Padme Amidala The Black Corset Piece

As always I say that thrift stores and garage sales are a costumer's best friend. I have seen so many wonderful pieces that I have used as is or adapted to work with a certain costume. Chokers were really in a few years back so you could probably find one second hand pretty easily. Also Jet cut beads are used a lot in costume jewelry. I have seen some nice pieces that you can take apart to use the beads. Ebay is another place with a treasure trove of odds and ends.
Here in Orlando we have a place called the "Bead Bar" which speciallizes in beads. If your area has a place like this you will find a whole world of options over the general craft store's pony and bugle beads.

 

Yeah, problem is, where I live they only have garage sales in the summer, and only a few at that. Whata you guys think about that picture I posted above? lol

 

Lani, the cost of the seed beads doesn't vary too much. Of course, it also depends on where you're getting them, the quantity, and what they're made of.

Plastic seed beads are gonna be cheap, and available just about anywhere (it's also what I'm using right now too ). The downfall with plastic is that they're SO mass-produced that size regularity isn't a huge consideration. So, a lot of times you find beads that are bigger, some without holes, lumpy ones, etc.

Glass seed beads, on the other hand, while they cost more, are much more regular. The sizes are consistent and they're usually as round as you can get such a small object. I've been able to find these at regular crafting stores, but they're usually in the *embroidery* section (for whatever strange reason) and cost a bit more. Or, like Ferd mentioned, you could hunt down some specialty bead shops in your area and see what their prices are like.

I'm afraid that during my White Parade Gown project, I learned far more about beads and beading than I ever wanted to. But it's actually come in handy since then.
^.^

 

I just spent about a half hour studying all the posts on all that you girls have done, and just printed out pictures......I'm going to get cracking on this one right away!! The only problem I'll have is the necklace, but I'm going to go see what my mom thinks i should do.

How is everyone else coming along with it?

 

I know this was discussed way back when the thread was started, but I thought I would bring it up again now that the subject of the neclace is being discussed again. Someone mentioned the possibility of using beaded curtains. You can find them for realatively cheap, and they are definatly long enough. They also come in various bead sizes. With some searching around, I'm sure you could find some that look exactly like the actual costume.

I'm not currently planning on making this costume, but if I were going to make one, this is what I would use.

 

Well.. not quite true about seed beads http://www.forestheart.com/gbtrm.html

They do cover a range of sizes but the beads about 5mm across would not really be seed beads
But a lot of sites also mix seed with rocaille (which is quite a specialised sort of bead) too.

Also curious about plastic beads being less regular. I haven't had contact with plastic seed beads but all the plastic beads I've had are *very* regular as they are moulded rather than formed on wires (stretched and cut to shape) as glass beads are. Of course large glass beads are moulded too, and so are very regular too.

There are differences in quality in glass beads from highly irregular (however very economical) to as regular as you can get concidering the method.

I usually look at sources other than bead suppliers if I need a huge number of beads. Here we have a chain store called the $2 Shop. $2 NZ that is so it's lieka $1 shop for most of you Anyway they often have multiple strand glass bead necklaces and currently have single strand but moulded black glass bead necklaces. Too heavy for this project but could be good for a Victorian prject.

Also I just found a placemat for $NZ10 which is made from a coil of seed beads (silverlined or iris in a variety of colours) on wire. It is absolutely solid and the size of a dinner plate. No way could I afford to buy that many beads for that price from a company selling beads. I wouldn't go for the silverlines as they are quite dull being cheaper made but the dark iris ones are great

I also just picked up a purse made from a solid rhinestone fabric for $5 so do look in recycled clothing/goods stores as well as large furnishing places.

 

Yeah, I didn't think so, because my mom is completely obsessed with beads...lol, anyways, I've been putting off the glove part of this costume. What are you guys doing for the gloves? Like, are you just making them pieces to slip on over your arm, or actual gloves with just the thumbholes?

 

Hi everyone!
I am looking for a big-enough picture of this black dress, the WHOLE of it (not only the top).
I thought this would be the place to find cool links to cool pics, but most of them are broken now.
Can anyone help? Thanks!

 

Have you looked at the Padawan's Guide[/i] or the costumes section of The Next Amidala yet?

 

Here's the Next Amidala link again: http://www.thenextamidala.com/aotc_costumes/costumes.html.

