Thread: Is there any hope? (Costume size problem!)

I just got a GORGEOUS costume from Morgana, and it doesn't fit! *snif*
I really want to keep it, but I don't know what I can do. The top is way too big and the bottom is way too small. It is a stretchy Joharah animal print costume.

Any advice for a sewing moron? Is it a lost cause? Will I have to sell it?

It would look great on me if it was the proper size! It looks nice with the skirt zipper undone.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I just got a GORGEOUS costume from Morgana, and it doesn't fit! *snif*
I really want to keep it, but I don't know what I can do. The top is way too big and the bottom is way too small. It is a stretchy Joharah animal print costume.

Any advice for a sewing moron? Is it a lost cause? Will I have to sell it?

It would look great on me if it was the proper size! It looks nice with the skirt zipper undone.

We need info on how it doesn't fit and pictures of the costume (doesn't have to be on a body....not for basic info_

Okay, the bra cups are too big and the bra itself seems a bit too wide (I'm thinking that is fixable by pinning it more tightly).

The bottom is just too small for my hips. With the zipper undone it fits perfectly (and looks smashing!) Here is a photo of the costume:

I am not as good as Ozma..I need to see it on you.

If the bra cups are too big, that can be fixed by moving the straps inward a bit. I'm not as good as Ozma either but would need to see closeup pics to figure out what the problem is.

Re: the skirt being too tight. You might be able to sacrifice one of the arm bands to extend the width. Then just either use the one remaining band or get some l. rose gauntlets!

I was thinking of that (using the arm bands). There is also a headband. The armbands don't fit anyway (I have giant arms from years of weightlifting, then giving it up).

However, I'm not kidding when I say I don't know how to sew! I just hope the armbands will offer enough extra fabric for it. I'll have to talk to my friend.

I found the sofa cushion foam does wonders for filling in a bra that is too big. If you don't sew, maybe you should take the skirt to seamstress and see if they can fix it?

Hi, Brea. A very easy fix that was recommended to me here, I think by Shaynaz:

If it fits with the zipper open and you've got an armband, wear it with the zipper open and sew the armband in so that it hides/fills the gap. If it needs more camouflage, decorate it enough so that it blends in with the embellishment on the skirt. This is easy -- I don't sew either, so anything I do has to be easy! -- and has the advantage of being reversible for resale or resizing. HTH!

Suz

It looks like the bra cups are separated by a center connector. You could consider how it would look/fit if you took that out and had the cups connect right to each other. If you do decide to do that, would suggest not just stitching the cups together where they meet, but taking about a 1-1/2" long piece of something really tough, like maybe 1/2" wide strap stuff (I think it's call "webbing"?) and handstitching it across the connecting point on the inside with some heavy thread.
Rosette

Put it on and take pics. Plus have your sewing friend give you a serious assessment as to what needs to be done. I do sew and have spent HOURS on several costumes to get them to fit me - only to end up selling them because they never did look quite right. (I don't do that anymore!)

all of these suggestions sound great! i have had thalia help me with some of my costumes but she does always need to see them on me to best help me figure it out.

So, I feel your pain Brea. I just bought a costume from my teacher, knowing the bra is too big. Last night I padded the bra....and I AM NOT KIDDING...there is more pad than boob. Period. The padding fills the entire cup. It's utterly ridiculous...but...as best I can tell it actually looks good on me. I will start a new thread with a pic of it and see what others think, before I dance in it tomorrow night. I have pulled the center of bras together before with no problems.

I think this costume looks amazing on me, too! I really hope I can fix it up so it fits, I would like to wear it to the upcoming competition.

I love that costume. I hope you can find a way to get it to fit, Brea!!!

I love it too Mish!! I really do. If it fit perfectly it would be seriously flattering on me.

I stopped by my seamstress friend's house yesterday but she was busy. I'd try working on it myself but I don't want to tear or rip it by accident. The last time I was able to make anything costume-wise was a 17th century silk tailcoat that was produced after much absinthe and breaking two sewing machines. ..cr.:

Oooooh this would look beautiful on you, Brea. You can totally have it worked out. Sounds like the adjustments that need to be made are not out of this galaxy.

