Starfish Clutch Bag

When planning a costume or outfit one should be aware of the the details and the needs they may have while wearing the outfit or costume. This, of course, means that you need to take into account more than just hair things and gloves - this means a handbag or purse. This also, of course, means I came up with something fun from scraps of my costume that would match perfectly. (Happy Halloween! And enjoy!)

I decided I needed a starfish hand bag with a wrist strap that would be big enough to hold my cell phone, ID, and a little cash. (Plus, it needed to be fun.)


It's a lined, quilted little starfish clutch made from green fabric, black lace, with an elastic wrist strap, and a button/elastic closure. To make it pliable, yet keep it's shape I using felt in between the exterior and lining. (Yes, I needed another handbag. Don't judge me.)

Using a paper starfish template, I cut all my fabric (all eight layers), paying attention to the direction they would be in the end result.

I made a couple stitches on the corners to keep things in place before securing with a few stitched lined on the one side to "quilt" the pieces together securely.

On the other side I cut a slit through all four layers as an opening that would be big enough for my hand and my cell phone. I used a simple blanket stitch to finish the edge of the opening and to secure the four layers together. I added a short piece of elastic and a silver button as a closure. Then I added a few "quilted" lines to that side as well.

Using my wrist as a guide I secured the elastic strap to the top inside of one of the starfish with a needle and thread. I pinned the two side together, with the outside facing out, pinning the tassels as I went to be caught in the machine when I sewed it shut. I then sewed the outside edges of the entire starfish with a zigzag stitch to secure the entire thing as a finishing stitch.

It really didn;t take that long to make and it is just the right size to hang off my wrist.

Bobby Pin Pom Poms

It is all about accessories sometimes especially when it comes to an outfit I am putting together and a costume is no exception. (Is there ever really an exception?!)

Using to large bobby pins and a some lace scraps leftover from the lace leggings I made two little pom poms for my hair to add to the green veils I made.

I cut the piece of lace into little strips and put them in a bundle that I tied together at the center then attached to the bobby pin ends, securing with a few dabs with the hot glue gun.

More accessories at a nothing cost and I can use for this project and other outfits to come.

Total supplies used: two bobby pins, lace fabric scraps, hot glue gun.

Green Veil Combs

As I continue to to work on this year's Halloween costume I needed something fun for my hair and came up with this idea using a couple plastic hair combs, some green tulle I had laying around, a few seashells, and some glitter.

The whole project was super easy and went together in no time. They look perfect with the costume! (And don't we just love accessories like that?)

Supplies:
Two plastic hair combs
Tulle (I used green) - to desired length
Small Seashells
Black spray paint
(Opt.) Needle/Thread
Craft Glue (that will dry clear)
Green and silver glitter

Using my handy dandy hot glue gun (my dear friend) I placed a strip of hot glue across the top of the plastic hair comb then gently placed the crumpled green tulle and secured. It only took a bit to set the glue. Just to make sure everything was secured, I also to a needle and thread to lightly stitch around the top edge of the tulle to the plastic comb.

I then took a selections of small seashells I had in my craft stuff and painted them with black spray paint and let them dry. (I prefer to put things I am spraying with spray paint inside a box or other container to keep the overflow contained.)


I secured the black painted seashells to the tulle covered plastic comb with more hot glue. Be careful not to burn your fingers when doing this.

Once the the shells were secured to the plastic combs, I dabbed bits of craft glue on them then sprinkled with green glitter. Then dabbed a few more bits of craft glue and repeated with silver glitter. (Make sure after glittering to shake the excess off.)

Then I let everything dry before wearing.

Black Lace Leggings

While working on piecing together a costume without a pattern, I realized that I needed a little extra flush underneath, but did not want to add a lining or under traditional under skirt. They say necessity is the mother of all invention - this was true as I came up with an idea for something a little different - I took a different twist on leggings with some black lace I happened to have on hand. I am sure to find other uses for these unique leggings.

From Stockings to Gloves

For the perfect Halloween costume a girl needs just the right accessories and the one accessory that makes any a girl happy is a pair of gloves (well, at least they make this girl happy). As a great lover of accessories and gloves I made a super easy pair out of an old pair of a fine mesh fish net to go with the new Halloween costume I am working on. (Recycling with having fun with fashion - what could be better?)

