Dr Mrs The Monarch Boot Tops

I was commissioned to make a set of yellow vinyl boot tops for my friend in Florida - she bought a pair of yellow pumps and sent them to me, and I made the tops.  They are made from the same yellow vinyl as I use to trim the Dr Mrs The Monarch costume, and have a front and back seam.  The shoes were inserted into the tops and there is a hole for the heel to go through.  The tricky part is getting them on - the shoe needs to go in first, and then you put your leg in, but it's kind of difficult to get your heel in the heel of the shoe without rolling down the whole stocking.  I'm pleased with how they came out, and can't wait to see them in action!

Caligari Clothing

Over the years, I've made a number of t-shirts printed with images I've created inspired by Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, one of my favourite silent films.  I began working on this theme whilst studying for my MA and at first made shirts, then expanded into a 'film strip' printed skirt.  I'm still working on this theme and have many more plans for skirts, dresses and tops inspired by Cesare.

'Jailbird' Dress

Here is the completed 'Jailbird' Dress from Pinup Couture.  I patterned it after a dress of theirs and made the pattern froms scratch.  The top is a plain cotton 'pirate' pattern and the bottom is stretchy hot pink lycra.  I'm really pleased with how this came out, considering it was a first go and I haven't made a dress from a scratch pattern before.

Princess Tiny Feet Customised Bikini and Skirt

After a whirlwind weekend of working, I finished my customised Princess Tiny Feet bikini and miniskirt.  The girl who ordered this wanted a sexy outfit, and designed it based on Princess Tiny Feet's existing costume but with far less material.  The costume wasn't difficult to make but took forever.  So many tiny bits and pieces to consider!  I'm really pleased with how it turned out though.  Here it is displayed on the mannequin which will one day become part of the girl's Dr Mrs The Monarch costume.  I'd like to make a more authentic Princess Tiny Feet costume one day but this was a lot of fun and really stretched my skills. 

Princess Tiny Feet

I've been called upon by my best customer to make a sexy Princess Tiny Feet costume for Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is coming right up and this is going to have to take precedence over her other orders, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.  The question is, is Princess Tiny Feet inherently sexy?  She may or may not be a child after all.  Nonetheless, a sexy Princess Tiny Feet costume it will be! 

The Monarch Chestplate

I've just finished the Monarch chestplate, wings and boot tops for a customer.  The chestplate came out really well, I'm very pleased with it and although I wished I had more time to focus on the shoulder pads, overall I think it's pretty ace.  The chestplate and pads are made from the same vinyl as the Henchman 21 costume, and I used stick-backed velcro to adhere the shoulder pads to the costume due to time constraints.  The Monarch insignia is drawn on with a red sharpie.  This is a size medium (men's) but is of course available in any size, so if anyone wants an entire Monarch costume, let me know!  The price for the chestplate, boot tops and wings is $150, the whole Monarch costume is $300.

New Ideas Needed - Fan Artists Wanted

Hey all fan artists, I'm calling out to YOU.  Since I've made nearly all of Sheila's costumes (with the exception of some from Season 4, which I have yet to get to, as I have been so swamped with Halloween orders), I am looking for new ideas.  If you have any fan art showing Sheila wearing a costume that doesn't exist yet, I would love to hear from you.  Email me a picture of it at kellylburnham@gmail.com and I will create a pattern and costume for the best one (or more if I have time).  This is an opportunity to get really creative - what would your dream Sheila costume be?  Like Captain Picard, I will make it so. 

Halloween orders are closed

Hey everyone, regrettably I can no longer take orders for Halloween costumes shipped to the US.  There simply isn't enough time to ship them.  I am still taking orders for other occasions and for those who just want to dress up like a Venture Bros character for the fun of it (like I do).  Thanks to everyone who has placed an order, and I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween!!  xx Kelly

The Monarch Wings

I'm now nearly halfway to having made a full Monarch costume.  Here are the wings, made from the same orange material the Henchman wings are made of, with felt for the black and white designs on the back.  They're not joined in the middle as the wearer is going to use sticky-backed Velcro to attach them, so I don't want them to be too heavy.  They came out fantastic and now I can't wait for someone to order a full Monarch costume...

The Monarch Boot Tops

I still haven't had a commission for a Monarch costume, but I do have an order for his wings and boot tops.  I didn't have enough fabric to complete the wings today although I did make the pattern, so as soon as I acquire more orange material, I am good to go.  The boot tops are made from the same yellow upholstery vinyl that the Henchman 21 costume is made of.  I added some velcro to secure the tops so they are snug around the thigh of the wearer. 

