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Materials for Costumes
For masks and back-packs (the harnesses and frames used to support wings and tall head-pieces).
Cling Film
For covering frames prior to addition of tissue paper. Cheapest from catering suppliers.
Fabrics
Plain white cotton fabrics (untreated) for Batik work, printing and tie dyeing; Batik waxes and dyes; also plastic bottles for applying paste-resists, all are also available for NES Arnold.
Feathers, sequins and fancy trimmings and raffia
Local haberdashers; theatrical costumiers; carnival and costume novelty shops: consult local yellow pages. Also local markets: Brixton, Ridley Road, Dalston. NES Arnold and other art and craft suppliers catalogues.
Galvanised Wire
In gauges 2 or 3, very thin wire can be used for binding joints. Chicken wire can be used for building large structures. Flexible wire coat hangers can also be employed. Wire and sculptors materials (including MODROC) Alec Tiranti Ltd, 27 Warren Street, London. W1P 5DG 020 7636 8565
General Resources
The Resource Book ISBN 0 946513 05 8 from Emblem Books (01923 825 298) or West Herts College, Publications Department (01923 242 531). The Resource Book contains lists of many stockists offering discounts to educational establishments. Recycled Materials Newspapers, paper off-cuts, cardboard tubes, boxes and egg boxes; clear plastic bottle tops, curtain rings, wool and fabrics; net curtains, netting bags, discarded car seat covers (wooden beads), and beaded curtains; tin foil containers, wire coat hangers, old film canisters, buttons, ribbons and string; plastic bottles for shakers and maracas; circular containers for drums.
Gumstrip Brown
sticky backed tape is essential for covering some structures, especially willow; and masking tape for making joins.
Hessian or Nylon Webbing
For back-pack straps. Strips of soft fabric or foam piping will be needed to line some pieces. Wire, foam, webbing from haberdashers, hardware and DIY stores. Foam piping from plumbing suppliers.
PVA Glue
For sticking card and paper. When mixed with water provides a good varnish. Also provides some degree of waterproofing for structures when applied in between layered sheets of tissue paper. It provides an opaque but strong covering for frames or for drum skins. Gumstrips, glues, paints, paper, card from NES Arnold, Educational Suppliers, Nottingham.
Specialist textiles suppliers
Candle Makers Suppliers (for Batik supplies), Blythe Road, Olympia. Hays Colours (for larger quantities of dyes), Glengall Road, Peckham. 020 7639 2020 Selectascene Senographics for polyprint dyes. 020 8467 8544
Scrap Schemes
Will provide a range of materials for schools and community groups. Usually requiring a yearly subscription. In South London, Creative Supplies, 10A Victoria Wharf, Grove Street, Deptford. 020 8691 6006 & 020 7701 5707. Also cs@london-recycling.demon.co.uk. and Wandsworth Scrap Scheme at Wandsworth Professional Centre, Franciscan Road, London SW17. In North London: Children's Scrap Project, 137 Homerton High Street, London E9 6AS. Tel. 020 8985 6290 Fax. 020 8533 6617
Willow Wands
When wet (soak overnight if possible) wands will become very flexible and can be bent into the shape to form the frames for various elements of costume designs and can be secured with ordinary masking tape. Jacob, Young and Westbury, J. Y. W. House, Bridge Road, Haywards Heath, Sussex. 01444 412411