Welcome all.

We have moved to F-Costume mailing list to a new home here in the yahoo
groups.  We hope to revive this list by the addition of a message archive
and a place to post pictures.

F-costume will be a place to discuss Fantasy and Science Fiction costuming
in all its variations.  This will include everything from original designs
to book and movie recreations.

We welcome all questions about making and designing costumes.  Do not be
afraid to ask question.  And understand there are multiple answers to
questions depending on your goals and resources.  Different folks know
different information and techniques. We are stronger in knowledge as a
community.... and we're really going to make some wonderful outfits in the
process.

Also we are going to work hard to archive the information into a more
coherent form so it's easier to look up in long term use.  This will be a
multi step process. The good news is that we have some of the info up there
already at Alley Cat Scratch.  We are going to combine what we have from our
sister group, LOTR Costume, with  what's in our "Making 'Em" section
(http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/MakeingEm.htm ) and try to build a
library of tips and detail.  (This will take a little while.. but we will at
least get started.)

To build this knowledge base we are going to use tips and articles posted in
this yahoo group.  All writing will remain the authors' properties. If you
do not wish you tips posted, please notify the group moderators.

Again, welcome.

-Cat-


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The photo currently shown on the group's home page is very special. This
was Bobby Gear in her Peacock Lady outfit (yes, the fan tail at the back
did rise up and spread out). Bobby was an incredible lady with a great
zest for life - which was sadly cut short by cancer just after her 63rd
birthday.

She was a founding member of the Greater Columbia Fantasy Costumers
Guild (GCFCG) and of the International Costumers Guild (ICG), and worked
tirelessly to promote costuming whether by supervising costuming tracks
at conventions, running masquerades, green rooms, or "simply" by
encouraging new costumers to get to it. She, herself won various Costume
awards from 1984 through 1991 at Regional, CostumeCon and WorldCon
levels. Garnering a total of 17 presentation awards and a bunch of
workmanship awards. This was one of her early ones.

We thought it embodied the concepts of Fantasy costuming, and so as a
tribute to a woman who will be so missed, we asked Marty to let us use
it on the group's home page.

	 -Judy

I am very happy to see this new Yahoo group.  I am a member of the LOTR costume
list, as
well as a couple for Pirates of the Caribbean.  With the Narnia movie coming
out, and
renewed interest in Star Wars, there seems to be an increase in fantasy costume
interests.

Denise

harper_1_2000 wrote:
> I am very happy to see this new Yahoo group.  I am a member of the LOTR
costume list, as
> well as a couple for Pirates of the Caribbean.  With the Narnia movie coming
out, and
> renewed interest in Star Wars, there seems to be an increase in fantasy
costume interests.

Hi Denise,
	 Well, you already know Cat & me! We thought this would be a great way
to discuss the costuming challenges for all the other movies as well as
fantasy costuming in general - without having to use the LotR-costume
list. ;-)

	 Have you been to the 'Wardrobe' on the narnia list? They're trying to
do an analsys on the costumes, such as Disney has let out.

	 -Judy

I'd forgotten I was on the f-costume list!  Well, glad to see it'll be
searchable now.  To get the ball rolling, I'm working on making Neo's
coat from the second Matrix film. I've got it mostly done, as you can
see here http://rivendelldesigns.net/costumes/neocoat/ , but my
question is this.  I've made it out of wool, which I've never used
before this, so it's a learning experience.  I'm planning to cut out a
band of the wool to sew to the bottom of the 'skirt', turn it up and
sew the liner to that, if that made ANY sense since I'm braindead from
working on a jedi costume.  If I shaped the band before sewing it on,
will it hold the shape?  Or should I just sew it on, and then gather
to fit?  Which would you recommend?

