"I Am a Librarian" - <PERSON> Costume [The Mummy, 1999]
Introduction: "I Am a Librarian" - <PERSON> Costume [The Mummy, 1999]
This has been a long time costume on my list to make. I have been a huge fan of The Mummy (1999) ever since I saw it when it came out so many moons ago. Earlier this year my husband ran an RPG loosely set in the world of The Mummy. He built terrain, made papyrus props, put together a sound track and lighting scheme. He went all out and it was one of the most fun games we have done. So, as Halloween approached (oh hey, it's September already, gee I better get on this!) I started thinking about what to costume I could make and the answer of course was, <PERSON>. There were a number of costumes to choose from but I went with her "oops I knocked over all the bookshelves" outfit.
Supplies
1. SKIRT
2. European Linen Two Tone Caramel/Ivory
3. Superior King Tut Cotton Quilting Thread 3-ply 40wt 500yds Sands of Time
4. https://www.joann.com/coats-andamp-clark-all-purpose-plastic-zipper-12in/2594737.html
5. SHIRT
6. Cotton - https://www.moodfabrics.com/applications/bottom-fabrics/pant-fabrics/beige-and-red-pencil-striped-cotton-dobby-woven-319798
7. Coats & Clark General Purpose Cotton 225 yd. Cream
8. Interfacing - I already had this left over form a previous project.
9. Glasses - https://www.amazon.com/BETSION-Vintage-Eyeglass-Acetate-Tortoise/dp/B08GF95BB3/ref=sr_1_34?crid=414NNC9597CR&dchild=1&keywords=small+round+glasses+frames&qid=1631932165&refinements=p_n_size_browse-vebin%3A2343351011&rnid=2343347011&s=apparel&sprefix=Small+Round+Glasses+%2Caps%2C238&sr=1-34
10. 348
Scarf - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G13ZKBP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
11. Patterns were from my stash but I made use of 3 patterns.
12. Skirt - McCalls M6993 from The Archive Collection circa 1933: this has 2 skirt patterns which I combined to create my skirt.
13. Shirt - Simplicity 8447 1940's Vintage: I used Shirt pattern D from this set.
14. Ivory buttons were from Joann's - I just bought what they had in an ivory color.
15. Belt was my own
16. Shoes & Earrings were Ebay finds
17. Book of the Dead was a 3D print at home by my enterprising husband.
Step 1: What Is a Place Like Me Doing in a Girl Like This?
As is always my way, I start by doing research. This meant I watched the movie, again, made notes on the costume (and yet I still missed things, damn back pleat!) and delved into a google search of images of the costume from exhibits as well as what others had done making their own versions. Then I was ready to start the fabric search.
Since this is still our Pandemic world, I did all my shopping online.
I decided to start with the shirt fabric first, I was looking for a white cotton or lawn fabric with a wide-set pin strip in a deep red. Ummmmmm, yeah no such luck. I branched out and tried brown pin stripe (not accurate but hey, I was striking out) still nothing quite right. So, I broadened my fabric options and I found ONE and I mean only ONE, @ Mood. I'm not a hug fan of Mood, I find their prices to be very high. It was much thicker fabric than I wanted to use but the color was the closest I was going to get, it was beige with wide-set red pencil stripe. So I bit the bullet and paid more than I wanted to get the 3 yrds of fabric. Thank goodness I bought early because there were shipping delays.
Could I have simply bought a man's shirt and taken it in to fit me better? Yes, I have no problem buying and modifying garments for costumes. 348