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Vollans_Magic New user Kitchener ON Canada 10 Posts |
As of right now, I have modified a pair of pants to have....
-A built in "self tying shoelace" gimmick -A toppit pad below the back left pocket -A pocket for quick load/ditch of a thumb tip -Double compartments in both the back pockets -An internal pocket to hold an M5 Magnet above the left knee I have a few more ideas for how to modify these pants. I only wear them when doing paid gigs, as they aren't much fun to wear as "everyday" wear. My question is, do you have any modified clothing for performing? What are the modifications? Did you find it worth the effort of designing and building it? |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Sounds too complicated ... Do you need all of those to perform?
This what I wear for smart or restaurant work. When looking for trousers I try to buy ones with two rear pockets. I also prefer a TT sized pocket near the top if the right front trouser pocket. On my belt I have a pouch that holds a magnet etc. this is hidden by my jacket. Inside my suit jacket, I like three pockets inside the left side to hold wallet, pens and pack of cards. The outside pockets are pretty plain but I have tried out a Peter Samelson template/gimmick that keeps the pocket open and catches a TT. Being honest though my best advice is to have only two tricks per pocket. And leave all personal stuff (real wallet, phone, coins and keys) elsewhere. That way things are easy to find without any chance of you spending your real coinage.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Bluesman Special user Florida 567 Posts |
Yes, I been doing this for around 30 years. My jackets has about 25 pockets for cards coins, a wand and other things.
My pants has pockets right where my finger tips rest on my legs. I even do my hats. Emmett |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Altering cloths is only useful if you have a specific purpose for the alterations. Just having a lot of custom pockets does little good if there is no specific purpost for their use. What good is to have altered cloths if you stop doing tricks or stop using items they were installed for. Most magicians do the same tricks for a lifetime, but they usually do not realize this until after a lifetime.
Now why did I buy all those new ticks, can't remember. LOL |
Bluesman Special user Florida 567 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 16, 2014, Bill Hegbli wrote: I'm 60 years old and I still do about 80% of  what I did back in the day. Over the years I did buy a new jacket now and then to keep up with the times. I do my own alterations so that I know it's done right. As I add or subtract from my act I redesign my jacket to meet my needs. My custom pockets all has special purpose to this day. Emmett |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Bluesman, thanks for your response, but I was only responding to the original post question. I did not respond to your post/comments at all. It sounded like sensible thinking. Sorry, if you thought I was in any way speaking to your post or comments. I'm 67 and still do a trick or two from youth. They play so well, and I have honed them to perfection for maximum audience enjoyment.
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Nick W Special user 515 Posts |
Tailoring is a beautiful wonderful art. If you ever meet a creative tailor, KEEP HIM/HER! If an alteration works well for you than why not use it? Something like a double pocket adds virtually zero bulk to the garment, but it aids in pocket management which helps an overall performance.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Doc. Tarbelll was a practicing nudist! He often worked the nudist camps along the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan. The magicians at the old Wizard Club would ask him, "Doc! Where do you pin your pull?"
When I started my assembly program in a high school, I had an opening line: "Magicians are always under suspicion! I'll just remove the jacket." This got a little reaction. Then, I would say: "Don't panic! That's as far as I go!" That, got a laugh! --And, those students who had been expecting "Uncle George would show them some tricks", now sat up and, I could start the show! I always enjoyed the elementary ages, they were so easy to entertain, but, the high schools offered a challenge. It was such a great feeling to "score" with them. The fun part, for me, was that I did, with few exceptions, the SAME TRICKS! I just changed the presentation a bit, and used high school vocabulary!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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abrell Loyal user Remscheid, Germany 284 Posts |
There are much more possible and very useful pockets:
1. pockets under the lapels (both sides) great for billets and very small items 2. extra pockets in the vest - upper pockets like in a jacket but both sides 3. extra pocket in the vest for BAT or silk that can be pulled out 4. one extra pice of cloth sewn to the double front trouser pockets - this piece of cloth can be pulled out to show there is nothing in the pocket....you get something out of your pocket by showing the pocket empty!!! 5. pocket in the back of the vest like a profonde disguised by the strap and buckle 6. pockets between garment and lining of the jacket that open downwards - these pockets store holders that cannot be detected when you open the jacket 7. a tunnel from jacket breast pocket to outer left pocket that directly loads a small object in a Coin in Nest 8. inner vest pockets to store money, passport, driving licence, mobile phone and car key so that the other pockets can be used for magical purposes 9. a special poket for Card in Wallet - you need a more diagonal position for easier loading, a normal inner jacket pocket is not so comfortable and angle proof 10. small pockets for magnets to ditch metal objects - very good behind your leg just where the hand rests when you let it drop. Within trousers magnets should be fastened to the lining or the under trousers only. 11. Very small pockets in the side seam of the trousers - for ditching a coin. |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
My costumes all have specialized pockets for specific needs.
