Chris Davoile Costumes: Ice Maidens and Elsa

Chris Davoile Costumes: Ice Maidens and Elsa: Sorry my third blog is so overdue, life got in the way, but now I am steaming ahead. Because I work alone, it takes me a long time to crea...

Chris Davoile Costumes: Troll Costume finished at last

Chris Davoile Costumes: Troll Costume finished at last: Well, after a long and difficult week fighting with Troll bodies trying to get the padded bits under the machine to get the zips in etc, I c...

The Red and White Queens

At long last the two Queens are finished and have been delivered to Allesley School of Dance to appear in their award winning number Alice's Nightmare which is going to be part of their show taking place at Bluecoat School Coventry on 14th December. I have made all of the characters in this number, photos of which are on my Facebook Page - Chris Davoile Costumes Coventry. If you are interested in future projects, I would be grateful if you would LIKE my page, it is nice to know that there are people out there who appreciate what I do.

The Red Queen has got to be the most elaborate and eye-catching costume I have ever made, again I was reluctant to let it go, but I have decided to make one for hire in a size 12/14, which can be hired as a pair with The Mad Hatter, which fits a S/M man or M/L lady. The skirt is made of red taffeta with an overskirt of beautiful sequinned fabric that I bought from a stall in the Rag Market. The front bodice is made of black taffeta and the back bodice is black lycra to allow for stretch, as the dress will be worn by other dancers in the future. I cut out velvet and gold hearts and applied them to the skirt with bondaweb and fabric glue. I made a false bodice panel out of gold fabric stuffed with a layer of wadding and then sewed a brown cord down the front in carefully measured lines. I attached some black and gold ribbon and gold beads off a discarded bracelet of my daughter's because they really stand out. the ribbon on the puff sleeves, I made out of taffeta strips and drew on black hearts with a permanent marker pen. the collar is made out of very stiff fabric also bought in Birmingham.

The Red Queen
chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

 

 

 

 

The White Queen was made in a similar way with a beautiful sparkly net over a satin under skirt. both Queens have net underskirts to make them stick out. The bodice is made of lycra covered with stretch lace and the front panel made with silver and with silver and white fabric and trimmed with mock strip sequins and edged with lace and a stretch silver trim. I attached some crystal trimming all along the top of the bodice. The sleeves are made with the star net edged with silver trim at the wrists and with a puff sleeve insert at bicep level. I bought a long white wig to finish her off.

 

 

The White Queen
chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

I hope to have some photos of the dancers in their costumes in a future blog, as the costumes look much better when worn.

 

I attended the Dress Rehearsal for Frozen on Saturday and I was really happy with how the costumes looked. I had my photo taken with some of them and hope to include it later. I just have some skirts to make for a lyrical dance to 'Silent Night' which I have made with net that has shiny silver spots on it so that it looks like falling snow. I can't wait to see what they look like under the stage lights.

 

I have nearly finished a troupe of 12 Black dresses for a tap number for Elite Dance Academy who also have their show on 14th December at the Albany Theatre. I will include a photo in my next blog along with a Beyoncé style black lace dress that I have designed and created for a friend with the figure to carry it off.  All will be revealed later, hopefully not literally ha ha! I think my stitching is secure enough!



 

Alice in Wonderland Costumes

I have had a very busy couple of weeks making a beautiful Alice Dress and 11 Card Soldiers  as per the latest film starring Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter. The Dress is made with Organza over turquoise taffeta with a white lace edged petticoat. I have made it almost exactly as the film to fit a 26 inch chest. The dancer tried it on and danced in it last night and it fitted perfectly. I made some striped stretch fingerless gloves too using white stretch mesh and drawing the stripes on with a permanent marker pen.



