#carol cutshall you are a goddess

[squirrellypoo]

I love AMC's "Interview with the Vampire" tv show so much that I wanted to show my appreciation by sewing my interpretation of Claudia's New Year's Eve outfit from episode 7. The scene is barely a minute long, with Claudia's costume only partly visible for a few seconds, however, so there wasn't much footage to go on.

Thankfully, though, the costume designer for the show, Carol Cutshall, shares incredible details of the vintage inspirations, costume design, and behind the scenes photos on her Instagram page after the episodes air, and shared details of this outfit along with sketches and behind the scenes photos of the actress, Bailey Bass!

I'd like to stress that this is not cosplay - I'm not trying to BE the actress or the character, but sewing my own interpretation of the garments. I try to avoid sewing "fast fashion" as much as I avoid buying it, and I strive to only have clothing in my wardrobe that I will wear again and again.

Cape: Pattern: self-drafted Fabric: Italian floral silk/polyamide cloqué, ribbon, and metal ball hook all from MacCulloch & Wallis, black satin lining from my stash.

I based the pattern off of a classic circle skirt, modifying it for the narrower fabric and squeezing in a lined hood as well! I also added a hook at the neck to take the strain off the ribbon, and finally, little wrist loops so that I too can look like a little bat with my arms out!⁠

Shirt: Pattern: Named Saraste from “Breaking the Pattern” book Fabric: Black textured silk & red silk satin from my stash

I was lucky enough to have the most perfect textured silk already in my stash. I also found a tiny scrap of red silk satin which I added to the inner collar and yoke to give a hint of red to the neck as a nod to my favourite vampires!⁠

I used low-key black corozo buttons for the front, but added some drama to the cuffs with metal skull buttons, which I gave red eyes using red nail varnish!⁠

Trousers: Pattern: BurdaStyle 06/2023 no108 Fabric: Deadstock Japanese burgundy acetate twill from New Craft House

I'm not normally a fan of wide-legged trousers, or high waists, or side zippers, so I modified the design to be something closer to my own style and preferences.⁠ I used the black satin lining from the cape to line the pockets, added a little Claudia cartoon heat set vinyl inside the waistband to serve as the label, and finished the hem with black lace for an invisible hand sewn finish.

Overall, I'm stupidly happy with how all three pieces turned out and that I will be able to wear them separately as well as together. I poured all my love for this show into sewing these garments (while I was suffering from extreme post-viral fatigue, too), and I'm proud I can put my skills to use in this fandom!

[squirrellypoo]

Can we talk about Santiago’s coat from the first look scene please? Like, that collar is INSANE! That’s got to be a stage costume from TdV that he’s kept on for the.. after-party, surely?

I’ve brightened these screengrabs to show details and it’s even stranger - it’s a regular leather jacket (scarf over top?) but with THAT collar?? I’m so intrigued.

I mean, that leather jacket collar is obviously referencing old Hollywood vampire capes, so I’m guessing it’s a deliberate nod to give him campy villain vibes but still… it also is referencing men’s leather jackets of the 1940s but even their wide collars are not shaped like that!