Did I make any sense? Sheesh.  I need coffee.
Sarah

Sarah wrote:
> I'd forgotten I was on the f-costume list!  Well, glad to see it'll be
> searchable now.  To get the ball rolling, I'm working on making Neo's
> coat from the second Matrix film. I've got it mostly done, as you can
> see here http://rivendelldesigns.net/costumes/neocoat/ , but my
> question is this.  I've made it out of wool, which I've never used
> before this, so it's a learning experience.  I'm planning to cut out a
> band of the wool to sew to the bottom of the 'skirt', turn it up and
> sew the liner to that, if that made ANY sense since I'm braindead from
> working on a jedi costume.  If I shaped the band before sewing it on,
> will it hold the shape?  Or should I just sew it on, and then gather
> to fit?  Which would you recommend?
>

	 Hi Sarah, welcome over! I think (hope) there'll be a few familiar faces
here. Your coat sounds lovely. BTW, have you lined the wool to stablize
it at all? Wool does stretch (that's the beauty of working with it, you
can get a fabulous tight fit just working the fiber). Personally, I
think making a shaped hem band is just too much work. You might run some
gather threads and tighten it up to fit. Frankly, I just ease the tucked
areas.

	 Actually I'm thinking of making a variation on the matrix coat. I'm
thinking of starting with my Gothic Fitted Dress pattern (basically a
tight fitted, front lacing, 4-gored dress) but changing out for a
mandarin collar and different sleeves. Also thinking of either switching
to a back zip instead of the lacing, or using some really cool clasps I
picked up and using those from the neck to belly and letting it flare
open from there. Gee: matrix coat/Leggy Coronation coat, either way!

	 -Judy

>>I'd forgotten I was on the f-costume list!  Well, glad to see it'll be
searchable now.



We're hoping to kick start it back to life.  It was my first experience with
virtual costuming years ago... was out the only source for fantasy
costuming... a long time ago in computer time.  Also it is one of the lists
that LOTR Costume started from. ... so we're returning the favor.   The
Alley Cat Scratch folks have taken it under our wing.  We'd like to thank
Elizabeth for her years of stewardship on the F-Costume list and for giving
us the privilege of taking this puppy into newer technology.







>>To get the ball rolling, I'm working on making Neo's
coat from the second Matrix film. I've got it mostly done, as you can
see here http://rivendelldesigns.net/costumes/neocoat/ , but my
question is this.  I've made it out of wool, which I've never used
before this, so it's a learning experience.



Wool is a wonderful fabric, but it can have a mind of it's own.   I'm not an
expert because I break out in hive near it... and use latex gloves and a
long shirt when I have had to work near it.



  >> I'm planning to cut out a
band of the wool to sew to the bottom of the 'skirt', turn it up and
sew the liner to that



I'm going to side with Judy on that one... take it up with clean tucks every
so often... if you want a wider band at the bottom, get some of that blanket
binding tape.  Sew that to the edge and then turn it up as the hem.  Tack
the liner to that.



However... before you hem.. let that coat hang at least a week.  Some wools
can stretch quite a bit.  Trim it down to the new hem.  If it stretched a
lot... let it keep on hanging and trim again. (Speaking as someone who had
to interline a wool cloak because it would never stop.  Wool and bias (which
you get from a circle) can be frustrating at times, depending on the weave
of the fabric.



-Cat-







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Ooooo! A place to throw any enquires about any Fantasy or Sci-Fic
costumes! -__^

Fatimah here, hopping by from the LOTR_Costume ML (ain't we all -
__^ ) and am still living in Singapore. I'm into SW, LOTR, The
Matrix, Harry Potter and a bit of Anime/Manga Costuming rite now
with a few other titles on the way.


Anyhow, while on the subject of The Matrix Costumes, I wonder:
Is there a way to maintain my Trinity Wet Look Vinyl Trenchcoat so
that years from now, its surface won't get disintergrated or peel
off? Same advice if using regular Vinyl (the Matte type used for
clothings too)?

Found a belt I did 3 years ago for my Sith Garb and its surface had
peel off while a friend who owned a Darth Maul suit said all the Wet
Look Vinyl parts of his costume had disintergrated too.

Currently, I hung my Trinity Trenchcoat at the window with a couple
other Cotton or Polyester Clothings hung behind or on top of it.
Planning to put it inside a regular Plastic Dress Bag (the thick
kind I bought by yards from the Bridal Shop near my house) later for
long term storage since I don't have a wardrobe for my costumes yet
(so most costumes get hung behind the door or from the window or
from the wardrobe door etc etc).

