Thursday, July 30, 2009

Wicked Witch of the West

Something so exciting began this summer. My daughter is playing the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz in our community theater. When the director said he wanted her to model her character after Elphaba in Wicked, she asked me to design and create her costume. It’s been such a rewarding challenge that I decided to do my next 2 pieces about it.Ramona

I painted this and yes, she really is that green! I loved using these different scrapbook papers to create this piece. The lower portion of the page has my journaling about the project. You should have seen us at JoAnne’s Fabrics and Crafts! We just walked down every isle tossing bolts of fabric into the cart. Anything we thought we might like.

We ended up with 13 or 14 bolts in the cart; we wheeled all that over while we looked at patterns. Since I made up the design, of course there weren’t any exactly like the dress, but we put 2 or 3 together and changed a bit here and there until it came out the way I wanted. We used 7 different fabrics, 3 trims and 2 ribbons. Luckily we both had 50% off coupons, so we saved a few bucks.

It is just gorgeous! I’m hoping to post some photos, too. I loved sewing this. I set up a table in front of the TV and just watched HGTV while I sewed.

Elphaba email

In the top left corner is Elphaba's costume from the email the director sent. Next to that is my own design that I reduced in size and printed on scrapbook paper. Then I chalked in the colors.

As you can see, I didn’t do the ruching from the email, and the skirt is more form-fitting with inserts that make it flare at the bottom. I wanted the lights to catch her costume while she kicks and flies across the stage (on pulleys), so I used sequin confetti overlaid with black lace in the inserts and for the bodice.

Both these pieces have streaks of green and purple paint with writing or stamps on top. I also made a spider web like design by dabbing a flexible comb in a silver stamp pad. That has to catch the light just right, and is most easily seen at the top left corner of the page above.

4 comments:

  1. I love how you used your notes from making the costume for your pieces. They both look great and I can't wait to see the costume in person.

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  2. It looks great. Yes, I like using it as inspiration for art too. She has the costume up on facebook. Go snag her picture and add it to the post if you can.

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  3. Wow I am impressed. What a wonderful thing to be able to do.
    QMM

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  4. LOVED the dress.
    LOVE your pages!
    Can't wait to see you again :)

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