Progress Pictures

I decided to post my current progress pictures in one post so you could see what I’m currently working on.  Every time I get a lot of progress done I’m going to make a recap post like this one.  That way you can easily see where I am with my cosplays.  Enjoy!

First I’ll start off with Vorfeed.  I’m putting her at 50-55% complete.  So far her dress and gloves are done.  I still have to make the shoes and cape.  I also have to style the wig and cast the gems.  I need to get supplies for her forehead markings and neckband.

 

 

My other current project is Akari.  She right between 45 and 50% complete.  I already have the first part of the dress done.  I have yet to finish the second part of the dress and make the fuku, shoes, and glove.  I have to style the wig too.

Vorfeed Update 5

My feathers came in the mail today.  I really like them.  They are really soft and the perfect length for her shoulder feathers.  I still have to get the rest of the feathers for here wigs, but I’m happy that I have these.  ^_^

I have pictures of the feathers and the wig.  I didn’t post pictures of the wig sooner so I’ll post them now.  I love how the feathers add to the costume.  I also love that the wig is the perfect color.  It’s a bit thin so I might add to it, but this is what I have for now.  Enjoy!

Vorfeed Update 4

I finished the second glove.  It looks as good as the first and even better.  I changed the layout of the top ribbon to bunching the lower arm fabric.  The gloves look more like the reference pictures now then before.  In addition, I don’t have to fix the bunching every time I turn around.  I really like how the gloves turned out.  They are still tight and hard to get on and off, but the initial struggle is totally worth getting to wear a pair of awesome gloves.

It’s just under a week till college starts again.  I am totally amazed at how quickly the time passed.  Even though this has been my fastest project to date, it has still taken me a long time, and I have more to do.  I still have to make the boots, cape, wings, and jewels and attach everything.  Not to mention style the wig.  It will probably take me another month to complete Vorfeed since college starts soon. 

I have to wait to finish Vorfeed because I don’t have all of the materials I need yet.  I still have to get the resin and dye for the jewels as well as the feathers for the wings and cape.  I need to get more interfacing too.  I’m having a really hard time deciding what type of resin to purchase, either Easy Cast or the Tap Plastic brand.  Easy Cast seems to be used more within the cosplay community.  It works best for casts no greater than 6 ounces.  The trouble is that Vorfeed’s jewels are at least 8 to 10 ounces each.  I thought of layering the resin, but I don’t know how well that will work.  I know it’s worked for smaller casts for other gem makers and cosplayers, but I don’t know how it would work for jewels of greater magnitude.  I shall look into it more before I actually make my decision.

I have pictures!!!!!!  Top row from left to right: front and back of dress.  Bottom row: my gloves!  I’m so happy with my project.  I really like the bow on the dress and will get a detail picture up next update.

 

Vorfeed Update 3

I finally got my first glove done.  It took me 15 hours, but I finally succeeded.  ~_~  I never knew making a single glove could take so long.  I scrapped my first construction idea just before I started making my glove last night.  Instead of making my own pattern, I decided to modify a premade one I found.  I chose to do so because I realized that tracing my arm myself was harder then anticipated.  So I found my pattern and modified it. 

I modified the pattern easy enough (2 hours) but it took me three tries to get the sizing right.  My seam ripper was very active for the first five hours.  I had to almost completely redo the entire hand.  At first the fingers were to long so I cut them shorter.  Then the fingers were to small and the thumb was too big.  So I scrapped the pattern’s gussets and made my own.  Once that was over, I found that three of the fingers were too big along with the easily annoying thumb.  I was frustrated with the fingers by that time so I switched to the rest of the glove, mainly the ribbon detailing.

I now know that when making gloves ADD THE DETAILING FIRST!!!!  For the sake of your sanity add it first.  It is so not fun to fight with a half made glove hand, that you already mad at, while you wrap it around your knee just so you can get it to ly flat for a few seconds while you fiercely try to not pin your glove to your skin before the glove curls again.  Luckily I only had to do that with the first part of the detailing.  The second part was not nearly as hard or frustrating.  My main problem was trying to get the detailing to look accurate.  Compared to Vorfeed or any anime character for that matter, I have short arms so I had to squish the design without making it look squished.  It turned out quite well.  I even got the bunching to look right!  I love the way the detailing came out.  I might add a few more minor adjustments here and there. 

