Today's Red and Black entry is another blast from the past. This one comes from Halloween 2006. My husband and I, for the first any only time, opted for a couple's costume for Halloween: The Joker and Harley Quinn.
I didn't use a pattern here because spandex is pretty forgiving (in terms of getting a fit, at least). I wrapped the fabric around myself, safety pinned it in place, and then cut it accordingly. The diamonds were a little difficult to sew on because the fabric needed to be stretched for that, which basically meant that I had to be wearing it. It was easy enough to put them on the left side (using my right hand), but not so much on the right. I am ridiculously right handed.
The gloves were easy: I traced my hand, cut it out, and sewed it together.
The headpiece was a little difficult. It's a separate piece from the costume, and I had a terrible time getting it to lay flat. In the end, I think I made three of them before one worked. The points on the headpiece (dunno what else to call them; does anyone know the technical term?) are just curved pieces of spandex and stuffed with polyfill. If I did this again, I would line them, because little pieces of the stuffing kept creeping out through the fabric. I attached two jingle bells at the end of the points and added elastic around the face opening for a tight fit.
Hubby's costume was created out of thrift store finds. For the jacket, I cropped it to the waist, flipped the pieces around, and sewed them on as tails. The fabric went against the grain for that, but for a thrift store costume, it wasn't too bad. The flower was just some yellow satin I had in the stash. I cut out a few flower shapes, layered them in a staggered fashion, and sewed them together. The vest is just a satin blouse. I cut off the sleeves and altered the neckline. From those pieces I cut, I made the tie and pocket square. His shirt and pants, thankfully, I didn't need to alter.
His costume is great because it shows how you can make a fabulous costume without spending a lot of money or time, or having a lot of talent.
We won first prize at the Halloween party we went to!
I've always loved Harley Quinn most! And you look pretty hot, too...
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe that's why we won?
DeleteWow, thats amazing :D
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOh! I love Harley Quinn! My red and black look for today is inspired by her! :)
ReplyDelete/MadamNoire
Cool! I'll be sure to check it out.
DeleteYou're brave (okay, talented, actually) to do a whole bodysuit with no pattern. I would've ended up with three arms or something. ;)
ReplyDeleteI would say I'm also pretty brave for walking around in public in spandex! Thankfully, I did only end up with two arms. *whew*
DeleteLove it! Harley is one of my favorite characters, and I've cosplayed as her twice, but I've never actually tried to exactly re-create her costume from the animated series; both times I cheated and just wore red and black with a Harley hat my mom made for me because I didn't have access to a sewing machine. And you guys look great-congrats on the win. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch. This one wasn't too bad, but her Arkham Asylum outfit looks like it would be a lot tougher - but probably right up your alley!
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