Friday, January 11, 2008

Walk Like An Egyptian

(thanks to Rowena for the title. ~G~)

Today, as part of the social studies cirriculum, Caleb has an Opet Festival at school. All the students dress up like ancient egyptians, and do ancient egyptian stuff in each of their classes. I had a blast making his costume.

We took our inspiration from this King Tut costume. The tunic is made from rectangles with a shoulder slope. I had about 3" of the sleeve trim leftover when I was finished. The rest of the pieces are quilted lamé. Like most costumes, trim and accessories are everything! I found everything at Joann Fabrics on Tuesday. I started the costume Wednesday afternoon, and finished it yesterday. We copied a $200+ costume for $44.09 and about 8 hours of work. :) We made the hook thing and flail (sorry, I don't know the correct terms) from strips of plaster wrap that we rolled up and spray painted gold.

The eyeliner looks cool, though ultimately Caleb asked to have it washed off. I made the headpiece by making a quilted headband and then stitching alternate strips of the blue and gold lamé (2" finished width) into a 30x22 rectangle. This was then stitched onto the headband. It turned out really cool.

You can click on either picture to see it full size. I can take detail shots of the collar, belt, vambraces, and headpiece after he gets back home.

8 comments:

Micki said...

Very cool. I'm glad the only thing he didn't want to wear was the eyeliner! :) Very well done.

May said...

Linda, it is fabulous! Lucky boy, I must say. I want a costume like that, too.

Anonymous said...

Wow, really impressive! I bet he as the best Egyptian costume in the whole school.

bfmomma said...

omg, that's fabulous! it so completely blows the costume I made for C. last year out of the water! :)

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

That is one fantastic costume! What a great interpretation!

Julie P. said...

that is awesome! but too bad he didn't like the eyeliner, it looks great.

Mom2fur said...

You did an amazing job. He looks like a regal little boy king!

Alexandra said...

Wow, what an awesome costume! I wish I'd had costumes like that when I was a kid. (I remember draping a bed sheet around myself, putting a dot on my forehead, and calling myself an Indian princess.)
I don't blame him for not wanting to wear the eyeliner.