Chicago 2017 Costumes

Murray Bridge Players & Singers

Mama Morton

I made the character of Mama Morton a special warden uniform using Kwik Sew 2791.

Kwik Sew pattern

In the scene where Mama Morton sings about her influence as the warden of the women's prison, she transforms from the Warden into her night club singer persona, shedding the dowdy grey uniform and revealing the glittering black beaded dress.

The dancers grab hold of the grey uniform and Mama Morton steps out of it like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.

This costume is essentially a coat made to look like a jacket and skirt.

I made the coat look like it was a long jacket with a seperate skirt by sewing the skirt to an inner lining secured to the jacket at the shoulders, front opening and armholes. The skirt hung away from the jacket at the jacket hemline. (you can see the lining in the pull away reveal photos)

The front has a hidden snap closure with buttons sewn on the outside to look like that's how it is done up.

Initially the beaded reveal dress could be seen at the collar so I added a neck ruffle and some epaulettes to distract the viewer.

Beaded Reveal Dress

beaded panels applied to front of base dress

The dress the actor wore underneath was made from 3 different dresses. One was a beaded dress that was made of tulle that was quite perished.

Paper placed behind beaded net to show the lines of stitching added for reinforcements

After deconstructing this size 10 dress, I had to mount each of the beaded panels onto a double layer of net. I freehand stitched over and around the beads to secure them to the new net base.

Beaded panel applied to back of base dress

I had a second beaded dress which had panels of bugle beads sewn to black polyester. I used these two beaded dresses and attached the different elements to a black Ponte dress I got at the Op shop. A very frankenpattern dress.

Mary Sunshine

Mary Sunshine's coat is made from 2 up-cycled jackets with added panels of bright fabric. I started with a lime green boucle jacket and the pink plaid jacket.

The lime green was cut up to lengthen the coat and make the oversized collar.

The plaid jacket had side panels in another textured fabric added to the sides and sleeves.

Ensamble Circus Costumes

I changed this store bought leotard to match the red and black colour scheme adding laser cut red trim, sequin fringe and recovering the tie.

Ensemble dancers in RTW tops with lycra skirts I added pleated trim too and tiered net bustle I made.

Ringmaster Costume Jacket Simplicity 2172

I used the coat pattern for my base design. I reshaped the front fall of the peplum so it curves away from the front more dramatically. I also reduced the fulness of the peplum and shortened the back of the peplum.

I just used the short cap sleeves and left off the long sleeves.

I made the front closure depth smaller and the front Velcro's together under the bust and the buttons are just for decoration.

I put shoulder pads in to create a more severe masculine shape.