Tag Archives: steampunk

How to Make a Steampunk Costume on a Budget

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Halloween Costumes, Sewing, Tutorials

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Utilizing as many supplies that I already had on hand was essential in keeping down the cost for my steampunk costume this year. I want to be able to create and entire costume with accessories for under $50.00 dollars. The main costume would be made by recycling this unused black formal dress. By cutting the dress at the waist line, I now have a corset top and a skirt.

 

I added a zipper and a waistband to the skirt. The length was perfect so there was no need to hem as I never cut the bottom of the skirt. I then added a sequin lace trim to the bottom of the skirt. My skirt is now complete.

The corset top took a little more time than the skirt as there were several things that had to be added. I first added a separating zipper to the back of the top. I then added a gathered brocade trim to the bottom of my top to add a little extra length. I added matching straps to ensure I would be comfortable in my costume throughout the entire festival. Finally, I added a sequin and beaded trim to the top of the corset to add just a little more height to the top.

Now its time to make my bustle using the same brocade fabric I purchased for the corset top trim. Since the bustle is detachable from the skirt it will have it’s own waist band. This will make it easier to use this costume for other festivals.

 

Now I am finished with my main steampunk costume but I need a jacket. So back to my closet for something else that can be recycled. As I had hoped, I found the perfect jacket that I haven’t worn in years. First I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 and added a pleated black polyester trim. Even with the shortened sleeves and black trim, the jacket was still a little too plain for the rest of my costume. By adding elastic bridal button tape down two seams on the back of the jacket, I was able to give the jacket a lace up corset look. Now this completes the jacket.

Now my costume is ready for opening day of The Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival.

I was able to make this entire costume: corset top, skirt, jacket, bustle, for only $ 14.08. My accessories for my purse, hat, and necklace cost $28.74, keeping my costume and accessory total under my $50.00 budget. Being able to recycle the dress, purse, necklace, and utilized items I already had on hand I saved a lot of money.

Total steampunk costume and accessory break down:

  • Costume $14.08
  • Steampunk hat $10.33
  • Gear and clock key necklace $3.61
  • Purse $14.80

For a total of $42.82 I have a complete 3 piece Victorian steampunk costume with matching accessories.

Check out my other blogs to learn how I made my hat and necklace.

How to Make a Steampunk Hat

How to Make a Steampunk Necklace

 

How to Make a Steampunk Hat

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Halloween Costumes, Tutorials

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I first had to decide what did I want on my hat. Most steampunk hat’s I have seen on the internet had goggles on the hat and I wanted to do something different.

Supplies

  • Gears
  • Old clock (optional, for real gears)
  • Flowers
  • Feathers
  • Clock Keys
  • Clock hands
  • Trim
  • Hat
  • Hot glue gun
  • Other steampunk accessories
  • Vinegar (optional for tarnishing gears)

I looked at several craft stores for gears but not many carried real looking gears. So my next option was to take apart an old clock that was in the closet. After removing all of the gears from the clock, I realized they needed to be slightly tarnished. In order to slightly tarnish the gears, I dipped them in apple cider vinegar a few times and allowed to air dry in between dipping.

 

I found the perfect mini top hat at Wal-Mart in the costume section. The hat already had a ribbon band and tulle so I just removed it as it would not match my steampunk costume theme. I had just enough trim left over from my steampunk costume to use as a hat band. Using hot glue, I attached the trim to the hat.

 

 

After the hot glue was cool I started to decorate. I placed all my accessories on my hat prior to hot gluing them. This would save time and supplies if I didn’t like the completed look of my hat.

Here is my completed steampunk hat. I absolutely love everything about my hat and I cannot wait to make another one.

Total hat cost was $10.33. The only items I had to purchase to make this hat was the hat, brown feather pick, and the clock keys. All other accessories I already had on hand.

Be sure to check out my completed steampunk costume and necklace.

How to Make a Steampunk Costume on a Budget

How to Make a Steampunk Necklace

How to Make a Steampunk Necklace

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Halloween Costumes, Tutorials

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I love recycling items I already have on hand when I am making costumes and accessories. For my steampunk necklace I was able to recycle a necklace I haven’t worn in years.

Supplies

  • Old necklace (jewelry making starter kit)
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Gears
  • Keys or other accessories

Utilizing needle nose pliers, I was able to careful take apart the old necklace and add gears and clock keys I bought at Michaels Craft Store.

 

Now I have a steampunk necklace that I can use time after time. I also can add to this necklace at any time. Total necklace cost $3.61. It is just amazing how much money can be saved by utilizing as many things you already have on hand.

You can make all kinds of steampunk jewelry out of old jewelry or by purchasing a jewelry making starter kit from your local craft supply store.

Be sure to check out my other blogs.

How to Make a Steampunk Costume on a Budget

How to Make a Steampunk Hat