Kero & Suppi - Wings & Aprons - Cardcaptor Sakura

This is part 3 of Kero & Suppi's posts: lets have a look at the wings and aprons. On this costume the wing rigs are built into the aprons. (As opposed to on my Cosmo costume, where the rig was hidden under the costume, this rig is incorporated directly into the apron.)

The apron part was really easy, figuring out the wing rig was a little more tricky.

Check out Eleventh Photograph's Otakon gallery for more pictures of Kero and Suppi (and other awesome cosplayers!)

For more Kero and Suppi, see our Wigs & Ears and Shirts & Shorts!

I started by making a paper tracer for each apron. I held it up to myself until I was satisfied with the shape, then cut out 2. The 2 layers were just for extra sturdiness.

I applied my contrasting bias tape trim around the edge of each apron.

This red is the leftover fabric from my red panda bag. :)  (Which is still for sale, if anyone is interested.)

I then made two strips for the tie at the back. (I should have made mine a little longer.) These were narrower at the base where they attached to the apron and then widened partway. On these I marked 2 stripes going down the center. Along my marking lines I used my sewing machine to embroider a tight wide zig-zag stitch. This was much cleaner than attempting to paint the stripes on.

I made the 2 shoulder straps, marking where they needed to attach at the back and how long they needed to be. They needed to be fairly tight so the wings wouldn't droop, so I ended up having to tighten them later...

Then I cut out the pieces for the applique design. Suppi's symbol is based on the one from his "big form", Kero's is a simplified version of his sun symbol. (Meaning no wavy lines, as they would be impossible to do at this scale...)

Using a tight zig zag stich, I carefully followed the edges of my cut outs. For Kero's I did the pale star points, the inner lines and then the yellow star outline. For Suppi's I started with the inner circle, then the butterfly and lastly the antennae.

Once the apron bases were done, I started on the wings. Like many parts of this project I started with a paper tracer which I sized up to the actual person before cutting anything out.

I then cut out the foam bits (double thickness for all wings), followed by the cover pieces. For the covers I made them slightly larger (by about 1/4"), as they had to go over an object with thickness.

I sewed the covers right sides together, leaving myself a large gap at the base through which I could stuff my foam cutouts.

On Kero's wing cut outs rounded out the edges, so they would fit the case better and look less blocky. Even then it was a struggle to get the wings in.

Then I started to work on the rigging. Kero's wings were sort of the trial and error run, before I figured it out and streamlined the process for Suppi's. I started with a piece of wire (1 for each wing) that I bent like in the picture above left.  These would slide through the opening in the base, up in between the 2 layers of 1/2" foam where they would be secured later.

I then cutout a back panel, using the fabric matching the shirts. The whole back piece would be made of styrene panels secured inside  a fabric casing.

I slid the wires inside the wings and placed them on the back panel to see how they would sit together. I marked where I needed to put the holes for the wire to stick out of the back panel. These holes I did in the same style as normal button holes. These were only on one side of the fabric cover.

Keeping the wires the same distance apart as on the panel, I marked and hot glued the wires down to my base pieces, made of rectangles of styrene.

Unbending the ends of the wires for the time being (they were bent over so they won't poke holes in the foam wings), I slid them between the 2 layers of fabric and out through the holes in the back panel. When in place I stitched a line  along the bottom and top edge of the panel to keep them from sliding around.

At this point I re-bent the ends of the wires. Then I carefully marked and hot glued the wings to the wires.

Then I had my friend Alli assist me by tucking all the covers underneath and hand stitching them together to finish them at the bases.

Lastly I made the 2 swirls for Kero's wings. This was simply 2 ovals of foam that I made cases for. When they were together I stitched the swirls directly onto them, through the foam layer, giving them the plush look.

These were a lot of fun to wear, though mine kept sliding down at the back. This could have been fixed by making my back panel bigger, as my sister did not have this problem at all.

Chef Apron

Oops! Forgot to put this up on Tuesday, my apologies. :P

This here is a project I did in the summer for my sister Alex in exchange for designing my lovely business cards and banner title graphics.

This cute print was picked up when we were in Vancouver on Granville Island. It was actually an apron pattern that I modified.

I started off with the pattern, using it to make the scoops at the sides and the front part across the top. Then I calculated the length and width I wanted for the piece and cut it out. 1 piece was cut out of the print fabric and 1 cut out of black broadcloth.

The 2 pieces were pinned right sides together, and I stitched along the outer edge, leaving it open at the top in order to turn it right way out.

I clipped the excess fabric in the corners, and turned it right way out. The I pressed it flat.

Then I tucked the open edge at the top to the inside and top-stitched all the way around the piece--closing the hole, and tacking it in place--in an accent colour. I picked a light green.

I then made 4 long rectangles, which were sewn into tubes, turned right way out, and the pressed flat. These would then become the ties.

2 were attached at the top and the longer 2 at the sides.

Then I finished off the edges by tucking them in and top stitching them.

To make a front pocket I cut 2 rectangles, one of my main fabric and 1 of my black fabric. I used a zig-zag stitch around the edges to attach them together and stop them from fraying. The I folded in the edges to the back, stitching down the side that would be the top of the pocket, leaving the rest pinned in place.

Finding the center and the right height placement for where I wanted my pocket I pinned it in place and top stitched it down on three sides. The I put a divider line of stitching in the middle of the pocket, effectively making it 2 separate compartment.

Overall this apron was fun and easy to make.

Owl Apron

After a wonderful suggestion from Alex and Mike (who thought my owl bag was a shirt or something...), I have used the pattern for the owl bag as the basis for an apron. I had to modify the size of the owl to achieve more flattering proportions, and designed the bottom part of the apron from scratch. Alex says it looks like he's sitting on the moon. :D I decided to change my original design and ditch the ruffles around the bottom half of the apron. 

I will have another post on the matching hairband at a later time. :D

The initial construction is much the same as the bag,
so I didn't bother to take any pictures of that.  

 

This is my workstation. :D

I put the joining seam for the tie slightly off centre so that the right foot
could be used to partially hide it. 

The topstitching here was a little bit tricky, with the curve and the
multiple changes in direction.  

The pocket is built in as part of the design.

At this point I tried it on my sister and
decided I didn't like the proportions.
I went back and shortened the owl's body.
It looks much better now.  

My mum made a comment on how I should sell these to Hooters. D:<

I am not amused.