NanoWrimo did swallow me whole*

So why didn't I use my carnival of a closet for this year's Halloween costume?  Confession: I wanted to be Harley but I was a little nervous about premiering the costume at a con.  I know, me nervous about wearing ANYTHING? She who flounces about in public in things most folk would be embarrassed to leave the house in?  Who puts on hats, gloves, and seamed stockings whenever she can?  Who has no problem wearing a cosplay to a movie completely unrelated to it?  Or perhaps dinner out as Captain America on a day that isn't Halloween?

Crazy eyes, also a some what blurry look at the makeup.

Well, we all have our comfort zones.  And for me fem versions of male characters had become a con comfort zone.  Oh yes, I have Death but have you ever noticed how she isn't sexualized like many other female comic book characters?  Harley represented the deep end to me and since I'm not one to do things by halves I decided to go for it.  But with a little caution.

Yet another poorly drawn concept sketch. Those little shapes in the corner are ideas for pattern pieces.

The costume itself presented some other challenges.  There's a lot of Harleys out there and while I find inspiration in looking at other cosplayers I certainly don't want to straight up copy someone else. I don't know where the 1920s style came from but once it hit me I was churning out concept sketches.  I like that it fits with Harley's gangster's moll voice.  I also like that it's something I've never really seen and reflects my own style as well as Harley's.  Plus, comfy.

This dress seems good for dancing.  Must go dancing in it some time.

Let's start with the dress:

Fabric - As mentioned, I was having trouble finding the right fabric and once I found it I realized the cost of fabric alone would be twice my cosplay budget.  While I always go over budget I felt like it was bad to go that far over with one purchase.  So I strolled the aisles of the fabric store looking for something that was even close to what I had in mind.  Needing two particular colors in the same fabric made this an extra challenge.  All I could find was 100% polyester.  I am not a fan of polyester.  I don't sew with it and I try to limit it's presence in my ready made clothes.  But, standing in the fabric store, I realized that if I wanted to be Harley - this was it.  I told myself that if I didn't get the fabric now, I'd have to do something else.  Or completely re-evaluate my plans for the costume.  So I bought it.  My major complaints about the fabric were how badly the fabric frayed and that after pre-washing the fabric lost most of it's drape.

Notice how I managed to hide most of the neat details on my costume?  I'm very good at that.

The pattern - In the past I've made two twenties style dresses by adapting commercial patterns.  I was ready to try self drafting.  Which is actually another one of the reasons I didn't go with my ideal fabric - I would have been quite upset if the dress was a failure and I ruined that much expensive and beautiful fabric.  I looked at tons of reference photos, drew pictures, and thought a lot about construction.  I used plain old brown package wrapping paper to create the pattern pieces.  The pattern worked well except I had made it too long and had to cut out about a foot and a half in the middle and reattach the skirt to the bodice.  I'm excited to try making another 20's style dress again because I have all sorts of ideas for improving construction. 

The sequins look better than this in real life, I swear

The decoration - Initially I was on the fence about adding lace but as I messed up a bit on putting the neckline together - I decided the lace would nicely cover my mistake.  I wanted to bead the dress but I found the fabric to be too flimsy to stand up to the weight of beads so I used sequins instead.  There are still beads there - I used them in the middle of the sequins to help hold them on like I've seen on other garments.  I've never put sequins on anything before but once I got the hang of it - it was kind of fun.  Plus I love the results.  Sparkly.

Best close up shot of the hat.  Also, no glasses so you can better see the makeup.

The hat:
I had a hat in mind but I figured the dress was the priority.  I was going to make a quick scarf to wear ala Clara Bow (my other visual inspiration for this costume.) but I ended up making something too big to use.  I decided since I had everything I needed to make the hat I might as well go for it.  I used veiw C from this pattern and it was super fast and easy.  I didn't look at the instructions though.  And I didn't use fleece like I was supposed to.  I have to say, I think I'm in love with sewing hats.  It takes so little fabric and goes so fast.  It's the beading that was time consuming but like with the sequins, the results were worth it.

The bag:
Harley carries a little black handbag sometimes but that's sort of boring.  I took fabric I already had (a cream colored linen) and made a little bag.  I beaded the dollar sign (hugely time consuming) and bought some pretty gold cord and voila - a fancy beaded bag that doubles as a loot bag.