I was very encouraged over my success with the detailing.  So I sewed up the rest of the glove and tried it on.  To do my delight and amazement, it fit!  I was even able to get the glove on my hand without having to rip any seams out!  I was so happy I seriously spent the next twenty minutes admiring it and wearing it around just for fun.  Once I got the excitement out of my system, I finished the rest of the glove by adding the top puff and fixing the fingers.  The puff was easy enough to make.  I just made an oddly shaped rectangle, added elastic around the top, stuffed it full of tulle, and sewed it to the top of my gloves.  It doesn’t look that puffy, but I’m happy with it.  It looks like the character and goes with the rest of the outfit very well. 

The fingers weren’t that hard to tailor.  It was a bit hard to tailor the glove with one hand while wearing it on the other.  I ended up just estimating the amount to take in and added darts on the inside.  It worked surprisingly well.  I can hardly tell that I added darts to the fingers.  The thumb dart is easier to find though. 

Despite all the trouble and time it took to make the glove, I am extremely pleased with it.  It looks better then I’d hoped.  I can even get it on with a minimal amount of effort too.  Getting it off… well that’s another matter.  Now that the first glove is I just have make the second glove mirror the first.  As best I can that is.

Here’s a picture of my finished glove.  I don’t have any progress pictures though.  I’m going to get them on the second one.  I might even make a tutorial. 

Vorfeed Update 2

The dress is done.  It looks beautiful and twice as good as I thought it would.  I was initially worried that it wouldn’t look right or even recognizable with my modifications, but everything worked out better then planned.  Also I set a new record for dress making, around 21 hours total.  My last record was around 22 to 23 hours total.  ^_^  I keep getting better and faster each time I make a new cosplay.  Practicing perfectly makes a skill even better. 

Now on to the hard part, the gloves.  I have an idea for how to make the pattern work around the non-stretch fabric.  I trace my arm and half my hand.  Then make a separate thumb piece.  I add a seam allowance, cut the pieces out, and sew it all together.  Then I make, cut out, and sew the puffs to the rest of the glove.  It should work.  I’m using a pattern and tutorial to make sure I get the construction and basic shapes right.  I haven’t quite worked out when to add the ribbon detailing.  I don’t know if I should appliqué it on or tack it on after the gloves are done.  Other than that, I have most of my glove problem worked out.  I’m sure it’ll work too. 

Vorfeed Update 1

I’ve been working on my Vorfeed cosplay for the past few days.  It’s about 45% complete.  So far, it has taken me around 14.5 hours to make this cosplay.  The main dress is nearly done, and I don’t have much left to do otherwise.  I just have to scrunch the bodice, make and add the bow, finish fitting it, and make the hem.  Then it’ll be time to work on the cape, shoes, and gloves. 

The cape shouldn’t be hard.  I just have to make sure I get the layering and feather work right.  I still have no idea how I’m going to make the back feathers.  I have a couple ideas, but I don’t know how well they’ll work.  I still need to get the feathers though.  I need to find a good place that sells good feathers in bulk for a reasonable to good price.

As for the gloves and boots, they are going to be a bit harder.  Ok, a lot harder.  I’ve never make gloves before, much less full arm gloves with large puffy add ons on the top.  Not to mention, I’m using satin that has little to no stretch whatsoever.  I know the gloves are going to be the biggest challenge of the entire cosplay.  Even the wig looks easier. 

The shoes on the other hand look relatively easy, especially compared to the gloves.  I still have to find good base shoes and maybe a couple zippers, but other than that I have what I need.  I even have a pattern halfway worked out.  I just have to test it. 

Finally, the wig looks like it’s going to be one of the easiest pieces of the cosplay.  I’m really glad I chose it for my first time cutting a wig.  I am really nervous but calm at the same time.  I know I can do it.  I know it will turn out fine. 

Oh! I almost for got about the jewels!  I’m going to cast the two jewels myself as soon as I’m able to get the supplies.  I really hope it’s soon because I’d like to get a photo shoot before my friend leaves for college again if it’s possible.  She takes amazing photos.  I’ve wanted to do a shoot with her for a while.  If I don’t get the jewels done in time, I could always improvise…but I don’t want to do that unless I have to. 

