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