covered in sequins. Either that, or they’re showing off their physiques with an open jacket/tight pants combination that has me and the two gay judges drooling like a dieter in a cake shop. The women’s costumes are usually quite tasteful, if a little on the meringue side, for the ballroom numbers, and when it comes to the Latin dances, well…. Let’s just say my husband adores the Latin routines for all the “barely-there” costumes they’ve put the sexy, petite professionals into!

I’d live to work on a show like Strictly, where you would get the chance to create something completely original, based on nothing more than a piece of music and someone’s personality. Mist TV or film costume designing isn’t nearly so free; you could hardly have one of the characters in Downton Abbey make her entrance in a red PVC dress with matching heels! When I graduated I touted my portfolio round a couple of TV production companies, in the hope that it would lead to my big break in Hollywood, but after spending a couple of months doing nothing more than seeing all the different reception desks London offices had to offer, I decided to be more realistic. Of course, it was only days after my last rejection that I got my first theatrical commission. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Ramblings of a Costumier

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:03:06 +0000

Everyone has a different idea of a what a Costumier does. Although the actual job description is obvious, the job itself varies enormously depending on the task in hand. It’s never like being an accountant or a bank manager, this practical job, you know. Often it revolves around just as much social work as it does clothes-making.

I say this because an inherent part of a Costumier’s job is dealing with people. Not only dealing with people but converting their strict wishes for clothes into the exact garments that they have designed in their heads.

There’s just one problem. Most people aren’t able to transfer what’s inside their head to paper. This is where I step in, and, until the day that peoples'brains are capable of taking USB leads, it’s going to be very much a case of ask question after question.

I tell Mark how much it is and although for a second he looks like he might throw up, afterwards he waves me on and tells me to make them

The various stages of a Costumier’s job goes something like this.

Let us assume that our customer is Mark from Red Diesel Swindon . Now Mark is fantastic at talking…a little too fantastic as it goes. What he isn’t good at is listening intently. So it takes a while to work out what Mark wants.
Mark, I discover after a long hard half an hour, wants some fancy dress outfits for his team. They are going to give a presentation in Japan and Mark feels that some outfits which make the people look like smiling tractors will be a magnificent thing.
I take notes, carefully mining Mark’s enthusiastic mind for crucial information.
I set to work looking at photos for inspiration. It’s a long and tricky process, this, while I come up with suitable sketches.
I meet up with Mark to discuss the sketches. As he takes into account the monetary side of making walking talking tractor costumes he quietens down. This is common and a perk of the job.
We both settle on a single idea which we think looks best. The front of the tractor in these photos is ideal because it will lend itself to making a smiling mouth. So this is the one we choose. I tell Mark how much it is and although for a second he looks like he might throw up, afterwards he waves me on and tells me to make them. I go to his work and measure the team up.
I make them. It is fun. I like making walking talking tractor outfits. There is a tricky thing trying to make them not seem childish, but after that it’s easy enough.
I meet Mark and his team who try them on. They are chuffed. I am chuffed. It is something unusual to add to my CV, which is nice.

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Make your own T shirt

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:03:13 +0000

Although I spend a lot of time – every day, up to eleven hours…way too long – making costumes, once I get home I still have the burn in me to create more stuff. I know it’d madness, but what can I say? That’s just the way I roll I suppose.

One thing which I have often been known to do is to make my own T shirts. And we’re not talking the shoddy rubbish like what might spring to mind, but the kind of quality stuff that looks like it came right off a catwalk!

Here’s how to create your own quality home-made T shirt. It isn’t an instant fix and does require some time and patience, but the end result will be a stunning T that you’ll be asked about wherever you go. So…

Firstly, make sure you use quality rag. By that I mean a decent T shirt that won’t shrink. No point spending all that time on it only for it to shrink the day after!

I paint directly onto the fabric. But this isn’t advisable. It’s best to draw the design with a chalk

Now you have your T, you need a design. Those with not much of a clue or artistic streak can find anything they want on Youtube or design pages. Those who want to create an original design, feel free. For the purpose of this here article, let’s say that I am going to do a tiger design…

Seeing as I have done this many times before, I paint directly onto the fabric. But this isn’t advisable. It’s best to draw the design with a chalk and go from there. Put cross-hatched lines on the parts you want to fill and start painting.

Ah, wait, before you start painting you will need…um, paint! Go with oil paint as it is completely washable and lasts longer than most T shirt ink!

You don’t need art classes to do a sterling job of it. First put some cardboard or paper under the layer of fabric to protect the back from getting paint on, then apply the oil paint on thick enough that it covers the fibres completely, but don’t slap it on too thickly once you have done that.

After that you’ll need to wait for the paint to dry, and that in itself will take its time. Even if you leave it out in the warm it’ll still take a while. Probably at least 3 days of constant non-stop drying time, that is.

Next? You wear it, of course. Everyone’s a winner!

