Cora Vette & the VaVaVettes – the Biggest D.I.Y. EVER!

©NOLAPUS Photography 2013 Cora Vette and the VaVaVettes – The Biggest D.I.Y. EVER! By: Cora Vette Hi Pin Curl readers! It has been a few months since I have had the chance to write one of my D.I.Y. columns, and this is why…I had the chance to put together a line for the Viva Las Vegas Fashion Show in Las Vegas. I am just now coming up for air and wanted to share my experience with you. A few... [Read more]

DIY Zippers

DIY Zippers Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom fashions. Zip Your Lip! – Cora Vette’s secret (well not anymore) way of making zippers easy! Zippers are a mainstay in any burlesque dancer’s wardrobe. Hidden zippers for that surprise removal or a separating zipper for... [Read more]

DIY Dye

DIY – Dyeing for Something Different? Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom fashions.   I can only sew for so long. This month I am going to feature custom dyeing. When you are a crafty gal/performer/crazy person, you tend to pick up things you think you might need in the... [Read more]

DIY Gauntlet Gloves

Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom fashions. I am turning 40. There, I said it. I have to say, I feel pretty damn good about it! This is about the time when many women start lying about their age. I thought about it, and decided, damn, I’m fabulous and 40. Why would I not want... [Read more]

DIY Pencil Skirt

DIY One Hour Pencil Skirt Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom fashions. This D.I.Y. will show you how to make a pencil skirt in under one hour and all you need are very basic sewing skills. If you can sew a zig-zag stitch, you can make this pencil skirt! First, you will need stretch... [Read more]

DIY – Shrug

DIY Shrug Beloved Emcee and costume goddess Cora Vette, owner of Denver’s one stop burlesque shop VaVa Vette, gives us the lowdown on how to create your own custom shrug. I love corsets. I live for them. I love to make them. I love what they do for my figure. I do NOT love what happens to my armpits when I wear them. If you are a curvy gal, you know what I am talking about. So, I started making... [Read more]

VaVaVette DIY – Buying Vintage Patterns

D.I.Y. by Cora Vette – Buying Vintage Patterns I can write this column in one sentence. Do NOT buy patterns by dress size, buy patterns by bust measurement. – The end. Over the years, as our sizes have increased, dress sizes have decreased. Call it a matter of marketing. 1940′s dress pattern I always knew that vintage pattern sizes were different than contemporary sizes, but, it wasn’t... [Read more]

DIY: Fascinator

Congrats to Silver Kitsune of Charlotte, North Carolina, who won First Place in our recent DIY contest with this Fascinator Project! How to make a professional looking fascinator: The word “fascinator” has recently come into the public consciousness due to certain royal hijinks revolving around horse races and weddings. Worn instead of a hat, the modern fashion world has taken to reviving the... [Read more]

DIY: Hats for Men

We found this amazing video on ThreadBanger on making a hat block (or mold) to use to make an amazing custom hat on the cheap!  Whether you are looking for a classic Fedora, Bowler, or Pork Pie- this video will show you how! Don’t see video above? Click HERE Want to make a FEZ instead? Things You’ll Need • 5-inch-square piece of felt • 7-inch-high rectangle of felt of a length that... [Read more]

Make a Mini Top Hat

How to Make a Basic Mini Top Hat from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit Top hats are a easy way to add a sophisticated look to a dull outfit. With just a few simple items you may already have laying around the house you can make a cute accessory. This is a basic hat so you can decorate it to your taste. Steps Trace the CD onto the cardboard. One will be the bottom base of... [Read more]