13 replies to this topic

[Lady Penelope]

I have found what i think is perfect looking fabric for Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter's coat (well as best I can tell from the pictures on the internet)

The fabric just happens to be velvet /lycra (not sure what it is called).

I'm worried that this type of fabric wont sit right when made as a mans Victorian Era jacket. Any suggestions on what to line it with so it doesnt sag?
I've used crushed velvet once before for a pirate vest, and the velvet seemed to sag over the lining.

Iron on interfacing isnt much good either.

Thanks

[Lady Penelope]

Still need help...anybody???

[Toddi]

I'm currently making this costume too and am looking for a kind of suede material to use for the jacket.

[Lady Penelope]

I thought about something similar, but I get the impression after a real close look, that his coat has a swirly look of browns.
If I cant work out how to get a good result by lining the stretch material, I'll probably go towards something similar to your choice.

I'm thinking I might do something different for his hat. I may get a Victorian tophat and do some sort of decourpage to it (using scraps of material).
I cant wait to start this costume.

I've been collecting material as I find it for Queen of hearts as well. I'm trying to get it as close to the movie version as I can. Her underskirt may prove to be a bit of a challenge. (I'm up for it!!)

[believe]

Hi,
Im just about to start Alice's pale blue dress. Im very excited and have just finished my sketch for the embroidery on the bottom of the skirt. Hopefully tomorrow or else Monday Im heading down to get my fabric, just going to try Spotlight, but does anyone know a good online place to get navy blue and white striped satin like fabric for the petticoat? Ive tried ebay but can only find blk and white and the stripes are a bit too wide.
I"ll keep my eyes open while searching, for The mad Hatter fabric. Looking at it, to me it looks definetely like leather suede with some sort of matching coloured mohair- like the stuff you use for bear making stuck to it in places.
Thats what I would be looking at doing. Sorry I cant help with the stretch velvet. I cant think of any way to make that look stiff enough. Let us know though if you find a way.
_Oh by the way I'm so glad this is Johnny Depp, He's my all time favourite actor just because he is so versatile. He's a truly gifted actor.

Edited by believe, 29 January 2010 - 10:48 PM.

[Maceo]

I was recently going through videos from ThreadBanger, and I stumbled upon this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKcbk6xnSz4

Don't know how useful this might be. It looks alright to me, but I'm sure someone on here could do better.

[Lady Penelope]

Thanks Maceo
I've saved that to my favs. What a great clip...
I'm still going to use the fabric I've found, because I think its effect is going to look great. I had another look at it yesterday and most of the stretch goes down the fabric, so I think if i cut it across the width rather, the stretch will go across the shoulders and back rather than hang down from the neck.

But I will be taking notice of some of the tips on the utube clip...hat...cuffs and lapels etc. I hadnt thought that part through properly yet, so the tips have created a short cut in my thinking.

Believe,...I was in spotlight Penrith yesterday and I didnt notice any of the striped material you are looking for, but i wasnt really looking for it. You could also try one of the asian fabric shops, they usually have a more interesting range than spotlight.

[poisonedkitty]

I have tried working with stretch fabrics where I could not get no-stretch. I was makin a vest for one of my Star Wars Padme costumes and at the time could only get stretch velvet. At first, I fused it to cotton. *Nightmare* The fusing gave out and peeled off the fabric leaving a loose outer sewn at the seams to the lining cotton. I fixed the costume and embraced the stretch, making it so that the vest fits as a stretch fabric. Thankfully it is worn over my victorian corset, so it has structure underneath for shaping.

I would suggest maybe trying to find a similar stretch fabric for the lining as well, so that it will stretch in the same places.

[believe]

I was recently going through videos from ThreadBanger, and I stumbled upon this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKcbk6xnSz4

Don't know how useful this might be. It looks alright to me, but I'm sure someone on here could do better.

THANKS FOR THAT MACEO, MAYBE AFTER IVE FINISHED MY ALICE, ILL START ON THE HATTER!

[Lady Penelope]

I have tried working with stretch fabrics where I could not get no-stretch. I was makin a vest for one of my Star Wars Padme costumes and at the time could only get stretch velvet. At first, I fused it to cotton. *Nightmare* The fusing gave out and peeled off the fabric leaving a loose outer sewn at the seams to the lining cotton. I fixed the costume and embraced the stretch, making it so that the vest fits as a stretch fabric. Thankfully it is worn over my victorian corset, so it has structure underneath for shaping.

I would suggest maybe trying to find a similar stretch fabric for the lining as well, so that it will stretch in the same places.

I agree about the fusing..same thing happens with the iron on interfacing...ends up as a ball at the bottom between the lining and fabric. Thats a good idea about using the stretch fabric as a lining.

[Lady Penelope]

I've started the Mad Hatter. I'm glad I bought the fabric I wanted. here there are photos of the actual costume and I'm pretty sure my fabric is going to be close.
I've decided to use a light weight fabric as the interfacing instead of the propper stuff. I hate finding balls of interfacing after I've washed the garment. It might also act as a sort of stabiliser...thats my theory and I'm sticking to it.
If you check my blog in a couple of days I should have a photo up of the fabric.

(Did you notice? I managed to add a link...finally worked it out (Just thought I'd add that.)

Edited to tell you that photo of the fabric is now in my blog....cheers

Edited by Lady Penelope, 10 February 2010 - 09:38 PM.

[jane65]

I've started the Mad Hatter. I'm glad I bought the fabric I wanted. here there are photos of the actual costume and I'm pretty sure my fabric is going to be close.
I've decided to use a light weight fabric as the interfacing instead of the propper stuff. I hate finding balls of interfacing after I've washed the garment. It might also act as a sort of stabiliser...thats my theory and I'm sticking to it.
If you check my blog in a couple of days I should have a photo up of the fabric.

(Did you notice? I managed to add a link...finally worked it out (Just thought I'd add that.)

Edited to tell you that photo of the fabric is now in my blog....cheers

have you tried woven interfacing, a little more expensive but well worth it. Iron it to a large piece of fabric then cut out your pattern

[Cora]

There is Costume Detail Video somewhere on YT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kuBqiQdITk

It has some very cool info on Hatter's Costume

Cora

[Lady Penelope]

Thanks Cora.
I found a great pic in the Costumers guide website of the actual costume. Hatter

Costume is all made now, I remembered the other day when I went to see the movie that I had forgotten to make his gloves...so I'll be onto that soon.

Edited by Lady Penelope, 30 March 2010 - 12:22 PM.