November 2009 Archives

Steampunk!Mr. PieKnits



Mr. PieKnits went as steampunk, or for you uninitiated, we told people "a time traveler". I love his handlebar mustache! Of all the items I made, this relatively quick one is a favorite. I made it from black wool (roving would be ideal, I "unspun" some single-ply yarn as it's what I had). I then roughly shaped it with wet felting and finished the shaping with needle-felting. It's held on by eyelash glue.

We added the metal plates make-up for the second night for a little something more. I made the arm garter but the other basic clothing he had on hand. The leather cog cuff was made by a local artist we picked up at a past steampunk event.



The goggles are modified welding goggles. I pretty much followed this tutorial.



I also made a thigh gun holster out of some remnant bin vinyl upholstery fabric. I took a $1 store toy gun and painted it silver, black and copper then traced a basic outline onto the fabric. It has two ties that go around the thigh and one to hold it up to tie to a belt. I'm really bummed I didn't get an action shot (also need one of the gun).



We also found this inexpensive top hat which fit great. The hatband on the original was some cheap plastic wrapped around it. So I swirled some grossgrain ribbon (a millinery technique that adds a curve to the ribbon so it lies flush against the slanted hat sides- tutorial) and created a nicer looking hatband.



I love Halloween for the excuse to play with food and be gruesome. For this year, meet Meat Head! It's actually a cheeseball pressed into a craft face mold that's covered in prosciutto with stuffed olive halves for eyes. This got great reactions (and was tasty)!

Now I think I may need to make myself a rocking 'stache - anyone interested in a tutorial?

I really loved our halloween costumes this year and wanted to share despite being well into November now.  (I'm perpetually running behind once holiday season kicks in it seems.)

First up is Medusa!



This dress was about the easiest thing I've ever sewn. A few yards of inexpensive muslin folded in half with the upper section left open for arm holes, the waist sides sewn together and a neck hole cut out. I didn't even bother hemming since a slight ragged look worked for this. I then dip dyed the bottom in RIT dye in a kelly green, then darker green then black. It's simply gathered and belted at the waist with some gold cording.
At my office we have a "blue screen" set up for photoshoots so at our Halloween party everyone takes photos and then we have fun photoshopping in backgrounds. :)



You can see the shoulder gathers here. I found these roman coin earrings at a thrift shop. I cut the post backs off and glued on pin backs to hold the gathers.



Ahh the make up- it was much fun to play with! This is a photo I snapped before the rest of the costume went on. I painted on "snake eyes" on my eyelids so when I closed my eyes they still looked open. This really messed with people, extra creepy hee! The snake skin patterning on the sides was done by pulling a fishnet stocking over my head and applying the makeup over it.



I bought a cheap wig then spent several evenings sewing in assorted plastic snakes. I later bobby pinned a few more around my face (not in these photos) to add a little more. If I wear this costume again (highly likely!) I want to add even more snakes, sticking out every which way.



And one other fun little thing I quick made. Some little $1 plastic skeleton hands, a ribbon bow and a hair clip and viola! festive hair accessory.