Other accessories:
Earrings - The red one is part of a pair I made back when I made beaded jewelry.  The black one is from a pair I got as a gift (Thanks S!).
Gloves- Captain America to the rescue here.  I took one of the gloves I no longer needed for cap and bought a black pair from Sock Dreams.  I used the remaining lace to edge the gloves.  Of course now I have an "extra" pair of mismatched gloves.  I'm sure I'll come up with a use for them.
Gun - Bought at a party store - definitely something not something I was interested in making.  I do have plans to alter it so it fits with the costume better but those had to wait til after Halloween. (As my friend says: "Eh, it's just Halloween." Cons are when it's important.)
Shoes - the prettiest shoes in the world from Miss L Fire.  How I wish I'd had the money to get them in all four colors - it would have been awesome to wear one black and one red.
Stockings -Both from sock dreams but different pairs.  One with a red seam and one with a black seam.
Shawl - the little scarf that turned out way too big.

The whole thing?   Went off well.  I was particularly proud of my makeup.  I do need to do some minor adjustments on the dress - to improve fit - nothing cosmetic.  And then there's the gun - so this baby isn't quite con ready but I do think once it is I will have fun walking the con floor in it.  Though I'll probably still have nerves the first time.

Watch out Harley! Wonder Woman is behind you!

Even if Harley isn't completely done and I've got updates/revisions I'm working on for other cosplays I'm already thinking about a new one.  I want to try to do some simple ones - using the supplies I already have.  I've got someone in mind already but I don't know if I will do that one or work on updates on older costumes.  There is a con coming up in January that I hope to attend but I'm not really sure what I want to wear yet. 

* Well not only the novel - I obviously did other things but when I'm churning out 2,000-3,000 words a day I'm not too interested in spending more quality time with my computer.  Right now I'm less than 10,000 words from winning.  My novel is horrible and makes no sense.  So all is progressing as expected.

As Promised

Still figuring out how to show off the costume and the shield at the same time.  Also, still working on that salute.

 So, like it says in the title, as promised.  Here are better pictures of me as Cap.  Complete with updates.  My brother was nice enough to take pics and quite a few of them were in focus!  To be clear -I blame the camera and not him.  I will buy a new camera.   Some day.

Serious face.

 The updated version was a huge hit.  Some dude came over and asked if he could touch my shield - which was a new one.  Yes, I let him.   One of the cosplay ladies complimented my costume and then I later found out she was a judge at the the costume contest - which I didn't enter.  Darn.  Also got a compliment from another pro who was a fab Harley but I forgot to ask for a pic.  What is wrong with me?  Oh yeah, didn't I mention I was a volunteer the first two days?  And was out past midnight both nights?  By Sunday I was exhausted and running on fumes so I blame that for me not being more on the ball about pics.  But I don't mind because my exhaustion and sore feet are proof that the con was a success and since it was the first year that's a huge deal. 

Best of the full length shots. 

 Details on the updates:

The cartridge belt, suspenders, and first aid kit I bought as a set from World War Supply.   I ordered on a Monday and got it Thursday - so I totally recommend.  The set was a little musty when I got it but I just washed it like I wash sweaters (soak and spin in the washer using Eucalan wash) and then shoved it in my ceder chest for about a week and it was fine.  I loved that I didn't have to carry a purse.   The set was pricey but it was cheaper in time, money, and sanity to buy than make.  Besides the "no purse" advantage I think it just makes a costume I already loved even better.

Ooh, I've gone all old timey here.

The gloves are just plain knit fingerless gloves.  So boring and simple I didn't even bother with a pattern.  I used Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk which is a wool silk blend and wonderful to knit with.  The previous gloves were satin and made it awkward to do much of anything with my hands when they were on.  I could have just cut the fingers off the original gloves but I am a knitter and I knew the one's I made would be better.  It was nice to only have to remove my gloves to use the restroom.

My first attempt. 

And finally, the Garrison Cap.  Or Cap's Cap as I couldn't resist calling it.  I used this pattern here.  I had some difficulty printing it correctly so my test square was off (totally my fault).  I adjusted it some and made a cap with fabric leftover from the skirt.  Everyone I showed it to thought it looked good but I found the crown to be too high and the cap itself was super tight so I made some more adjustments to the pattern and cut out another cap (luckily I had enough piping and fabric for another) and it came out huge, so I did a little ripping and cutting and managed to create a hat that fit.  The wings and "A" are just white felt I cut and sewed on by hand.  I still like the wing barrettes but I love my cap.  But you already knew that, right?

