Hats can really add to the completeness of a costume.  I have made outfits for frontiersmen, renaissance,  and pirates.  None of which would have looked finished without a hat. In some cases, I was only required to make hat when the rest of the costume could be pieced together from thrift store items or forgotten old clothes.

For example, in both of my son Shaun’s student films, he did not have the budget for a complete wardrobe so in order to set the theme, I made hats. In the Chupacabra movie (see Family page), Shaun needed a pith helmet for the main character to wear in a jungle scene.  Trying to find one was not easy (although later we learned our next-door-neighbor who was a mail carrier had one), so I formed one over an inflated balloon out of paper maché, white glue and cloth strips. Khaki fabric was cut and sewn to fit the molded pieces.  I spent a lot of time watching and rewinding scenes from The Mummy in order to get the look that Shaun wanted.

The next film, Atlantis 2032, needed Russian hats for several of the players.  After making a slew of coon skin caps for Shaun’s Boy Scout troop, this was a less challenging project. The pattern was basically the same as the coonskins only I needed to add “dog flaps” to the sides and an emblem to the front to distinguish it as a Russian hat.

Up close and personal these hats did not have that professional look, but on film they passed.  For any costuming in the future, I’ll have to up my game for the new high definition film.

•  What tools are needed?
•  What type of thread works best ( I know some threads come apart in the wash)?
•  How do you know when to hand stitch something versus sewing with a sewing machine?
•  How much could it cost if I were to try to make a costume from home?

What tools are needed?

Well this really depends on what your project is.  Are you making a hat, shoes, a garment, props that go with your costume, or all of those things?  I hope as I cover each of the projects I have on my plate, I will be able to give you specifically what tools will be needed.  If you really want to tackle costuming, a sewing machine is essential.  Singer has some nice inexpensive sewing machines.  I tend to like brands that I know have been around for awhile.  Do some research on the internet of various brands and styles and look for feedback from customers.  You might be able to find a sewing machine at a thrift store, but buyer beware.  Just because they run when you plug them in doesn’t necessarily mean they will sew.  I had a friend who picked up a working sewing machine at a thrift store for what he thought was a reasonable price only to find that the timing was off.  To have it serviced plus what he paid at the thrift store, cost him more than if he had bought it new. If your mom used to sew, maybe she would be willing to let you have her machine or at least use it.  Don’t forget to oil it or have it oiled if it hasn’t been used lately.  I suggest if you want to buy a new machine that you don’t get one with a lot of fancy stitches.  I have a few different stitches on my machine, but basically I need straight stitch (backwards and forwards) and zigzag for stretch fabrics/edge finishing.

Where to start? Part II  What type of thread works best?  Upcoming post!