"Dead By Daylight" for G-Fuel

In Sept 2022,  I saw an ad on a networking e-list for someone to do a quick alteration on a bodysuit.  I wrote in, knowing the parameters of the budget and said I would do it.  Allison and I started emailing. It was for a video game live action short.

This was the original bodysuit.

I did some research into Dead By Daylight and I found a picture of what the character looked like

I started mocking up something with photo editing software.

Allison also ordered some spandex t-shirts for me to make the trim.  The deadline was very tight.

I cut some strips and attached it to the armsyces and neck 

I sewed a hook and eye at the neck.

This was what it looked like when I finished

It was picked up and I was sent some pictures from set.

And here is the Video!  It was for a product called G Fuel

Natalie's Wedding Dress, Summer 2022

I don't usually post alterations that I have done.  But, this summer, I altered my pal Natalie's wedding dress.

 There was a lot of hemming. I made her walk a runway many many times, so that hem would be right.  We discussed how to walk in that dress.  (Kick out a little, if you want to know).   I also took up the sleeves and had to move a few flowers around.  I sent her with extra beads, thread, flowers and topstick.

Here are some beautiful pictures from that day!

 

Mazel Tov, Natalie!!!

Letting out a sweater dress

This dress is a favorite of my pal Molly.  It's from Hanna Andersson a few years back.  And as kids do, she has grown.  (I hadn't seen her in 2 years and was amazed at how tall she is now!)

So, I was asked if I could make this sweater dress bigger.  If you know anything about me, Dear Reader, is that I like a challenge.

I took the sleeves off and used a piece to make extensions at the shoulders.  Then, I went to my local thrift store and found a sweater in a similar color.  I debated on getting something in one of the colors of the trim, but I didn't see anything that would work.

I used that thrifted sweater to add side panels and more of the owl sleeve to do the trim.  Then, to make it fun, I made bows out of some of the thrifted sweater and a piece of the owl sleeve.  

It was stitched together using a stretch stitch and the sides were serged to prevent fraying.  I then bound the armsyces w/ bias binding.  The bows are hand sewn on.

I had a lot of fun reimagining this dress!

Replacing a fur collar

Today's tutorial is no machine required. It's all hand sewn! The fur on my grandmother's coat didn't survive me washing it, so I replaced it with faux fur. I bought the faux fur at the Fabric warehouse in Rahway, NJ ( https://fabricwarehouse.business.site/​ ). Their address is 970 New Brunswick Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065. I've been shopping there for years and the people are really nice.

Alterations for a Saaya Yamabuki Cosplay

In this video, I'm showing how to do some basic alterations and how to sew hook and loop tape. I also talk about keeping stockings up. The outfit is from Ez Cosplay

Darts in Jeans

This is a video about putting darts in jeans.   I plan on doing a video on letting out pants soon.

Belly Dancer Alterations

Before I got busy supervising shows and she moved closer to Philly, I did alterations for  Serafina, a lovely belly dancer.   Professional belly dancers change out their costumes quite frequently, so here are a few pictures of costumes that I worked on.  It was always a challenge and a lot of fun!

One the things that I did to this one was fill in the circles with stretch mesh.  I also tightened her gauntlets and fixed the top.

There is a sweet spot as to how tight the top can be.  You never want it too loose.  Other repairs I would do would be repairing beading, especially if the gloves had been cut down.

This one needed to be taken in and some of the netting repaired.

Cabaret

This summer, I was the associate costume designer for Cabaret for New Jersey Youth Theatre.  Most of the alterations were rather straightforward--take in pants, add some trim.  But one project stood out--Rigging this Leg Avenue costume to be able to fall off onstage for the "2 Ladies" number.

   

I started out by mapping my plans.  

 

I'm taking the zipper out from the pin down.  I will be using it, so I'm not cutting it out.

                           Zipper out.

I seam ripped in the front and I'm going to cut just above the white tie, not cutting the zipper.

No turning back now!!!

I have sewn the top to a pair of bloomers.  I cut away the elastic on the top of the bloomers.  The zipper tail that I didn't cut away is sewn down the back.  It is now a leotard!

Part 2--Rigging the skirt

 

Here, I am using satin ribbon to make a facing for the skirt.  Facing is fabric applied to a garment edge, on the inside.  This covers the raw edge.

 

Cut away elastic waistband on petticoat and tightly zigzag around crinoline at pin.

 

 

 

 

 

Cut away excess at zigzag.

 

Measure opening in back of skirt.  Mark on crinoline.  Zigzag opening on crinoline slightly larger and cut open.

 

 

 

 

Measure waist of skirt. The crinoline is much bigger. Pin tucks in and attach to grosgrain ribbon, making it the same size.

 

 

 

Sandwich petticoat in skirt, with facing as top layer, but don't pin in facing Stitch in preexisting seam on skirt btwn brown and green. Then hand stitch the facing down

 

 

                                    Realize that the petticoat needs to be shorter during pinning!

 

 

 

After fiddling with the petticoat, it is stitched in. Cut away excess.

 

 

 

 

Hand stitch down facing, making a sandwich with the petticoat.

 

All that's left is the snap in the back and rigging the bow! That pesky petticoat will need more shortening! That will be achieved by doing a fold in each layer and stitching it up.

 

 

 

Cut the apron string! Take the excess and put off to side. Stitch down end, with a little pleat to simulate a knot.

 

 

 

 

  

Stitch down the extra tie on end and stitch down the other side, so they touch.

 

Finally, tie a bow, Sew a snap and it's done!

Here is Yezenia in the costume. Our wardrobe supervisor, Maddie, is demonstrating how it will puddle on the floor when unsnapped.