I treated myself to another entertaining day of puppet making. It’s doodling with fabrics while binge watching Community, with the windows open on an idyllic New Orleans spring. I’m busy and happy and starting to post again.
These are all made with scraps from various costumes, garments, and other fabulous projects. These bunnies are made with some pretty rich juju!
You can also see them in my Etsy shop, and you know, buy them.
Not only is Fluevog an excellent design line, they’re also a cool company to work for. My friend Tanaya runs their French Quarter store, and commissioned a dress for their company retreat costume party in Canada this summer. The theme for the party was Moonrise Kingdom, and Tanaya already had the perfect Fluevog saddle shoes for a Suzy look, as well as a designer friend who loves all Wes Anderson movies.
Rather than taking a cosplay approach to the retro Suzy look I decided to design a dress to compliment the shoes while still fitting into the film’s aesthetic. Why follow someone else’s design when I can make my own?
What a cutie! Another concern for this design was that the dress be versatile enough to fit into her regular wardrobe. Of course I drafted the simple pattern myself.
The fabrics are all from Joann. The blue polyester has great texture and a little bit of stretch. I layered ivory knit lace over black satin and obviously had fun playing with the pattern layout. The zipper is a vintage metal one from my stash for that authentic touch.
We didn’t win the costume contest but I’m satisfied that my mission was accomplished!
Now that I’ve broken the seal maybe I’ll do better about posting more projects. Happy New Year!
I’ve never had a clear answer to the get-to-know-you question ‘what’s your favorite holiday?’ until now. It’s so obviously Mardi Gras! I grew up with the Mardi Gras, I know how to hang at a parade, I’ve made bead crafts my whole life, I tramp around the Quarter with friends on St Anne’s, and I thought I knew what it was about.
In true Mardi Gras voodoo fashion, I was called. A friend connected me to his Krewe, Jason and I quickly re-arranged our travel plans, and our local network helped us make it happen. The world is what I make, and making costumes for one of my favorite parades felt like destiny.
AND THEN Jason and I were asked to be guardians! We would wear our official tee shirts and act as support as our drunken Krewe careened for miles through the French Quarter. My job was to be a buffer between the marchers and our jazz band, so I got to hear the great music and laugh with the Krewe all night. And of course, offer some 5 star level costume support.
What a group! Krewe du LEWD is a sub-krewe of Krewe du Vieux, which celebrated its 30th XXX anniversary as I celebrated my initiation.
A group of volunteers built the float and Blanche the mule pulled it through the Quarter. Such glory!
You can see me on the bottom right, furiously hot gluing as we prepare to roll. Costume designer gets it done! I’ve never worked so close to my deadline before, even with Burning Man; I’ve never asked for help before, and I look back at the whole project with pride, relief, and gratitude.
These two troublemakers are a Mardi Gras Isis and CaliguNOLA himself (and two of my favorite LEWDists)!
Miss Pink Mess above is the Spirit of Roman Candy (basically a taffy stick sold in Audubon Zoo).
The Senator! He requested a two-piece toga, which is basically a toga shirt worn over a toga skirt. The toga layer is worn over his gold long-sleeve and pants (worn over thermals).
I made his costume too: tunic, toga wrap, and wreath. The wrap is lined for comfort, so he can wear it for Red Dress Run and not worry about sparkly chafing!
Thank you to Gus from Where Y’at for the great photos!
If you’re still suffering with post-Mardi Gras post-Lent blues, check out this great video my husband made of our night.
Mardi Gras / Krewe de Lewd 2016 / Krewe de Vieux XXX from Jason Siadek on Vimeo.