Thanks Azhia! It looks great if I'm holding up the straps and have the zipper down! ..g.: I was surprised that the animal print looked nice on me, but it was so unique looking I had to have it!

The side slit in the skirt goes up VERY high, and as these are my first 'form fitting' costumes, I'm not sure the underwear-bikeshorts-harem pants ensemble will work for modesty. Any suggestions?

Just plain ol' bikini briefs. You should not wear harem pants and bike shorts might bunch up under the skirt since the skirt is form-fitting.

As for the skirt - in the past when this has happened to me I have added a panel of matching/complimenting fabric. Anywhere there's a slit or seam is do-able. Straight sewing too so it's easy. Although it can sometimes take a little time to knot-off any interupted bead work.

I assumed the pants couldn't be worn under such a costume, but are harem pants generally 'out'? I use them for floorwork under a circle skirt (seem safer!)

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I assumed the pants couldn't be worn under such a costume, but are harem pants generally 'out'? I use them for floorwork under a circle skirt (seem safer!)

Honey, you have no business doing floor work in this skirt!!

Hahahaha Azhia!! Yes, I know. I fear that I will have to do TINY hipcircles in this skirt, and shimmies? A dance friend of mine once said 'I prefer circle skirts, as when you see the legs, you see more than you want to with a shimmy.'

My new animal print outfit is going to turn me into a prude. ..l;,

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Okay, the bra cups are too big and the bra itself seems a bit too wide (I'm thinking that is fixable by pinning it more tightly).

The bottom is just too small for my hips. With the zipper undone it fits perfectly (and looks smashing!) Here is a photo of the costume:

I have this costume, or it's twin! I moved the cups in closer on the center piece, and shortened the bra straps. My hips are rather narrow, my skirt is too big on me by about 3 -4 inches, I wear it with the zip overlapped and pinned.

Hi Kina,

Isn't it a great costume? I figure being too small is easier in a costume than being too big for it. I will see if I can get my friend to remove the center piece of the bra.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

The side slit in the skirt goes up VERY high, and as these are my first 'form fitting' costumes, I'm not sure the underwear-bikeshorts-harem pants ensemble will work for modesty. Any suggestions?

You can get matching or complementing chiffon, make a triangle, and sew in a 'modesty panel'. I do this all the time with slits that are to gapey or high. Chiffon (as opposed to an opaque fabric) has the benefit of getting a peek of leg without yelling LEG OMG LEG!

At least for me. :)

Pretty costume!

Wow, that looks amazing on you! I think the larger bra size really creates a nice shape and balance.

And no, you may not wear harem pants or do floorwork in it!

Tabitha - sadly that's not me in the photo :( I wish! I know I can't wear harem pants with it, that would just look silly (and no floorwork of course!)

I was just curious about harem pants under circle skirts for floorwork - passe? Also silly? I do vintage orientale so not sure I can slide by with that as an excuse for the pants!

Monica- I love the suggestion!! The OMG LEG!! LEG!! thing worries me. ..g.:

I think that harem pants under circle skirts are fine. I see this a lot espcially when dancers are doing floor work. Anything that cancels out the raqs beaver for me is fine!

The costume is really lovely. I think that the suggestion of opening the zip and using the arm bands for fill is a good idea and you wouldn't have to work the fabric or beading so much.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

My new animal print outfit is going to turn me into a prude. ..l;,

Ahem, not in a million years could anyone ever call you a prude wearing THAT costume!

Good luck with the alterations.

Another idea you may want to consider, especially since it seems like you're going to fabric hunt for a modesty panel, is to take the zipper out, put a V of complimentary stretchy fabric where the zipper used to be, and reattach the zipper in the middle of the V.

One of my troupe members got a costume with weird measurements once and she did this and you'd never tell it wasn't supposed to be that way unless you were RIGHTTHERE and knew to look for the modification.