The first time we meet Medda Larkin, is Act 1, Scene 5 at Medda’s Bowery in New York. The scene is full of colorful characters and Medda’s vaudeville outfit needs to shine brightly. We made her look by sewing a skirt based on Butterick B5969 and embellishing an Amazon corset top.
This skirt uses 5 yards of material – there’s a lot of gathering happening in the back! After creating the basic shape, I placed the skirt on a mannequin to help create even, yet not identical gathers in the back. The actress will wear a very full petticoat underneath the skirt, which will create more fullness and to allow her more ease of movement for the choreography in that scene.
For an extra razzle dazzle on the skirt, I sewed these plastic crystals along the back and down each side seam of the skirt. They really picked up the stage lights and added that extra sparkle. I sewed sparkly silver lace trim to finish the hem of the skirt.
Next it was time to zhuzh the corset top! Izzy is such a fun actress to work with! I loved all our fitting sessions. We tried on the corset and decided to add a bertha. The dictionary defines a bertha as a collar or trimming, as of lace, worn about the shoulders by women, as over a low-necked waist or dress. (1) I sewed on a shimmery purple fringe at the bottom of the corset, sewed silver hologram sequin trim down each seam, and replaced the black lacing string with metallic silver ribbon. I glued the same crystals from the skirt as ‘buttons’ along the front of the corset. These were purely decorative – not functional. I also added silver holographic sequins to the trim at the bottom of the corset, adding to the pink ruffle and black ribbon already there. I also used the silver hologram sequins to sew six loops to the top of the corset. We threaded purple organza through these loops to serve as our bertha. This organza was light weight and easily adjustable. Adding this at the top of the dress provides a nice balance to the outfit – fullness at the top and the bottom.
Final touches to this outfit: the jewelry Chloe made for her (necklace, drop earrings, two rhinestone bracelets), long white gloves, fun heeled white boots and the stunning wig by director Bobby Tschoepe!
I love that she wore this dress to the audience meet and greets after the show. Every time this picture pops up in my memories, I think of her gorgeous voice, fabulous performance, and joyful personality. She’s currently adventuring through world travels, but maybe we will work together again one day. Now is the time to seize the day!