 

I defer to the bead experts, then.

Anyway, as for the gloves, I was planning on doing them out of the same leather I'll be using for the outer (front) corset layer. And, I had a thought... Tandy Leather tends to sell bulk leather for seemingly reasonable prices. Has anyone here worked with their softer, thinner leathers for costumes? (specifically, a softer, smoother leather that would work for this kind of project) What did you think?

I'm considering going to the local Tandy store to check out their hide selections - if needed, I'll order from online, but I'd really rather be able to touch and feel the leather first so I know what texture and weight I'm actually purchasing.

 

Yes! I've finally finished this outfit, for the most part. Though it's not perfect, and I still have a few things to finish up... like buying the headband and making the necklace piece. But it looks pretty cool now. I'll take some pictures and post them asap.

 

Can't wait to see them!!

 

Is it just me, or does McCall's3380 have a striking resemblance to the black corset dress?

 

FRUSTRATION!!

I cannot find any stinking fabric that is even similar to the skirt fabric!

GRRRRRRRRRR!

Does anyone have any online suggestions? Cause they sure dont have anything similar around here.

 

Why would you want a stinking fabric?

 

Some people who have made/are making this dress have layered a lace over a solid color fabric. White lace over black fabric, or black lace over white fabric. There are plenty of options out there, a print or weave isn't the only way to go in some cases.

Kate

 

Yep, Ive been looking at all the laces I see as well but just havent been able to find something close enough to satisfy me.

Just have to keep looking I guess.

Thanks!

 

Here are a couple of pictures of my costume. I still need to purchase the head piece and make the necklace, though: (these pictures are really dark btw, for som reason)

[image=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/42c2c75/bc/Costumes/__hr_Black+Corset+2.jpg?bchZ0B.AXPaW3KX0]
[image=http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/42c2c75/bc/Costumes/__hr_Black+Corset+1.jpg?bcRs0B.ACMEw3brd]

And the back is kind of messed up, I'm going to have to figure out a way to fix that.

 

Okay, those pictures don't work so here's the url's:

back: http://www.angelfire.com/rpg/hpottersmagicalworld/Costumes/Black_Corset_1.jpg (it's kind of messed up and I need to fix it somehow. lol)

front: http://www.angelfire.com/rpg/hpottersmagicalworld/Costumes/Black_Corset_2.jpg

 

Looking good Lani!!!

Crimson, I completely understand your frustration. I'm thinking that, if the actual movie version was lace-layered-over-solid, then the lace was a custom weave. I've *never* been able to find any lace even remotely similar. Ferd ended up using a snake-skin print fabric for the skirt that actually looks really good. (she has a link to her site in her profile)

As for me, I went out and found a black lace that, even though isn't similar in design, is about as sheer/opaque as the movie version. Yeah, it's flowers, but they're medium-sized, and the netting in between them isn't super-sheer. So *hopefully* I'll be getting the same effect with it.

Good luck with your searches!!

 

Okay, stupid question here. I was trying to see the back of the corset on the Padawan's Guide, but I can't make out how it closes. How did y'all do it? I would think it needs to lace to get that kind of cleavage, but it looks solid. Anyone seen any pictures or got any advice?

 

Well to get "that kind of cleavage" it needs to be a true corset. You would need to fully bone the entire top and it could close with grommets and leather ties or hook and eye tape. I did not make mine a "real" corset--it was boned with light weight boning and it my version laces shut. But I think for a really accurate version I would hook it shut. (Also in P-19 Natalie remarks that this was a difficult costume to wear because it is so binding.)

As far as the fabric--that lace is nearly impossible to find--I tried, too. I was happy with the outcome of my version (even though I hate snakes )

Ferd

 

Yup, I was planning on it. I've made 7 corsets for myself now, what's one more? lol. Anyway, I was more wondering if the lacing should show over a black piece, or should be covered up. It's really impossible to hook a corset at all. Usually I put lacing underneath, then hook a piece over top.

 

Lacing rings It closes like hooks and eyes, but you cannot see the lacing from the outside I use this for any costume that is supposed to close with hooks and eyes down the back. Mostly for ease and you can in fact let it loose an inch if required

I would recommend a placket though, a flap to go behind the lacing so that if it doesn't close exactly, it won't be too noticable.