Forums > Expressive movement / costumes and props > Costumer’s technical discussion
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
I have been getting into making a lot of circus/ spinning costuming of late and I was thinking that there must be some other hoppers that do this kind of thing as well.
I know there have been costume threads in the past, but the only ones I could find were people asking for specific help. I thought it would be great to have one place where costumers could discuses / share links / share techniques/ ask questions especially because as spinners / performers our demands and needs in costuming can be quite different.
So yeah here we go.
Ps. I was debating which forum this should really go in, but considering it is about building and that sort of thing I thought this one would be ok.
I have been getting into making a lot of circus/ spinning costuming of late and I was thinking that there must be some other hoppers that do this kind of thing as well.
I know there have been costume threads in the past, but the only ones I could find were people asking for specific help. I thought it would be great to have one place where costumers could discuses / share links / share techniques/ ask questions especially because as spinners / performers our demands and needs in costuming can be quite different.
So yeah here we go.
Ps. I was debating which forum this should really go in, but considering it is about building and that sort of thing I thought this one would be ok.
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
SILVER Member
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posted:
Green and gold would look great with that skintone/haircolor combination. Or other jewel tones. Pink would look odd and would wash you out. Which might work OK with proper makeup, but darker tones would be far sexier/flashier.
Depending on your skintones a rich blue might look really good as well. Blue and silver white, or gold come obviously to mind as color combos.
Are you planning on going with the stripey tights? becuse if you are, you may want to take into account what colors you can find the tights in to help decide on colors for your costume.
Green and gold would look great with that skintone/haircolor combination. Or other jewel tones. Pink would look odd and would wash you out. Which might work OK with proper makeup, but darker tones would be far sexier/flashier.
Depending on your skintones a rich blue might look really good as well. Blue and silver white, or gold come obviously to mind as color combos.
Are you planning on going with the stripey tights? becuse if you are, you may want to take into account what colors you can find the tights in to help decide on colors for your costume.
SILVER Member
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posted:
I had a thought about the tree costume and leatherworking. There's a very simple thing that people do where they cut out cunks of leather leaving a thick, webby design with areas cut out. Then they wet the leather and shape the thick areas dimensionally, which makes them smaller and rounder, giving a branchy effect.
I run a leaver community over on DeviantArt and this mask that a member contributed to our gallery is a good example of what I'm talking about. It's a simple-enough technique (not the mask, the branchy look) to learn.
https://leatherartisans.deviantart.com/art/IceKing-by-notsomighty-60659088
Maybe this helps? You could do a branching mask and maybe make some arm/shoulder straps with this stuff sticking out. Like wings, but branches?
I had a thought about the tree costume and leatherworking. There's a very simple thing that people do where they cut out cunks of leather leaving a thick, webby design with areas cut out. Then they wet the leather and shape the thick areas dimensionally, which makes them smaller and rounder, giving a branchy effect.
I run a leaver community over on DeviantArt and this mask that a member contributed to our gallery is a good example of what I'm talking about. It's a simple-enough technique (not the mask, the branchy look) to learn.
https://leatherartisans.deviantart.com/art/IceKing-by-notsomighty-60659088
Maybe this helps? You could do a branching mask and maybe make some arm/shoulder straps with this stuff sticking out. Like wings, but branches?
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
mparker I’m really digging the gold white silver and blue suggestion. That way I can still make the blue and white tights which I really love. It is really interesting actually because the pattern includes the tights.
Thanks for the info on the leather working; I think I might have a go at that some time even if I don't do it for the tree, which is a very neat idea too.
I was just thinking yesterday that it is interesting to see wear people get their inspiration from when creating costumes.
Do you have any pictures that really inspire you or pictures of costumes that you really love for one reason or another? If so I thought it would be cool to post some so that we can discuss the design and what we like/dislike/admire about them.
mparker I’m really digging the gold white silver and blue suggestion. That way I can still make the blue and white tights which I really love. It is really interesting actually because the pattern includes the tights.
Thanks for the info on the leather working; I think I might have a go at that some time even if I don't do it for the tree, which is a very neat idea too.