My mentor, Jim Swoger, had several suits made with double English pockets in the front of the pants. This allowed him to use his pockets like change bags. One effect was to mske two different colored silks change sides. Here's a good one: Toward the end of the Great Depression Jim produced an illusion show fundraiser where the hook was seeing a man produce 10,000 (ten thousand) dollars right on stage, live, in person. THAT was a good reason to spend 0.35 cents for an adult ticket and see the show. (Children under twelve paid a grand total of 0.25 cents). One night after the tear-down a Down N Out man approached Jim outside the back stage door, holding a gun, and timidly asked for all the money. Jim pulled-out 4 pants pockets (two front and 2 back), He said "I'm so sorry, but the money is in the car that's leaving the parking lot right now". In reality, the fake 10,000 (stage money) was in his right front pocket (second, rear pocket) and the 85.00 in cash (from ticket sales) was in the left front pocket (second, rear pocket) and the car that was leaving the parking lot belonged to a complete stranger Jim then told the man holding the gun that he (Jim) would say a prayer and wished him better luck in the future. The man holding the gun told Jim how sorry he was and he didn't usually act that way, then put the gun away and made an exit, stage left. ------- That's a true story. Jim printed the money himself and got in a lot of trouble when an assistant passed some.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Great story Jay.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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markschou New user Boston, MA 30 Posts |
I have a modified jacket, with toppit, a few pulls mainly for a sharpie and "perrier with a twist". I am looking for ideas on a few extra pockets for decks of cards, throughout my night of performing in a club I have to switch decks (sometimes mid routine). It would also be nice to have a hold out for the omni deck... Anyone else using a holdout for deck of cards that might work nicely with omni deck? I don't want it to slip out or get all wrecked from scratching metal on it constantly.
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Tukaram Loyal user Iloilo, Philippines 227 Posts |
The only real alteration I have done is to add vest pockets. I have a black "silk" vest that had fake pocket slits. I opened them up and added a pocket. From the front they are regular pockets, not quite deep enough for a deck of cards. But on the inside they both extend up about 10 inches and widen as they go up - kind of deformed topits. The top and outside long edge are unattached and I used wire in them to allow me to keep them open as I need. Now I can toss things at my nipple and it ends up in the pocket. I was concerned with how big the pockets are but even with wearing the vest open - no one has busted me yet. They are far enough in, and the same color as the vest so they are not visible, although they seem huge to me... my big belly hides the pockets ha ha
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
I generally don't use any altered clothing. However, I agree with Bill Hegbli. I have a jacket that has a chute that goes from the front outside pocket to the bottom pocket. I use this for one particular routine and it is a key part of the routine. I can do the routine without it, but it makes it easier and stronger. Other than that, there are so many great effects that don't require any special clothing, why bother?
KJ |
55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
I frequently wear only a vest and not my jacket when performing. I've added pen pockets for sharpie, deep 'pen' pocket that holds my closeup wand, and inside pockets that will hold either silk or packet tricks. Except for the wand pocket, basically I've fitted my vests with the same pockets you would normally find in a jacket.
At one point I did add little pockets inside my front pants pockets to manage coins when doing either hopping half or CSB, but don't do those much any more. When strolling, I find that Im doing the same few tricks over and over, so not really a lot of need to add pockets beyond what are normal. Hudson. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 5, 2015, jay leslie wrote: I remember when Jim got into that "trouble"! About 1996, I "ran into" Jim, when I was visiting Frank Herman in California. He could still handle the billiard balls!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Scott Horn Elite user Dallas, TX 417 Posts |
I have had a few "magicians" vests in the past, one with a few pockets, one with dozens. Based on my experience, I am having one made with a seamstress I found who is "interested" in this kind of project. Im curious as to your thoughts on this as a generic, commercial design for walk-around, table hoppers, etc.
Pockets are identical, mirror images on each side (ambidexterous). There are several pockets, but only 6 are for accessing items: Two outer breast pockets, Two inner breast pockets, Two large lower pockets each with two small coin pockets within 1) Outer breast pocket on each side sized for a several playing cards, but not a full deck 2) Inner breast pocket on each side sized for a large, gimmicked hip-type wallet. The pocket is angled for easier loading and retrieval 3) The "lower" pockets are like a topit pocket but only one big pouch not designed for use as a topit. Basicically the opening from the outside looks normal, but it accesses a large "pouch." This pouch could be accessed from the inside, but is not designed to be as the vest would be kept buttoned. This design "should" allow you carry a lot of stuff without it showing poorly from the outside 4) Two coin pockets inside each lower "pouch" toward the bottom front. Each could hold sets of coins, gimmicked coins, TT's, etc. and keep them separated within the large pouch pocket 5) A small pocket on each side at the bottom side of the vest specifically for a magnet to accomodate vanishes, ditching, etc 6) Very small pockets on each inside between the buttons, button holes to hold small magenets. This allow quick opening and closing of the vest without working the buttons |
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