July Update

Hello all! It's hard to believe 2016 is already halfway done?? I have just under a month left of my contract in Alberta before I move back to Toronto. And by that extension I have about 1 month left to Otakuthon. Costume progress is coming along pretty well, considering I have also done 7 "Costume Saturday Challenges" and helped create over 300 costumes for the show I am working on--all in the last 2 months.

Since we're halfway through 2016, I have updated my costume progress collage. Again the percentages are just arbitrary numbers I assigned based on how I feel how much I have left to do.

Presea: Finally complete! Huzzah! It's been years in the making~!

Jack Frost: That sweater took forever. I am not looking forward to "frosting" the pants. Still need a staff.

Phoenix: Probably won't make any progress on this until the fall.

Sakura: I hate my fabric choice, a lot. Considering starting the dress over with new fabric that isn't awful satin. But I have a buckram base hat and the bodysuit constructed at least?

Leia: Pushing it for Otakuthon! Costume needs some tweaks to fit better, wig needs styling, and accessories still to do.

Link: Fabric things have been patterned and cut. I should probably sew them.

I think that's all for now. I need to work on those blog posts...

WIP: Viral

Here's a look back to August 2010, where I constructed my first complex costume: Viral from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. This costume debuted at FanExpo 2010, with two others from my group (Simon and Kamina).

Many hours of work went into this costume, particularly into hand-stitching on 40+ dome fastener pieces and the covers for the shoulder pads. My fingers were in great pain after this! Unfortunately, I went pretty much unrecognized at this convention, and so I was a little sad. (But I understand, because FanEx is largely attended by Comic and Gaming fans, rather than Anime fans.)

Photo by cosplay.com's Baron Karza

The jacket is modified from a pattern, as are the pants.  I installed 6 zippers for easy access to this tight fitting costume, and even then I still think it needs to be taken in some.  I carved the foam pads for the forearms by hand.  As with the shoulder pads.  I need assistance getting the beast hands on and off, but with the zippers in I can get the arm pads in easily.

My sister made my beast hands using gardening gloves, which she extended the fingers for with sculpey and covered with another glove she made.  The she covered the whole thing in multiple coats of liquid latex, adding tissue for texture.  The nails are made from fake nails (which were originally hot pink with purple peace signs on them. The hippie nails have been sharpened, painted and put to much better use!). They look totally gnarly and wonderful! Super job! (And it was her first time too!) :D Bonus is that I still have some dexterity, meaning I can bend my fingers enough to hold things, but the nails get in the way of picking things up. They still need a coat of paint, but we ran out of time before the convention.

rest of the photos by my mom. :D

The fur was a nightmare to sew in. I think I broke almost 5 needles on this costume, some shards of which were never recovered. (I think they're imbedded in the stitching!) It's still sheds all over the costume, so I had to pick up a sticky roller to get the loose hairs off my costume.

Lots of topstitching on the front and sleeves.  It was an ordeal getting everything to line up nicely. -_-"

The wig was styled and cut by my elder sister. :D

As the jacket is such a complex item, I used it in my portfolio for Ryerson's fashion program to show my skills with sewing.  I wouldn't say it's runway material, but it certainly shows I can put in a zipper, topstitch, work with various materials such as fur and foam, modify patterns, etc. Fingers crossed! XD

Still have more work yet to do on this costume. I would like to take it in, make his weapon and sheath, and I still need to add more dome fasteners! -_-

For more pictures of this costume, check out my Cosplay.com profile: http://www.cosplay.com/member/186188/

WIP: Ginny Weasley Hogwarts Robes

Here are some progress pictures of my Hogwarts Robes for my Ginny Weasley costume.  Everyone hates Ginny, I don't know why. I neither love nor hate her.  She just seemed like the easiest Gryffindor for me to pull off. (ex: if my hair were shorter--and boyish--you can almost guarantee I would be Ron, lol)

I started this set of Hogwarts robes back in October, originally as a Hallowe'en costume, and then I pushed back the deadline to the 7th Movie premiere.  I was able to finish it enough to be wearable, but it was a rush job that I am unsatisfied with. :( I have not had the determination to go back and rip out the hems so that I could re-hem it. The robes are in dire need of some ditch stitching to hold the lining (which is stretchy--bad fabric choice!) to the outer layer.

I apologize in advance for the crappiness of these pics. Low lighting levels, and taking pictures through a mirror that is tinted is just a recipe for disaster.  I also apologize for my horrendous striped socks that are in no way coordinated to my outfit! XD

The skirt is modified from the same pattern as the paper towel one. (I actually made this skirt first!) The blouse and cardigan are from my closet. The robe was especially tricky, as it was not lined in the original pattern. Also I didn't know my size, and ended up making it 2 sizes to big! Way too much extra fabric to deal with. XD I had to ditch the pattern completely and take it in.

The design is based off the original look of the Hogwarts uniform from the first movies.  It's basically my own interpretation.

Thanks to a friend of mine for hooking me up with a wicked Gryffindor crest! The perfect way to complete my outfit!

Unfortunately I was unable to finish in time to to have a decent photoshoot in the autumn leaves.  I thought that the fall colours would make a nice contrast with the black of the robes. Look forward to some completed shots of this cosplay next fall.  :D (I plan to finish it and wear it to the premiere of part 2~!)