Thanks! ^__^

Ps: Anyone knows what happened to The Matrix Costumes Mailing List?
o__O It isn't in my list of groups I'm in nor can I find it in my
search at Y!Group. @__@

Regards,
Fatimah

>>Anyhow, while on the subject of The Matrix Costumes, I wonder:
Is there a way to maintain my Trinity Wet Look Vinyl Trenchcoat so
that years from now, its surface won't get disintergrated or peel
off? Same advice if using regular Vinyl (the Matte type used for
clothings too)?



Vinyl isn't as perminate as leather... and I think that "wet look" stuff is
just an extra coating on the vinyl.



You don't want to store vinyl shiny sides together.  Heat and humidity will
cause the shiny side to stick together.  Get some light muslin or something
to wrap around the coat and between where it touches.  That's why unused
vinyl should always be stored rolled, not folded.



>>Ps: Anyone knows what happened to The Matrix Costumes Mailing List?
o__O It isn't in my list of groups I'm in nor can I find it in my
search at Y!Group. @__@



Did they go more than 3 months without a post???  Yahoo deletes if a group
becomes completely inactive.  They're suppose to warn the owner, but they
don't always.



-Cat-





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I too am skittering in from the LotR list.

With Halloween rolling around, and not wanting to partake again in the
last minute frenzy that was the Dernhelm costume I've already been
plotting and planning.

What I've come up with is much more tribal looking belly dance gear.
Which upon inspection I realized It was close enough to looking like
something the Amazons from Xena wore.
I've decided to make one of the elaborate masks/head dresses as well,
but that will be out of fun foam.

Question time: Has anyone worked with a bleaching paste before, in
this case one made out of diluted bleach mixed with all purpose
cooking flour? Hunting about on the web brought me up a hit about it
being used for removing stains from stone counter tops.

I'm wanting to do some controlled bleaching using stamps and stencils
upon some over dyed cotton.

Thanks, I was figuring the tucked band would be the best route, but
wasn't sure.  It's been hanging for about five days now, and has
stretched quite a bit.  I've left all but the lower hem so that it
would stretch out as much as it would.  The 'skirt' is a full half
circle, and the side seams are sewn on the bias.  Those have stretched
out a good three inches.  It seams to have stopped now.  The fabric is
wool crepe, btw.  I've lined the coat with the dreaded acetate satin
and hand stitched it into place.  I'm really super happy with out it's
turning out.  The Legolas/Matrix coat sounds great, Judy.  You're
definately going to have to do that one!  I wanted to do a Matrix/Jedi
costume for DragonCon, but other things have taken priority.  Heh,
like my Elektra costume.  Must get on that.  Along with the million
other things I'm working on.  I'd go crazy if I weren't already.
Sarah

"Cat Devereaux" <CatDevereaux@A...> wrote:
> You don't want to store vinyl shiny sides together.  Heat and
humidity will
> cause the shiny side to stick together.  Get some light muslin or
something
> to wrap around the coat and between where it touches.

Okiday! ^__^

So stick with the regular plastic bag or should I "invest" in a
Dress Bag, probably the ones from IKEA?


> That's why unused vinyl should always be stored rolled, not folded.

Oic. So that is how to mantain vinyl. Will it also apply to cheap
Foil Jersey?

Thanks for the tip! ^__^


> Did they go more than 3 months without a post???  Yahoo deletes if
a group
> becomes completely inactive.  They're suppose to warn the owner,
but they
> don't always.

I think so. I haven't check the group since last Nov myself since am
not doing any new Matrix costume lately.

But Y! really work in weird ways. =__= There are group I'm a member
of that was either brought-over from egroup or created over 3 years
ago and tho' there hasn't been any post for years, the group is
still around! @__@

Fatimah

>>So stick with the regular plastic bag or should I "invest" in a
Dress Bag, probably the ones from IKEA?



Get an old sheet and make it up into a garment bag.



YA know... I realize I typed things a bit wrong...  the stuff that doesn't
hold up is the wet look vinyl and the pleater... the stretch stuff.  The
pleater is latex and can get sticky.  Also, latex has a very short shelf
life.  In 3 years you could start to get break down.  The wet look coating
could be too. I know it sticks together some.  Anything that sticks... is
chemically showing it's acting up.  Don't store it against itself.



  If someone has more experience, I'd love to hear their take.



High quality vinyl will last longer.. just think about some lawn furniture.
It still will not hold up anything like leather.



