It’s too early to panic about my VMB outfit, right?

[cupcake_goth]

AHAHAHA.

The idea that I recently had - long circle skirt made from multi-directional color shift sequin fabric, black lace or chiffon polonaise, collar/chest piece made from the same sequin fabric and black lace - was shot down by my style and construction council (the Stroppy One and the Infamous BlueJay) because the skirt just *wouldn’t* work. Aaaugh.

So I’m pondering another idea, a variant of one I had earlier: take the black & ivory striped polonaise from Kambriel (worn to VMB in 2009) and add many, many matching sequins on the stripes, wear it with a long ivory sequined mermaid skirt, a black ruffled lace and rhinestone lace collar, and a wide-brimmed ivory and black hat (which would also have sequins and feathers).

PRO:
- Spaaaaaarkly.
- Different silhouette than I’m known for. (OMG NO PETTICOATS!)
- The only thing I’d need to purchase is the skirt, and they’re all over Amazon.
- If I’m still using a cane by the end of May (I hope not), this outfit might be easier to negotiate the stage in than layers of petticoats.

CON:
- Hand-sewing many, MANY sequins. So many sequins.

Comments

[sistawendy]

Hand-sewing many, MANY sequins. So many sequins.

Something to do while watching many, many movies?

I still haven't decided if I'm going to the VMB this year. Five years between is two long, but is one year enough for me? I'll ponder.

[staxxy]

considering how much hand sewing/dying/etc you always do for your VMB outfit, JUST sequin sewing does not sound overly ambitious. It does sound tedious, but not OVERLY ambitious. Maybe a single line of sequins down the center of matching stripes? sparkly without feeling like you have to do way too much?

[cupcake_goth]

IMO it’d be pretty much the same amount of effort for a less striking effect.

[staxxy]

Fair enough, if its the same amount of hand sewing either way, then definitely go for the more fabulous option!

[musyc]

I vote for sparkly sequins. (SPARRRRRKLY.) Especially if you can manage to get them so that they flip colors like those pillows and things. XD

[madgastronomer]

Are you planning on using sequin trim that matches the width of the stripes or on sewing them on individually?

[cupcake_goth]

Sewing them on individually.

[icprncs]

With the understanding that I am the Designated Killjoy, I'm going to express the opinion that the individual sequining is wildly irrational. I understand how much you want SPARKLY but it's really beyond any kind of reasonable effort.

(But no, it's not too early. I think I'm gonna do my B&W striped outfit with the netting overskirt and netting hat trimmed in striped riboon roses. Debating whether the hat needs more trim, whether I can do an underskirt and bustle, and whether I want lights in the netting. Or maybe the wackass 18thC-inspired B&W outfit with the huge wig, which could also benefit from lights.)

[staxxy]

I would like to cast a vote for the huge wig with lights because that sounds AMAZING

[oldhalloween]

You might look at HotFix sequins. They are applied with a little tool that heats the sequin from the front to set the glue on the back side. Different tool heads so you can set crystals too. If you go old school buy the sequins pre-strung and just tack them down in rows.

[kambriel]

The black velvet stripes are much more densely woven than the ivory shantung stripes in between, so before you commit to doing all the sequins on the black, I'd a.) try a few to see how it feels on your hands, and b.)(my recommended option) ~ reconsider doing black sparkle, and think about *ivory* sparkle instead. That would shine & reflect the lights even more, coordinate with the mermaid skirt, be vastly easier to sew, and be more unexpected/unique. I recently made a ruffled neckpiece with some pale aurora borealis sequins over ivory and it's just lovely.

[cupcake_goth]

You answered the question I was going to include in an email to you! (I’m still going to send you email, because I miss you!)

[carmenbeaudry]

If you get strung sequin trim, it can be couched down either by machine or by hand much more quickly than individual sequins. I also second what Kambriel said about the ivory stripes rather than the black.