Words by Eva Devore | Photographs by Mia Maraschino
Eva Devore is our resident costume creatrix at Sky Sirens! This week she gives you some nifty tricks and tips on how to embrace your inner crafty self. With many of us now at home with an abundance of time on our hands, it’s never been a better opportunity to bring a little bit of arts and crafts into your life! Taking some time to be creative, make something and do something with your hands is a great self-soothing tool, a way to give yourself a little bit of self care, and a distraction from the world outside. Taking the opportunity to hibernate a little bit and work on your craft is one of the silver linings of this situation that we must cling to! Plus, you’ll get to feel that glowing sense of achievement when you finish your project.
Being a DIY Showgirl is one of the things that is at the core of who I am as a burlesque performer. I’ve been crafting, drawing and making things since I was a little girl, always inventing new outfits for my toys, or creating things out of toilet paper rolls and pipe cleaners. This led to me pursuing first a qualification in fashion design and technology, and following that with a diploma in costume for theatre and screen, covering areas like corsetry, millinery and props. When I discovered the world of burlesque, one of the things that really drew me in was the DIY aspect, that gritty, handmade quality many performers had, and how they could be so inventive and creative with their ideas, costumes and act creation.
With many of us now at home with an abundance of time on our hands, it’s never been a better opportunity to bring a little bit of arts and crafts into your life! Taking some time to be creative, make something and do something with your hands is a great self-soothing tool, a way to give yourself a little bit of self care, and a distraction from the world outside. Taking the opportunity to hibernate a little bit and work on your craft is one of the silver linings of this situation that we must cling to! Plus, you’ll get to feel that glowing sense of achievement when you finish your project.
Being a DIY-er doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour. In fact, I’m mostly DIY as a performer simply because it’s the best way to save a dollar while being able to create exactly what I want! You will probably already have a lot of pieces that you can use for your creations, and if not, many things can be acquired cheaply, and sometimes in unlikely places. It’s all about that creative thinking - how can I create what I want, with what I have?
Here are my top tips for getting your DIY on:
There are many places you can find inspiration for things you’d like to make. Many creatives offer tutorials for things you can create at home, whether it’s knitting or crochet projects, upcycling and refashion ideas, or embellishment how-to’s. Check out Pinterest, Instagram and Youtube for free tutorials that cover a wide range of topics - you can even teach yourself to sew from these tutorials! If you’re after specific burlesque or performer-related tutorials, take a look at the social media of your favourite burlesque performers and costumers. Chances are, many of them are offering DIY tutorials for free, or for a small fee. This means you can support your local creative, AND learn some fun skills. Check out Melbourne burlesque queen Maple Rose, international costume superstar Manuge et Toi, and I’ll have some DIY projects coming soon too here!
Just because your budget is tight, doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and make a little magic. Many things can be created from things you already have around the house, or things that are easy to purchase cheaply at grocery stores or online. Look into how you can take things you already have, like a bodysuit or bra, and convert them into something new by adding crystals, rhinestones and embellishment. Maybe you have some elastic lying around that you could turn into a cage harness? Or check out this tutorial on how to make an angelic halo crown from zip ties. All you need is a headband, some zip ties (both available from a supermarket) and some paint!
DIY projects are a great way to use things you already have, and a way to turn something old into something new. Give your cupboards a clean out, and see what you can find! I love to use pieces of old or broken jewelry to add some sparkle and glamour to my costumes. Simply remove the parts you don’t need, and stitch or glue into place! Big earrings make wonderful bra accents, and backless brooches can become necklaces or accentuate headpieces and necklines. A worn out bra can become a cupless bra by cutting away the cups, and covering with crystals, fringing and embellishments. Got a costume you no longer need that is covered in rhinestones? If you used GemTac, you can soak the glue off using hot water and detergent, and clean those stones up for a new project.
Bit of a crafty collector? I know my supply cupboard is absolutely bursting with hoarded trims and fabrics for projects I’ve always intended to do, but never made the time for. Take a stock of what you have, and see what creative ideas you can come up with using only what is in your stash! You might be surprised to see how many wonderful things you have saved away! If you have friends who are also makers, see if you can organise a crafty stash swap! Clean out your stashes and make a pile of the things you don’t think you’ll use, then jump online and share pictures with each other. You can then organise to post each other your treats, or do a cheeky letterbox drop if you live nearby. Social distancing, and new craft supplies, it’s a win-win!
Why not spend some time learning and practicing a new skill? If you have access to a sewing machine, maybe now is the time to learn how to sew your own clothes, or learn how to make and alter patterns to bring your design to life. Or, learn to use a new material. Maybe you’ve been avoiding learning to sew with stretchy fabrics, or tackling a tricky project like a corset! If sewing isn’t your cup of tea, there are many other skills to learn. Some more ideas include wig styling, pastie making, knitting and crochet, chainmail making, beading and jewelry making, millinery (hat making) and make up artistry. Look for some tutorials and online courses to get you started!
Being creative is a great way to stay connected with friends, especially in a time where we can’t simply pop out for a coffee or drink together. Why not organise a digital crafternoon or rhinestoning (wine-stoning!) sesh. Look into options like Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom, and arrange a time to sign in with your friends. You could all work on the same project together, like crystalling costumes or making pasties, or each work on your own projects while enjoying each other’s company and conversation. Crack open your favourite beverage, and connect through craftiness! At the end of the session, show each other what you’ve been working on and celebrate each other’s progress.