Final write up of the Brides Outfit from Abu Hussan. Arabian Nights 2015.

I glued orange jewels all over the finished outfit which took several hours to do and was quite fiddly. I used a super glue but I have noticed since that some have fallen off. I wasn't always successful in keeping the glue neatly concealed behind the jewel. There were times when I ended up blotching the glue onto the fabric so it showed beyond the jewel on the fabric. This annoyed me as it stained the fabric and showed darker than the fabric should of been. I would need to research a better way of gluing small jewels onto a costume in future.

The completed Bride's outfit in all of its glory.

I was not entirely happy with the stitching of the lining on the seams of the outer garment. It slightly puckered the quilting which although was not that noticeable, annoyed me. I found it quite bulky and difficult sewing the lining in place on the machine. I used the machine on the seams to give extra strength. If I was to make this outfit again in a similar fashion, I would also line the inside of the bottom frill. It would give a more complete professional look to the overall garment. I hadn't lined the frill of this outfit as I did not have enough lining fabric plus time would of been against me as well. It did not notice on stage anyway, it just would of looked more finished when examining it off the hanger and up close.

Back of the Bride.

I hand stitched the hem of the lower frill which took time as the circumference was quite large. It was quite difficult to get the hem even as you could not easily see it due to the expanse of fabric.

I would of preferred to of used glass tear drop jewels to finish the triangular purple lace trim. Instead I used metallic gold and green beads. They gave a nice effect to the trim and were used as they were cheap and the budget wouldn't of stretched to tear drop jewels.

Bride's Headdress (Abu Hussan - Arabian Nights) February 2015

I made the basis of the Bride's Headdress on an old Gendarme Felt Hat of which I had cut off the peak. I split open the top and pushed down on the felt to make the hat shorter in appearance. The cut felt top I inserted into a tubular piece of card and glued in place. I closed the top of the card tube by folding over the card and gluing in place.

The base of the Bride's Headdress using an old felt hat and thin card

Next I wrapped the blue fabric from the Bride's dress around the tubular card. I wrapped wadding around the felt hat to pad it out and glued this in place. I then wrapped the red fabric from the Bride's dress around the wadding to give the appearance of a turban. I glued and stitched this all in place.

The hat taking shape and form.

Adding the trim to the headdress.

I then added the red beading, gold sequins and gold fringe.

Getting a feel for the outfit and what to do next. More to do to the headdress and one of the sleeves need adjusting. Being modeled by the actor.

I decided to make paper flowers in orange and green from tissue paper to decorate the tall tubular part of the headdress. The design I based my idea on had some sort of large pom poms around the edge. I cut the tissue paper into long fringes and gathered them up into a circle. I stuck these flowers on with glue. I glued the veil into place so it flowed down the back of the Bride.

Close up of the paper flowers.

Next I made 2 strings of pom pom and wooden bead necklaces to hang from the headdress along with a gold bead adornment. This I felt gave interest to the whole headdress and also drew attention away from the bare neck of the actor.

The finishing touches to the headdress and how it finally looked.

I found an old brooch of a wild cat which I felt was appropriate for the Arabian Nights. Added with some small colourful feathers I glued these in place on front of the Turban. I glued small matching orange jewels that I had also used on the Bride's outfit to the turban fabric. I also trimmed the gold fringe that sat across the eyes so the actor would be able to see clearly.