Dear Constant Reader,
Before I was a performer, I was a costumer. Thus when I am creating an act, the first thing I think is “what will I wear?” and that often dictates the choreography.
Sometime I make or acquire costumes and I have no idea how they want to be presented on stage. Case in point, this beauty.
When I joined the costume presentation “Victorian Secret“, I told myself I’d have to reuse the corset in a burlesque costume (I decided the chemise and drawers were exempt). Since then I’ve added a bra, garter belt, and side-tie panties. A skirt is in the works. Possibly gloves. Maybe a headpiece. It’s going to be stunning, if I do say so myself.
Except I have no idea how to use it. Nothing is coming to mind. No concept, no music, no hook. Nothing.
Alas. I shall keep working on the costume in hopes that inspiration strikes. However, soon I am going to have to set it aside in favor of costumes for Wrathskellar Tales.
If your zipper is not gliding smoothly, rub the teeth with a lubricant (but not that kind…). There are various kinds of commercial zipper lubricants for sale, but there’s really no need to spend the money. You can use a candle, a bar of soap, a crayon, even lip balm, as long as it’s waxy. If the zipper is metal, you can also rub it with the lead of a pencil. This trick also works for a key if a lock is hard to open.
Having a broken machine needle fly in your face is an experience most sewers don’t soon forget! When sewing particularly tough materials (canvas, leather) or ones with hard little bits (sequined or beaded fabrics) or sewing through lots of layers or near metal bits — any time you’re likely to break a needle — wear safety goggles. They may not be chic, but they are sexier than an eyepatch!
The picture to the right shows Brigitte and me in our “Factory Girls” overalls. Because I’m leaning over and putting some tension on the fabric, you can see the line of snap tape at the overlap. It would have been better if those overalls were maybe one size bigger, but they were originally made for someone other than me.
I did a little costume work. Finally got the right color elastic for an old-school g-string I made for another performer. Added some rhinestones to the ties of my bathtub costume panties, so I can tell which ribbons are the front one by touch.
I spent just a little time tidying my sewing room/office. It’s hard to work in such a disorganized space, but I’m trying to clean it in manageable bites so I don’t just give up in frustration. Then I made a dozen pairs of teaching pasties. The rounds were already cut, so I just had to glue and tassel. It’s kind of tedious, but needs doing.
I concluded by reading a couple of chapters of 
Happy Friday! I am so excited and grateful to announce that 
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 