Alice in Wonderland Dress
 

I made the cards out of dark red vinyl lined with red lining material. They consist of a tabard with a hole cut out for the neck. I made a helmet out of stretch jersey and designed a heart shaped mask with a cut out for the eyes. I used back permanent marker pens to draw on the hearts and details on the mask. I made leggings and long sleeve top in the jersey fabric, attaching some heart shaped gauntlets to the sleeves with numbers and a heart motif. The vinyl is quite difficult to work with, you feel like you have been in a wrestling match by the time you have sewn up the eleventh tabard. I was surprised that my machine managed to cope with the quadruple thicknesses of the sides, but you just have to take it steady and almost go one stitch at a time on the risky bits. I managed to not break any needles, which is quite an achievement. To get the masks on correctly, I had to try each one on and pin it to the helmet whilst I was wearing it, which was another struggle.

Alice in Wonderland Card Soldier Costume

 

 

I had the original caterpillar costume back to alter, so I have taken a couple of pictures. I had forgotten how much detail I had put into it and how heavy it is. The head is made of a plastic wire netting frame covered in wadding and the body has curtain wire running through channels to give it the caterpillar shape.

 

 

 

 

 

Caterpillar Costume

 

My next blog will be about the Red and White Queens.

 

 

chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

Anna from Frozen Costume

 

 

I have just completed the Anna Costume, which is the last one in the troupe. The painting of the skirt has taken much longer than I anticipated. I tried to use a stencil, but kept getting smudges, so had to do it all freehand in the end. I used four different colours of fabric paint and the flowers are in a pearl paint, so that they will catch the light. I added a pale blue wavy edge to the skirt in a semi stretch fabric so that it would bend round with the hem using a zig zag stitch.

Anna Costume from Frozen
Chris Davoile Costumes BlogSpot
chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

The skirt is made of two half circles, but tapered down to reduce the size of the hem because I want it to flare out nicely when the dancer spins round so the the flowers can easily be seen. It is lined with a polycotton lace edged petticoat with a matching pair of bloomers.

To get the pattern on the stretch velvet bodice, I drew the pattern onto some bondaweb, cut it out and then ironed it onto different colours of lycra

 

You then have to peel off the paper backing and iron the pieces onto the velvet using a protecting cloth checking that the glue has firmly adhered. I have stitched a couple of bits for extra security.

The top has been edged with gold lycra strips and I have attached pale aqua lycra sleeves and neck. I made the V Shape out of gold lycra stiffened with heavy interfacing, taking care to match up the angles. I then sewed this onto the top then attached the skirt. I tacked the point down onto the skirt so that it won't keep sticking up.

 

 

 

I managed to find a lovely soft fabric for the cape in exactly the right colour and a pearly trim to match, which I thought would look far better on stage that the trim in the film. I then added a padded bonnet to complete the outfit

 

 

 

I have since trimmed the hat with some lilac feather trim. I dyed some white using a purple felt tip pen broken open and soaked in a bowl of water, as I hadn't any lilac dye and this was cheap and easy. I dried it with the hair dryer and hey presto :-

 

 

 

My next blog will be about the cards and other costumes from Alice in Wonderland

 

chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sven the Reindeer Costume

At long last Sven the Reindeer is finished and ready to go. I have become quite attached to him over the last few weeks and really don't want to let him go, but go he must as Kristoff is waiting for him and they are both going to be dancing in the Allesley School of Dance Christmas show in December.
There are 31 characters in the Frozen Troupe, 10 Trolls, 10 Girl Villagers, 6 Ice Maidens, Olaf, Sven, Kristoff, Anna and Elsa. I am just finishing painting the flowers around Anna's skirt, which I will blog about next, and once I have put her costume together, they can all go to their new owners. Here are some photos of the stages of making Sven, starting with the finished Costume




Sven Costume

 

Basic Face

The base of the antlers which I cover with strips of wadding and then white jersey tubes that I sew on

 

 

I have used expensive fur to give him an extra plush look. The eyes are made with white lycra and black velvet which I sew on painstakingly by hand. There is a cream lycra helmet inside the head so that it will grip tightly to the face and I will be attaching some straps so that it can be tied onto the child's body so that he can dance freely without fear of it falling off. I have made hooves out of thick black vinyl and trimmed them with long cream fur.

 

Here is a photo of the finished Kristoff Costume, which fitted the dancer perfectly, It is complete with mittens and boots, which are sewn onto the costume to prevent them falling off/getting lost.

