Rocky Horror Costume Instructions by Me

Costumes Mentioned Here, In Order:

• Columbia (A Groupie)
• Frank-N-Furter(A Scientist)
• Magenta (A Domestic)
• Janet Weiss(A Heroine)
• Rocky Horror (A Creation)
• Brad Majors (A Hero)
• Riff Raff (A Handyman)
• Eddie (Ex-Delivery Boy)
• Dr. Everett Scott (A Rival Scientist)
• Criminologist (An Expert)
• Etc (Ralph, Betty and the Transies)

COLUMBIA'S COSTUMES

With Columbia's main outfit (the one she wears in the Time Warp and on), there's an easy and a hard way to make it. Depending on how close to the movie you want it, it'll either take 2 hours or 2 weeks.

Making the Time Warp Outfit

What you need (easy version):
Tank top
5 vials of multicolored glitter
Glue
Newspaper

What to do:
Pretty much a no-brainer. Cover a small section of the tank top with glue and then sprinkle glitter over it. Give that section a few mins to dry a little, then start on the next section. Shake off the excess glitter onto the newspaper, then fold the newspaper so that if forms a funnel-kinda-pathway and tilt it over the bottle of glitter so that the excess can be used again. Try on the costume at some points while the glue is still wet, just to make sure it fits your body shape instead of drying flat (tell me: do you want a costume or a medieval breastplate?). Don't glitter the back (or you'll be at war with your costume when trying to put it on!)

What you need (difficult version):
25-35 yards of multicolor sequin strips
A roll of 2-or-3 inch wide elastic bands
Glue
Needle+thread

What to do:
Measure out strips of elastic band so that they run not completely around parts of your torso. Take 1 elastic band and lay it out. Cut strips of sequins so that they cover most of a section of elastic band (but not completely so that you can fasten the costume shut somehow). Glue the sequin strip on. Repeat process, spacing the rows of sequins pretty close together (but if you're pressed with money, space the rows out a little more), and make sure to leave room around the bottom of the elastic strip for sewing. Do this with each elastic strip (but instead of leaving just leaving a quarter inch space on the bottom, leave some on the top also, except for the very bottom strip that would go around your waist. For that, just leave space on the top) and sew them all 2gether with the top and bottom edges touching (try not to overlap, if you can). Then it's up to you when you're done to decide how you want your costume to close. Buttons might work, but you would need help getting into and out of your costume. A zipper is also another option which I wish I could use, but since I was tight on material, I had mine back-lace like a corset. If these instructions sound confusing, just Email me. I didn't know how to explain how to do it all that well, but I'm doing the best that I can.

Making the Shorts

What you need:
Black shorts (either denim, spandex, Umbro--it really doesn't matter)
Thin strips of colored ribbon
Glue
Scissors

What to do:
Basically just cut a piece of ribbon the length of the shorts leg, lay the shorts out flat, glue the ribbon onto the shorts, let dry. Repeat. The ribbon runs vertically and don't put ribbon on the inner part of the leg (you know what I mean. The inner-thigh part). Ribbons should be about 1 1/2-2 inches apart from each other.

FRANK'S COSTUMES

Making the Sweet-T Corset

What you need:
Black T-Shirt (pref. tight-fitting)
Long Black corset lace
Scissors
Needle+thread
Big, fake jewels
Glue

What to do:
Cut the arms off the T-shirt, then cut a line down the middle front. Make sure to try on the costume from time to time to make sure you know where it bunches up, fits right, etc. Depending on how big the shirt is on you, tuck the parts of the cut-up shirt in and hem it (you know what I mean) so that when you pull it around it hugs your body. With the scissors, make holes on both sides of the shirt, running up toward the top (and for neatness's sake, measure it so that the holes on each side are directly across from each other). Lace it up and see how it fits. Depending on whether or not the underarms are baggy, you can take them in or just leave them alone. Use the jewels to spangle it in random patterns (or if you're concerned with details, study what colors and patterns are on Frank's corset in the movie).

Making the Dinner-Scene outfit

What you need:
Leotard with opague black material running from crotch to chest and sheer black running from chest up
Big fake jewels
Glue
Scissors (for the detail-minded only)

What to do:
Just spangle the leotard with the fake jewels as needed. I'm not sure how rare those kinds of leotards are, and if they're that rare, I'll look into the detail of customizing it later. If you pay attention to details, "rip" the leotard with the scissors in the armpit and other places.

Making the Floor Show Corset

What you need:
Tight red t-shirt
Long black corset lace
Big fake jewels (Mostly in Red and Gold)
Glue

What to do:
Follow the same basic instructions for the Sweet-T Corset, only this time cut off everything above the chest. Depending on if you're a male or female, you'll either lace this corset to the top (like the other one) or to just below the chest (like in the movie), so cut the holes accordingly. Also decorate it with the fake jewels.

MAGENTA'S COSTUMES (much thanks to Amelia--SeraLysea@aol.com)

Making the Time Warp Costume

What you need:
Simple Black Dress (a plain black nightshirt will do)
Old White dress shirt
A few yards of white fabric
Needle+Thread
Scissors
Black Buttons
White Ribbon

What to do:
Cut the collar off of the dress shirt and sew it to the collar on the dress you're gonna make (best to sew it on the inside; it looks neater). If the sleeves aren't short already, cut them so that they come about halfway between your shoulder and your elbow. Unbutton the cuffs of the dress shirt, cut them off, and sew them around the ends of the sleeves. If the dress isn't like this already, it buttons all the way down the middle and comes to about the knees. Just cut all the way down, between the collar and the bottom, hem it inwards a little (if you want, or if you're going to wash it ever), then sew in the buttons and buttonholes on each side. If you're not up to sewing buttons and buttonholes, just start the buttons at about the chest and end at about the crotch.
Apron: Cut a piece of the white fabric (make it about as big as a hankie, only round the bottom corners). Sew 2 white strips of fabric about about 2 1/2 or so wide to the top (the pointy edges) of the "apron". Each strip should be about 3 inches from the center (for the detail freaks, you can sew the strips a little but under the main part of the apron so that they go from the center to the top in an angle instead of straight up). Attach 2 more strips (same width) to the tops of the sides of the apron (sew them). To tie the apron once you're done, the strips on the top of the apron go over your shoulders and meet with the side strips in 1 big knot.
Hat: Take a round doily (cloth, not paper) that's not flimsy. Tie a bow out of white ribbon and sew it to the back of the cap. Pin the cap to your head.

Making the Dinner Scene Outfit

What you need:
3-6 yards of black net material
Scissors

What to do:
Take the net material and drape it around yourself, have a friend help cut it so that it's single-layer.

Making the Space Suit (oy vey!)

What you need:
Quilted gold material (buy around Halloween)
Shiny black vinyl
Thick silver material

THIS PAGE IS UNDER (BRAD) MAJOR(S) CONSTRUCTION.

Email: sugarsh0x@aol.com