Motley Costumier - Blog

5 Ways to Style a Clown Suit

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:02:00 +0000

A clown suit isn't just for Halloween—it's a statement piece that can be transformed into many different looks. Whether you love vintage circus aesthetics, whimsical fantasy or dark romantic fashion, here are five ways to style your Motley Costumier clown suit.

1. Classic Pierrot

Create a timeless Pierrot look by pairing your clown suit with a large ruffled collar and simple black/brown boots. Finish with subtle makeup, rosy cheeks, and a tiny heart for an elegant vintage circus style.

2. Rustic pierrot

Pair your clown suit with a fitted harlequin corset, lace-up leather boots, and a dramatic ruffled collar for a timeless Rustic Pierrot look. The natural cotton fabric and earthy accessories create a romantic, old-world aesthetic that's perfect for photoshoots, Renaissance fairs, fantasy festivals, or anyone who loves vintage circus fashion.

3. Modern ringmaster

Inspired by old traveling circuses, this look pairs a handmadecotton clown suit with a classic black hat, leather belt, striped socks and vintage boots. It's a simple styling idea that transforms the suit into a charming ringmaster-inspired outfit while preserving its soft, romantic aesthetic. Comfortable, timeless, and full of character.

4. Enchanted forest clown

Bring the magic of the forest to life by pairing your handmade clown suit with a whimsical mushroom hat and a jester collar. This playful combination transforms the outfit into a charming fairytale character while keeping the natural, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Complete the look with leather lace-up boots and soft, earthy accessories for an unforgettable woodland style.

5. Timeless pierrot

Embrace the beauty of simplicity with a classic jester collar and vintage leather boots. Without additional accessories, the handmade clown clown suit becomes the star of the outfit, offering an effortlessly elegant look inspired by traditional Pierrot and vintage circus performers. A versatile style that's perfect for photoshoots, festivals, and anyone who appreciates understated theatrical fashion.

Find Your Perfect Style

Your clown suit is just the beginning. Explore our collection of handmade corsets, mushroom hats, jester collars and bloomers to create a look that's entirely your own. Whether you're dressing for Halloween, a Renaissance fair, a fantasy photoshoo, or simply embracing your love of clowncore fashion, you'll find pieces designed to be mixed, matched, and worn again and again.

Ready to create your own magical look? Browse the MotleyCostumier collection and start styling today.

Complete this look with:

How to Make a Simple Neck Ruffle | Easy DIY Sewing Tutorial

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:45:00 +0000

A gathered neck ruffle is one of those accessories that instantly transforms a simple outfit into something theatrical, romantic, or vintage-inspired. Whether you're creating a Pierrot costume, a clown ensemble, a Renaissance look, or a whimsical fantasy outfit, this simple sewing project is quick to make and requires only basic sewing skills.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how I create my simple neck ruffle using cotton fabric, bias tape and a ribbon - short video tutorial below.

Materials You'll Need

3 cotton fabric strips (21.5 cm × 76.5 cm / 8½ × 30 in)
2 cm (¾ in) cotton bias tape
Ribbon or cotton cord
Sewing machine
Serger(or zigzag stitch)
Iron
Large needle (darning needle)

Step 1 – Cut the Fabric

Cut three cotton fabric strips, each measuring 21.5 cm wide and 76.5 cm long.

These three pieces will become one continuous strip.

Step 2 – Sew the Strips Together

Place the fabric strips right sides together and sew the short ends together with serger.

Once sewn, you'll have one long fabric strip.

Step 3 – Finish the Edges

Overlock all four edges of the long strip.

This gives the ruffle a clean finish while keeping the fabric lightweight and soft.

Step 4 – Fold and Press

Fold the strip lengthwise in half and press it with an iron.

This creates a crisp center crease that will act as your guide in the next step.

Open the fabric back up.

Step 5 – Sew the Bias Tape

Lay the 2 cm cotton bias tape directly over the pressed center crease.

Sew along both long edges of the bias tape, creating a tunnel through the middle of the fabric.

Be careful not to sew the ends of the tunnel closed, as you'll need an opening for the ribbon or cord.

Step 6 – Tidy the Threads

Use a large needle to weave in all loose thread ends for a clean, professional finish.

Step 7 – Insert the Ribbon or Cord

Use darning needle and thread the ribbon/cord through the tunnel created by the bias tape.

Pull it all the way through until it extends from both ends.

Step 8 – Gather the Ruffle

Pull both ends of the ribbon or cord until the fabric gathers evenly.

Adjust the fullness to fit comfortably around your neck, then tie the ribbon or cord into a bow or knot.

Your simple neck ruffle is finished!

Create Your Own

This simple neck ruffle can be styled with Pierrot costumes, Victorian clothing, clown outfits, fantasy characters, Renaissance garments, and theatrical costumes.

If you'd rather skip the sewing, I also create handmade neck ruffles and costumes in my Motley Costumier shop, each crafted in my sewing studio in Latvia.

Happy sewing! ✂️🤍

How to Sew a Fleece Dinosaur Tail (Free PDF Pattern + Video Tutorial)

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 20:03:00 +0000

Hi!

Welcome to my web page and my first blog and my very first tutorial :)

I wanted to share with you how I made my first dinosaur tails - it is simple scanned pdf pattern and very simple video tutorial.

For this DIY project you will need these main things:

Fleece fabric ( 2 colors - one for the tail, other for the spikes);

Velcro;

Silicone filling

and all other things for sewing - sewing machine, thread, scissors, etc.

Seam allowance is included - 1 cm.

Get the Free Dinosaur Tail Pattern

To follow this tutorial, download the free dinosaur tail PDF sewing pattern from my webshop.

👉Dino_tail_PDF.pdf

The pattern is:

Easy to print at home (print Actual scale 100%)
Beginner-friendly
Reusable for future projects

Step-by-Step: How to Sew a Dinosaur Tail

Step 1 – Cut Your Fabric

Place your pattern pieces on the fleece fabric and cut out the tail shape. Cut spikes from a contrasting fabric for a more playful look.

Step 2 – Prepare the Spikes

Sew the spikes right sides together, turn them out. Arrange the spikes along one side of the tail. You can baste or pin them in place to keep everything aligned while sewing.

Step 3 – Sew the Tail

Place the two tail pieces right sides together, sandwiching the spikes in between. Sew around the edges, leaving a small opening for turning and stuffing.

Step 4 – Sew the waist bands
Sew the waist bands and baste them in the middle of the tail. Pin the tail back circle and sew all around.

Step 5 – Turn and Stuff

Turn the tail right side out through the opening. Gently push out the curves and corners, then fill the tail with stuffing until it reaches your desired shape.

Step 5 – Close and Finish

Close the opening with a invisible stitch by hand.

Styling Ideas – How to Use Your Dinosaur Tail

Kids costume (pair with hoodie)

Halloween costume

Cosplay or themed outfits

Fun photoshoots

Birthday parties

Save & Share This Project

If you make your own dinosaur tail, I’d love to see it!

Save this tutorial for later

Share it with friends

Tag me in your creations #motleycostumier

Video tutorial:

TikTok
Instagram
Facebook

Happy sewing 🦖✨

Elina