I recently bought some red fabric at Goodwill without realizing that extra large really is enormous. By enormous, I mean I now have a 10 yard x 1 yard piece of fabric. I'd like to make it into a Halloween costume, but I can't think up anything. I know that there's more than enough for a pair of pants and a long sleeve t-shirt, but that's not enough to make a character. Any ideas on a costume that would fit the description?

What kind of fabric is it?

A knit? Satin? Cotton broadcloth?

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<Boing>

I'm not sure what the fabric is, since Goodwill doesn't label their fabrics. I haven't done much in the way of fabric buying, so I can't identify it that way. So here's a vague description:

• About the thickness of facial tissues
• Some shininess
• woven threads, probably synthetic
• Slightly see through to the point where if I hold it in front of my face and look around in a well lit room I see a blurry, slightly darked, and very red room
• bright red

Is it "crisp"?

Or fluid and drapey?

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<Boing>

It's very, very fluid. Wisegeek's description of brilliantine seems to fit well. It feels a bit like the fabric from a couple of pairs of running shorts I own, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was brilliantine.

Let me have a think!!!!

Stay tuned!

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<Boing>

You could make a gothic gown that puddles on the floor and has bell sleeves with that much fabric! It's all in the way you cut it.

Check out this site
http://www.reconstructinghistory.com...=&g=&a=126&w=2
There are medieval patterns at the bottom of the page. I've made a gown and am starting another using this pattern. It is easy and uses a minimal of material. Plus it makes a great gown for all kinds of characters besides medieval and gothic, mine is black so can be a witch, dead bride, vampire.

You just have to be creative with the neckline and/or sleeves to really make it your own! I'm 5'8" and used less than 5 yards. It was 59 inch wide, but even still, you can easily use a narrow fabric. This would also help you with a trick I used to make sewing in the gores easier. Instead of one panel for the front and one for the back, I made 4 quarters instead of the 2 halves. This made it easier to add lacing into the front or the back, too.

Sew the sleeves on and the gussets under them, then put it on and decide where you want the tip of one the gores (should be at the narrow of the waist) and then measure from the bottom to set the other 3 at the same level before you sew. The gores may end up longer than the dress so just trim them off.

To add drama, make a second dress using this same method only add a bit to make it somewhat bigger. Use one of the Halloween patterned laces or a sparkle tulle in a color that would compliment the red like black, orange, yellow or another red.

Whatever you do with your material, make sure you take some pictures for us!

Val

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I don't know what your sewing skills are... Ish Wish's suggestion of ren is good - so is Medieval as the dresses are very flowy and drapey.

You could also make a hooded cloak - they are actually not too complicated.

OR you could go with a wench or gypsy type of costume, with the red used as the "overskirt". They are hiked and gathered which would make the most of the fluid-ness.

http://www.butterick.com/item/B3906....ostumes&page=7

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<Boing>

Mrs. Wicked, what pattern do you most recommend for a hooded cloak? Or do you have a personal design that you have created yourself? And did you get a chance to scroll down in the Recon. Hist. site? It is such an easy, cool pattern that you can just imagine the women back then having to make their own cloth and then put it together in a way that uses every bit of it and doesn't waste any. I mean who would want to slave that hard to create a decent amt. of yardage and then cut into it willy-nilly. It is brilliant! And the dress actually cuts and sews together so easily and the style is so adaptable that it comes out wonderful.

Pingveno, if you use this design I would recommend you buy some cheap $1yd or less fabric and do a test dress first. That is what I did and I'm glad for it.

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