Donkey Kong Dress Mod Version 1 & 2

I modified an old Donkey Kong tshirt into something that I preferred to wear.
Modifying a regular ol' Donkey Kong tshirt into a more interesting outfit consisting of a more effeminate top and matching skirt.
Went to a few events wearing it, the Ohm video game music and visual event at Chicago Cultural Center, a Mindless Self Indulgence concert, and clubbing at Neo in September of 2007.

There are 2 versions.
Version 1 is the tshirt with mesh net raglan sleeves and mesh net windows.
Version 2 is the tshirt with satin bias tape boat neckline with ladder straps.
And the skirt has a see-through red level and ladder.

Eventually would like to rework on it in the future with better seaming and more decorations.
Due to this perfectionism, I was reluctant to put this on Instructables.
Wasn't sure whether to make it a slideshow or step-by-step guide. Since I already have most of the notes and pics and this was on my old Picasa account months ago, might as well transfer it here.

This Instructable is the barebones version with detailed comments.
The extended photo heavy version is in my Flickr set.
http://flickr.com/photos/anni_roc/sets/72157604102054781/

I hope you will enjoy this Instructable, it may have a goofy tone because it took a while to put it together and it took more time than I expected, just like many projects do.

Step 1 The original tshirt and skirt.

The original tshirt bought from Target a while back. I always felt uncomfortable about wearing it because it's such a boring top, with exception to it being a Donkey Kong tshirt of course. It's not available anymore sadly, cannot find it online.

Found a $3 skirt from Ragstock, no way I'm gonna buy it from American Apparel.
Need the funds for sewing notions and trims.

Comments

[Dim-1]

GREAT INSTRUCTABLE!!!! My GF would love this!!! You're cool, I'm not !!!

[Ward_Nox]

cool! now do a tetris dress/shirt

[corinna.anni.roc]

Already ahead of ya ;-) Made sketches a while back probably even earlier than this outfit. The problem is time and materials.

[SWV1787]

neat idea very 8-bit retro. I like it

[corinna.anni.roc]

Thank you. Always respect your roots in gaming. :)

[Tobita]

if only i can find a life (Conway's) t-shirt, with animating beehives(they're my favorite machines)

[canida]

That's awesome!
I love all the ladder & window details. Too bad the shirt isn't available... I'll have to find something equally cool to try this with.

Thanks for including the "oops, this didn't work so I did this instead" info. Very useful for the rest of us.

[corinna.anni.roc]

My mistakes, your gains. Someone's gotta be first on the dancefloor to make a fool of themselves. I hope that the methods for creating the mesh window in the tshirt will inspire others to make pretty neat holes in their tshirts too. It seemed to be the most enjoyable part of the project because the results were great. Thank you for your comments.

[canida]

Someone's gotta be first on the dancefloor to make a fool of themselves.
I'm a likely candidate. ;) Might as well look awesome when you do.

Did you find the mesh windows helped with ventilation at all? Were they scratchy when you get all sweaty dancing? (Form + function, you know.)

[corinna.anni.roc]

I didn't notice because I didn't really dance, if anything there was a mosh pit that didn't really form due to insurance restrictions.

Mesh fabric is used a lot in dancewear. There regular mesh and power mesh which is stronger (and more expensive)
This link has a large variety of mesh fabric.
spandex world mesh link

It's a fun fabric, would like to work with it again, especially with a serger.

[canida]

Wow - that's a lot of spandex!
I'll be saving that link for later, thanks. I've been saving up for a serger too. ;)

Insurance restrictions? Bah.

[GorillazMiko]

That's so cool! Imagine it was Super Mario though. :-O

[corinna.anni.roc]

Give me the shirt and I shall alter/mutilate/hack/mod it. There's so many homages to Super Mario, having one less wouldn't hurt. Did someone create a time machine Instructable yet? Would like to freeze and rewind time so I can finish this project and others. Thanks again for commenting on my Instructables.

[1up]

That's not Baby Blue, it's Orphan Blue, the saddest of all blues... :P Very nice idea, great execution, really like the result. :D +1 rating.

[corinna.anni.roc]

Would you like me to mail a sample of the elastic for verification with a spectrometer as to what kind of blue? J/K ;-) I'm still torn whether to keep the bright elastic for its prominence or switch to a satin ribbon for the ladder to match the neckline. Thank you for your rating :)

[TangMu]

this is excellent

[Brennn10]

Wow this looks great. Great instructions as well!

[corinna.anni.roc]

Thank you, it's my first complicated Instructable from project to documentation. Was going a little nuts and I wanted to work on other projects but wanted to show this baby too.