These are some tips to keep your costume intact especially if you plan on wearing it on both Carnival Monday and Tuesday. I think it is also good advice for those who plan on storing or keeping their costume after Carnival, as the costumes do not need to be discarded after use. They can survive the rigors of wine and jam for years to come with some care.
*Seal the ends of the beads with clear nail polish or crazy glue to keep the beads from unraveling.
*If you are wearing your costume on both days and need to get the sweat off the bra the best method of cleaning them is by using a damp sponge with lukewarm water and carefully rubbing out the areas on the costume that have been close to your skin. Any stains can be removed with a stain remover like tide to go. You do not want to get the costume too wet as it needs to air dry, any heat on the costume from a dryer can loosen the glue, braiding, beads and sequins along with it. Try not to wet the beads or sequins while cleansing.
* Some sequins DO run or change colour from sweat just by wearing them. To protect the coloured sequins and beads on your costume you may want to spray the costume first with a colour sealant like Varathene. Just spray the Varathane directly onto the beads and sequins which provides a protective coat that will prevent running. The beads will seem a bit stiff after spraying but will loosen after a short time.
Varathene Spray
*Seal the ends of the beads with clear nail polish or crazy glue to keep the beads from unraveling.
*If you are wearing your costume on both days and need to get the sweat off the bra the best method of cleaning them is by using a damp sponge with lukewarm water and carefully rubbing out the areas on the costume that have been close to your skin. Any stains can be removed with a stain remover like tide to go. You do not want to get the costume too wet as it needs to air dry, any heat on the costume from a dryer can loosen the glue, braiding, beads and sequins along with it. Try not to wet the beads or sequins while cleansing.
* Some sequins DO run or change colour from sweat just by wearing them. To protect the coloured sequins and beads on your costume you may want to spray the costume first with a colour sealant like Varathene. Just spray the Varathane directly onto the beads and sequins which provides a protective coat that will prevent running. The beads will seem a bit stiff after spraying but will loosen after a short time.
Varathene Spray
*No time to wash your costume? Let the costume air so that the sweat can evaporate, then spray the insides of the costume with a mixture of half vodka and half water to eliminate odours and refresh the costume. Of course Febreeze and other odour eliminating sprays will also work in a pinch. Do not spray anything directly on the costume as this might fade the beads and sequins, turn the costume inside out and then spray only the fabric.
*To deodorize the costume make sure it air dries, then place the costume in a bag or sack made from a natural, breathable fabric such as a cotton pillow case. Then put a teaspoon of baking soda in a sock and toss the sock into the pillow case along with the costume. The baking soda will absorb the stinky odors. You can do this when you get home after Monday mas when planning to wear the costume again on Tuesday or after mas on Tuesday to save your costume.
Gibbs Spray
Fletch Dry Powder
*For costume storage ensure that the costume is not damp, it must be completely dry to prevent mildew. You can store the costume in a large ziploc bag, plastic container or cotton bag. The caveat with using anything plastic is that if there is any moisture on the costume since the container is airtight it will mildew and deteriorate the fabrics. To prevent this toss a few silica packets inside the container (you know the little packs saying "do not eat" you get with shoes and other products) , the silica absorbs moisture and and prevent damage. To ensure that the costume stays smelling fresh add a few bounce dryer sheets or the baking soda pouch in the container as well. Do not hang the costume on a hanger as the weight of the beads will cause the costume to stretch and loose shape.
*To deodorize the costume make sure it air dries, then place the costume in a bag or sack made from a natural, breathable fabric such as a cotton pillow case. Then put a teaspoon of baking soda in a sock and toss the sock into the pillow case along with the costume. The baking soda will absorb the stinky odors. You can do this when you get home after Monday mas when planning to wear the costume again on Tuesday or after mas on Tuesday to save your costume.
*Waterproof feathered headpieces, feathered costume details and feathered backpacks against light rain, mist from the cool zones and sweat using a waterproof spray or powder. Through my reserach I have found products recommended by Archers, however you can do more research in the area that you live for similar products.
The two waterproof sprays I have found are Gibbs Spray and Perma Dri Water Shield. And the waterproof powder is called "Fletch Dry" by Bob Rightnour and Gateway Waterproof Powder. These products are used by archers, hunters and in fly fishing to make the feathers waterproof and will work on your costume feathers as well.The powder is recommended over the spray as it adds to weight, does not stiffen the feather and you do not need to wait for the product to dry.
Gibbs Spray
Fletch Dry Powder
* To restore feathers that have gotten wet,if they have already dried put them over steam and dry with a hair dryer on cool setting. Some feathers dry stiff if they are air dried. Then lay the feathers as flat as possible and use a fine tooth comb to arrange the feathers back into their natural growth pattern.
*For costume storage ensure that the costume is not damp, it must be completely dry to prevent mildew. You can store the costume in a large ziploc bag, plastic container or cotton bag. The caveat with using anything plastic is that if there is any moisture on the costume since the container is airtight it will mildew and deteriorate the fabrics. To prevent this toss a few silica packets inside the container (you know the little packs saying "do not eat" you get with shoes and other products) , the silica absorbs moisture and and prevent damage. To ensure that the costume stays smelling fresh add a few bounce dryer sheets or the baking soda pouch in the container as well. Do not hang the costume on a hanger as the weight of the beads will cause the costume to stretch and loose shape.
8 comments:
Did I mention how EXCELLENT this post is?
Well you know where I got the inspiration ;)
Thank you for this post!
Sometimes I wonder how people wear the costume both days. My costume is always fit for the trash, even with these tips! LOL
You probably know this already but Toronto-lime gave your post a plug on their weekly newsletter
Thanx Saucy... never thought of these ideas. They will definitely come in handy.
ok i know this may sound strange and completely stupid but: What do you do with the costume after mas? Save it for memories, rip out the beads and use it as a bra and panty, or anything else???? Suggestions please?
hi nicky
i know somebody who has her old feathered headpieces displayed on her apratment walls, just as house decoration.
i assume you might do this already, but in case if your band provides you accessories such as necklaces or bangles, you can wear them with your party clothes. Or even beaded belt or bra too, if it has a design that goes well your jeans or some other bottoms.
i heard some bands like Dream Team lets you recylcle your costume at oversea carnivals too.
while ago Saucy wrote a post about recycling old costumes. as she said, i think utilizing them for creative Monday wear is a good idea too:
http://saucytrini.blogspot.com/2006/10/recycling-costumes.html
hey thanx bk limer. reason i asked cause i was never in that kinda situation and i plan to be in this situation 1 day lol. so i needs to know what to do with it after spending all that money instead of just throwing it in the trash. thanx for the link. i missed that article for sure.
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