Now then, maybe you want to stencil your design on instead? Look no further than this video…

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Costume Party Time

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:03:50 +0000

As a costumier I have many secrets that I can share with you. For instance you are invited to a fancy costume party and you have no idea what to wear. Here are some affordable and simple tips to help you out.
• Stick with a theme- Whatever the theme of the party is stick with it. For instance if it a party with a movie theme don’t dress up like a character from history (unless of course that character was in a movie).
• Keep it affordable- Many people do not have the option of going out and spending lots of money on a costume so it may be best to create the costume yourself. You could borrow items or even shop around at thrift stores. Searching online can also help you save money in the long run.
• Costume should be comfortable – You do not want to show up to the costume party in something that is going to be completely uncomfortable. If you have items that need to be removed make sure that it is convenient to do so.
• Have fun with it- A fancy costume party can be lots of fun so the costume should be fun as well. To make the party fun you could even get together with friends and plan what you will wear. If you are going with your romantic other you can also match with each other as well.
• Make sure you accessorize- The accessories are the most important part of the costume. They can help make a budgeted costume outstanding.
Dressing in costumes can be fun. For myself a costume is an investment so much so that I feel like the Rowan Dartington of costumiers. Follow the above advice and you will have a fantastic party.

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Thanks A Million Gok!

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:22:17 +0000

Oh, back in the day, being a Costumier was grim, I tell thee. We were lumped in the same mental-box as wig makers and men in long coats who can’t help but flash passerby. It was tough for a while, but then, out of nowhere or so it seemed to me, Gok Wan came out and fixed all that. And ever since then, I have felt so much more proud of what I do. Thanks Gok!

The only bad thing about Gok’s shows is, of course, that thanks to him ANYONE can make things out of almost nothing. Not the best for me! But still, I don’t let it get me down. And anyway, the kind of complex stuff is something you can only learn through hard work anyway, so I’m not feeling too threatened just yet.

At least…I don’t think I am.

Another cool thing about Gok is the confidence he has inspired in people not only from the UK, but across the world. Because of this, larger men and women who used to be very self-conscious are now getting braver and coming to me for fashion help; instead of me having to pay out for advertising which can get very expensive. This means more business, and it means I can pay my bills better. Much more fun than working for red diesel Wakefield or the Post Office if you ask me! Which is good, because I don’t fancy the idea of wandering around posting letters through doors and having my fingers nipped at by angry sounding dogs…

Inspire to be inspired

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:20:15 +0000

Inspiration - defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions”. For a costumier inspiration is imperative, without inspiration there is not creativity, no desire to produce something with vision, inspiration is a necessity not a ‘nice to have’. However inspiration has to be worked on every minute of everyday, not only do you have to come in top contact with things that may inspire, you to have to harbour the ability to see and be inspired. Inspiration for a costumier can essentially come from anything; the drawing a child did in class, the way the water ripples in your fish tank, chess boards, your friends new shoes or mums latest gardening efforts. The key is to see these things in a new way, an inspiring way, indeed a way that moves the intellect or emotions. Inspiration of course does not have to be born from visual or tangible artefacts, inspiration can come from the lyrics of a song or the ambience of a party. Here the task of bringing the inspiration to design to more challenging, you have to work on your own feeling and try to emulate that on paper to create outfit that reflects what you were thinking, but this challenge is an exciting one, one that really pushes your creativity and ability as a costumier. The key to great inspiration is not to actively seek it out, but to be able top recognise when something crosses your path and truly strikes a cord inside bringing this to the table can create the most magnificent of pieces.

Tales From A Costumier

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 06:34:10 +0000

They say that people come in all shapes and sizes and by God is that a fact. When you’re a Costumier you tend to notice that more than most people…and some of the things you find out about people are nothing less than completely astonishing!

For example, I have seen all the following in my time. And there are no names mentioned because, well, it’s pretty obvious. You’ll know as soon as you start reading.

1) A man with a woman’s bum. He became known as “the man with the woman’s bum” and I still feel very, very sorry for him. But what can you do? If it makes you feel any better, and you are reading this, I often see dogs with fat woman’s bums, so just know that you are not alone.

2) A man who could cut paper on his shoulder blades. I kid you not. This really did happen. Cool party trick, but it’s not very handy when you want to wear silk…

3) A woman who got stuck in a dress, then got stuck in a changing room, then refused to come out, and yes, you guessed it: we had to call the fire brigade, who found the whole thing nothing short of hilarious. Do I blame them? Um…no. We found it hilarious too of course!

4) An elderly woman who had the body of a 21 year old girl and her name rhymed with Sarah Jane Szikora , or something. Not even joking. Now that, that, how do you explain that?

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Following orders

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:06:37 +0000

If there’s one thing I don’t like about my job, it’s picky clients. Or, to be more polite, clients who really know their own minds. A lot of the time when I get a job, the brief is very vague. I’ll be given a few pointers, maybe some colour selections and the odd specific instruction - like don’t make my daughter’s dress too revealing! I don’t mind following a couple of orders here and there, as long as my creative juices are still allowed to flow.
However, I have one client at the moment who is driving me crazy. I feel like taking everything I’ve done for him so far, sticking it in self storage and leaving the country with the large deposit he’s already paid. I figure I deserve it for all the stress he’s put me through. I should have known not to take the job on when it was described as a “corporate event”. I know he’s probably just getting his orders from his boss, who’s getting his orders from his boss, but it doesn’t seem fair that I feel at the bottom of the pile when I’m the talent!
First, the brief was the most complicated I’ve ever seen; it filled seven pages with meticulous instructions about every aspect of the costume’s design. Now to some costumers, that probably seems like a dream come true. You can work on autopilot, just ticking off the client’s demands one by one. Not me. If I’m not allowed some flexibility and the opportunity to put my own stamp on my work, then I’m afraid I start to sulk. And this sulk is going to go on until either the project is over, or the client accepts that we do things my way…

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