Roman Centurion
I created this custom Roman Centurion ensemble to rent as an "Armor of God" costume...then my first rental customer decided to purchase it! I have ordered new helmets and plan to make more faux leather armor pieces in the future.
Roman Centurion - design photos
I used tailor's chalk and a straight edge ruler to measure out the belt & straps on the back side of black faux leather.
I cut out the straps, leaving 2" at the top to attach the belt. I stitched two layers together, adding weight & giving it a finished look.
I added studs and metal buttons to the front of the belt and five front straps.
I built the chest armor and shoulder detail as separate pieces for mix-and-match
I explored options for a neck scarf, cape attachments, trim, & adjustable side lace-ups.
The complete Roman Centurion costume included: metal helmet with plume; black faux leather 2-piece armor, studded belt, gauntlets, & shin guards; red tunic & cape
Cinderella's transformation dress - design photos
Cinderella's original "rags" dress
Cinderella's transformation dress - "rags" break-away bodice & extended overlay
Cinderella's transformation dress - blue ballgown
Break-away bodice - use 2 strands of fishing line to lace up the sides
Break-away bodice - one line goes across the front, the second line holds the sleeve together
Break-away bodice - I added snaps to hold the top sections together until it was time for the transformation
Girl's dress-up
I have enjoyed creating elaborate dress-up costumes for my grand-niece. Most of these custom creations are now available for rental or purchase.
Paw Pals, Sky - pink dress, vest with wings, and bomber helmet (not available for rental)
Belle's yellow ballgown with gold florets & side lace-ups
Pink & purple princess costume with cape
Fairy costume with rosebuds (skirt available for rental)
Women's historical
In between working on shows, I develop my sewing skills by making historical and fun costumes for myself. I also participated in a couple Detroit ASG Costume Makers Group challenges. These deluxe costumes are now available for rental or purchase.
Civil War style dress - red taffeta (front)
Civil War style dress - red taffeta (back)
Overlay can be added to change the look of the skirt.
Challenge: make a western style costume using the purple satin & lace provided
Result: Satin ruffled hitch skirt and lace covered vest.
Challenge - make variation of jacket pattern using the blue material provided
I had striped material in my inventory, so made a period-appropriate vest and skirt to go with the jacket
I used on-hand material to create a Renaissance dress.
I made this mock-up skirt when designing my niece's wedding dress.
I created this classic maid costume for a murder mystery party.
Classic maid costume - at the party with my husband
Weddings & formals
I made a custom Boho-style wedding dress for my niece's lakeshore wedding and made my grand-niece's flower girl dresses for several weddings.
I mocked up a few different options before we settled on the final design.
This was my first attempt at adding scallops to the layers of the skirt.
Here are the in-process wedding dress and flower girl dress.
I sewed my niece's Boho-style wedding dress.
White lace flower girl dress; I added off-shoulder sleeves.
I re-cut the back neckline to match the bride's style.
White/burgundy flower girl dress - similar pattern
Props & specialty
I enjoy the craftsmanship of creating unique props and household items, and custom-designing unique deluxe costumes.
I've been making Dutch costumes since high school, but this one was different...I made an oversized hat and shirt for the Eagle Crest school mascot to march in the Tulip Time Parade
Eagle Crest principal, Daniel Harris, shaking hands with the school mascot (I made the mascot's Dutch hat and shirt).
I used material scraps from my Ren Fest costumes to create these one-of-a-kind storage boxes.
I created this carboard & Play-Dough cake for a baking-show skit.
Adventureland - theater/skit costumes
- Red-and-white candy-stripe apron
- Hawaiian print smoker's jacket
- Hand-crafted cake
- Vintage "used" apron
- Hawaiian print smoker's jacket
- Hand-crafted cake/orange
- Military helmet
- Military shirt
- Star medal with photo
Two Scottish kilt sets (red and blue/green) - includes kilt, sash, and hat
French beret, glasses, and tie
Matching "bowling shirts" - burgundy and red
Shakespearian bard - velour hat, fur-lined vest, cream shirt, brown satin pants, and black boot spats