For staging a home or summer cottage performance, it is not always possible to select actors whose build would fully correspond to the build of the character. We have to be content with the troupe we have. But a king or a merchant in a play is sometimes needed, regardless of whether there is a well-fed actor among the participants or not. Therefore, it becomes necessary to make a false belly for the character. Most often, an amateur actor simply puts a pillow in the right place and ties it with whatever comes to hand. This, of course, is also a way out. But the "belly" fixed in this way can fall out at the most inopportune moment and disrupt the production.
It is necessary
- - thick sheet foam rubber;
- - fabric for a cover;
- -band or rope:
- -scissors;
- - a large sheet of paper;
- -compass;
- -line;
- -pencil;
- - needles and threads;
- -sewing machine.
Instructions
Step 1
The fake belly is best sewn. It will not take much time, but it can be useful for another character or for a carnival costume. You want your belly to protrude enough and not stick out too much at the sides. Therefore, measure the distance along the hip line from one protruding bone to the other. Take a second measurement from mid-bust to mid-thigh.
Step 2
On a sheet of graph paper, draw a rectangle with the appropriate parameters. Round its short sides. You can do this with a compass. Find the midpoints of the sides and draw semicircles with a half-side radius. You can also do it by hand.
Step 3
Circle the pattern with foam rubber. This is best done with a ballpoint pen. Depending on the thickness of the foam rubber and the build of the character, you can make it lively in one, two or even three layers. Cut out as many details as needed and sew the layers together. It is most convenient to do this with a thick needle and strong thread. You can fasten the foam rubber in several places with any strong stitches.
Step 4
Cut out a cover. For the part of the false belly that will adjoin the actor's body, trace the piece along the wrong side of the fabric with a slight seam allowance. For the outer part, circle the part in the same way, and then add the foam thickness and allowance and circle again. Cut out the details.
Step 5
Fold the cover parts with the wrong side out, baste them together and stitch. Leave one edge open. Unscrew the cover, put the foam rubber there and close the edge with a blind seam.
Step 6
It remains to decide how the belly will hold on to the actor. It is best to attach it in several places. Cut off a piece of cord or tape and make a loop similar to that of an apron. Adjust the size of the cord to fit your belly where you want it.
Step 7
Make a second binding at waist level. Just sew on 2 straps that will tie at the back. You can attach an overhead belly and an elastic band. Take a sufficiently wide elastic band (2.5-3 cm) and sew it on the cover along the waist line. Leave the ends large enough to be sewn into a ring equal to your waist.