-Cat-





> That's why unused vinyl should always be stored rolled, not folded.

Oic. So that is how to mantain vinyl. Will it also apply to cheap
Foil Jersey?

Thanks for the tip! ^__^


> Did they go more than 3 months without a post???  Yahoo deletes if
a group
> becomes completely inactive.  They're suppose to warn the owner,
but they
> don't always.

I think so. I haven't check the group since last Nov myself since am
not doing any new Matrix costume lately.

But Y! really work in weird ways. =__= There are group I'm a member
of that was either brought-over from egroup or created over 3 years
ago and tho' there hasn't been any post for years, the group is
still around! @__@

Fatimah





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi just joined, cool costume on the page, sad story one all too
familler....  anyway I'm on the LOTR cos list and dont know if I can
really add anything, but I ave seen alot of sci-fi fantasy movies so I
can allways help with refernce if thats needed!  ;)

>>, cool costume on the page, sad story one all too
familler....  anyway I'm on the LOTR cos list and dont know if I can
really add anything, but I ave seen alot of sci-fi fantasy movies so I
can allways help with refernce if thats needed!  ;)



Well, we figured there's more to life (and costumes) than LOTR... so we're
widening our horizons back out.  And we find that everyone does have
something to contribute... no one knows everything and everyone has their
pockets of knowledge...



-Cat-








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

-

>
>  Have you been to the 'Wardrobe' on the narnia list? They're trying to
> do an analsys on the costumes, such as Disney has let out.
>
>  -Judy


Do you have a website for that?  I've been thinking about a Narnia
costume for the premiere.

Thanks,

Dawn

>>Do you have a website for that?  I've been thinking about a Narnia
costume for the premiere.



http://costumes.narniaweb.com/



Bookmark
http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/CommunityLinks.htm#Launch_points .  I
try to keep the other main costuming movie groups listed. (How do you think
I can find anything... I've got to put them somewhere.)



-Cat-








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hopefully this will be a good move for the F-costume list. I almost
didnt catch the email.
Eric S

Sarah wrote:
> Thanks, I was figuring the tucked band would be the best route, but
> wasn't sure.  It's been hanging for about five days now, and has
> stretched quite a bit.  I've left all but the lower hem so that it
> would stretch out as much as it would.  The 'skirt' is a full half
> circle, and the side seams are sewn on the bias.  Those have stretched
> out a good three inches.  It seams to have stopped now.  The fabric is
> wool crepe, btw.

	 It sounds good! Yeah, when I got a chance to look at a few pics, I did
notice you lined it. Wool is springy stuff.

    The Legolas/Matrix coat sounds great, Judy.  You're
> definately going to have to do that one!

	 I hope to cut out the mockup on Thursday. ONly change that's been made,
at least to see on the mock, is putting  teardrop keyhole in at the
chest. Problem is one of bodyshape: I'm short, round and therefore have
a very short neck. That means too much closed in with a high collar will
make me look rounder and give me a 'floating head' look. So... we'll see
on the mock how putting in a keyhole works to help with the lines.


   I wanted to do a Matrix/Jedi
> costume for DragonCon, but other things have taken priority.
	 i'm pushing for this to be done for CauldronCon in mid-August, so I
should be able to bring it to D*C as well. dang, gotta get that new luggage!

    Heh,
> like my Elektra costume.  Must get on that.  Along with the million
> other things I'm working on.  I'd go crazy if I weren't already.

	 I know the feeling!


	 -Judy

Dawn wrote:
> Do you have a website for that?  I've been thinking about a Narnia
> costume for the premiere.

	 Here ya go <http://costumes.narniaweb.com/> they don't have a lot, but
they're doing their best to work with the few bits from the trailer.
Dunno why Disney is being so tight about this, you'd think previous
movies and fan reaction would show that it's a good thing!

	 -Judy

Anyone out there have any good ideas on how to make something that looks
like a glowing halo? It will be hand-held, not on the head.

We were thinking about starting with a clear plastic towel ring and
using white LEDs, but we can't find towel rings in clear plastic these
days. Anything else that's a clear ring and about maybe 8-10" diameter?

	 -Judy

>>      I hope to cut out the mockup on Thursday. ONly change that's been
made,
at least to see on the mock, is putting  teardrop keyhole in at the
chest.



