| Costume Tricks Decide at the last minute that you would rather your costume have sleeves? Well, take a pair of harem pants and place your arms through the waist, and out the legs, like a coat. Put your vest or top on over it, and you have nice, big sleeves! POOF-Y HIPS! If you feel your hip work isn't showing up, tuck some gauzy scarfs on one or both hips, to 'poof' them up! Make sure that the fabric is light weight, and 'airy'. If you use fabric that is too heavy, it winds up looking chunky instead. DRESSY & COVERED Like your new bra, but not ready to show off the rest of you? You can take a filmy hip scarf and tie it around your torso, above your chest and under your arms, and let the point or triangle hand down over it and your belly. I would suggest pinning to your bra as well. If you are a big lady, like me, you may have to make your own. Just buy the filmy material, cut and hem to size (a rectangle, square, or triangle), and sew some coins or beads along the edges. If in a rectangle, fold it in half, from diagonal corners, and you are ready to tie and pin it on! KEEPING THREADS IN PLACE When a new piece is bought, it is a good idea to dab a bit of clear fingernail polish on the knots in the thread. The polish dries clear and keeps the thread from unraveling. Try to be careful to not get polish on the material--as it may damage it. Do try to polish on the unfinished side, or the side that will not be showing, if possible. Make sure the piece drys completely and that the wet polish doesn't touch any other part of the material until completed. This will help keep on beads, coins, and threadwork! |