Beside my minor aforementioned dilemmas, my cosplay is coming along beautifully.  I’m really happy with the way it’s turning out.  I can’t wait to see the finished project.  I don’t have any pictures to share yet, but I’ll get some up with my next post.  So far it’s nearly perfect with just a few quirks that the laws of physics won’t let me change.  Trying to make a shirt drape and split and fall at a slightly tilted angle just isn’t going to happen no matter how much I wish it would.  Anime characters are known to defy the laws of physics and this cosplay is not without it’s exceptions. 

A Little Cosplay Update

I got the wig!!!!!  I finally got my Vorfeed wig and I totally adore it.  ^_^  It’s the perfect color and length.  I totally love it.  ^_^ I got this type wig.  It is totally awesome!

As for the fabric and other materials for Vorfeed, so far I am gathering the rest of what I need.  I already have enough fabric for the main dress and the cape.  I love capes!  I’m using a Casa Collection Satin from Joanns Fabrics and Crafts.  It looks just right and is rather easy to work with in my opinion.  I have the ribbon as well.  Because I am rather petite, I am using a 1 5/16” pink ribbon for the pink ties and decorations.  So far all the colors match perfectly.  I’m amazed at how perfect the color combination is.  It is truly a miracle.

I decided to use feathers for the cape additions since Vorfeed is an angel.  I have yet to get the feathers and am still trying to find a good place to buy them from.  Suggestions are greatly welcome and appreciated.  I also have to get the materials to make the jewels as well.  It’s my first time doing any sort of resin casting and dying so I am both excited and nervous.  I hope I do well.

From now on I will try to keep cosplay and costume updates character specific.  In the past I’ve lumped large amounts of updates into one post for space and time reasons.  Instead I now will keep posts clearly defined and well organized so you can have an easier time finding specific cosplay or costume updates as well as have an easier reading time.  I wish for my blog to be both informative and easy to read.  I also hope to make it fun and enjoyable.  I will try to include more reference photos as well as progress and end result photos.  Though I do not wish to clutter my blog as well.  So expect more updates and more photos.  I just got batteries for my camera too. 

That said, if you have any suggestions for how I can improve my blog please let me know.  Do keep the suggestions to a PG rating as there is a wide range of readers on my blog and I do not wish to my blog to contain any sort of objectionable content. 

Cosplays for Next Year

I’ve decided on a lot of the cosplays I’m going to make for the next con year.  So far my list is Vorfeed from Lost Universe, Sophia Forrester from Last Exile, Raven in her white outfit from Teen Titans, Susan Pevensie from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,  Maria Ross from Fullmetal Alchemist, and an undecided princess dress. 

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I recently have found another character that I adore.  It is Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed.  She is an awesome character and I love her role in the series.  Her dresses are adorable too.   I’m only to the 39th episode of Gundam Seed (I haven’t seen Gundam Seed Destiny yet).  So I have not seen many of her dresses but I love the ones I have.  So far my favorite is her main dress for the first part of the series.

I also really like her dress that she wears when she’s at her home in the plants.  It’s very pretty, very cute, and very girly. 

 

I also really like Cagalli and Mirallia as well.  I like Cagalli’s first fighting outfit the best so far.  I really like some of her other outfits too.  But I don’t think I can pull them off well so I won’t consider them.  Here’s her first fighting outfit. 

 

I like Mirallia’s Heliopolis and flightsuit too. 

I have a lot of other prospective cosplays on my list but I won’t mention them now.  There are a few other cosplays that I could also make this next year because I have the materials for them already.  But since  I don’t know if it’ll actually happen I won’t mention them either. 

Christmas break is in two weeks.  I cannot wait to start working on some of these cosplays.  I want to finish Vorfeed and Raven during the break.  I might work on Sophia and Maia as well.  Also, I plan on getting some more fabric after Christmas so I can start on a couple more cosplays in January.  I want to get three to four cosplays at least halfway done by the end of the break.  That way I’ll have more time for sewing and 4-H projects during the other school breaks and over the summer.  I might add a few more cosplays to my list if I get these done and finish correcting a few of my others.  Other than that, I’m pretty set as far as cosplays go.  As always, it’s really fun to have a lot of cosplays ready to go, but I can only make as many as I can afford. 

