another costume question

[ania]

If there is another place for costume questions perhaps someone could move this post there.

 

My son is being Carabosse's pet bat in a local produduction of Sleeping Beauty. I am trying to find something to attach bat sleeves to. Any ideas ? I'm looking for something like a black turleneck leotard. Any idea where I can find such a thing for a 7 year old boy ?

[Mel Johnson]

Black turtleneck shirts for that size abound.

[Clara 76]

Yes, and you can sew a pair of spankys/lollys/cheerleader briefs in black to the bottom to make a 'leotard' if you need the shirt to stya flat and tucked in.

[ania]

Clara76 - thank you. I should of thought of that myself ! I knew I could find a turtleneck, but I did want it to stay 'tucked in', or flat to the body and not flap around.

[Momof3darlings]

If you sew the briefs then you need a Tneck that zips down the back otherwise how would you get in it? Now you could sew snaps to the briefs and bottom of shirt (those big whopper popper snaps will hold) to attach together.

[tsavoie]

Dance distributors sells a cheap turtleneck leo. Yes, it is marketed for girls, but when my son was that age, I often used girls stuff and failed to mention it. He never knew the difference.

[ania]

Yes, as I was in bed last night, not sleeping, and thinking about the costume, the issue of how to get into it did occur to me. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

I will see what I can find in the Dance Distributors. I have no problem buying him girl leotards. I just hadn't found a turtleneck leo in children's sizes. Tsavoie, If you know where one is, I'd appreciate the link.

 

thanks for all the help !

[Memo]

What we do with shirts for our boys is sew two pieces of elastic on the bottom of the shirts in a loop shape that then goes under the leg and prevents it from coming untucked. Also as far as the wings go puttting them on elastic that goes over the shoulder (they slip their arm through) would make them more secure as they will probably hang from a leotard or shirt.

[cheetah]

Check into cheerleading uniforms. They have turltleneck "leotards" that snap at the crotch. Several of the dance catalogs we get at home have a cheer section now. I checked the web quickly and found that Just for Kix has this item under youth cheer fashions. Local sporting goods stores may also have these in stock. Sports Authority (online) has a cheerleading body suit for about $25. They don't show a picture of black, but their drop down menu has black listed. Dick's Sporting Goods has the same item.

[tsavoie]

In the catalog, the leo is on page 45,comes in black and white, child and adult size. DD-245K is the kids size and is a whopping 10.95. We ordered these for a modern piece that had little girls and some of the teenagers in it and it worked well. Just a cheap leo, perfect for turning into costumes. I'm sure its on their website too.

[Clara 76]

If you sew the briefs then you need a Tneck that zips down the back otherwise how would you get in it? Now you could sew snaps to the briefs and bottom of shirt (those big whopper popper snaps will hold) to attach together.

 

Doh! This is why I shouldn't give sewing advice

 

Yes, you'd have to add snaps or a zipper down the back

[Mel Johnson]

The snaps solution is a variant on the old unisex underwear, the Ferris Waist, where the undershirt buttoned to the drawers, therefore making a union suit of it.

[ania]

Tsavoi- Thanks ! I like the way you think. 10.95 sounds like the perfect amount to spend on a costume leo !

[Millie]

Memo,

 

When my son was very young, about five or six, he did highland dancing. I used the looped elastic method to keep his highland jacket from slipping up and out of the kilt. The mothers who helped him back stage were aghast and assured me that I would never become a grandmother!

Oh, the good old days.

[Mel Johnson]

Another reinforcement of the old dictum: "Q:What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt? A:Shoes and socks."

 

Actually the auld boys took the tails of their shirts and pulled them tight against the crotch (not groin, that's the inside of the thigh) and secured them with a small penannular pin and made double proof by pulling the said tails back up through their waistbelts. Put a waistcoat over, and no one will ever know. Given a full plaid and not just a philabeg there's plenty of cover.