Molotov Cocktease - finished!

Ta da!  I've finally finished the Molotov Cocktease costume, it has travelled across an ocean and will cross it again to go to my friend in Chicago.  It is entirely vinyl, and I had hoped to insert some bra cups into it but that was not to be.  I still need to get some sheer fabric to put across the bust so that it will stay put, but aside from that it is finished and I am quite happy with it.  Of course, I can think of things I would do differently, but I will have a couple more chances to make this costume for some other girls so I'll get my chance.  Long live the Black Hearts!

Halloween Orders!

Thanks to everyone who has checked out this blog and especially to those who have placed orders after coming across my site!  I've got a few Dr Mrs The Monarchs, a Dr Girlfriend Jackie O, and even another Molotov costume on the go.  Exciting times!  I hope to post some pictures of Molotov soon, but I am still taking orders for Halloween costumes.  If you're interested in a costume you've seen on the site, or would like to make a commission order, please email me on kellylburnham@gmail.com.  Thanks!!

Molotov Cocktease

Alrighty folks, I finally have my dream project - Molotov Cocktease.  A friend of a friend wants the costume for ComicCon Chicago in August so I have to get my ass cracking.  She wants it to be all vinyl, and I see the use of a lot of tit-tape in her future, but this will be my greatest project yet.  I'm very excited.  If I had the body for it, I'd make myself one as well, but the next best thing is making one for someone else.  Updates and pictures to come, my friends!!

Henchman 21 - Wings

I've finished the Henchman 21 wings for my client in Chicago, and I'm well pleased with how they turned out! They are built individually from a sturdy piece of cardboard I got at Home Depot with orange polyester coverings, and velcro closures in the centre to connect them to the belt.  Once added to the client's costume, they will be connected to the yellow leather belt included in his Henchman 21 costume that I made, but for demonstrative purposes I have used one of my old studded belts.  Fly, butterflies, fly!!

Dr Girlfriend - Negligee

I'm pleased to introduce the Dr Girlfriend negligee!  I made this for a client in California who wanted it for her anniversary.  That's my kind of relationship!  The top is made from pink costume satin and the bottom from a pink organza-type fabric.  The stripes and straps are made from burgundy bias tape (1" wide) and the Monarch insignia is painted on with white fabric paint, from a template I got off the internet.  I've made a couple of these now but this is by far the best one so far.  I kind of wish I was keeping it for myself.

Kitana - Finished!

So here it is...the finished product of my Kitana adventure!  It took about two weeks in the end, but I wasn't working on it the whole time to be honest.  The black part of the bodysuit is patterned after a pair of bikini bottoms I have, and the top part is after a halter neck top I have that zips up the front.  Really, I couldn't have asked for a better top to use as a pattern!  I just kind of came up with the tights and the armbands were easy, as was the mask, and the gloves were purchased.  This was a commission for a girl in LA but I of course had to try it on to make sure everything fit and was in the right place, so that's my defence and I'm sticking to it.  A real bonus is that this outfit is so close to the Kim costume, it's an easy segue into designing that one.  I have a couple more commissions coming up (a Dr Mrs The Monarch, Queen Etherea, and Dr Girlfriend negligee) but once I'm done those I'm going to get stuck into working on the Kim costume because that is going to be sweet...

I'm Branching Out - Kitana from Mortal Kombat

I've had a commission to make a Kitana costume for a girl who loved my Dr Mrs the Monarch costume and who also wants a Queen Etherea costume, so business is booming.  Doing Kitana means I've had to put Kim on hold, but fear not, as that costume will definitely be in the works next.  In fact, the basics of the Kitana bodice are the same as that for Kim, so it should be a pretty easy transition.  I am a bit daunted by the prospect of creating a complicated costume from scratch, but I do love a challenge and this should not disappoint.  I expect to begin this costume week commencing 14 March, so updates will be coming!

Triana's friend Kim

My next costume is going to be for Triana's friend Kim, from the episode Victor.  Echo.  November.  Kim is incredibly hot, we must admit, and her outfit reflects that hotness.  I plan to make the body of the outfit from pink and black PVC, the skirt from either black PVC or spandex, and obtain hot pink stockings and black garters.  And goggles, of course.  This will likely be my most challenging costume yet.  I know I say that about every costume but it's true; until I begin making it, each is as daunting as the last.  Wish me luck!