Somewhat blurry close up of the wings.

So, is it perfect now?  Is it ever perfect?  No, but I'm very proud of it and pleased that I can be Cap whenever I want.  Or you know, I'm needed.  To lead the Avengers or to take down Hydra.  Or whatever.

I already know who I want to tackle next but I'm having trouble sourcing the right fabric.  I like to make my costumes as good (or better) than regular clothes.  I have several reasons for that: I wear the costumes over and over and they can get a lot of wear and tear over the course of a con,  I do wear some of my costume pieces outside of cosplay,  and, most importantly, life is too short to sew with fabric you don't love.

Anyway, if you're still reading this, my self imposed deadline for that costume is actually Halloween.  Hopefully I'll have something awesome to show then.  If my camera battery doesn't die.  As it does.  Every.  Single.  Halloween.  Or at least the last five.

Another Serious face, my brother was being goofy, but I think it came out good.  Kind of action-y.

This dress is a Marvel

I am looking at the ceiling in an attempt to get you to fall for the old "look at the ceiling gag"

Part of me wants to cosplay every day of a convention but sometimes that just isn't possible.  Also it's want to have something to wear  at other times that both reflects my personal style and shows nerd pride. Having coveted the many different comic/tv show prints at Jo Ann forever I finally decided that I was going to give in and buy some.  I went with The Avengers. 

I didn't know exactly what dress I was going to make with it.  I did know I didn't want the  whole dress to be made of the fabric - I thought it would be overwhelming so I also picked up some red linen/rayon blend that I love (I made a dress in the same fabric last year) and then I went home to go through all my dress patterns.  I finally settled on Vintage Vogue 8728 .

I was a little nervous to work with the pattern as my mom told me she'd had trouble with Vogue patterns in the past.  It was also rated "average" and not "easy" - so that didn't help.   Still after locating some tearaway stabilizer (something I've never heard of/used before) and pre-washing my fabric I dived in.

Kind of boring from the back.

I made the dress over a month ago, so my memories about the construction phase are vague.  Still I don't recall screaming at the sewing machine or bursting into tears so it must have gone well.  I do recall messing up while attaching the skirt to the bodice - that seems to be a thing with me.  But I eventually worked it out.  I  wore it for first day of this year's ACE and it was a huge hit.

Since then I've worn it twice.  Once just because it was Tuesday and these pictures are from the second time when I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy.  I keep saying I'm going to try a different necklace with it but the shield one is just so perfect.  Nobody said anything to me when I went to see the movie but I got a complement on the dress and necklace when I went to get allergy shots - so that was nice.

Attempting to show the necklace and the neckline off better.  Only succeeded at one.

Looking at the dress I wish I'd taken the time to do a strip of red at the bottom of the skirt - of course I can still do that but I probably won't for awhile.  It occurred to me at the time but my new cosplay took priority.  Also I think I will take it down one size if I make the dress again because it's pretty loose in the bodice.  There are instructions for a belt that came with the pattern - maybe some day.  I am fairly certain I will make a hat or some sort of head piece to go with the dress and promise to post pics when I do.

Without the belt.

Outfit Details:
Avengers Dress - Made by me
Belt - Crusin' via a now closed local store
Shield Necklace - Silverthink
Earrings- Classic Hardware
Bracelet - local store
Stockings- Leg Avenue via Sock Dreams
Shoes - Swedish Hasbeens via Zappos.

Just Call me Cap

One of the many reasons for radio silence for most of June was because I was hard at work on a new cosplay.  I only started cosplaying officially a year ago - though I've always loved any chance to wear a costume.  While some people do anything to get out of wearing one it's pretty easy to convince me to do something if it involves a costume.

My initial concept sketch

Since I would be attending the event at which I first cosplayed I wanted to do something special.  I was back and forth on who exactly - I know that St. Trinian's girl was a strong contender at one time.  But the truth is Captain America has been a dream of mine for awhile.  I'd been making all these notes and looking at tons of reference photos.  I had all these elaborate plans and had intimidated myself into believing I lacked the skills to even begin to put together the cosplay I imagined.  But then I realized I was being silly.  It didn't have to be my dream version and if I didn't love it the first time - I could change it.


So I set out to put together the cosplay with a few definite guidelines:

1. It had to be '40s style with the heater shaped shield. (BTW I just learned what a heater shape was while putting this cosplay together - cosplay: you learn all the time.) because that's part of why I love Cap.

