Have you ever wanted to have a tiny finished edge on a thin or sheer fabric?
Many sergers, or over-lock machines, can do a type of rolled-hem edge using only 1 needle, 3 threads and a narrow support plate width.
Different types of machines will require different amounts of changes to go from a regular over-lock stitch, to a rolled-hem stitch.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #SergerTrick #RolledHemEdge #OverLockMachine #SewSmarterNotHarder
The “Display Piece” I mentioned in the last post is a Codpiece, or rather, set of Codpieces, inspired by @theTudorTailor and their #KingOfCodpieces competition.
We used the pattern provided in the Tudor Tailor book, scaled up. We created a base in felt and canvas, stuffed with small, leftover pieces of netting from an old project. Then we created 6 covers in graduating size so that as Henry VIII shed his wives, the covers could also be shed.
Each of these covers is numbered and a symbol used on each number to show what happened to that wife. The covers themselves were then decorated with the badge or arms of that particular wife. We used a variety of painting, embroidery and beading techniques to accentuate the designs.
Tomorrow I'll show some detail photos of the finished covers.
Do YOU have a favorite wife of Henry VIII? Let us know in the comments.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #codpiece #Tudor #HenryVIII #Henry8 #SixWives #six #6Wives #6wivesofhenryviii #RenaissanceCostume
The Detroit Opera Youth Chorus' production of the Odyssey on Saturday was SPECTACULAR! We are so proud of our DOYC. Please enjoy some of our photos from this weekend.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #doyc #YouthChorus #Odyssey
We are so excited that tomorrow is the big performance of the Detroit Opera Youth Chorus' production of the Odyssey. Here are some behind the scenes sots from set-up.#detroitoperacostumers #detroitopera #Odyssey #DOYC #YouthOpera #Detroit
#FutureProject
In-between shows we have been busy working on a future project. You'll just have to keep watching to see if you can spot these fabrics in an upcoming show.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #Mystery
What is it like at the costume shop right now? Here's a little look behind the curtain so to speak. #DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #Odyssey #BreakingTheWaves
For something a little different, we have a quiz for you. "Can you name the Show? Europeras Costumes Edition." We have 14 costumes from 7 different opera productions worn by 6 amazing performers @kismajmusic @msoperageek @drjennysoprano @rock_n_rolfe @riverguardtenor @rwesmas . These were less than half of the costumes for this show...Pease leave your guesses in the comments, we will the answers for you soon.
Photography by Detroit Opera/Austin T. Richey
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #OperaCostumeQuiz #CostumeQuiz
This is a Test Run of one of our quick changes. We had a snag in removing the first bodice where it was realized that you HAVE to pull the stay from the top with the bow to remove it quickly. This one went much more smoothly and we kept getting faster. This was also our first opportunity to lace it onto the performer. That's why we cut out the video of us lacing -into- the bodice. Sleeves also had to be reset into the armscye.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #JohnCageEuroperas3and4 #QuickChange #BodiceLacing
#WorkItWednesday
This week we toured the Historic Gem Theatre to get an idea of how we will be able to set up our dressing rooms and quick change stations. Europeras 3 & 4 are going to be held down the street at this gorgeous smaller venue. It gives us some exciting challenges. We are looking forward to this beautifully eclectic opera!
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #GemTheatreDetroit #WalkThrough #Europeras3&4 #JohnCage #JohnCageEuroperas3and4 #Europeras
#ToolsDay
Here we have an Expanding Sewing Gauge. This makes marking out where buttons, grommets, and pleats go very easily without having to get mad at the calculator.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #ExpandingSewingGauge #WawakHasAlmostEverythingForSewing
#MemeMonday
Costumers' brains get weird when they don't sleep well during the run of a show...
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #BabyShark #SeamRipper #Snips #FabricShears #TheseSharksDoBite #Ouch
#ThrowbackThursday
Here is a costume from Don G. This is for Donna Elvira.
This reel shows some of our "tricks" like the lacing panel and our wide side seams...
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #dongiovanni #donnaelvira #CostumeMaking #SkilledLabor #SnapsMakeCostumeChangesBetter
#ToolsDay
Structured bodices, corsets, hoop skirts and underpinnings of all kinds use different types of Boning and many of them are metal and sharp when cut. Plasti-Dip is great to use, but takes a while to dry, and the container will dry up easily between shows for us. The metal tips can get pricy, and can be difficult to put on properly. If you just leave the end cut, it can be sharp and cut through your garment. If you sand down the edges, it's less likely to cut through, but if the person wearing the garment sweats, it can rust and leave marks. The solution we found was to cut the bone to length, trim off the corners, sand it down and put heat shrink tubing on it. You can fold the end up like I did in the video, or leave it long and even sew through the tubing to keep the bone from shifting in the channel.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #Boning #BoneTipping #HeatShrinkTubing #Corsetry #CostumingIsNotJustSewing #PowerTools #SkilledLabor #PleaseDontLookAtMyNails
#MemeMonday
Respect the Power Tools.
Anyone who has run their fingers over with a sewing machine needle can attest to the need to be safe around all the equipment.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #SewingMachinesArePowerTools #RufflerFoot #SkilledLabor
#WorkItWednesday
We had been looking at the production timeline and noticed that one of our performers who starts out in one period costume that laces up the back, has a quick change into a different period costume. In some cases we would replace the back lacing panel with a zipper, but we had the idea to try a different type of closure that we have seen used in several different places, online and in person, that doesn’t require us to replace the lacing. So we decided to try it out on one of our stock corsets and a dress form. You can see the results.
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #QuickChange #PeriodCostume #Corset #Lacing #NotAnotherZipper
#FabFriday
We got some of the new curtains hung in the Cadillac Cafe at Detroit Opera yesterday afternoon. We are waiting on more parts and will get them all up after the 1st of the year. Watch for more pictures when the job is finished. They are looking good if I say so myself. Great work from the team of Trish, Lupe, Maureen and Suzanne!
#dressingupforthenewyear
#teamworkmakesthedreamwork
@pizzarpepo
@ravenessravensbane
@suzanne.m.hanna
#DetroitOperaCostumers
#DetroitOpera
#CadillacCafe
#Toolsday the savior of many a new build, the Blind Hem machine!
#WorkItWednesday
Fabric Rolling. Gravity is your friend!
#DetroitOperaCostumers #DetroitOpera #FabricRolling
Zirkel magnetic pincushion is today's #ToolsDay feature!
