Darth Mule
Sr Member
The ladies have inspired me... Abby's "I have boobs and I make..." thread has made me curious who else out there does stuff more like myself. With all the hard costuming popularity (Iron Man, Halo) and pep files flooding the boards lately, I thought I'd start up a thread for those of us of the male persuasion that still do things the old fashioned way. With a needle and a thread.
So... A little about myself. I'm a professional theatrical costumer of the past 10 years or so. I occasionally dabble in the costume commission trade, and I regularly make stuff for myself for conventions and such. I currently manage a costume shop in a children's theatre and am the chief patternmaker, tailor, and craftsperson for said shop. My main focus over the years has been menswear. Not so much because I'm a man, but because when I was coming up in the field, I noticed that the majority of my peers and teachers were focused on the women's wear, and i wanted to be different.
In my time as a professional costumer, I've pretty much done it all. From makeup to dressmaking. You name it. I even started my career off doing accessories and leatherwork for a Shakespeare festival. That being said, there still never ceases to be talent on these boards that blows me away. I never cease to find an unlimited amount of inspiration from the projects within these virtual walls. The theatrical world is better for the innovations that I've brought to the table after being introduced to them right here on the RPF.
So chime in my RPF brethren! I know there are a few other guys out there that prefer their sewing machine to their dremel. Let's talk some soft costuming!
And yes! Feel free to share pics. Everyone loves pics! Here's some of mine:
Still my crown jewel. Gary Oldman Dracula. Commissioned the hat, bought the shoes. Altered a few accessories. Everything else from the shirt to the suit to the tie was handmade by yours truly.
Prince Nuada: From a customer. He did the belly emblem and sculpted the vambraces using my form, but the rest is me. Wetformed leather armor, silk pique tunic, and lots of silk sash.
Steampunk Batman: Going to revisit the cowl and cover those ears (a point of contention that I ceded on). Linen suit, suedecloth cape. Bringing this to D*Con this year again.
11th Doctor series 6 Shetland Tweed Jacket: Made from the same bolt of cloth as the Screen jacket. The plaid was particularly challenging to line up from the body to the sleeve. Love this!
Selene Corset from Underworld: Commission
So... A little about myself. I'm a professional theatrical costumer of the past 10 years or so. I occasionally dabble in the costume commission trade, and I regularly make stuff for myself for conventions and such. I currently manage a costume shop in a children's theatre and am the chief patternmaker, tailor, and craftsperson for said shop. My main focus over the years has been menswear. Not so much because I'm a man, but because when I was coming up in the field, I noticed that the majority of my peers and teachers were focused on the women's wear, and i wanted to be different.
In my time as a professional costumer, I've pretty much done it all. From makeup to dressmaking. You name it. I even started my career off doing accessories and leatherwork for a Shakespeare festival. That being said, there still never ceases to be talent on these boards that blows me away. I never cease to find an unlimited amount of inspiration from the projects within these virtual walls. The theatrical world is better for the innovations that I've brought to the table after being introduced to them right here on the RPF.
So chime in my RPF brethren! I know there are a few other guys out there that prefer their sewing machine to their dremel. Let's talk some soft costuming!
And yes! Feel free to share pics. Everyone loves pics! Here's some of mine:
Still my crown jewel. Gary Oldman Dracula. Commissioned the hat, bought the shoes. Altered a few accessories. Everything else from the shirt to the suit to the tie was handmade by yours truly.
Prince Nuada: From a customer. He did the belly emblem and sculpted the vambraces using my form, but the rest is me. Wetformed leather armor, silk pique tunic, and lots of silk sash.
Steampunk Batman: Going to revisit the cowl and cover those ears (a point of contention that I ceded on). Linen suit, suedecloth cape. Bringing this to D*Con this year again.
11th Doctor series 6 Shetland Tweed Jacket: Made from the same bolt of cloth as the Screen jacket. The plaid was particularly challenging to line up from the body to the sleeve. Love this!
Selene Corset from Underworld: Commission
