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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
I must be strange! I know the classic way to get access to the control stick with a hard figure is to cut a slit in the back of the clothes. It's been done that way for decades.
But somehow I could never seem to get myself to take scissors to those shirts and tops! I always leave the back of the shirt out, and simply reach in through the bottom,. Works perfectly for me. Am I alone, or just plain weird?" Anybody else out there who has shunned years of tradition and done it this way?
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
A sweater or jacket I don't always cut, but for the most part, I cut the opening.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
CaptKirk Loyal user 263 Posts |
Ditto to what blueshawk1 said. I have used each method on my vent family. All depends on what they are wearing at the time. Clothes bought at thrift stores, garage sales, and swap meets are usually so inexpensive that cutting a convienence slit in the back is really no big deal. Now that my oldest daughter has become a small business seamstress, I'll probably have her fold and stitch the cut openings to prevent ripping and/or fraying. I PREFER to have a slit because it is way more comfortable and easier to manipulate my figures when one is made. It also keeps the clothes neat and tidy in the front, IMO:o)
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
After reading this, I may even take the plunge someday and try it!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Now it's my turn to say ditto to what CaptKirk said - it does make access and manipulation much easier.
Even if you went out and bought brand new clothes for the figure, it's not like you're buying new clothes for him every day where you're cutting up a lot of new clothes. The only part about it I don't like is that I do sew the edges and the ends so it's neat and doesn't fray, and I'm not especially fond of sewing.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
When I purchase vintage clothing for the antique figures I can't bring mydelf to cut the seam on the back but if the clothing is new then no problem and I use a pinking shear to do the cut which eliminates the cloth from shredding as happens with regular scissors.
Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Bergen made his cuts (or had Charlie's tailor do it I guess) more toward the left, kind of hidden along a seam. I think I'll try this. I too hem up cuts in the clothing. I think, for myself, a cut is important to smooth access, since I don't usually have Henry out when I go onstage. I want a smooth and quick move from suitcase to mic, no fumbling with clothing.
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-04 22:33, marshalldoll wrote: Hmmmm. I just now remembered. In sewing stores you can buy a liquid no-fray solution. Wonder if that would work?
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
Bergen also designed his figures body so that the opening was on the side. Bodies were cast in fiberglass. The opening was not central to the back of the body. He did in fact use a tailor to do all his outfits for the figures and the seams were flawless and could not be seen when his hand was not inside. Not a problem when you have the kind of funds Mr Bergen had. Also he had the movie studios to help pay for costuming.
Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Yeah. The thought of hiring a tailor is way beyond my meager means!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Steve at The Dummy Shoppe Elite user 479 Posts |
Doug:
I checked with JET on this one. Once you make the cut, just carefully work around the entire edge with a "whip stitch" making sure to do three or four stitches across both the top and the bottom of the opening for extra strength. (By whip stitch, I mean start with your needle on the inside - push it through the fabric, then whip around and circle back inside. All the needle penetrations will come from the inside.) This technique binds the fabric even more effectively then pinking shears. Steve http://www.thedummyshoppe.com |
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Look at that, I was doing it right. That's the way I do mine including the stitches on the top and the bottom.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Last week I received my new figure Dan; he was new to me, but a used figure purchased on eBay; and he wore a very old and outdated turtleneck shirt and stained pants with no shoes.
We went shopping for a new outfit, I took him into the store where I purchase my clothes; the salespeople treated Dan just as they have treated me and thought he was very cute. Dan even flirted with the women in the store, just as I have always done. Dan now wears brand new Ralph Lauren with the large pony on his sweater. he looks 1000% nicer I have not had the courage to cut the shirt and sweater, so I slip my hand under the back and so far it works for me. The tailor sewing the seams in the back is a very good idea, perhaps I will do that as well. Thanks for the great tip. |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Buzz, I'm breaking decades of tradition by doing that, ya' know. I'm a maverick
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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