Sunday, November 1, 2009

Queen of the Nile


I spent most of my Halloween Saturday sewing my costume for a party that evening! I decided on Cleopatra several weeks ago, but in typical style waited until the last minute to sew it up.


A Google image search for Cleopatra will show you that most RTW costumes have these common features: a sleeveless white gown, a wide collar, a belt with an embellished flap hanging down at CF, armbands, and a sheer cape.


I used BWOF 3-2005-114 as a starting point for the dress, tracing just the bodice without the sleeves.  I added a waist seam and drew pieces for a long split front skirt.


For supplies, my first stop was the thrift store where I found what would be the main fabrics - a king sized bedsheet ($3) for the dress, and a super wide poly dupioni pinch-pleat drape in a peachy color ($4) for the accessories.

I hit up Joann for cheap gold trims and the sheer cape fabric, which turned out to the most expensive part of the outfit at $10.  I used a zipper, velcro, and elastic from my stash.



The collar and the wristbands close with velcro.



I put elastic in the armbands to help keep them tight and in place on my upper arms.



The sheer cape, edges left raw, was stitched to the CB neck and the armbands.

There are all kinds of issues with this dress that you would only allow on a Halloween costume:
 - the invisible zip is a contrasting hot pink as it's all I had on hand - but is of course covered by the collar and wig
 - all seams are unfinished
 - the curved skirt hem is super wavy


My friend who is a professional makeup artist did my face, which is always a major treat. I'm wearing the Didi lashes by Make Up For Ever.



Tim went as a race car driver and I had a hand in his costume too - I sewed all those patches on!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

25 comments:

cidell said...

LOL, I LOVE IT. You look just like Elizabeth Taylor! Really, it's something else. GREAT job!

Marybeth said...

Wow! You look great!!!
http://puppydogtails-marybeth.blogspot.com/

Bunny said...

Fabulous! Great job and all in one day!

Sew-4-Fun said...

Fabulous costume!

Trudy said...

How fun. You look great.

Sue said...

Wow! What fun - you look great and have done a terrific job on your costume!

Linda L said...

Great job on the costume! Your makeup is gorgeous.

Gail said...

Great costume, but you went with Steve McQueen. Where was Burton?

AllisonC said...

Great thrifty costume, you look fabulous, love the make up too!

Leslie said...

I think you are my halloween heroine! You made it, got everything on the cheap, look awesome in it, and that MAKEUP!! WOW. Totally makes it. You and Tim are adorable.

Nancy K said...

I agree with Cidel, Liz Taylor couldn't have done it better.

Sheila said...

Awesome costume.

Cindy May said...

nice tutorials! the blog probably took as long as the costume! you look adorable. Did DeadMouse d.j.?
Did you go to the VIP room? ::)

Erica Bunker said...

Great costume!

ceregana said...

You rocked it! Really great!
Greets from cold Berlin.

Geri

Marji said...

Costumes great, but the makeup job is just as fabulous!

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

How cool to have professional makeup done! Love the costume.

Dawn said...

Love it!

Amy said...

You look fantastic! What a fun costume and the makeup is great.

Anonymous said...

Amazing makeup! Excellent costume! You look fabulous. You must have been the belle of the ball.

Colette said...

You make a gorgeous Cleopatra. Love the costume and makeup.

Meg said...

You look fabulous! Must convince my daughter to go as sexy Cleopatra next year.

ambika said...

You look awesome! I think half the fun of this would be the make up.

Lisa said...

I have nominated you for a Kreativ blogger award on my blog here :-)

http://creativecraftwork.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-first-blog-award.html

TM said...

Wow!!!!! It´s so great!!!!!!!!