Thread: Homemade costume symmetry - HOW???

I'm working on a bra and belt - and this is the first time I'm trying to make something that is less "student" and a little more mid-level. I've gotten the bra all covered, and now I'm wondering how one goes about making sure the patterns on the cups are symmetrical. I used silver glitter-dot to cover the bra, and I don't know how to mark on the cups to create a pattern.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

Try Shushanna's website Shushanna - Professional Bellydancer of Philadelphia

Myself? I just eyeball it but I wouldnt recommend that unless you have a real good eye for that sort of thing (which BTW I do not, it takes me FOREVER to get it like I want it). There are so many websites online of people who blog this stuff just google it, you'd be amazed at how many sites come up. Some very helpful, some ........ not so much.

You can create your own stencils and use fabric markers/pencils (many are made to wash away easily when you are done). Measuring and marking the center points and using stencils would help you keep your pattern centered and the same on each side.

When you're "eyeballing" for symmetry, try looking at your bra or belt upside down. When you work with something right side up your brain can trick you into seeing what it expects to see. If the design is upside down, the preconceived expectation is eliminated and you'll see more accurately. Yes I know this sounds kind of loopy but I've found it's extremely helpful.

Rosette

Originally Posted by Lesedi

You can create your own stencils and use fabric markers/pencils (many are made to wash away easily when you are done). Measuring and marking the center points and using stencils would help you keep your pattern centered and the same on each side.

This is what I was going to say- you can use freezer paper, or you can get fancy and get the blank stencil plastic from the fabric store and cut it with an exacto knife. I did this when I was dying, so it transfered nicely when I started drafting decorative patterns for other media. At this point I just eyeball it, but I've been doing it for a while! I'm also not big on symmetry most of the time, but I do like keeping things proportional, and those stencils help me get a picture of what I want too. I like the pencils better than the markers- I think they're easier to get out afterward.

In addition to Rosette's tip to look at things upside down, I recommend standing in front of a mirror, holding the costume piece in front of you and trying to figure out if it looks symmetrical.

I like designs that give the impression of symmetry, while they are asymmetrical. Like the bra of this pink costume, that has two completely different designs on each bra cup yet looks symmetrical to the eye:


It makes my life easier because it is incredibly hard to make a design perfectly symmetrical. And I'm the kind of person who wakes up in the middle of the night because I suddenly feel the need to redo a finished costume when the symmetry is off.

Originally Posted by mekyria

In addition to Rosette's tip to look at things upside down, I recommend standing in front of a mirror, holding the costume piece in front of you and trying to figure out if it looks symmetrical.

I like designs that give the impression of symmetry, while they are asymmetrical. Like the bra of this pink costume, that has two completely different designs on each bra cup yet looks symmetrical to the eye:


It makes my life easier because it is incredibly hard to make a design perfectly symmetrical. And I'm the kind of person who wakes up in the middle of the night because I suddenly feel the need to redo a finished costume when the symmetry is off.

Oh my...do you know, I didn't even realise it was a different design until I read what you typed?! and here I thought I was an observant person!

They recommend drawing upside down frequently to people because your eye is trained to automatically see things a certain way- so sometimes you just gloss over important details- so yes- holidng it up side down would be extremly helpful.

I also like to pick it up- pin it to ap illow (no dress form) and walk away- grab my beer then come back and look at it from a distance.

I also use buisness cards or other small straight edges- to mark distances off certain points- I don't bother with an actual number- I just hold the card's corner to the one referance point (say center of bra) then mark on the card how far out the patturn I'm trying to match.

I then rotate the card or move it to the other side and line up the referance point then just see if the design is close to the mark on my paper.

its not exact- but its kind of like using a string and a pencil for a compass. Only... with a peice of paper. :)

Great suggestions, everyone! I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes. I'm having a rough time trying to figure out what type of design to put on the cups, but I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out.

Thanks for all your help!