Having looked at the coat in person... no one has a neck that long... and
I've actually hear a few designers call it the matrix collar.  What is the
it???   Our eye perceives it to be a mandarin collar.  Actually what
happens, they cut a small V in front and extend down the collar bottom.  The
top stays level.  You must make sure that the collar has lots of interfacing
so it can stand up straight on it's own.



-Cat-

   _____



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Cat Devereaux wrote:
> Having looked at the coat in person... no one has a neck that long...

	 yeah, but I don't have a neck very long for any mandarin collar.

   and
> I've actually hear a few designers call it the matrix collar.  What is the
> it???   Our eye perceives it to be a mandarin collar.  Actually what
> happens, they cut a small V in front and extend down the collar bottom.  The
> top stays level.  You must make sure that the collar has lots of interfacing
> so it can stand up straight on it's own.

	 I'm using the top of my grey/green 'elvish' jacket. The collar already
worked on it. I just need to make a mock for combining the gothic fitted
dress mock with it.

	 -Judy

Ok I need some expertise here. Some of you from the LOTR board might
get deja vu seeing this because I posted there several weeks ago but
only Cat answered and she wasn't even sure. But the boards move so
quickly there that posts get burried. So hopefully someone here can
help me out. I'm trying to figure out what fabric the overdress is
made of that the actress mia sara wears in Legend. Its the black
dress. The fabric is very sheer, but yet kind of crisp like habotai.
Although from the front sides (especially in the production photos) it
almost has the sheen of leather. Thanks for your time and any help
guys!

Cillista

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~aslider/
click on "legend" then "the black dress" for the pics of the dress I'm
talking about.

Ummm, I'm possibly sleep deprived, but I'm not quite getting what you
mean here.  They cut a V in the collar band or in the bodice piece?
And where, then, does the collar bottom actually end?
Sarah

--- In F-Costume@yahoogroups.com, "Cat Devereaux" <CatDevereaux@A...>
wrote: Actually what
> happens, they cut a small V in front and extend down the collar
bottom.  The
> top stays level.  You must make sure that the collar has lots of
interfacing
> so it can stand up straight on it's own.
>

>>Ummm, I'm possibly sleep deprived, but I'm not quite getting what you
mean here.  They cut a V in the collar band or in the bodice piece?
And where, then, does the collar bottom actually end?



Find me a Matrix web site and I'll find some pic examples.



-Cat-



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Judy,

A - a cheap plastic serving plate with the center cut out?
B - heavy plastic/vinyl tubing from the hardware store?

Sandy
At 06:00 PM 6/29/2005, you wrote:
>Anyone out there have any good ideas on how to make something that looks
>like a glowing halo? It will be hand-held, not on the head.
>
>We were thinking about starting with a clear plastic towel ring and
>using white LEDs, but we can't find towel rings in clear plastic these
>days. Anything else that's a clear ring and about maybe 8-10" diameter?
>
>       -Judy

"Those Who Fail To Learn History
Are Doomed to Repeat It;
Those Who Fail To Learn History Correctly --
Why They Are Simply Doomed.

Achemdro'hm
"The Illusion of Historical Fact"
   -- C.Y. 4971

Andromeda

>>Ummm, I'm possibly sleep deprived, but I'm not quite getting what you
mean here.  They cut a V in the collar band or in the bodice piece?
And where, then, does the collar bottom actually end?



Found a dark picture
http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_img/reloaded_03.jpg



Notice the collar is not even all the way up to his neck in back.  There's a
bit of a slant it.  (I'd forgotten about that part until I looked at the
picture again.)



You may have to lighten the picture to see the front.  The bottom of the
collar is about 2 finger's width below where you'd expect it to end.  The
collar is a little tilted, but it drops even farther in front.



(Hey, I'm not coherent tonight either.)



-Cat-



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There looks like there's a yummy costume movie coming up in August...
http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=5100

The Brothers Grimm - check out the production stills and the trailer.
Interesting looking.  (Maybe the summer isn't a complete waste.)

-Cat-


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>
> Find me a Matrix web site and I'll find some pic
> examples.
>
  I think I get what you're saying -  Do any of these
pictures work/help?

http://tinyurl.com/cz4rn

http://tinyurl.com/cuxxa




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