WeWantsTheRedhead.com--- Construction diary of the Redhead Wench from Pirates of the Carribean

WeWantsTheRedhead.com

The Materials

So what goes into a costume... well, this stuff!

For the Redhead: FABRICS

Click on the image to enlarge	Satin PERFECT!!! I am so extremely pleased with this color, I just can't even tell you!! But, what color is it?? The little square in the lower right is a true perfect red, right out of Photoshop. I know your monitor doesn't look like mine, and there is no way to make it look the same everywhere, but hopefully you can see that there is a contrast. The satin is a pinky-coraly-red. I honestly can't say its pink, and I can't say its red or coral. This swatch is from my scanner, the fabric just directly scanned in. I will be posting more photos of the color, in daylight it looks closer to a hot pink, inside at night it looks more coral, and the flash turns it white. This satin was purchased at Britex, if you ever are in downtown San Francisco, and you like fabrics... GO!! Just GO... all I'm going to say...
Click on the image to enlarge	Compare... This scan is of the satin on top, and a true red satin on the bottom. I dropped the same color square between the two for reference. The red satin on the bottom is definitely red, and the dress satin on top is definitely more pink. The red satin was purchased at Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA. This is a wonderful, local, private, non-chain store, with a large variety of hard-to-finds...
Click on the image to enlarge	Velveteen This is the velveteen I purchased for the bodice and hat. It doesn't show as well, but it is a red raspberry color. The little square on the right hand corner is the exact same color as the other two, even though it appears lighter. The pinky red satin and the rich raspberry velveteen look wonderful together, complimenting each other perfectly. This was also purchased at Britex in San Francisco, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Lining for Dress Finally found good colors of lining for the dress and bodice. The fabric on top is the lining, the bottom is the the dress fabric. This doesn't match as well as I'd like... the lining is red and the dress is more of a coral-pink-red... but its close enough. It is Ambiance lining in Rogie Red, and is the most wonderful, buttery, soft and silky lining on the market. Plus it is rayon... so it breathes. If you every need lining and have the opportunity, buy Ambiance... Lining purchased from The Sewing Place
Click on the image to enlarge	Lining for Bodice This color, called Berry Red, is just perfect for the bodice. I am very pleased to see it matching so well. The dress isn't quite as important to have a perfectly matching lining... the bodice is more important to match, as it has the potential to show. The fabric on top is the Ambiance lining, and the bottom is the velveteen. Lining purchased from The Sewing Place
Click on the image to enlarge	Lace Lace on top is the lace I will use around the collar of the dress. The photos show a really frilly, maybe double layer lace, so I will gather this one a little more and sew it in. The bottom lace is the one I will sew on to the underskirt. I just received my 60 YARDS... lots of lace. It is perfect, little narrower than I wanted, but it should be fine. I should have enough to sew on 10 rows to the underskirt. Top lace purchased from Beverly's, bottom lace from Lace and Trim.

For the Redhead: PATTERNS

Click on the image to enlarge	Click on the image to enlarge>	I always try to find a pattern that is close to what I want to do. I end up changing and adapting many things, but the basic construction and instructions are very helpful. I mean, why reinvent the wheel when someone has already done it for you? So, this will be my main pattern I will use for the dress. View C, which is the pink dress on the envelope front, has a fitted bodice, low neckline, long full skirt, and V waist. This will be perfect under the velvet bodice. I will change many things, make the neckline correct, add lace, sleeves, and a frilly lining underneath. This dress is very nicely constructed, it is lined, and does include some boning. This was purchased at Joann's in Cupertino, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Click on the image to enlarge	I will use this bodice for the Redhead's velvet bodice. I will match the neckline to the one I create for the dress, and not include the trimming shown on the pattern. I will put many more eyelets in than shown, so the lacing will more perfectly match the Redhead's costume. This pattern is also very nice, the seams are great, and it does include boning as well. This pattern is out of my stash, and was probably purchased from Joann's.
Click on the image to enlarge	Click on the image to enlarge	I will be using this pattern only as a guide. The sleeves on view A are just like the ones on the Redhead's costume. I may use these, or create my own pattern, because I think the gathered full sleeves are going to come down too far below the elbow, and I will have to add a placket for satin-covered buttons. Purchased for this project from Joann's.
Click on the image to enlarge	Click on the image to enlarge	I will be using this also as a guide only. I have never made a hat, so I wanted to have something to go by. I will be using the instructions here to make a hat similar to view C, but without all the extras on top. I will make my own shape out of wire, and then follow the instructions on how to cover it, etc... I will also make some flowers out of the velveteen to go underneath the brim, as you see the Redhead wearing. (I'm pretty good at roses, did you seen my wedding dress??) Purchased for this project from Joann's.

