Project

Vampire-Count Costume

A billowing cloak of red taffeta surrounds this dashing creature of the night, shielding his countenance from scrutiny. A formal cummerbund and bow tie -- just strips of taffeta tied in place -- dress up the tuxedo shirt. His medals of honor are constructed from gold origami paper and snips of ribbon. Only the razor-sharp fangs reveal his true nature.

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

materials

Basic sewing supplies

2 1/2 yards red taffeta

Scissors

1 1/2 yards of 1 1/2-inch-wide red ribbon (for cape)

Gold paper

Assorted widths of ribbon in shades of red (for medals)

Craft glue

Assorted small pom-poms

20 inches of 2-inch-wide ribbon (for rosette)

2 yards of 4-inch-wide velvet ribbon (for sash)

Small paintbrush

1/2 yard black taffeta (for cummerbund)

Safety pins

BlueStik reusable adhesive

Fangs

Four-Point-Star Template

steps

Cut an 85-inch-long piece of taffeta. Lay fabric right-side down. Fold top edge toward you 1/2 inch; press. Fold top toward you 8 inches; sew in place 1/8 inch from edge. To make a channel, top-stitch 1 1/2 inches from the folded edge. Cut a 50-inch length of black ribbon (cut ends on the diagonal to prevent fraying). Attach a safety pin to one end, and use the pin to guide the ribbon through the channel. Gather fabric as you go, leaving 15 inches of ribbon on each side for ties. Sew channel closed on both ends; hem cap.
Fold a square of gold paper in half to make a rectangle; orient the rectangle with the crease on the left side. For a six-point star, bring the upper-left corner down to a point on the right edge of the rectangle, about one-quarter of the way from the lower-right corner. Bring the lower-left corner up and to the right so that the left edge of the shape meets the top edge. Using the left point for reference, fold the paper in half horizontally, bringing the top edge down. Cut diagonally from the top edge of the shape down to about the midpoint on the bottom edge (the closer you cut to the point, the smaller your star). Unfold, and shape. For four-point-star instructions, get our template. Make two small six-point stars to serve as cuff links.
Cut 3-inch lengths of ribbon in a variety of widths; notch ends. Layer ribbons; glue together. Glue a pom-pom to the back of each star. Glue stars to ribbons. For rosette, cut a 20-inch length of 2-inch-wide ribbon. Sew a running stitch along one edge. Gather ribbon into rosette shape, and stitch ends together. Press flat. Glue two stars to center, one on top of the other. For medallion necklace, layer 12-inch strips of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon and 1/2-inch-wide ribbon; glue star to center.
Cut 2 yards of 4-inch-wide ribbon (cut ends on the diagonal). Glue medals to sash so they appear straight when sash is draped diagonally over body.
Wear a tuxedo shirt and black pants. Tie 1/2 yard taffeta around waist for cummerbund. Tie a 30-inch strip of 2 1/2-inch-wide red taffeta around neck for bow tie, and trim off excess. Drape sash over body and pin in place; pin medallion necklace to shirt. Secure cuff links to shirt buttons with reusable adhesive.