I was just thinking yesterday that it is interesting to see wear people get their inspiration from when creating costumes.
Do you have any pictures that really inspire you or pictures of costumes that you really love for one reason or another? If so I thought it would be cool to post some so that we can discuss the design and what we like/dislike/admire about them.
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
Yay we are in the new forum now!!!
Yay we are in the new forum now!!!
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
I'm currently making a spikey alien suit for a set. I'm using a particular type of (don't judge this) ballon it is about 2-3 mm thick UV rubber with spikes (you may have seen them at festivals in the UK) I have so far made full wrist guards and a head the grip is quite similar to a swimming car so the head was pretty easy, it also helps to keep the mask attached to the face. I just need to change my white mask into something a bit more showy 
I'm currently making a spikey alien suit for a set. I'm using a particular type of (don't judge this) ballon
it is about 2-3 mm thick UV rubber with spikes (you may have seen them at festivals in the UK) I have so far made full wrist guards and a head the grip is quite similar to a swimming car so the head was pretty easy, it also helps to keep the mask attached to the face. I just need to change my white mask into something a bit more showy A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
SILVER Member
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
member
70 posts
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posted:
The tights are in the pattern? That's just so cool! Yup blue/silver/gold/white works well together. Flashy, but coordinated, you know?
For some reason I didn't realize you were the same person looking for colors as well as the tree costume. I thought it was 2 different posters... Silly me!
I'm a graphic/designer/fantasy artist, so basically I'm IMMERSED in good costume ideas (and color combos) from within and without. How practical to MAKE them ... for most is debatable.
Cool! I love the way the forum is being reorganized. I'm really liking all the new sections.
The tights are in the pattern? That's just so cool! Yup blue/silver/gold/white works well together. Flashy, but coordinated, you know?
For some reason I didn't realize you were the same person looking for colors as well as the tree costume. I thought it was 2 different posters... Silly me!
I'm a graphic/designer/fantasy artist, so basically I'm IMMERSED in good costume ideas (and color combos) from within and without. How practical to MAKE them ... for most is debatable.
Cool! I love the way the forum is being reorganized. I'm really liking all the new sections.
BRONZE Member
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posted:
For the tree costume, actual branches might actually be best,as was said already. Ash wood will be great if you want straight branches. Willow for droopy branches. Beech is good for crooked branches.
I'm doing a fireshow this halowe'en, as i specialise in Rope dart I was thinking of giving my costume a strongly chinese theme. I have a black, unrefined silk kung gu shirt with a golden silk dragon embroidered on the back and black, unrefined silk pants. I'm planning to make a leather face mask to go with it. I want to have my mouth exposed (I use it to catch the rope sometimes), I was thinking maybe of making it look dragonish. Maybe decorate it with pyrography.
Any advice?
Also I seem to be the only male on this thread.
For the tree costume, actual branches might actually be best,as was said already. Ash wood will be great if you want straight branches. Willow for droopy branches. Beech is good for crooked branches.
I'm doing a fireshow this halowe'en, as i specialise in Rope dart I was thinking of giving my costume a strongly chinese theme. I have a black, unrefined silk kung gu shirt with a golden silk dragon embroidered on the back and black, unrefined silk pants. I'm planning to make a leather face mask to go with it. I want to have my mouth exposed (I use it to catch the rope sometimes), I was thinking maybe of making it look dragonish. Maybe decorate it with pyrography.
Any advice?
Also I seem to be the only male on this thread.
Man is no more than a conduit for excrement to pass through.- daVinci
Jointly owned by BurdA and Tinypixie
Wielder of the voice of Patrick Stewart
SILVER Member
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
Posted:
I think mynci, and squarefish may take slight offence to that last statement
For the face mask, sounds like you really need a half mask (obviously). You could make the nose quite pointy, and maybe make a kind of zig-zag mane around the edges of the mask, to look like dragon scales, that would look pretty cool, and shouldn't interfere with your toys.
I think mynci, and squarefish may take slight offence to that last statement
For the face mask, sounds like you really need a half mask (obviously). You could make the nose quite pointy, and maybe make a kind of zig-zag mane around the edges of the mask, to look like dragon scales, that would look pretty cool, and shouldn't interfere with your toys.
