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Artoo Tutu: this project was a version 2 of my original Artoo Tutu from 2011. I was inspired to recreate the idea as a more traditional Russian style ballet costume. It took about nine months of work to build, meanwhile, I began studying ballet with a local instructor. The above photos were taken by Snapping Fire Dragon Photography at the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade ball. By the time of these photos, I had been studying ballet for almost 2 years.
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Working on the tutu layers. Photograph by Jessica Notargiacomo.
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The base tutu and bodice were constructed first, fitted, and adjusted. The tutu has nine layers, not including the plate, and a hoop for support. The bodice is lined with coutil and each seam is supported with spiral steel boning.
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Next I cut the tutu plate from silver lace and hand-stitched it to the top layer of the tutu.
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The bodice appliques were hand-embroidered in matching blue and silver lace, to recreate the iconic panel details on R2-D2. I first printed and sketched reference images onto the base fabric, then added contrast lace for the color, and embroidered on top.
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Appliques were hand sewn onto the bodice. Then the rhinestoning began! A mix of austrian and Swarovski crystals were added to the tutu plate and bodice. I used flat-back crystals which were hand glued one by one. The final tutu has over 1500 crystals on it!
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Finished costume at Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball. Photo by The Frame Guy.