Megumum

 Not done yet, but I’m pretty pleased so far! ComiCon is tomorrow, but even if this is as far as I get, I’ll be happy!

The Warner Sister Dot

So a couple of years ago I started a Hallowe'en costume that I never entirely finished! I was taking notes as I improvised and intended to publish the Toon Hands pattern eventually, but who knows where those notes ended up.

Anyway, I was thisclose to finishing the head - just had one ear to go - but then it was Hallowe'en and I went out in plain clothes and abandoned it.

Well, while working on the Spiritron Dress with the kid, I asked, what should I dress as for ComiCon? Generic mum in jeans and sweater? Or the Warner Sister Dot? They voted Dot, so I finished my lid, hemmed an old pink skirt, and here we go. I might make a bigger flower; it was all very last minute. But overall pleased with the finished product, and three people asked to take my photo!

Astolfo: the sequel

After last Hallowe'en's Third Ascension cosplay was a hit, the kid asked for the Memories of Trifas Spiritron Dress. This time, I said they have to do the work! 

It's been a great project to work on together - planning, figuring out all the pieces, going  on excursions to vintage clothing stores and fabric shops, and working together to assemble. 

A little panicked because ComiCon is tomorrow, but got the hoodie pretty much done yesterday and that's the biggest part! We worked together to draft the hoodie pattern based on one they already had, and traced the ears from the previous Saber Astolfo cosplay. I made them lay out the pattern, do all the pinning and cutting, and I'm doing the sewing. 

Currently I'm sewing the skirt while they paint stripes on a t-shirt. I think we'll make it!

One day to go

Aaaahhhhh!!

Home stretch. Getting close. Except the cat keeps stealing stuff like buttons and thread.

But I am pleased to say the shoes are done. Thought they would be easier, starting with the Chinatown cotton Mary Jane slippers I wore throughout highschool, but you can't get them anymore, only slip-ons. I remembered this as soon as I saw them--last time I thought I'd buy those slippers they were nowhere to be found. I asked the shopkeeper who confirmed it's been years since they were available. 

So, slipper conversion as well as applique. 

At least handsewing is portable--took this with me to Sunday service!

Still plugging away as the deadline looms

So this is basically my only plan for the weekend—sewing, sewing, and more sewing.

Here's what I've done so far:

• Base dress (done)
• Bloomers (done)
• Ribbon tie with insignia (done)
• Wig (purchased)
• Shoes (purchased)

Still to do:

• Assemble apron with gold trim (augh)
• Sleeves (more gold trim augh)
• Collar/Dickie (had hoped to start with a thrift store shirt but didn't find a suitable one)
• Gold trim on shoes (augh)
• Bowtie (do I have one somewhere?)
• Bunny tail (purchase)
• Style wig

What am I forgetting...

Anyway this gold fabric is awful. Slippery, stretchy, even when I stabilize it with fusible interfacing it won't stay fused. I tried using a hotter iron, up to the point of starting to get a scorched plastic smell, but even though it seems attached, it comes loose after a few minutes if you try to cut or sew. Grr. I'm going to experiment on a scrap with spray starch, but I see a lot of basting in my future. 

Looks nice though!

When you can't find what you want, make what you want

A big part of the Saber Astolfo costume is the gold trim. I initially imagined using braid or similar, but couldn't find anything that was just exactly right. And trying to work out how much I'd need to follow the zig-zaggy crenellated pattern was requiring too much thought. Then I saw this fabric: 

Liquid gold! I got some fusible interfacing to make it less liquid where needed (although I'm afraid I'll just melt it) so I can cut out the various trims and decorations. Meanwhile I started with the sleeve trims:

Red ribbon edged with gold. The one on the right shows the bits before I put them together. 

And the final product: