Brad's Bow Tie

Prince Edward Stuart tartan!  Yup, Russ D. brought this to my attention, and I concur with his evidence. The bow tie has blue and green in it. And it's not even that hard to find!

Like all tartans, there seem to be variations with the same name - look for the kind with one yellow stripe (some have a double yellow stripe or even a white stripe instead). 

View the correct tartan on the Clan website. 

Brad's Kimono

The red kimono has arrived! By all evidence, it seems to be identical to the blue kimono that Brad wears - it has all of the same embroidered butterflies and flowers in the same places.

I'll be digitizing these designs (creating embroidery files) - though it's a taxing process going back and forth from the computer to the embroidery machine - testing, editing, testing, editing, etc.

I'll also be measuring and patterning the kimono itself, as well as creating a file to mark the placements of all the designs.

In the meantime I'm going to drop some of my photos here for reference:

Rocky Wraps (Prototype)

I basically made leggings and attached the 'laced up' component as a façade on top of the leggings.  There are separating zippers running up the back of the legs.  They just go on like a pair of pants and will stay up really well. They look fantastic from the front. A bit of a compromise since they don't get unlaced... but I think the focus should be on Rocky's initial debut when he stands up, and not on Magenta and Columbia unlacing him.  I did the same for the arms/sleeves. 

But this is just a prototype - so the length is a bit long in the video... and the zipper wasn't shortened yet.  

 

Brad's Robe

I went looking for photos of Brad's robe and realized I've never posted about it! 
So here's some screen caps - it's a basic kimono-style robe. Open armpits and such. No shortage of patterns out there, though it's probably easier to find a robe and just add the embroidery.

Frank's Pearls

If only everything were so easy to be source! I've had some of these so long, I don't even know where I sourced them from. But here's what I can currently offer (as of July 2025):

• 20mm White Pearls (20 beads needed for 16" necklace + 4" chain)
• 20mm Silvery-Grey Pears (20 beads needed for 16" necklace + 4" chain)
• 25mm White Pearls (15 beads needed for 16" necklace + 4" chain)

The options listed above will be $25 each (+ shipping) and include the allocated beads, spacer beads, clasp & chain, and jewelry wire. Additional beads for longer necklaces may cost slightly more.

I will continue to search for the stainless steel beads - the beads are easy enough to find; the problem is their holes are usually too large to use with spacer beads.

I will also continue to search for 22mm White Pearl beads, as I think that would be the ideal size.

I can count 14 on Frank (across the front and sides), and estimate there's probably another 5 (give or take) behind his neck. His chain gap is at least 2".

Pride Costumes...

Here's some of the stuff I've made for Pride month - I started most of these weeks (months?) ago but had to wrap them up quickly. Don't be fooled, I'm still spending most of my days working on Space Suit commissions. Most of these will appear on stage in Austin and Houston, TX.

Floorshow Boas!

Okay, here's what I've learned after dicking around with these things for a few weeks...

The boas are long. Really long. I make mine almost 10'.
The box-pleats use fabric at a 3-to-1 ratio... so if you want to box pleat 9' of organza, you'll need 9 yards (18 feet!)

Sue's seem to be mounted on some black twill tape, but I just used 3/8" grosgrain ribbon. I don't recommend satin ribbon; the organza will slip and slide all over that.

Materials: 
1 10-foot strip of twill tape or grosgrain ribbon
1 9-yard (18-foot) strip of Black Organza (10" wide)
1 8-yard strip of Red Organza (10" wide)
1 8-yard strip of Yellow-Green Organza (10" wide)
2 WOF (Width Of Fabric) strips of Black Chiffon (10" wide)
2 (or 4) Black Tassels
Black Serger Thread (and obv. a serger)

If you don't mind piecing your organza together, you can just buy 2-yards and sew the 10" strips together to make one long strip.

Prepping the Fabric:
I cut 10" wide strips of the Organza and chiffon and serge all the long edges. If you want to use a rolled-hem foot on your serger, you may want to cut your fabric strips 1/2" wider to accommodate the hem (1/4" each side). I don't bother to serge the short edges, but you can if you want. 

Getting Started:
I fold about 1" of the ribbon up to make a loop for the tassel. Some tassels have stupid-long loops for hanging, so I shorten those to about 2".  I box-pleat the chiffon to each end straight down the middle - just sort of a loose pleat-as-I-go technique. I can see the ribbon through the chiffon. Make sure you attach both ends of the chiffon to the SAME SIDE of the ribbon! My pleats average about 1-1/4" deep.. back and forth alternating their direction (that's what makes it a box pleat). If you prefer you can pleat them all going the same direction and it should look beautiful, too.

Pleating the Organza!
Continue to attach all layers on the same side of the ribbon. This will help with the twist when it's hanging.

I attach the red first... slightly overlapping the black Chiffon ends. Not all of the boas have all of the colors running the full length, but I prefer to keep it simple and just go all the way across. Then the green/yellow - which I started and ended a little further in from the red. Then the black I started about 6" from the beginning of the ribbon - it overlaps a lot of the Chiffon. 

You absolutely want to do the black organza last because it's the hardest to see through. You need to be able to see your ribbon/previous stitch line on each successive layer. It can be a little tricky with the black on top of the black ends. Just go slowly and keep your pleat layers spread as you work. 

Commissions:
If you decide you'd rather just buy one I'd be glad to make it for you!  Based on the materials I currently have available (see top photo) I am charging $125.00 (materials + labor).  

Floorshow Boa Research

There are two known, extant boas:
1. The King's Road Boa owned by Ruth (and possibly used by Rocky in the film)
2. Columbia's Boa owned by Larry

They have a lot in common and appear to be made from the same materials, however the order of their layers is different. They both begin with a length of black twill tape (grosgrain will work well, too). Both boas also begin with pleated chiffon on the ends - it's a little droopier and gives the boa a more tapered appearance. Both boas have multiple layers of pleated (most likely) Organza, but the lengths and positions of the Red and Yellow are reversed. The tassels appear to be the same.

Pride Boas

I made a set of Pride boas for the local casts I perform with, and as a pre-cursor to (eventually) making some screen accurate floorshow boas (Organza fabric has been ordered!)

For these, I used Tulle-Organza. It's like a fine-weave tulle with the shimmer of organza (but doesn't shed glitter!) I used a 10' long ribbon down the middle and box-pleated 4 layers of 11" wide tulle. Which is pretty wide, you probably wouldn't want your regular floorshow boas to be that wide, unless you just wanted them to be "extra". Each layer was applied individually, and I just pleated as I went.  The dark purple ends are chiffon (and those edges are serged). 

This makes a very cost-effective boa - which is great for theme shows (think Pride, Halloween, etc.)  Anyhow, the Organza ones are coming soon(ish)!

Floorshow Garter Belts

My best guess is the metallic red ribbon is attached with a zig-zag stitch to some elastic while it's being stretched.  This will make the entire garter strap curl up on itself, but you might be able to flatten it with an iron. Definitely test your ribbon/method with some scrap pieces first. 

Columbia's photo shows that the middle/side strap is attached on top of the garter belt (the other straps are likely sewn into the designated seam).

Rocky's garter belt gives some insight on the fabric - definitely stretchy (not a plain satin). 

Columbia's Tailcoat Pattern (revised)

I've finally updated and digitized my Columbia tailcoat pattern.  The sleeve and torso length can be easily modified for a more tailored fit. This is a Small; I'll have to do the Medium and Large separately (someday!)  My poor paper patterns I made 15 years ago are so fragile. Once I digitize them I can print them out as often as I need.

Introducing: Frank-n-Trixie and the no-good, very bad shoe!

In honor of Tim Curry's birthday this month (April, 2025) I made a special Frank-n-Trixie themed ensemble - 

It's my basic usherette dress pattern, but I added a tie-belt (instead of the traditional skinny leather belt).

• My oversized pin is a copy of a "Charles Atlas" ad - I can make you a man!
• I got my Frank pearls on, though slightly smaller to suit this ensemble better
• You can see them, but I had red triangle-shaped earrings on
• Hot pink satin gloves
• Rhinestone anklet
• A cute riveted facade (like Rocky's tank!) to attach across my usherette tray
• I handed out "Body Part" gummie candies
• I had the lab-scene Frank shoes all finished and ready to go, but they broke before I made it out the door. Thankfully I had some Sweet-T back-ups (re: white heels)

Brad's Shoes

Brad wears black loafers with an elasticated gusset in the wedding scene, and then brown loafers with a higher tongue/vamp. 

He wears white socks throughout, which makes the quick change after "Dammit Janet" even easier. Brad (and Janet) have a little over 90 seconds for their quick change during the Criminologist's speech.

Eddie's Vest (research)

There are plenty of details enumerated on The Anal Retentive Costume List for this so I'll keep this post brief. Eddie's vest has the following components that I feel need the most consideration:

1. The faux cheetah lapels
2. The B-A-B-Y lettering across the back (see separate post)
3. The broken chain swagged across the back
4. The painted sun

Frank's jacket JUST A THEORY

I have a theory (uh oh)...
So, here in Texas I perform with a local cast in Houston, and sometimes get to guest perform in Dallas and Austin. I write a monthly newsletter that I take wherever I'm going. I was researching some stuff for my April issue - which has both Tim Curry and Sue Blane's birthdays in it. 

I was trying to tie it together a bit. Tim Curry and Sue's costumes. I wanted to mention the jacket. I had heard something about him getting it from a biker in London, but I couldn't find any sources to back that up. So I asked around and got some fabulous insights!  

Apparently Tim bought the jacket from Malcolm McLaren's shop "Let It Rock". According to Wiki, he sold "clothing (dead stock, military surplus) and objects he'd sourced. When the shop became a success, he enlisted the help of his then-girlfriend Vivienne Westwood who customized and repaired original clothing and made facsimiles." Tim said the jacket came from a dead biker. Which honestly, sounds like something Vivienne or Malcolm would have made up just to give the piece more provenance, but that's just my opinion. 

Okay, so here's what really got me thinking about the jacket. Doesn't it seem weird to have Ducati, BMW, Royal Enfield, Hells Angels, Nazi patches, etc... all on the same jacket?  It's really all over the place.  Street bikes.. racing bikes... nazi shit....  When you look at other Teddy Boy jackets, they don't quite look like this. 

But here's my theory. The jacket probably came in partially adorned... but I'd bet anything Vivienne (or maybe even Malcolm) threw a WHOLE lot more stuff on it. Maybe surplus pins they had... deadstock patches... just really decked it out with anything and everything. It's completely in line with the info from Wiki (quoted above) and Vivienne's early M.O. (and someone who maybe didn't know a lot about Motorcycles...)  

Magenta's Hair Dryer

 Looks to be a Roffler Hair Dryer from Germany. I found one on eBay for $29.

Janet's Panties

Honestly, I never really paid much attention to Janet's panties other than that they were white, and low across the hips.

Jaimie F. has informed me that Janet wears two different white undies (and I will absolutely take her word on that!) The ones in Touch-a are different than the dinner scene.

The Touch-a pair have some scalloped lace trim on them with white satin bows. There's also a small lacy trim around the leg holes. That side seam is probably no more than 3". They would most definitely have been Nylon.

I've never found any vintage panties just like them, but I've found similar styles from the 70s that have diagonal lace on the front. They seem to have the lace trim continuing from the side waist to the crotch seam or meeting in a "V" above the crotch seam.