For the Redhead: ACCESSORIES

Click on the image to enlarge	Shoes CUTE SHOES!! Are these perfect or what? I am removing the bows (though they were really cute!) and adding the buckles. I was very lucky to find these shoes, without the bow they look just like pirate shoes. The buckles are just perfect as well, with two rows of rhinestones. I'm glad I will be raising my dress and showing some leg, these shoes should be shown off!! I dyed them to match, and it turned out awful... The dye looked perfect when it was wet, but dried a purpley-pink. I washed off all the dye, and used Scribbles paint in Christmas Red and Bright Red. Much better! Now they match perfectly. Buckles were purchased online from MJ Trimming, shoes from eBay.
Click on the image to enlarge	Cameos Only the Redhead in Disneyland has the cameo, the one in Walt Disney World has just the ribbon band around her throat. I don't know which version I prefer right now. And upon looking at them again... I think the round cameo on the left will be better for Lorenzo. It has a lovely, long chain. I will pop out the cameo and put in a red ruby stone or something. Both cameos were purchased on eBay.
Click on the image to enlarge	Notions Many little things go into the construction of a garment... included here are a zipper for the dress, single fold bias tape for the boning, boning (not pictured), thread, buttons to cover for the cuffs of the dress, and eyelets for the bodice to lace closed. I have white bridal crinoline, which will serve as the base for the ruffles, buckram for the hat, and interfacing, all not pictured. Purchased at Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA and Beverly's in Soquel, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Velvet Lacing and Trim The top black band is actually black velvet ribbon. I will wear this as a necklace. I haven't decided which version I like, the DL hanging cameo version, or the WDW black choker. I'm leaning towards the WDW version, but I will wait to see what the dress looks like and what it needs. I will have a cameo ready and waiting, just in case I go with the DL version. The lower black band is actually a velvet cording. I am going to try to use this to lace up the bodice, I will see how it will work. Purchased from Beverly's in Soquel, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Accessories Here are a few aids I will use... The super 80's blue eyeshadow, bright red lips, and long black eyelashes. Can't be the Redhead without them. I also have a rope purchased to tie around my waist, fishnet stockings, and red nail polish (all not shown), which will further help. All purchased from local Rite Aid.

For the Auctioneer: FABRICS

Click on the image to enlarge	Jacket Velveteen This is just so perfect! The lower dark green is the cotton velveteen for the jacket. I believe it is the exact match to the one the Auctioneer wears. The thick black braid goes down along the front, around the cuffs, and around the pockets of the jacket. I was able to find Ambiance lining that matched the jacket fabric, so I will be using that. The upper fabric is the lining. Purchased from Joann's in Cupertino, CA and Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Vest Brocade I was very happy to find this as well. The Auctioneer wears a vest of differing fabrics, depending on which photo from which ride you view. Basically, all I could gather is that is is a brocade, nicely detailed and a little shiny, in an off-white color. Some photos showed a vest brocade with some colored threads in the weave, but this will work fine. At the top of the photo is a rayon lining. The braid is emerald green, a little greener than I wanted, but it will work nicely. It trims the vest behind the buttons. Purchased from Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA and Beverly's in Soquel, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Pants Cotton This is just a basic medium blue cotton (Lorenzo calls it sail-cover blue) that I will use for the pants. It is tough to see what the fabric in the photos actually is, since so little shows of it between the bottom of the long jacket and the top of the boots. This will be fine for just a basic pair of elastic pants. Purchased at Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Shirt batiste and Lace I ended up making a shirt, even though it was not originally planned. I couldn't find a way to make cuffs and collar... If Lorenzo took off his jacket, he would look funny wearing a vest with no sleeves, and then frilly cuffs... Not the look I was going for. So I made a shirt. The lower portion of the picture is a super soft, lightweight white batiste, above that is the lace I used for the cuffs and cravat, and the white cord ties the shirt closed. The buttons are for the cravat... I will sew them down the front for decoration. Wide lace purchased from Joann's in Cupertino, CA, narrow lace trim purchased from Beverly's in Soquel, CA.

For the Auctioneer: PATTERNS

Click on the image to enlarge

This will be my main pattern. I will make this jacket, using the velveteen, for both parts of the front (black and colored parts). I will not include the collar, or the gold braid, but instead use the black braid I have to edge the front, cuffs, and the pockets I will add. I chose this jacket because it is straight, the cuffs are small, and its nearly knee length.

I will use this pattern for the pants, just as basic pair of elastic pants... and I was going to use it for the cravat and cuffs, but now I see they don't quite match the Auctioneer's. I will rethink them, and likely make them from scratch.

Click on the image to enlarge

This is a great pattern, but very colonial looking. I love the jacket, but I think it will be too wide, and the cuffs too large. I will not be making a shirt for the costume, as one doesn't really show. So all I will be using this pattern for is the vest. This is a nice long vest, that is shorter in the back. I will trim it out so it matches the Auctioneer's vest.

For the Auctioneer: ACCESSORIES

Click on the image to enlarge	Jacket Buttons It was very hard to find buttons that were 7/8" or 1" all matching, but I think these will work out nicely. They are an antiqued silver color, and all represent coins or family crests, they definitely look like something old. I think the fact they don't all exactly match is perfect, as who knows what a pirate could have been able to get his hands on. Purchased from Joann's in Cupertino, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Vest Buttons These were a little easier to find, and rather than going for exact matches of the silver buttons, I went with antiqued brass with a small, detailed pattern. I believe a pirate would wear these. Purchased from Joann's in Cupertino, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Notions Not too much here, just elastic for the pants elastic for the cuffs (not pictured), and thread. There is also quite a bit of interfacing for the jacket and vest, not pictured here. Purchased from Joann's in Cupertino, CA and Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz, CA.
Click on the image to enlarge	Jewelry Here is the pendant Lorenzo will wear with his costume. It is probably as close as I could have gotten to the one the Auctioneer wears. If you look above, this originally a cameo necklace I was considering to wear with my costume... but I decided on the smaller diamond-shaped one. I popped out the cameo and glued in the red ruby stone... It looks quite perfect now. Necklace were purchased on eBay.

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