How to Decorate Mardi Gras Tuxedo Coats
Mardi Gras is a French-American celebration that defines a part of the culture of New Orleans. Though Mardi Gras is only one day, residents celebrate for more than a week with parades, floats, beaded necklaces and seasonal cuisine. Parade participants dress up in elaborate costumes, and the general atmosphere encourages revelers to express jubilation with their apparel. Trimming a tuxedo jacket to wear during Mardi Gras requires you look no further than the celebration itself for inspiration. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tuxedo jacket
- Beaded necklace
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Self-affixing gemstones
- Fabric paint pens
- Feathers
- Craft glue
Instructions
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Trim the lapels, collar and front-facing edges of your tuxedo in beads. Beaded necklaces in Mardi Gras colors --- purple, gold and green --- are the most ubiquitous feature of the celebration. Line parallel rows of each color side-by-side on the lapels and edges. Stitch over the strings that hold the beads. Sew by hand and make stitches at regular intervals measured in beads. For example, stitch over the necklace strings after every 10 beads.
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Affix crystals and gemstones to the jacket. Apply self-adhesive gems in place of beads, or add small, glittering clusters throughout the jacket. Remove the crystals from the acetate sheet. Press them to the desired spot on the jacket.
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Paint your name, Mardi Gras imagery or other flourishes across the back of the jacket. Use fabric paint pens for maximum control and a thin application. Write your name or the name of your Krewe across the material. Sketch a mask or a street scene.
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4
Cover the jacket tails in feathers. Use craft glue to affix the quill to the fabric. Arrange the feathers along the bottom hem so that they extend beyond the edge of the jacket. Stitch the feathers on, if you prefer.
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