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRONZE Member
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posted:
Uh, woops.
Maybe not the pointiness. I do a kind of rotor with the rope dart in my mouth so it would have to very flat faced. Though I like the zig zag edges.
Uh, woops.
Maybe not the pointiness. I do a kind of rotor with the rope dart in my mouth so it would have to very flat faced. Though I like the zig zag edges.
Man is no more than a conduit for excrement to pass through.- daVinci
Jointly owned by BurdA and Tinypixie
Wielder of the voice of Patrick Stewart
SILVER Member
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)
Posted:
You could still make it a point without it sticking out. You just need to cut the leather into that kind of shape, but only over your nose, so it doesn't stick out anymore than your nose if that makes any sense? So it may be that a small part of your nose is visable.
You could still make it a point without it sticking out. You just need to cut the leather into that kind of shape, but only over your nose, so it doesn't stick out anymore than your nose if that makes any sense? So it may be that a small part of your nose is visable.
Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRONZE Member
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
the kicker of elves
371 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posted:
That makes sense. I'll try it out. Thank you.
That makes sense. I'll try it out. Thank you.
Man is no more than a conduit for excrement to pass through.- daVinci
Jointly owned by BurdA and Tinypixie
Wielder of the voice of Patrick Stewart
BRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
Posted:
Just looking through this- i really wouldn't try fibrefglass for a tree costume- It's really heavy in quantity, as well as a pain in the *censored*
I've not really tried working in it, but my mum used to a lot..
How long does this costume have to last? is it just for a few performances, or would it need to be more durable? I'd probably go for some kind of foam- could look good if it's textured a bit and painted- is it you doing the stiltwalking? If not, have you asked whoever is how much extra weight they're prepared to carry..?
Just my 2p..
Just looking through this- i really wouldn't try fibrefglass for a tree costume- It's really heavy in quantity, as well as a pain in the *censored*
I've not really tried working in it, but my mum used to a lot..
How long does this costume have to last? is it just for a few performances, or would it need to be more durable? I'd probably go for some kind of foam- could look good if it's textured a bit and painted- is it you doing the stiltwalking? If not, have you asked whoever is how much extra weight they're prepared to carry..?
Just my 2p..
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!
If that's okay with you?
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
Mynci I love the alien thing, sounds very cool.
Have you thought about working some elwire into your costume, might be a pain in the ass but it would look very alien. I was just thinking it would be cool if you worked some bright el wire under the rubber that way it would diffuse throught the rubber and make it glow.
triskaidekia yeah i have been thinking about the tree and agree fiber glass would be a bit two heavy. I think i have settled on making some wire "bones" then sewing some fabric to go over them.
Mynci I love the alien thing, sounds very cool.
Have you thought about working some elwire into your costume, might be a pain in the ass but it would look very alien. I was just thinking it would be cool if you worked some bright el wire under the rubber that way it would diffuse throught the rubber and make it glow.
triskaidekia yeah i have been thinking about the tree and agree fiber glass would be a bit two heavy. I think i have settled on making some wire "bones" then sewing some fabric to go over them.
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
GOLD Member
member
173 posts
Location: Berlin, Germany
member
173 posts
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posted:
I know someone who did a tree elf costume, she did all the branches from latex. Its a really cool costume.
I know someone who did a tree elf costume, she did all the branches from latex. Its a really cool costume.
'There are two mantras in life, yum and yuk. I choose yum.'
SILVER Member
member
133 posts
Location: Churchill College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
member
133 posts
Location: Churchill College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Posted:
I may have already mentioned my preference for LEDs
this was for a Pimps'n'Hoes themed party I was spinning at :
Non-Https Image Link
I may have already mentioned my preference for LEDs
this was for a Pimps'n'Hoes themed party I was spinning at :Non-Https Image Link
GOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posted:
Ooo that is so cool
I saw a little star made kinda like that on instructables.
V nice
Ooo that is so cool
I saw a little star made kinda like that on instructables.
V nice
I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />
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