Springtime Cosplay + Cross Stitch Update

Over the past month I have been plugging away at a few projects. I always find it great to juggle between projects. It keeps my motivation fresh, and I have something to jump to if I’ve had a screw up, or a bad day.

Near completion on my Sailor Mars costume to wear at ACEN 2017 next month. The fuku is complete, along with gathering all my accessories. I am very excited with how this costume has come along. All the connecting pieces either pin or snap in place, and the skirt is connected.

I need to manage the puckering around the “V” shape on the front of the skirt. I had added horsehair braid to the bottom of the skirt and wow did that make the thing shoot up. I’m thankful that I was able to seam rip the material out and save the hem.

The shoulders and hip rolls were a bit of a challenge. I attempted to use foam and fiber fill batting, but it left them both looking lumpy. I went out and grabbed some quilt batting and was extremely satisfied with the result.

I had purchased some gloves off Amazon but the quality and shade did not match the white of the chest. I got a new pair at a local costume shop here in Columbus, Ohio. I just need to add the glove rolls and this costume should be complete!

I purchased my tiara and earrings from Catzias Collectables on Etsy. The tiara is crafted beautifully! Made of real brass and so delicate looking. I will most likely fasten to the wig for stability (and I have a large head). Below is a link to her store:

CatziasCollectibles Etsy

For the wig, I usually purchase my cosplay wigs from Arda, but lately they have not had any of the items I am looking for in stock. So I thought I’d give Epic Cosplay wigs a try. I am SO excited about this wig, the fibers are super silky. I think I may have permanently switched over to Epic!

I went with the Purple Black fusion color, in the Persephone style. The added color will stand out so much more than solid black. Also, Rei has a lot of purples in her hair.

Epic Cosplay: PERSEPHONE – PURPLE BLACK FUSION

In just a few more weeks I’ll have the final costume assembled. I can’t wait to take some photos with the Sailor Scout group! Once I have the gloves completed I’ll need to do a try on session, maybe snap some pics.

Also, in my ACEN Costume line-up I am working on a Nadine Butler Cheerleader costume from Twin Peaks. Be on the look out for progress!!

One last little update, since I am still chugging away on cross stitch during my lunch hour at work. I’ve finished another line of characters on this Twin Peaks cross stitch. One more line of characters to go, and possibly adding some text and a border to the piece.

I have more details in a previous post regarding the source:

Hopefully I’ll have this completed by the May 21st Season 3 premiere! (which is the same weekend I’ll need the costumes done for. Time to be productive!)

–Until next time– when I have more progress to pander about.

I am the Pretty Guardian, Sailor Mars!

Here begins my first costume progress of 2017. Sailor Mars! I’ve honestly never watched much of the show, but recently I went to a movie screening here in Columbus, Ohio with two of my friends. They both are HUGE Sailor Moon fans. I’ve been convinced to absorb in as much of the anime I can.

A group of friends and fellow cosplayers are planning to gather a large group of sailor scouts at ACEN 2017. We will be a mixed bag of buying and sewing our own costumes. I am of course constructing as much of mine own as possible. The convention is not until the middle of May, so I’m jumping the gun here.

How exciting though, I love group cosplay!

I’ve read several different sailor fuku tutorials, and pulled bits and pieces that I like best. I am constructing my costume to mimic her original anime appearance.

• Team Blase Cosplay has a great tutorial online with pointers –  Link
• Crystal Lake Skating Outfit Pattern  – Link
• Collar Pattern – Link

Below is material cut from various patterns and thrown up on my mannequin form. (She does me well!) A lot of the tutorials I’ve seen show a pleated skirt, but I really want to follow a circle skirt pattern. So far it appears much more ‘flowy.’

I have assembled the majority of the leotard. I also have an underpants portion to go under the skirt. I am still debating if I want to dress to be all one piece, or to have the skirt detach. Once I am at the hip roll section I will go from there…

 

Progress of the sailor collar and front bow. I am constructing the brooch out of half of a clear holiday ornament. Currently just pinned to the mannequin form.:

Detail of my progress on the sailor collar and back bow. Also I have sewn a zipper into the back of the leotard:

 

More progress to come, see ya soon!