Mardi Gras- Steampunk Style

WOW! has it really been almost a month since I was on here?? Ughh Well, I will try to remedy that as I have lots to write about lately as well as a good many sewing projects on my agenda 'til the Phoenix Comic Con, Memorial Day Weekend.

This past Saturday was the 2nd annual Downtown Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade. My fellow cohorts in the Arizona Steampunk Society and I were invited to roll in it. A few of us put our noses to the grindstone for 3 weeks in preparation of floats, throws and a huge cthulu mascot. Because I was so busy on the parade prep my costume sort of went on the back burner till the last moment. Luckily I already had some pieces I was able to throw together. My favorite piece of my costume was the wind up key.

My steampunk wind up doll costume

The key was the very last piece of my outfit and I stumbled on its construction with fear and anticipation. Luckily my friend Noe, who is brilliant with design work, helped me with the correct proportions making my gear out of cardboard. I used a template for the teeth and it worked out perfectly in sync. 

Next, I needed to make my key out of cardboard; which I didn't actually measure spot on but I think it came out pretty good, I laid out two bowls side by side and inverted them so the rims laid on the cardboard. I traced the bowls onto the cardboard. I did the same in the center with a set of smaller bowls, cut everything out in one piece. I made a slit into the center of the gear so the key would slide in. At the bottom of the key I folded the rectangular (bottom) so it went back and forth, I slid that part into the slot on the gear then cut that portion in half. I hot glued the two pieces like wings to give the key support and stay in place. 

For the final addition, I looped white jewelry wire through the slot so I could attach it to my back and shoulders incognito.

Now, I have a wind up key and gear for those times when you never know you will need one!

All On A Mardi Gras Day

Mardi Gras is exactly one month away this year. Me and my friends are usually knee deep in tulle and feathers in preparation of our costumes for either; our participation in various parades or our Mardi Gras day costume. This year I won't be in New Orleans to participate in parades or celebrate the day; however there is a possibility of participation in a Mardi Gras parade in Phoneix this year.

I am in the Arizona Steampunk Society and promoters of the Mardi Gras parade has invited the society to participate. I would like to say that everyone jumped at the moment of hearing this news but- that wasn't exactly the case. I have had bated breath wanting to know if we do participate if will be a theme or coordination of color. The one thing I do know is that there will be a steampunk influence.

I went ahead and started preparation of of a costume- tame as it will be in comparison to a costume for New Orleans Mardi Gras costume- a costume in steampunk style.

I chose fabrics in traditional Mardi Gras colors; green, purple and gold. I found some really great harlequin pattern fabric in cotton calico blended weight. I decided to make a Victorian inspired outfit using this Simplicity pattern.

Like I said above, I am using a cotton not a satin or taffeta like you see in the picture.

I am working on the bustier first and working the rest of the outfit later. Look at all these pieces I needed to cut out. For each pattern piece I had to cut out 2 of each layer; 2 of the front of the top, 2 pieces of fusible interfacing and 2 pieces of of the inside lining fabric (the green fabric).

The bustier also requires featherweight boning and a zipper. It is unusual for a typical bustier to have a zipper in place of corset laces or heavy hook and eye closures.

Since I am still in the preparation stage of this project I will have come back and give an update as my project progresses.