Holiday Story: Halloween Party Snafu Lends Itself to Ghosts From Xmas Past Narrative
The fall of 2015 was the year I thought I’d finally use that black and white stripe fabric that had been haunting me to do something delightful with. It leant itself to a small corselet, which I would use over a black net skirt with a top hat a la New Orleans. For a Halloween party that is. (For notes and thoughts on cultural appropriation, see 2014 Holiday post.)
Alas, the night before I thought the Halloween party was scheduled, I discovered it was going down that evening. I don’t know about you, but the idea of making myself up fully after an evening’s work was not enticing, especially on a Friday, so I lived that weekend in a state of cancellation.
Then I thought, I need an idea for this year’s Xmas card. And why not? So the ghosts of Xmas past idea was born.
The ghost of Xmas past is a character from Dickens, and if you haven’t seen or heard of the Scrooge mythology, then you have kind of missed a major part of Christmas culture.
Anyhoo, it was such a great costume, and one shouldn’t let good inspiration go to waste.
The Build
Corselet & Skirt
There comes a time in every costumier’s life when they must build a corset. I’ve made more than a few. But this one was for me!! And not a traditional corset (I don’t quite do the traditional, if you haven’t noticed), but rather a corselet.
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/corselet-pattern-1024x768.jpg)
I drew up the pattern based off of my measurements. This is called flat patterning (for the uninitiated).
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/corselet-mockup-1024x672.jpg)
I used a heavy cotton for the mockup (or, in the parlance of french haute couture houses, a toile), also planning to use the same fabric, if possible for the lining.
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bones-drummel-1024x873.jpg)
Then comes the best part! Fun with (mini) power tools! It’s always a good time to purchase a dremel tool at the home improvement store and when the cashier asks what you need it for, you say, to grind the ends of my [corselet] bones. 😀
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/corselet-grommets-1024x1024.jpg)
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/corselt-fit-741x1024.jpg)
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tulle-skirt-854x1024.jpg)
I made up a tulle skirt for the bottom half.
Hat and Makeup
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/hat-makeup.jpg)
My makeup was based on pictures of skull makeup I found online. I did do some lines that were definitely inspired by the sugar skull makeup from Day of the Dead celebrations. The hat at right I sewed a feather and ribbon on. Easiest part of the whole process!
The Photoshoot
Set Up
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/photoshoot-setup-1.jpg)
I brought over my light kit that I had been storing elsewhere. I also included my small Christmas tree! Had to lend an air of merry somewhere!!
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/untouched-phe-ghosts.jpg)
Phe hates modeling. I managed to get, after several rounds of treat bribes, some photos with her. I tried to tie a collar of gathered net around her neck, but that wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped. At least you get to see her white tummy!
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/untouched-amp.jpg)
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/untouched-amp2-1024x678.jpg)
Photos also achieved after multiple bribes.
Covers 3
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/covers3.jpg)
And I couldn’t decide which version I preferred. I bought the background somewhere online. I might have purchased the frame or lifted it from somewhere as well. Who can remember now!
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/card-2015-cover2.png)
Inside Stories
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cards-past-inside-1024x768.jpg)
The Back
![](https://jenbrassjenkins.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/card-2015-back2.png)
Let this be a lesson to us, that creativity is just ideas remixed and re-imagined and applicable to almost anything.