Hey all  I usually just lurk here on the forums, but I'm peeking my head out todaoy to ask for some help. I'm trying to make a dress similar to this one, but my skills are a little rusty as I haven't sewn since high school, and even then I could only have been called a beginner. I can follow a pattern pretty well, but I'm just outside the range of the biggest patterns I've looked at so I'm winging it as best I can.

I'm using this tutorial to get the peasant top shape I'm after, but I'm stuck on how to handle the skirt bit. I thought I might just extend the length of the top, but I want a full/flared skirt and I'm not sure what the best way to accomplish that is. Would it be better to make a separate top and skirt? Make a skirt and sew it to the top (If so, what's a flattering waistline for a larger tummy)? I really want a one piece outfit and it seems like I could just extend the length of the top to dress-length, but what shape would I cut the bottom half to achieve flare-edness? Is there a more elegant solution than I've thought of?

Advice on dress construction, or any tips you think a newbie ought to know, would be greatly appreciated!

I posted a picture of my makeup test run here last week, and here's the finished product:



Closeup of the face:


(The chest scratches are my favorite part)

And an action shot!



The clothes are old ones I don't wear anymore as they're just a little too small. I tore them up distressed them, stomped them into the dirt, and soaked them in fake blood. The face makeup is liquid latex and tissue paper, with a green base covered over in purple, brown, and black, with gel blood for effect. (Looks like some of the neck and arm stuff is rubbing off. Poo.)

I'm really happy with the way it came out - I even won the office costume contest. Whee! Except the latex is very stiff and starting to peel around the edges - I'm dying to pull it all off, and I still have four more hours of work to go!

Grarrrgggh!

Hehe. I like how Squiggle is all "Do not want!" in that third picture. Maybe she is jealous of your cute face paint?

Okay, I saw the first two pics and though "huh, that's nice". Then I scrolled down and saw that it was sitting in the palm of your hand and I squee-ed out loud! Those are adorable - excellent work!

That is too freakin' adorable! You're right - your face is perfect in that last piccie.

awesome work! Can I ask how you did the gel wound on the back of your hand?

No! Wire! Hangers!
</Joan Crawford>

Gee, nobody seems to sell those anymore, do they? The only place I could think of to get them might be your local dry cleaner's - they still seem to use them and might be willing to sell you a couple.

I wanted to do a makeup test for my halloween costume, since I never wear makeup and I'm no great shakes at it. I'm really pleased with the results!


(Please excuse my sucky camera phone)

I did a layer of liquid latex, then laid on some tissue paper over my cheeks and forehead (I later pulled the forehead one open for the wound), and another layer of latex. Then I put makeup over it, of course...

Oh how sweet! <melts>

Now I want to knit that for my friend's baby shower! Is the pattern something that might be accessible? Where did you find it?

ooh, it's lovely, and very becoming to you. The colors look like seawater.

Also, hello from a fellow LHC-er. Seeing you here feels kind of like running into a friend at the grocery store.