Expert: Vinette de Phillipe - 2/6/2008

Question
I am making an Elvis-type costume for a man who is 6'3" and has a 54" waist and a 54" chest.  We have given up on a jumpsuit and will go with pants and a top which, maybe, he can tuck in and cover with a wide belt.  Although on his Hawaii special, he wore a top that sayed outside and came down to his hips with slits on the sides.

I found a pretty good pattern - Simplicity 4101 for hospital scrubs - it goes all the way up to 60" waist so I'm more than covered - and he'll be covered, too!

Anyway, I'd like to make the pants bell bottom and I'd like to know if I can just start going wider from the point where they tell you to make alterations for length?

I plan on using the v-neck short sleeve pattern for the top, making the sleeves long but not bell bottom.  It will have a high back collar and a short cape all attached.  Does this seem okay to you?

The embellishing will be lots of fun and I have many volunteers for that - haven't decided if I'll be selfish and not let anyone touch my masterpiece.  Yeah, right.

Thank you for reading this and, hopefully, giving my your answer and opinion.  I reall hate not having someone to go to with questions.  Thanks again.

Answer
HI Kathleen
Sounds like you have a fun job in front of you.

I think the usual place to start the bell is at the knee, if the alter line is close to there, you should be fine.

I plan on using the v-neck short sleeve pattern for the top, making the sleeves long but not bell bottom.  It will have a high back collar and a short cape all attached.  Does this seem okay to you?

This sounds like a good idea.



vinette