Absinthe Fairy Costume

Absinthe received a bad reputation after people were sickened from the green coloring used to give it the glow. The fairy was used to advertise the drink at the height of its popularity. This costume is being worn by my friend who was a good sport to have the 4+ foot wingspan as a hindrance for the evening.
How to: The trick to the wings is creating a pocket where they can be inserted and removed, otherwise it is impossible to travel anywhere in this getup. PVC pipe can be heated and gently shaped to create the wing shape. The corset is boned with a front busk. Boning is necessary to support the corset and the channels that hold the wing tubing. To create the wings I used three layers of material allowing for a cut out for the wing centers. Hoop skirt wire is used for the veins and supports the battery operated LED lights. I used fabric paint to create added definition in the wings. Between the wings I sewed a pocket that matches the print of the corset. It is in this pocket that the battery packs can be inserted. To cover the wire I made a center ornament that is attached to a pop sickle stick and insert to cover the battery packs and extra wire. I wanted the lights to illuminate below. the underskirt is crinoline with pockets to hold the batter pack lights. The lights are then strung to the underskirt. I made an overskirt of opaque velvet to prevent upward illumination. The overskirt is trimmed in beads so that it is heavy and stays in place over the crinoline. in the ruffle of the skirt I inserted green tube lighting that not only added a glow but acted as a stiffener to the ruffle. I circle cut the green fabric and rolled edge finished it on the serger to create the "hanging" vines from below. This is not an expensive costume to make provided you can find the fabric at discount. To save on boning buy the spring coil which can be easily cut with a $12 pair of bolt cutters. Duct tape is just fine for bone ends.