CURTAINS, doona covers and yoga mats are being re-purposed as Victorian era costumes as preparations for Sheffield's annual SteamFest heat up.
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As a steampunk artisan Cookie Jansen is a firm believer that you don't have to break the bank to make a costume as she does for fellow members of Those Live Action Role Play Guys with costumes coming in at $20.
For this year's SteamFest from March 7 to 9 she is encouraging everyone to get into the spirit.
"Don't stress and just have fun with it," she said.
The festival adds a new element each year and this time it is parasol dueling.
Mark Beach-Ross said it will be an introduction to dueling which works like a game of paper scissors rock before a championship is held in 2021.
"We like to introduce something new each year and it is about creating a level of interest and getting people interested in the past and maybe making their own parasols," he said.
There are incentives for dressing up with a best dressed competition each day as well as free entry for children under 16 who come in costume and $5 off tickets for adults.
"The idea this year is to encourage people to dress up in steampunk or Victoriana and to come along," Mr Beach-Ross said.
"It gets people out of their comfort zone in a comfortable situation.
"If you remember going to an event meeting someone dressed up and you get to talk to them and you get to have your photo taken it sticks a memory in your head and if you have dressed up like we used to."