Carnival and New Year costumes: holographic, lurex, disco

A New Year party, a carnival, a school play: a costume has to sparkle and still be comfortable to move and dance in. Here are the fabrics that give the most effect and why, looks that are easy to sew from them, how much fabric to buy, and how to work with metallic fabrics so the costume does not chafe and lasts more than one party.

Three fabrics for sparkle

• Holographic shimmers in all rainbow colours depending on the light: snowflakes, fairies, stars, space and ice looks.
• Disco gives a mirror metallic shine: robots, knights, aliens, pop stars, accent inserts.
• Lurex has a softer sparkle and drapes better: princesses, queens, party dresses and capes.

All three are stretch fabrics, so a costume from them fits close and does not restrict movement.

Why they sparkle differently

All three are based on stretch knit; the difference is in how the shine is applied. Holographic fabric has a metallic coating with a fine relief on the surface: it splits light into colours like a CD, so the fabric shimmers like a rainbow and changes shade with the angle. Disco has a smooth mirror coating: it reflects light in one stream, so the shine is bright and metallic, especially under stage lights. In lurex it is not a coating that shines but a fine metallic yarn knitted into the fabric itself: light scatters across many threads, and the fabric glitters softly instead of dazzling.

That explains how they handle: the coating of holographic and disco fabric can crack on sharp folds and dislikes the iron, while lurex behaves like an ordinary knit, only dressier.

How they look on stage and in photos

Under bright stage light disco works best: the mirror coating reflects the spotlights, and the costume is visible from the back row. Holographic fabric is especially good in flash photos and daylight, when every movement changes its shade. Lurex wins in ordinary room lighting at a home or nursery party: it sparkles delicately and does not turn into a blown-out patch in pictures. For a photo shoot, pair shiny fabric with matte biflex in the same colour: the contrast of textures gives the look more depth.

Costume ideas

A full euro mesh skirt can be sewn in an evening: step by step in our guide.

How much fabric to buy

Our knit fabrics are 150 cm wide. Guide amounts for typical costume pieces:

The chart in our biflex article helps work out a leotard more precisely: the amounts for holographic and disco are the same, as it is the same stretch knit.

A costume in an evening: a cape

The simplest piece that instantly turns everyday clothes into a costume is a cape. It needs no pattern and suits a queen, a knight, a star or a wizard.

1. Cut a rectangle: one and a half to two shoulder widths wide (80-100 cm for a child), and as long as you want the cape from the shoulders down.
2. Gather the top edge with two rows of stitching to the width of the shoulders, about 25-35 cm for a child.
3. Sew a ribbon or a strip of the same fabric to the gathered edge, leaving ends to tie, or attach the cape to the shoulders of a dress with snaps.
4. The knit edges need no finishing: stretch fabrics do not fray.

For a child it is better to fasten the cape with snaps or a hook-and-loop tape, not to tie it at the neck: that is safer.

Working with metallic fabrics

• A new jersey or stretch needle: the coating blunts needles fast, and a blunt needle cuts the knit.
• Stretch seams: zigzag or a stretch stitch, as the costume is pulled when put on. To sew without an overlocker, see our separate article.
• Do not iron on the right side: the metallic coating can melt. If needed, iron on the wrong side through a cloth at the lowest temperature.
• Lining for children: the wrong side of metallic fabrics can be a little stiff. For a child's costume, line the parts that touch the skin with soft biflex.
• Cut in one direction: holographic and disco reflect light differently, and pieces cut in different directions can look like different shades.
• Pins only in the seam allowance: pins leave holes in the coating, so pin only where the seam will go, or hold pieces with clips.

Fastenings and trims

Sew-on snaps are handy for a child's costume: the child changes quickly without help. Gold or silver-look buttons finish a knight or queen look. A belt for a queen or a pirate is easy to make with a buckle: we explain how to fit it on a strap in «How to thread a strap through a buckle and slider».

Accessories from offcuts

• Crown or tiara: a strip of disco or holographic fabric on a firm base of card or felt.
• Sleeves and cuffs: knit rectangles sewn into rings stretch and stay up by themselves.
• Bow or headband: euro mesh offcuts gathered in the middle and sewn onto elastic.

Comfort and safety

Metallic fabrics breathe poorly, so for active children use them as accents or over biflex rather than for the whole costume. Finish seams so the allowances do not rub the skin, and leave room at the neck and wrists. Avoid long cords and ties at the neck: more in «Buttons and snaps on children's clothes».

Caring for the costume

Hand-wash a holographic or disco costume in cool water with a mild detergent, without rubbing or wringing. Dry it laid flat, away from radiators and direct sun. Store it on a hanger or loosely rolled: the metallic coating can crack on sharp folds.

Frequently asked questions

Can holographic fabric go in the washing machine?

Hand washing is better: rubbing in the drum and spinning gradually wear the coating off, and it starts to crack at the folds.

How do I stop the costume chafing?

Add a biflex lining where the fabric touches the skin and make sure the seams are smooth.

Which fabric for a first costume?

Lurex is the easiest to work with: it behaves like an ordinary knit and does not mind pins. Once you feel confident, move on to holographic and disco, starting with small inserts.

When to order

Popular colours sell out before the holidays. Fabrics are cut to order from 1 m in 0.5 m steps and shipped by Nova Poshta within 1-2 days after availability and payment are confirmed. Order early so you have time to sew and fit the costume.