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mindacrossrhino New user 70 Posts |
Hi all
I am new to the world of illusions but am trying to routine a small stage show for my daughter who will shortly be performing in a talent show at her school. I already have a couple of effects in mind (only going to perform a single grand illusion), however am trying to pin down a suitable fabric to use for the manufacture. I'm sure this topic has been posted before, but after a brief search I've been unable to find anything that quite fits the bill, so please excuse me if I'm covering old ground (and if so please merely point me at the correct forum posts). Anyway the criteria I am after are as follows: Obviously needs to look fairly magical/needs to be opaque (cannot guarantee the lighting that will be used)/needs to be light weight (potentially the 'curtain' may need to be lifted at arms length by my 10 year old daughter)/ideally hangs nicely/is relatively inexpensive. Really I am just after pointers on the types of material I should be narrowing my search to as my knowledge of different fabrics is sorely limited. A simple google search throws up far too many options and it is unclear to me what may or may not be suitable (e.g. should I be looking at cottons/silks/velvet etc)? In addition, if anyone knows of any retailers in the UK who may sell suitable fabrics, that too would be very much appreciated. Many thanks Simon |
Tally_NSA Loyal user Essex, UK 222 Posts |
You need to either name or describe the illusion this is for (but don't describe how it is done). What purpose does the material serve?
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mindacrossrhino New user 70 Posts |
Hi, I am still toying with the exact illusion choice (hence not initially naming it), but my current thinking is 'The Escapist' from Andrew Mayne's Secret Illusion Show. For those not familiar it's a transposition type effect akin to Metamorphosis, with the curtain obscuring the moment of change. Primarily fabric needs to obscure what is happening behind it and be light weight to lift up over the head.
May not be the effect we settle on, but the criteria listed above probably still apply to many of the alternatives we may opt for too. Thanks Simon |
Tally_NSA Loyal user Essex, UK 222 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 21, 2016, mindacrossrhino wrote: Lycra is opaque and drapes really well. It is also very cheap. I used to use it for my illusion curtains. |
mindacrossrhino New user 70 Posts |
Thanks for that:-)
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I cannot believe they do not have fabric stores in the UK, just go to a store and browse the material. As long as the school does not require flame retardant material, then just look for a fabric like crape, you may have to sew a lining material to the back for opaqueness.
I suggest you ask your wife, or significant other, as females know about things like this, more then men. This is something that cannot be done on line, you have to go feel and handle the material. Plus they usually have remnants left over on mark down, end of bolt material. |
mindacrossrhino New user 70 Posts |
Thanks for advice. Was really asking the community given my lack of easy access to real world bricks and mortar fabric shops (at least not without significant travel).
My sewing skills are sadly limited (perhaps that should read non existent) so was hoping to avoid backing (besides worried what that may do to the weight as already concerned about my daughter's ability to lift the props over her head). My main concern however has been opaqueness, and I thought others with more experience may have already learnt from their own mistakes and save me having to repeat them:-) I'm not an illusionist so this is all quite new to me, and whilst I want my daughter to have a good a show, not going to spend anywhere near the time and money on this as say I would if it was for my own stage show (hope that doesn't come across like I'm a horrible parent)! Got to see the stage yesterday and there does seem to be a significant level of back lighting (and not convinced we'd be permitted to play with this). Those fabrics I've looked at in person to date do seem quite opaque initially, but not sure how they would fare in this environment. On a positive note found an interesting online company who are currently sending me 5 samples (some are described as opaque, just not sure how reliable those descriptions are). Hopefully one of those may fit the bill. Fingers crossed. |
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