 

 

Kristoff Costume

I make up my own patterns for most of the costumes I make, spending a lot of time studying the character and then having a go and developing them bit by bit. I keep checking the measurements to make sure they will fit.

Once I have finished this troupe, I will be making 11 Playing Cards from Alice in Wonderland, the Johnny Depp version, A Red Queen, White Queen and Alice herself in her little blue number. I will try and blog as I go along.

Bye for now, I hope you have enjoyed a little insight into my world of fantasy and creativity. I am looking forward to watching Alice over and over now to get me in the zone. I will be talking like the Mad Hatter by the end of it, or even worse, the March Hare!

 

Bye Bye Olaf, was nice making you!

I have had a very busy couple of weeks making the 10 Girls outfits for the Frozen troupe. I had already cut them out of different coloured fabrics and bagged them up in named bags, as the girls are all different sizes. Here are some photos. I have not put the petticoats in them yet, as I want to try them on and make sure the lengths are correct before putting the zips in. They will probably be a bit long, so I will take them up at the waist and then they can be let down later when the girls grow.

 

I have made scalloped hems on five of the dresses, as they were featured in the film. I have chosen much brighter colours than in the film to give more impact. Once the petticoats are in, the skirts will stick out a lot more and they will all have a pair of white lace-edged bloomers.

 

I have also been working on Kristoff and have completed his top. I have used long grey fur inside out so that the fur edge is showing and trimmed it with thick cerise ribbon. I cut up a grey jumper for the sleeves and neck. When I went to Camden Market recently, I found exactly the right scarf to use as his belt, which was another stroke of luck, as trying to make one would have been very difficult. I now have to make his trousers, boots and hat. Here is a picture of work in progress

 

 

 

I have attached the mittens, as it saves them getting lost by the dancer, which often happens with quick changes.

 

Well, I was sad to say goodbye to Olaf, who has been my companion this last week. Once the features go on, the characters seem to come alive and I get quite attached to them. However, I was thrilled to see how well he fitted and Emily was over the moon with him. I am really looking forward to seeing her dance in the costume, she has to do some cartwheels, which won't be a problem for her, as she is a very talented gymnast. Some of you may remember her as the Hedgehog in Alice, where she had to do countless gambols through the hoops made by the cards. she will be the Hedgehog again this year in the show in December and after a few alterations, the costume just about fits after 3 years. Here is a photo of Emily, looking very happy in her costume. Her face will be painted grey to make it look like his mouth.

 

I have started to make Sven, the reindeer and will post some photos in my next blog, which will be the last of the Frozen blogs, except for maybe a photo of all of the dancers in their costumes. After this, I have 11 Playing Cards, A Red and White Queen and a new Alice to make and will be blogging about them, hoping that there are some interested folk out there.

 

 

Olaf Costume




 

Ice Maidens and Elsa

Sorry my third blog is so overdue, life got in the way, but now I am steaming ahead.

Because I work alone, it takes me a long time to create each costume. First there is the planning of how to make each one. In the case of the Frozen Troupe, this means watching the movie over and over, making sketches and notes. Then I make a shopping list and take pictures with me to match colours. I buy most of my fabric from Birmingham Rag Market, where I know all of the fabric retailers now and which stalls are the most likely to stock the fabric I need.

I was lucky with the Elsa sequin fabric, as it was there on the first day I went shopping and then I never saw it again. I chose a lilac shiny mesh fabric to put over it and a pale blue lining. I lined the bodice with pale blue lycra to give it some stretch and made lycra pants as it is to be danced in. Because it needs to be danced in, I couldn't design it the same as the film, it needed to flare out and had to be mid-calf in length, as the child's feet need to be seen by the adjudicator at Festivals. I used a stretch white sequin mesh for the arms and trimmed them with strip sequins that I cut from normal sequin fabric, as they are easy to sew on, catch the light really well and don't keep breaking needles. Here is a picture of the Elsa Costume

 

I have now finished the snowman and will upload a photo in my next blog, as I need to try it on the dancer first and hopefully her parents will consent to my posting a photo of her in it. Here is a photo of the head with all the features ready to sew on.

