Darth Mule
Sr Member
Here's a little progress on my latest project. A steampunk ladies costume for a photoshoot I'm doing. Though I would chronicle the process a bit here as some of you might be interested in what takes place behind that scenes. What a Cutter/Draper does. etc, etc, etc.
A photographer friend called me up last week and asked for my help in putting together a steampunk photoshoot for a new model he's trying to help out by building a portfolio for her. Initially I told him I would see what I could borrow or pull from costume storage at work.
The following day I was walking around the shop bored. All our shows are open and on the road and I had nothing to do so i started digging through fabric storage and ran across this greyish white fabric with a map printed on it (will take a pic and upload it tomorrow). The fabric somehow inspired me and the creative process just kind of exploded forth from this bolt of fabric. I hated the color, but I loved the print. So I dyed it to achieve a more parchment color (though it went a little darker).
Next I pulled up the dress form and started plotting out what my corset would look like.
And Started draping the fabric.
Started cutting and planning. Decided I needed zippers instead of a busk. Thought it would add something a little extra to the look, and I had seen a girl at Anachrocon with double zippers in hers (thanks Megan Maude), and I loved it.
Also testing the look of the binding fabric. Started experimenting and swatching different colors that appeared in the map print. Grey ended up being the key and I found a nice stripe cotton print (that will eventually be pants for me!).
Test fitting the look. Decided to take the striped print down to the bustle skirt and pinned a scrap onto the bottom to see what it would look like. The designer for our last show bought a ton of trim that she didn't use and I liberated it to go on the bottom of this.
Happy with the look, its time to finish it all off. First I layed it out and started prepping my boning.
Fast forward to the near end. I decided to change the direction of the stripes on the front apron. They still go vertical in the back. I need to click a few more pics of this. At least to show off the back of the bustle. Shoes and accessories to come.
**Update
Thought I'd add in a pic of the back.
A photographer friend called me up last week and asked for my help in putting together a steampunk photoshoot for a new model he's trying to help out by building a portfolio for her. Initially I told him I would see what I could borrow or pull from costume storage at work.
The following day I was walking around the shop bored. All our shows are open and on the road and I had nothing to do so i started digging through fabric storage and ran across this greyish white fabric with a map printed on it (will take a pic and upload it tomorrow). The fabric somehow inspired me and the creative process just kind of exploded forth from this bolt of fabric. I hated the color, but I loved the print. So I dyed it to achieve a more parchment color (though it went a little darker).
Next I pulled up the dress form and started plotting out what my corset would look like.
And Started draping the fabric.
Started cutting and planning. Decided I needed zippers instead of a busk. Thought it would add something a little extra to the look, and I had seen a girl at Anachrocon with double zippers in hers (thanks Megan Maude), and I loved it.
Also testing the look of the binding fabric. Started experimenting and swatching different colors that appeared in the map print. Grey ended up being the key and I found a nice stripe cotton print (that will eventually be pants for me!).
Test fitting the look. Decided to take the striped print down to the bustle skirt and pinned a scrap onto the bottom to see what it would look like. The designer for our last show bought a ton of trim that she didn't use and I liberated it to go on the bottom of this.
Happy with the look, its time to finish it all off. First I layed it out and started prepping my boning.
Fast forward to the near end. I decided to change the direction of the stripes on the front apron. They still go vertical in the back. I need to click a few more pics of this. At least to show off the back of the bustle. Shoes and accessories to come.
**Update
Thought I'd add in a pic of the back.
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A very worthy expense. 
