Newest Dr Mrs The Monarch

Here is my latest Dr Mrs The Monarch costume.  I have made the crown out of lots of materials, with five points and four, and the newest material I've used is a piece of foam cut out into a crown shape with four points.  It's definitely the easiest to use as it stands up on its own and cuts easily, but doesn't match the collar which is disappointing.  The rest of the costume remains the same.  This one is for a lady in Canada.

Kim - In Progress

Okay, so here's my first stab at the Kim outfit.  I'm happy with the way it fits, although the collar could be snugger and ideally it wouldn't roll up a bit at the top of the chest opening.  I would also tailor the arm holes better.  But this is a first try at it so I can't complain too much.  I still need to adhere the 'plates' that cover the zipper, I've made those from foam and glued black pieces onto grey, and they are drying now.  I'll attach them with velcro (sewn to the top, glued to the foam) so I can remove them when I need to unzip the piece.  The skirt is next!

Dr Girlfriend Jackie O and Mall Outfits

Here is my latest incarnation of the Dr Girlfriend Jackie O dress and a Mall Outfit I made for  a customer in Florida.  The Jackie O dress has the triangular front flap instead of the flat, diagonal flap I have previously used, as this is one way the dress is illustrated in the Venture Bros.  The mall outfit has slightly smaller circles than my previous ones, as the dress itself is smaller as my customer is a small person.  Still working on the Kim outfit - pics to come!

Lucy Top

I whipped up this little top this afternoon from some leftover fabric from my latest Dr Girlfriend costume.  It's pretty revealing which is why it isn't being modelled, and it is made of bright pink lycra with a cross-over halter neck tie.  It would be great for clubbing paired with a little black skirt!

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...