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Roxanne Rodriguez Portfolio

The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of a Costume: Creating a Dress Replica for Minnie Mouse

4/13/2023

1 Comment

 
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Minnie Mouse Dress Replica by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, 2023.
Today I would love to share with you a recent project that I completed for a very special client… the fashionably famous, Mrs. Minnie Mouse! 
The Old Dress
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Minnie Mouse Dress- Original Costume, Princess Party People
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Minnie Mouse Dress- Original Costume, Princess Party People
The Minnie Mouse character at Princess Party People, had a lovely pink polka dot dress that had become too dingy and worn out for her to make appearances in. The dress was perfect in size and in color, but the fabric needed retiring.

I was hired by the Princess Party People team to make a dress replica. The original dress was dropped off by their staff, and I then recreated a new dress, mimicking the old dress as precisely as possible! 


Here is a behind the scenes look at the process:
Deconstruction
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Deconstruction of a Costume: Pieces of the Old Minnie Mouse Dress
To recreate a new dress using an existing dress as a template, I first deconstruct the old dress seam by seam. As I remove each portion, I make written notes and technical sketches in my workbook. These notes will be very helpful to me when I reconstruct the new dress! 
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My Sewing Projects Planner is a great notebook to compile all of my notes and technical sketches.
Pattern Drafting 
After the old dress is deconstructed, I trace the old fabric pieces onto paper for the pattern rough draft. I use rulers and measurements to create straight lines, crisp edges, and symmetry. Once the paper patterns are drafted, I can cut out the new material. 
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Drafted Patterns are the final outcome of tracing the old dress fabric onto paper. I then use rulers to straighten lines and curves, as well as to verify symmetry.
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The new fabric is cut using the newly drafted paper pattern.
Reconstruction
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The new fabric: cut and prepped. Ready for assembly!
Here are a few photos of the old dress pieces next to the new pieces as I begin the reconstruction portion of this project: 
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A sleeve of odd proportions!
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Polka Dots and Satin Stitching!
The New Dress 
Like a puzzle nearing completion, the new Minnie Mouse dress begins to take shape. 
Before long, an old, tired dress is replaced by a new ready-to-mingle version! 
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The NEW Minnie Mouse Dress!
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The Old Minnie Mouse Dress (pictured left) and The New Minnie Mouse Dress (pictured right).
These types of projects are very fun for me, as I love using a variety of my skills when I am working! 
If you have any older clothes or costumes you would like to have reconstructed, send me a message with your ideas! 

You can read more about past costume projects of mine by clicking any of the article links below! 

Thank you for reading! Have a great day! 
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Contact Princess Party People to book your favorite character at your next event!
Related Links: 
Creating Youth Costumes for the P.R.O.U.D. Modesto Girl's Dance Group 
Re-Creating a 1920's Look... with Make-Up!
Parrot Couture
An Interview with my First Sewing Student! 
1 Comment
Wedding spray tans link
6/23/2023 12:24:45 am

Thanks for sharing! Very good Informative and useful! Keep up the great work.

Reply



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    Author

    Hello Readers! Welcome to my Blog! I am Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, a Fashion Designer from Northern California. I love all things Fashion, particularly historical fashion! Join me, as I take you around Northern California, covering fashion events and related topics!

    Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising.

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  • Home
  • About
  • Fashion Design
    • On the Runway...
    • Collections & Design Projects
    • Custom Formal Wear
    • Costume Design
  • Art & Illustrations
  • Alteration & Re-Design Services
  • Oils Right Now All Natural Lip Balm
  • In the Media
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Order Now
  • Contact Us