Henchman 21 - Post 24's Death

Finally, the finished product!!  It took about a month, what with all the components I had to order for it, plus making the top, pants, chestplate and shorts as well as the accessories, but 21 is finally finished!  I'm really proud of this one because it's something I've never made before and I had to figure out the patterns for everything.  I admit I got a lot of help from Cosplay.com on how to do the accessories, but the top/bottom/vinyl chestplate and shorts were all my own creation.  This is going to my guy in Illinois.  The only thing I didn't do was the boots, as I ask each costumer to supply their own footwear.  So much fun to make!

Just an update on the progress of my 21 costume...boot pouches, gauntlets and the finished top!  This whole thing is proving more complicated than I had foreseen, but it's worth it because the guy who asked for it is really impressed with it.  Getting positive feedback is always a welcome thing!!

Henchman 21 - in progress

I finally made the jump to men's costumes and I am making a Henchman 21 (post 24's death) costume for a friend in Illinois.  He's a big guy and I don't have any men around to model the costume on, so I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this one, but so far it's coming out well.  The chest plate wasn't difficult but the vinyl is hard to work with, so I only hemmed the front; it puckered too badly and I didn't want the back to have a puckered look as well.  The shorts were a lot of fun to make, and just knowing that they're part of the costume makes me happy.  How often do people get to wear yellow vinyl shorts?  I've also made black pants from a cotton-spandex blend and a top of the same, which looks like a big t-shirt.  Sure, I could have used an actual t-shirt and sweatpants, but the guy's paying me to make a costume, not buy stuff.  I take my costume making very seriously and would hate to think anything I do is substandard.  I'm going to Joann's tomorrow to get the rest of what I need for the costume, so watch this space for the completed article!

Dr Mrs The Monarch Cheerleader Outfit

Yeah!!  I started (and finished) the Dr Mrs The Monarch Cheerleader outfit this morning.  I'm really proud of this one.  The skirt and top are patterns of my own devising, and as I've never made a cheerleader skirt before, I'm really proud of how it turned out.  There are some slight discrepancies between the earlier photo and this outfit - I ran out of white bias tape so I couldn't finish the bottom of the top, but otherwise it's as it should be.  The top is based on my sports bra and closes with velcro in the back.  The skirt has a back zip and needs to be adjusted as it's too big.  This, like all my other creations, is for sale so please let me know if you want to own a rare piece of Dr Girlfriend's wardrobe!

Dr Mrs The Monarch

Now that the costume is complete, I'll post on Dr Mrs The Monarch.  The leotard was easy enough to find (thanks Amazon) but next time I'll get a long-sleeved one and cut the sleeves off at the elbow...I realised afterward that she doesn't wear a cap-sleeved outfit, but the gloves cover some of the black material on the leotard.  Oops, forgot the gloves in this photo...but I have them.  Cutting out the Monarch symbol wasn't too bad but the hardest part was putting the trim on the neckline and reverse neckline.  I kind of screwed up on that one, and this costume needs another go before it's perfect.  The collar was just recycled from my Queen Etherea outfit and the wings are strips of gossamer tulle (I think that's what it's called).  The crown isn't perfect either but it was a first attempt, and I need a more perfect wig.  Still, I've had a compliment on it on Cosplay.com so that's a start...I just can't wait to wear the boots!

Dr Mrs The Monarch Boots...yeah baby!!

Yes, they have finally arrived - my Dr Mrs The Monarch thigh-high yellow boots!  All the way from China.  They're extremely tight and unfortunately don't actually fit me at the moment...but when I lose weight they'll look FANTASTIC.  They're from Milanoo.com if anyone is interested....it's so hard to find thigh-high yellow boots, believe me, I've been looking for months!

New Project!

Okay...so my new project is going to be Dr Mrs The Monarch's cheerleader outfit.  I've printed this picture and am going to start work on the pattern tomorrow.  It will present a challenge as the skirt is comprised of lots of pleated black and yellow fabric, and I've never made a cheerleader's outfit before.  The top shouldn't present as much of a problem as it's basically a bandeau with a big 'M' (for Monarch!) on it.  What I'm wondering is whether the 'M' and red trim on the skirt are meant to be vinyl or the same woolly fabric that high school letters are made of...probably the latter.  But with her you never can tell...anyway, this is going into the planning phase tomorrow so watch this space for updates!

