Ghost Costume Project Part 2. (Revisited)

Okay, so I attempted the vinyl yesterday to end up with some not-so-pleasing results. I sort of flew off the handle when the needle continued to get stuck, but I soon realized that the machine wasn't threaded properly so I'm going back again in a short day or two with hopes of finding the machine and the materials collective behavior more satisfying.

On the other hand, if things should not turn out the way I plan I will move on to different materials and different methods, but will likely continue to use the same pattern. Should the vinyl fail to meet expectations I will probably use sheer organza (with tool for structure and shape) with the pearlized sheer nylon underneath for the shimmery wet texture. It will be about 60% transparent, which is close enough to the desired effect.

The pants will definitely be made from a silver lame. Although it's been known to snag a lot and doesn't stretch, it will pose some possible problems. Over that will be the sheer organza in charcoal. Both scenarios sound like they will have very exciting turnouts and will document everything along the way as much as possible.

Ghost Costume Project Part 2.

Where have I been for the past few weeks? Coming up with more and more genius ideas. My progress thus far on the costume is taking great strides. I've purchased all vinyl material for the overall coat/jacket and will actually attempt piecing most of it together tomorrow morning before work. I've chosen a very low gage plastic so that it will drape well on me. However I may add double layers to the chest and back panels while I still have time.

Ghost shoes have been purchased and painted a brilliant silver for effect.

With this pearlized spray enamel, (which I was certain did not exist until last week) I will spray the lining lightly with the enamel at the shoulders and the hem just so the material is not boringly see through giving the appearance that I'm wearing the couch cover. More to follow and more pictures to come.

Ghost Costume Project Part 1.

I have gone to several stores in search of the proper supplies needed to create this amazing costume. I've tested the different ideas in my mind and am confident that it should all work out to meet or exceed my expectations. The skeleton suit I'm making has glow-in-the-dark bones (painted with special glow pain that, when charged, should last for 12 hours) with the base fabric made form a silver lycra material. Lycra is very stretchy material commonly used for making swimsuits and dance costumes (hence, that is why you would find this fabric in the 'swim and dance wear' section of any fabric store.) The silver is very reflective too so it will mirror all light images cast on it, giving an added transparent look. Many of the ghosts inside The Haunted Mansion have the same clear plastic or silver coated frames under their wardrobe to achieve the effect. I could just be over excited and it may not turn out the way I envision it, but I'll make it look good regardless. The skeleton suit is probably the last thing I will be working on as it is the most expensive fabric that will require more than 3 yards so it will have to wait until I get a new job.

Likely the first piece I will be constructing is the bow tie. I have devised at least 3 different fabrics for the piece and will layer them accordingly: silver costume satin under sheer charcoal glitter fabric under sheer pearl nylon.) I know it seems bulky, but it wont be layered loosely.

Next item of business; I've purchased a clear plastic shower curtain as the coat material. There's just some confusion on if I should line the inside of the coat with the sheer pearl nylon material or not. It will be difficult considering this plastic is not really meant for sewing. I wonder if a stronger thread is needed, but I have a theory that a double stitch will also work. Luckily the best way to maintain a plastic coat is by tumbling it in the drier for a few minutes to get rid of wrinkles. Lysol wipes to disinfect and remove spots. A pattern has been purchased for the coat which fortunately includes a top hat pattern so a hat will also be made from the plastic.

Lastly, there are three final pieces left to the outfit which include the vest and pants followed by the shoes (painted silver). Both the pants and vest will be lined with the sheer pearl nylon.

My Newest Halloween Costume!

It's from Disney Worlds "Boo To You Parade". They do it every year for Halloween. These pictured above are the hitchhiking ghosts from The Haunted Mansion on their own float. My favorite ghost is the one on the far right (named Phinneas). That's the one I'm dressing up as.

Well, first of all, I'm buying this highly reflective yarn that I'm going to stitch to the edge of the fabric. The fabric will likely be either clear shower curtain material to give it a 'see-through' effect while a 90% sheer silk material with a slight reflective quality of its own would suffice. When a bright line is shined on it (flashlight or flash camera) it will reflect a spectral white outline to my costume.

I also want to buy a few portable black lights, roughly 6" long (battery powered) and store one of them in an over-sized sheer fabric top hat, larger than shown in the picture above. Hopefully it will make the hat glow and cast a light on the costume as well that will illuminate the glow in the dark bones beneath the sheer fabric. Also the ghost carries a carpet bag, so I'm going to store one in there and hopefully it'll illuminate the etherial bones even more.

But the thing I'm really hoping to do (if I can get enough money) is to put a mini, battery powered fog machine into the carpet bag, attaching a hose to it. The hose will run all over the costume and create a spectral vapor around my body. I'll be walking around in an eerie glowing fog, a skeleton glowing beneath my clothes, and a strange misty, otherworldly outline to my form. Then I'll stop to hitch a ride. Hey, it's what I do. Happy Haunting more pictures and updates to follow on my newest Ghost Costume Project.

Closing the Chapter on 2009.

I've been out of the Disney Company for about two-three weeks already. Seems longer than that. What are my feelings about it, you may ask? I'm doing well having all this free time to just be my own artsy self painting and whatnot, but something has me distracted. Viewing these photographs I uploaded to my Facebook, watching videos on YouTube of all the 2009 events of Walt Disney World during the holiday season when I worked as a pirate brought back lots of fond memories. I'm definitely considering going back, but it would require a lot of work and money. Time is especially important. Would I consider abandoning another Christmas without the fam'? Can I begin to think about how this would bleed me dry of all money in my savings account as it did the previous year? And the last thing I worry about is where I'll end up. I dream about returning to the Magic Kingdom and working at my favorite attraction of all time, The Haunted Mansion. Nothing would make my year quite like working as a Butler alongside my favorite 999 happy haunts. Well I'm signing off now. I'll hopefully continue writing in a few minutes, but I will definitely try to keep with my updates on this blog as much as possible before I join the ranks of the employed.