Who doesn’t love a costume piece that does double duty? When I saw this pattern by Rabbit & Hat for a lace-up bodice with tails that was intended to be reversible, I knew it would be handy. Turns out, this became the perfect costume for two different vampire balls around Halloween 2023.
The pattern itself is lovely — it’s cut in muslin (not paper!) so you can start pinning for fit right away. I did make a few adjustments to get the bust fit correct on me, plus I eliminated all but the center-front lacing. That was faster and simpler for my needs. Then I went through my stash and chose fabrics for both sides. That was difficult, lol! I settled on a silk with narrow black and white stripes and a deep red cotton damask, all bound in black bias tape. This gives me two distinctive looks that will each go with my costume wardrobe.
Both times I wore the finished bodice, I wore it over my black chemise gown, which has become a true workhorse, and I love how versatile it is. I wore the stripey side of the bodice out for the Endless Nights Ball in New Orleans (which is really just a club night at the House of Blues). I made a headpiece out of a zip-tie headband that I added more, longer zip-ties to along with silver roses, and of course, I wore lots of goth jewelry, fangs, purple hair, and sparkly makeup.
The following weekend, for the PEERS Bal des Vampyres, I wore the red side of the bodice out, also with the black chemise gown, but now with red and black jewelry and makeup, black hair, and a batty tiara.