Dr Girlfriend - Sheila College Outfit

Who can forget Sheila's first encounter with Phantom Limb, or Professor Fantamos as he was known then?  Okay, I cheated a bit with this one - the top is from Victoria's Secret, but it was THE perfect top so I wasn't about to argue with it.  The skirt is based on earlier dresses I have made, and made from the same knit as the First Date Dress.  I've been able to source two of Sheila's accessories for this outfit - the yellow bangle and red alice band.  Plus the glasses, which are my own.

Dr Girlfriend - Sheila Dress

The inspiration for this dress was Sheila's first date with Phantom Limb, back when she still had a blonde streak in her hair, and long before she met The Monarch.  I used a modified New Look 0560 pattern for this dress, which is made from a stretchy orangey-peach knit.

Dr Girlfriend - Double Date Dress

This was more challenging to make than it should have been, and also one of the rare dresses that I had to buy a pattern for.  I used a Butterick pattern for a strapless evening gown, and I tried to build the interior 'scaffolding' for it but it just didn't look right...so I removed it and let the dress be.  It's made from pink satin with a back zip closure.  My only gripe is that it's not as long as it should be - it should ideally hit mid-calf, and this is something I will improve on in the next phase of it.  The necklace is costume jewelry from Joann's that, despite being silvertone, is pretty much what Dr Girlfriend wears in the episode 'Victor.  Echo.  November.' on her double date with Phantom Limb, The Monarch, and JollyRancher82.  The gloves are some I bought from Frederick's of Hollywood forever ago, and the shoes are from Walmart.  There is a long purple coat that goes with this outfit but I haven't been able to find the right fabric to make it, so I don't have it as yet, but watch this space...nothing has been able to keep me down so far!

Onwards and upwards

I posted some pics of Lady Au Pair, Dr Girlfriend, and the Dr Girlfriend Mall Dress on Cosplay.com and received this comment about the Lady Au Pair costume:  'Hell yeah!  I knew it was Lady Au Pair by the thumbnail.  Epic!'  I'm considering that a compliment :)  I've put some of the costumes on Etsy, and reposted Lady Au Pair on eBay so hopefully it will sell this time...I'm going back to Joann Fabrics on Tuesday to get more supplies and also some fabric for these knitting needle holders I've been making for family (so far) which I intend to sell at my uncle's restaurant/gift shop, the Freight House in Lyndonville, VT.  They're really neat little cases with pockets to hold all your knitting needles and even crochet hooks.  Look out for them!  I'll be posting pics of them soon...

Lady Au Pair Costume

Lady Au Pair was probably the most fun to make, and the most challenging to date (aside from Dr Mrs The Monarch, which is currently in the prototype phase).  Again, the body of the dress was adapted from the main Dr Girlfriend dress with a lower neckline cut in, and the sleeves are from a pattern I have for a 1920's costume dress.  It wasn't difficult to put the pieces together, and the different parts combined surprisingly well.  There are two tucks down the front and three buttons between them, leading us to the apron which is patterned after one of my grandmother's half-aprons.  There is a zipper in the back and the dress is made of a high quality purple broadcloth with white linen trim and apron.  The gloves are from my Dr Girlfriend outfit and the boots are from eBay, and it took me a long time to find perfect boots for this outfit.

The hat was my first attempt at millinery and came out surprisingly well.  It's patterened after my brother's fishing hat which gives it its floppy character, with a dark purple ribbon around the brim and purple fake flowers stuck in the right places.  I'd love to make this one again, so if you're interested, please just ask for details!!

Dr Girlfriend - The Mall Outfit

This is one of my favourite outfits.  It's the dress Sheila wears to the mall with Phantom Limb when she meets up with The Monarch in the food court.  This was a lot of fun to make.  I used the same basic pattern from my Dr Girlfriend dress and made it backless.  There is a back part that creates the skirt, a band across the bra-line, and a half-moon collar to hold it in place.  The fabric is a stretchy knit magenta from Joann's Fabrics and the polka-dots are made of pink and purple felt.  I used plates and bowls as templates to cut them out.  She wears her same white boots and pillbox hat with this outfit, and long white gloves, which I also got from Joann's in a Halloween sale.  I've already sold one of these on eBay; it's one of Sheila's more unusual outfits, but well worth having in your Dr Girlfriend collection!

Please forgive the fuzziness of this picture - the camera wasn't cooperating to take a clear shot.