2. It had to be comfortable - this a rule for all my cosplays because I wear them all day and I don't want to be in agony.

3.  It had to be something that it looked like I could fight evil in it - partially because I hate it when female superheroes wear things that are impractical for fighting in and partially because I wanted to BE Cap and not Cap's girl or biggest fan or something like that. Of course I wouldn't be offended if someone mistook me for American Dream.

Here's the breakdown -

Things I made:

Suitable for non-cosplay occasions as well

The sweater I didn't have a pattern.  I looked on Ravelry for inspiration - here's a great one.  I knew I wanted something that was almost identical to the top of the uniform. I pretty much made it up as I went so I did a lot of ripping.  In fact, the day before we left town I tried the whole thing on and realized I hated the sleeves.  So I removed them and put some red ribbing instead - making it more of a vest. The colorwork on the star isn't perfect but it is way better than my last go at colorwork - so I'm happy about that. Ravelry Link

The Skirt I've made this skirt five times.  Three of those times for cosplays.  I initially didn't know if I would have time to make it so I bought a navy blue pencil skirt.  I did have time to make it so I did - then I couldn't decide if I should wear the pencil skirt or it.  Eventually I fell on the side of the one I made.  The pattern is Simplicity 4044.  The only adaption I made was to make it straight across instead of putting the little dip thing at the waist.

The Wings I initially planned on making a big white felt star to put in my hair.  Then I was thinking of doing the "A".  Finally I settled on the little wings.  They are made with felt stuffed with fiber fill.  They were pretty easy and quick to make.

Arm Sock With out sleeves (and even with the ones I had before I ripped them off) I didn't have anything to protect my arm from the leather straps of my shield, so I used the extra yarn from my sweater to knit a little sock/elbow cover thing - it got loose during the course of the day but did it's job.  My arm was unscathed.

Thing I just painted:

Photographing a shield is hard

The Shield If you want a round Captain America shield it's super easy to buy something.  If not - well it's tough.  I almost bought a rather pricey replica because I was desperate.  I do have a friend whose father can make one but this was less than a month to go and I didn't want to rush it.  I needed something good for now.  Finally it hit me that LARPing shields would be a good idea.  I did several searches and found this one. It was covered with stretch canvas so I just pulled out my oil paints and had at it.  It worked quite well.

Things I bought:

Leggings from Kohls, gloves from Sock Dreams, shield necklace from SilverThink, and boots from Zappos.

No amount of photo editing could save this one of only three photos of me in the costume.  And this is the only one that shows the whole thing.

So, how was it?  I've never cosplayed as such a well known character so I was a little nervous but people were so nice and it was loads of fun.  I'm sure there are more photos of me on other people's cameras but I don't mind.  I had a blast being Cap and will be Cap again for certain and next time I will definitely make sure to get more photos.  I do want to make some changes but what I have here is a great start.  I do promise better photos when I premiere the second version.

 I think I need to plan a little less and do a little more. 

Also, who next?  Hmm . . .

Peachy Keen

I didn't post last weekend because I was at Sun City Scifi.  I was a volunteer part of the time and a regular old convention goer the rest.  Which brings me to my first outfit post: Death.  I've dressed as Death from Sandman twice before - once for Halloween and once for another convention.  In that time the outfit has evolved from something very close to what she wears in the comics to something closer to my everyday wear.  I am a newbie to cosplay but as I get more into it I realize I'm not the sort who strives for accuracy but for recognizably.   Even if I am dressing as someone else I want to be comfortable and have it reflect myself as well as the character. 

Thus, a 1940s Death. 

When available, convention photos must be taken with a TARDIS.

Details:

 parasol - local vintage/costume shop
ankh necklace - Seller on Amazon, similar here
dress - Target
gloves - Claire's, I think
purse - vintage
Not pictured: stockings from What Katie Did and torturous shoes that were too small and got tossed as soon as I got home. (note: these were also badly worn and in no shape to donate)

As cosplays go this is still a work in progress.  I want to sew a black dress from a 1940s pattern and I obviously need to replace the shoes.  Also, I'm still figuring out the make up.  Except for the lipstick.  It's Styletto from Lime Crime and miles better than the kind you can pick up around Halloween.  I'm trying to think of ways to wear it in a non Death capacity.

And for those who have no idea who Death is, a link.