The whole project took about 5 minutes to make with just a few snips and no sewing.

I started with one old pair of stockings I had on hand (black fish net in this case). I just cannot throw something like this out because I know there will be some project they can/will be used for.

Taking a pair of scissors, I snipped off the end of the stockings to the desire length. I wanted short gloves, so kept them shorter.

Laying one on top of the other, I made sure they were the same length (trim off the excess as needed).

I then snipped off the toe end of the pieces - I laid them on top of each other to keep them the same length. This opening will be where the four fingers go (but not the thumb as that comes next).

Carefully I snipped a bit on the side of each glove where the thumb would go. Unstretched the snip was about half (1/2) inch, but plenty of room for my thumb. And with that - I have a new pair of gloves.

Embellished Pirate Patch

Who wants to wear a boring, plain, plastic eye patch when dressing up like a pirate? There might be someone out there, but there is an easy fix.With some glue, scraps of fabric or jewelry, and a little inspiration you can turn blah into something fun.

I took a plain plastic eye patch (the cheap ones you can usually find pretty easily) and gave it new life by cutting a scrap of burgundy velvet-like fabric to cover the entire front of the eye patch. (You can trim the edges for a cleaner look after the glue is dry.) I then glued it securely across the front, making sure not to leave any air bubbles. Using my trusty hot glue gun, I embellished the front with a simple cross using a decorative pearl wire.

It only took a few minutes to fix the boring blah patch into something fit for a Pirate King or Queen. A nice addition to my costume collection and sure to be used soon.


Go! Play dress up. You're never too old. Arg!

Marie Antoinette Beaded Guillotine Choker

I love costumes and dressing up whether for stage, holidays (like Halloween), for costume parties, or just for fun. Like with most things, a lot can be found in the details. A friend of mine had a Marie Antoinette costume, complete with a bloody line drawn on from Marie's visit with the guillotine. The costume was great, but make up and fake blood can be messy, smear, and fade, especially over an evening of wear. There has to be a better (and cleaner) option for the same (or better) effect. This inspired a blood red beaded choker.

I was able to use all things I had on hand to create this choker, including the tiny beads and wire that I have from the rings I made recently mixed with some jewelry making items I had on hand from other projects. This is what I used, but it doesn't mean it's the only way to make a choker like this. (Use your imagination!)


I started with cutting one piece of wire and a small piece of chain. The chain was for the closure to make it more flexible for sizing whether for me or for someone else. (With my collection of costumes and costume pieces that often happens.) I attached the chain to one end of the end, using pliers to secure it and to make sure the pointy end of the wire was tucked in so not to scratch flesh. (No need for jewelry to hurt.) This kept the beads from falling off the opposite end while I worked.

Starting on the other end, I started to bead the thin jewelry wire with the tiny blood red beads a few at a time, pushing them all the way to the end. (It took me longer to sort the red beads out of the mixture than it took to actually bead the choker.)

Making a 'blood drop'

After a few inches, I added a few beaded 'blood drops' I made by taking a small piece of wire with the seed beads and creating a blood drop shape, then securing each 'drop' to the main piece securely twisting with needle nose pliers. I made sure to wrap the end of the wire in and then tucking inside a bead to again keep the sharp edges away from delicate neck flesh. I then added a few beads between the 'blood drops,' making the drops different sizes.

HINT: The beads are tiny, so working on a tray with a small edge to keep the beads from rolling away from you is a great idea in creating your work space. The beads are tiny and I was able to press a number of them into the tip of my finger, then beading them onto the wire from my finger tip.

 I finished beading the length of the wire with the red beads, leaving enough on the end to attach the enclosure. Using the pliers, I secured the closure to the end of the wire, cutting off the access, then again tucking the sharp end safely from scrapping skin.

It's now ready to wear. I think I want to try some tear shaped red beads next time for the blood drops.

For more information, inspiration, and ideas on Marie Antoinette check out Marie Antoinette at Wikipedia or Marie-Antoinette.org. Enjoy, explore, create, and don't be afraid to play dress up!

And remember you are only limited by your imagination.