Updated Cosplay List for 2011

I’ve been working on my cosplay list for next year.  So far I’m most likely going to one or two cons.  I’m hoping to go to more, but I’ll see what God has in store for me.  I’m hoping to make at least five new cosplays.  Vorfeed from Lost Universe is at the top of my list followed by Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender.  I want to make both Toph’s Earth Nation outfit that she wears in season two and her nobility dress from when Aang and the others first meet her.  I’m also hoping to make Sailor Saturn’s sailor scout outfit, though I’ll modify the length to make it a bit longer.  I’m not entirely sure what the fifth outfit will end up being, but I know that Sophia Forrester from Last Exile is defiantly on the list. 

My list changes constantly, so I don’t entirely know what I’ll end up making and what I won’t.  I know for sure that I’ll be finishing Toph’s Fire Nation disguise and since I have most of the materials make at least one of her other outfits.  I already ordered my wig for Vorfeed, so I’ll definitely get her done soon, either this year or next.  Also, I found a lot of pieces to my Saturn cosplay, so it’s second on the list.  Either way, I’ll get the cosplays done, even if it takes me a year.  I cannot wait for Christmas break and Christmas.  I’ll have a whole month to sew my heart out and make my cosplays.  Plus Christmas means Christmas money which means I’ll finally be able to get more supplies for my cosplay.  It also means I’ll be working my butt off trying to catch up on lapsed 4-H projects.  Ah, the joys of cosplaying with a busy schedule.  @_@

New Load of Potential Cosplays

As the school year starts and the con year comes to a close, I’m trying to figure out potential cosplays for the last con of the season, for me, in November and the cons for next season.  So far, three cosplays survived con season one, though some need adjustment. 

My Toph cosplay need to have the belt redone and the over-the-shoulder-thing added to.  Other than that it’s good.  I still need to make the rest of the hibiscus and add more detail to the obi and maybe skirt for my Amano Yuna.  As for Sheeta, I still have to make the headband and hair ties as well as style the wig for the final time. 

As for new cosplays… I’m planning on making Sophia’s Uniform for the con in November.  I will also be wearing my Sheeta again because a) I love it and b) I don’t have time to make a third cosplay.  I will most likely be wearing my Sophia for two days straight unless I decide to wear my Toph or Yuna, though the latter is highly unlikely. 

So far I have a small list of cosplays I’d like to make for the next con year.  I say like to cause I don’t how many I’ll actually get to make because of constrained time and my almost extreme attention to detail.  I need to calm down on the detail obsession a bit. 

Anyway, I’d like to make Toph’s Earth Nation outfit

  

as well as her nobility dress.

 

I’m also hoping to make Kagamine Rin’s Synchronicity dress.  It’s so pretty.  I love how full the skirt is.  I was considering making this cosplay for the upcoming con in November but I don’t think I’ll have the time or funds.

  

The third cosplay is an easy possibly closet cosplay, Mimi in the epilogue from Digimon season 2.  Her dress is so cute!  I love how it’s country with a city flair.

 

Fourth on my list is Trance Gemini from Andromeda.  She’s the purple girl.  I want to make her purple leotard from season 1.  Sadly, I don’t have any pictures yet, but I hope to find some soon.  When I do I’ll post them. 

Finally, my last project is Vorfeed from Lost Universe.  Just to clarify Vorfeed is not Canal and Canal is not Vorfeed.  Vorfeed is the ships original AI that Alicia used.  I really like Vorfeed’s outfit only it’ll need some modification before I’ll wear it.  The neckline is waaaaay to low and needs to be brought up.  Also there is a huge side slit that won’t exist when I’m done. 

  

The first picture is from the manga though I’m using the one on the right, from the anime, as my reference.  The skirt will be more like the one on the left, except without the lace, for my version though the rest of the outfit, except for the neckline will be like the image on the right.  I’ve been working on putting this cosplay together the most and have already located a potential wig as well as the dress and cape fabric and the ribbon.  I have no idea whatsoever as to how I’m going to make either the jewels or the poofy feathery-fur that hangs from her cape and shoulders. 

This is my list for now.  It is subject to change or addition.  I’m trying to keep this list manageable while having enough cosplays to last for the next con year.  If all goes well, I might even go to four cons next year.  But who knows what’s really going to happen.  I’m just trying to keep the list manageable while having a nice variety of challenging cosplays.