Dear Constant Reader,
Just a quickie! Book is due today!
If your hem falls down, temporarily mend it with pastie tape!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
You may notice this missive is going out very late in the day. There is also no tip.
I’ve been crazy busy of late. My biggest project is finishing my second costume book. I really, really want to have it ready at The Expo, and it’s getting closer and closer. Look for a Kickstarter real soon now to preorder your copy!
I’m also getting the Little Book of Better Burlesque back into print, which I’d also like to have ready for The Expo.
Speaking of The Expo, not only will I be teaching and hosting and judging, but I’ll be performing one solo and in two group numbers. Rehearsals are also keeping me pretty busy. And I’m also rehearsing my act for Booklover’s Burlesque in April.
If that weren’t enough, I’m also going to the much delayed Costume-Con 39 in San Jose to compete in the Historical Masquerade with a (no surprise) burlesque-related costume. Historical costumes not only have to be well-made inside and out, but you also have to submit documentation.
This is a very long way of saying that I’ve got a lot going on and in trying to do everything I needed to today I just couldn’t think of a tip
Sometimes you need to look at your to-do list and prioritize what’s critical and what can wait.
Oh wait, that was a tip, wasn’t it?
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
A very happy Friday to you! I’ve been exceptionally busy with a number of projects that I hope I can share with you soon. If you’re interested in getting updates before the rest of the world, consider joining my Patreon — I usually share news there first.
Here’s your tip!
A few moments before you head out of the dressing room to go on stage, do a quick check of your costume. Are you wearing everything you’re supposed to be?
Do you have on your pasties? Your g-string? Your gloves? Your headdress? Your shoes? Sometimes we leave the more uncomfortable or cumbersome parts of our costume until last and sometimes… we forget to put them on.
I have too many stories to share here. Ask Betty why she sometimes yells “Pantie check!”
A quick inventory of what you’re wearing compared to what you are supposed to be wear could just save you from standing on stage thinking “If I were wearing gloves, I’d be removing them right now.”
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
Have a friend take your measurements.
The measurements will be more accurate because you can just stand still while someone else who can move around you makes sure the tape is in the right place and reads the results. When you’re measuring yourself, there’s always the chance the results will be slightly distorted since it’s hard to hold the tape on yourself without contorting a bit.
Also, a friend will give a more honest reading than you might give yourself.
Accurate measurements mean better fitting costumes, whether you’re making or buying.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
Buy the song.
I have spoken previously about sending music files to producers, not YouTube or Spotify links. To acquire the song, just buy it. One song is not a lot of money — less than a cup of good coffee. If possible, buy it from a source that more directly supports artists, like Bandcamp.
Don’t rip the song from YouTube, even if it’s free and easy. Not only is that unethical, but the sound quality is not great. It may sound okay on your phone, but the better the sound system it’s played through, the more obvious the poor quality becomes.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!
Have at least one high-resolution, high-quality photo of yourself for promo.
Selfies are not good promo photos. Sometimes a performance photo might work, but it’s probably better to have a posed shot. You don’t have to get it professionally done — a lot of cell phone cameras are really good these days — but at least enlist a friend.
Make sure your lighting is good and that your background is uncluttered.
If you want to be really prepared for most requests from producers, have a high-res (print) and low-res (web) version, a square and a portrait version, a head shot and a full body.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! I’m so excited for Alice in Underwearland tomorrow! I think there are only a few tickets left for the late show.
Here’s your tip, inspired by Devastasia!
Get a lighted makeup mirror.
A lot of venues have makeshift dressing rooms and often the light is less than ideal for makeup application. Once a large and clunky item, a mirror with lights is now compact and inexpensive. The one Devastasia uses is about the size of a trade paperback and has brilliant LED lights.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Welcome to my newest Patron, Clay! Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
Happy Friday! What a contrast to last week — it’s positively balmy outside.
Before I get to your tip, Alice in Underwearland on February 18 at 8pm is sold out! However, we added a second show! If you missed out on tickets, you can join us at 10pm!
Clip your corners!
When sewing any kind of curves or angles, you need to clip the seam allowance to release tension or remove bulk. Allow me to explain with some hastily sewn and photographed examples.
Corners: cut diagonally across the corner above the point
Concave curves: cut little slashes up to the stitch line
Convex curves: cut little wedges out of the seam allowance.
In every case, you want to stay within the seam allowance. Get close to the line of stitching without cutting though it.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s a frigid day here in Boston, colder than it’s been in a long time and extremely windy. I hope wherever you are you’re keeping warm.
I know it’s been quiet here. I’ve been working on the second volume of my costume book, which besides writing, also means working on some sewing as I double-check some of my methods and techniques. Some of those projects will be seen in Alice in Underwearland at Deacon Giles on February 18 (the day before my birthday!)
With no further ado, here’s your tip, courtesy of Ava Fox!
If you have a costume piece that just won’t stay put, add a non-slip band of silicone.
Get a small tube of clear 100% silicone at the hardware store. There are big tubes that require a caulk gun; you want the little ones that look like toothpaste tubes. Run a bead of silicone on the inside of your costume where you want it (like the band of your bra or the top of your stocking) Then wet your finger and smoosh down the silicone so it’s a flat strip. Let dry and revel in how well your costume stays in place.
Pro tip from Scratch: wear a latex glove for easy clean up. Silicone is very sticky and water-resistant. Getting it off your skin is a chore.
Ava used this trick on the garters for her new Cheshire Cat act. Come see it on the 18th!
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Dear Constant Reader,
It’s Friday again! Here’s your tip!
Revising is easier than creating.
Writing a book (hi!), choreographing a routine, designing a costume, &c., can be so hard. Just get something “on paper”. It doesn’t have to be perfect or complete or even good. Then, you can go back and change it. That first pass will get you thinking and more importantly doing. The results may be laughable or they may be surprising, but they’re better than starting at a blank canvas waiting for the “right” ideas.
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 