I had a bit of a sparkle attack today in the Garment District while shopping for mother-daughter mermaid costume fabric. (For Saturday's 30th Anniversary Coney Island Mermaid Parade, and Z's upcoming mermaid-themed 2nd birthday party).
I didn't really have a firm idea for the costumes, only that the skirts should be scaly looking, and the tops should be more floaty/meshy/gauzy. So went to Spandex House and, was totally confused and overwhelmed by all the hologrammy sparkly sequiny spandex-ness of the place, and finally ended up with what you see above. The shell trims are from Pacific Trimming.
Anyone have any tips on sewing with really heavy-duty hologram spandex fabric? This stuff is THICK, and every time I stretch it, the sequiny sparkly bits crack! I'm guessing serging with wooly nylon will be the way to go here once I have the skirts basted together and fitted.
I think the skirts can just be elastic-waist tubes to the knee (or maybe a bit above for Z--I want her to be able to run around and have fun) with big gauzy/meshy flounces at the bottom. Kinda like the girl in the middle here with the pink top:
Source: coneyisland.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
For the tops, I'm not so sure--the other fabrics I got are really sheer, so maybe I'll have to do a two-layer thing or put tank tops underneath for bra coverage (for me) and sun protection (for Z). Shell bras are not my thing. Here's my illustration of Z as a mermaid:
Once again, I think I'm just going to wing it, pattern-free! At least for the skirt--I might use one of her knit summer shirts as a rough guide for the top.
So why mermaids? Z has been obsessed with the parade and mermaids ever since she went to a live reading by Melanie Hope Greenberg of her picture book Mermaids On Parade.
I swear I'll get back to sewing something actually wearable in real life at some point, but whatever. Costumes are fun!
P.S. A few of the mermaid inspiration images I collected on Pinterest:
Source: google.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
Source: picture-book.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
Source: kishaskids.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
Source: wolfandwillowblog.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
Source: mermaidsofcolor.tumblr.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
And randomly (for my costume idea, not Z's, of course): Bettie Page Mermaid...
Source: costumecraze.com via Mikhaela on Pinterest
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"sparkle attack" LOL. Costumes are fantastic! I can't wait to see you as mermaids.
ReplyDeleteI've never sewn anything like that fabric, but I would second the idea of using wooly nylon thread. I think your skirt plan is on target - a very good use of the mullet skirt!
Who could resist a post with the title: Sparkly Spandex Shopping Spree!?
ReplyDeleteThis project looks like a lot of fun. I don't think I'd be the shell bra type either, lol. You girls are bound to have loads of fun on the day.
What a fun project! As a mother of two boys, I've always wished I had a little girl to make these kinds of sparkly outfits for. Maybe that's why I make costumes for myself. :-) I can't wait to see how this turns out.
ReplyDeleteYou must, MUST read LiEr's blog post on making mermaid costumes: http://www.ikatbag.com/2012/03/listen-to-children-mermaid-tale-er-tail.html
ReplyDeleteOH PERFECT! That is JUST what I needed.
DeleteMy niece once expressed an interest in me making a mermaid tail for her. I don't think my interpretation would have lived up to what was in her head though - i.e. she wouldn't have been a real mermaid :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely collection of fabrics! Some look like glitterdot fabrics. I recommend sewing slowly (so the needle doesn't overheat) and using sewer's ease to lubricate the needle. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteRose in SV
Mermaid birthday party! How fun!! This will be so cute!
ReplyDeleteMermaid costume sewing is AWESOME. I love your drawing of Z as a mermaid - so super adorable :) I am so excited to see all of that magnificent spandex put into action!!!
ReplyDeleteCartoon Z and her merkitty! Squee!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had fun! I was hoping to make it back this year (have done it two years in the past) but my HS reunion was scheduled for the same weekend, boo.
ReplyDeleteMikheala, Thank you so very much for loving my book MERMAIDS ON PARADE. I'm thrilled that you are using it to expand the sparkly mermaid creativity in NYC. Where did we meet? BTW, this is a much better link to find my book through Amazon on my personal entry for signed books. Scroll down to my name on the book's SELLERS PAGE. http://tinyurl.com/6lmbpp2
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