 

 

 It took me nearly two hours to cut them out and sew them on. I don't stick them on because eventually they will peel off and I want my costumes to last for years, as the Madagascur ones have, they are about 10 yrs old now and still going strong.

 

I have been working for the last couple of weeks on 6 Ice Maiden Costumes. I know they are not in the film, but they have been requested and will set the scene nicely against the Trolls and the main characters. I have made some headbands to match. The dresses are like soft Tutus with all 6 layers cut into points of different lengths to look like icicles. I have used different types of fabrics and the top layers are sparkly. I then appliqued icicles onto the stretch top and edged with sequin trim. Here is a picture of one of the dresses

 

 

I know the girls are going to love them. I based the idea on some dresses I saw in The Nutcracker, but obviously mine are a lot less detailed. The Birmingham Royal Ballet ones probably cost around £1,000 and much as I would like to have a go at making one, I doubt if I would find a customer!

 

I am now making 10 Girl Villager outfits. They will be in different colours with white polycotton petticoats and bloomers edged in deep lace. Each one will have a pretty contrasting trim and a matching bonnet. I will try and blog again by Sunday with some pictures. This troupe is going to be so colourful and interesting. I am really looking forward to seeing the dancers try them on at the end if next week.

 

 

 

 

Troll Costume finished at last

Well, after a long and difficult week fighting with Troll bodies trying to get the padded bits under the machine to get the zips in etc, I can at last say they are finished. I just need to sew on the hands and feet, but want to try them on the kids first to make sure they fit, as it would be nightmare taking them off again. Luckily my Grandson, Edward, came on a surprise visit with his Dad all the way from Devon and he was able to model for me (Hooray)!!He is big for his age,7, and managed to get a costume on without much trouble so I am hopeful for Sunday when the kids will be trying them on.
Here are some pics of Edward happily modelling the costume. ps I did have to bribe him a bit with some money towards a 2016 trip to Disney we are all saving for ;)

Troll Costume

 

 

I have had lots of request for Solo costumes this week too, so I am going to squeeze them in, as the Frozen troupe is not going to be needed now till November. I am in the process of developing The Snowman and have been finding it difficult getting the body right, as it needs to be easy to dance in. At the moment it is too heavy, so I am going to take out all the stuffing and start again. Here is a photo of Edward modelling what I have done so far, I am getting there.

 

 

The head needs to fit tighter round the face. I am really looking forward to putting the features on, that is the best bit, it is when they come 'alive'. I have also been asked to make some more costumes for the Alice in Wonderland troupe that has won lots of competitions. I have got to say that they were some of my best work, certainly very challenging. Here is a photo of the troupe in action

 

 

Alice in Wonderland

 

 

 

There are lots more photos of my work on my Facebook page Chris Davoile Costumes Coventry

 

I will post more photos next week. I am hoping to have The Snowman finished and about 6 Solo costumes - going to be busy!! 

 

 

 

 

 www.chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Trolls from Frozen

I have been asked to make a troupe of 30 characters from Frozen for Allesley School of Dance, Coventry. They are for children aged about 6 and 7. I have been making costumes for them for about 25 years now and I specialise in big animal costumes that are lightweight and comfortable to dance in.

 I am making 10 Trolls at the moment and have just finished painting the cloaks and tunics. I have used wool suiting, which is expensive at £15 per metre, but has the right texture, is heavy and doesn't need edging. I want the trolls to be of theatre standard and last a long time. Here is a picture of the painting work in progress:-

The bodies are made of grey stretch jersey with a wadding insert and cheap jersey lining so that they are completely comfortable and allow for some degree of growth. I have nearly finished all of the heads and am now wondering how to make the feet so that they have toes and the foot part can fit over a pair of ballet or jazz shoes without slipping off. Here is a picture of all of the bodies ready for zip

I have nearly finished the heads, here is a pic of the first completed one. They will all be slightly different

Troll Head www.chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk

 

 

The head is lightweight and fits like a balaclava, nice and tight so that it won't shift when the child is dancing.

 

 

I am hoping to have them all finished by Tuesday and will post a photo of the finished article.




www.chrisdavoilecostumes.org.uk