Abel's rosary update

1. Three rectangles

2. Pointed "wings"

The smaller pieces were what I was working on today. These are made out of foam, Model Magic and Wire.

Since these pieces are so small I wanted to do them so I could still be able to paint and work them onto the rosary without having to skip out on their smaller details.

I started by tracing them, from the picture above, and placed that over a piece of foam. I poked holes on the corners and like connect the dot drew the lines dot by dot on the foam.

What they looked like after I drew the patterns on the foam.

This is only one layer of foam by the way.

All cut out. I use a very small set of metal scissors that are supposed to be used for cutting a bonsai tree but since I never grew the tree I use them for cutting out small things.

One layer of this thin foam is not enough. So I traced them onto another sheet of foam to make a double layer.

I used hot glue to glue the two layers together. Now these are thick enough to work. I made them doubled because the foam was too thin. The rosary body has three layers of foam.

After this I coated them in Model Magic and now they are drying. I will get more pictures updated soon.

Posing (Picture Heavy)

As a cosplayer I always aim to improve. And one thing I am lacking badly at is posing for pictures during cons and at photoshoots. I get stiff, nervous and over think. But the best thing about when I cosplay is...I'm not alone! Using my fiance to produce poses together is a lot easier than if I am to pose alone. We use each other to help get into character, which helps get rid of that awkward nervousness.

A lot of new cosplayers have issues with posing as well, I can always see it on their faces when they are stopped randomly to get their picture taken. I'm going to post this with a ton of helpful links that I'm reading and using to better myself and that you might find helpful as well.


I'll also add a few pictures of posing charts. These will be credited to their rightful owner with the original link of course.

Couple poses

Female poses

Male poses

Links!


http://silencedrowns.tumblr.com/post/24369387883/tips-on-cosplay-posing-the-text-edition

~ Great info and ideas. She points out a very good fact. Do not pose in front of a mirror. If you really want to improve your posing, get someone to take pictures of you while posing. This way you can see what looks good on film and what doesn't.


http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/cosplay/cosplay-posing-a-quick-and-dirty-guide-lots-of-pics/t.32350509_1/

~Don't know where to began! I LOVE this little guide. The pictures she's posted are super helpful and easy to understand. I really enjoyed how used a book to practice her posture which is very important for a good picture. I suggest trying it! I'm going to.

http://cherazor.deviantart.com/art/Guide-Posing-in-Cosplay-172433587

~Another one of my all time favorites. Seriously so helpful.


http://conventionfansblog.com/2011/05/04/how-to-pose-gracefully-for-cosplay-photography-at-conventions/

~Some useful tips.

Abel's rosary

Since Caterina's dress will be done very soon, a week or two, I'm focusing more on props and accessories. There is only 32 days left. Not a lot but I'm now very sure that these new cosplays WILL be done on time and will debut at Sakura-con 2013. I was looking at the only rosary I found online for Abel and after a few minutes I realized the chain was wrong and I just didn't like how it looked. So instead of wasting money on it I'm just going to make it myself.

Below are the refs that I'll be using to create the rosary. I'm doing the version from the manga. I'm guessing it will be a pain in my butt and will be three times as hard  than Caterina's which still needs the chain and smaller piece to be made.

I'm only slightly crazy, k?  ;)

You get the picture. I'm not really looking forward to having to make all those small lines but we'll see how it goes. At least I have a backup just in case.

I'll be using some methods as shown on this tutorial http://gyakuyoga.hobby-web.net/bset/bset-aberu-rom7-rozarioaberu.html

Day 33- Starting on Caterina's bodice

Hey everyone.

Since the coat is basically finished (Besides props, armor plats and belts) I've started on Caterina's dress today. Its going pretty smoothly so far. The other day my mom and I spent the whole evening talking about how to do the dress  and decided to use the original pattern I bought instead of sticking different patterns together. The patterns we were going to use would wind up being too large for the costume in mind so we skipped that idea. I finally got my mom to realize just making the skirt with extra fabric would work much better, we're sticking with the one pattern.

The bodice is fairly simple. It took me a while to figure out how to get it all in order. It turns out I forgot to cut one piece and the top wont be as thin as I thought so no lining for this. I'll just wear my white cami under. All we have to do to the bodice now (I did a ton of gathering today) is sew on the back. But I had to stop today in order to have some time to write.


I wont be posting pictures just yet. Maybe tomorrow when the back is sewn on. I'm super excited for this up-coming con. Not only are we bringing two new costumes but I'm really close to finishing my first ever hand made dress. Plus Vic is coming. ;)

If one more person drops out of the costume contest Nic and I, Black Cat cosplay, are in! We are at the top of the waiting list right now. I know there is a high chance of us getting in because there is always someone who doesn't show. Although I'm really hoping since they've done this once already, that they up the number and just let us all in. After all 40 people isn't a lot seeing as the con is normally around 20,000 cosplayers.

Who knows.

Abel's coat + Caterina's wig

Finally finished the Abel coat. It sure did take a long while and I faced many challenges but its finally all together and looking pretty good. There are some mistakes, thanks to the trim but I don't think its too bad for my first time making a costume. I'm overall pleased with how it turned out.

Today I did the finishing touches.

~Hemmed the bottom of the coat
~Made the four pocket flaps
~Ironed on the trim on the pocket flaps
~Ironed on the pockets
~Finished ironing on the trim on the front and around the bottom


It took me a long time and boy, am I beat. But I'm very happy with how it turned out. All I need to do to it is finish the armor plates, which are almost ready (Just a few more coats of paint) then sew those on and work on the belts and their details which will most likely be made out of model magic or foam.


Tomorrow I'm starting work on Caterina's dress. I know this piece will be harder than the rest I've done so far so I saved it for last on purpose. Since it is made out of three main patterns and one that I have to make myself, it will take a lot of work and focus to get it done within 35 days! But if I can make this coat and the petticoat I think I can do it. The details I'll work on during the evenings so I can focus on sewing during the day when my mother can guide me.

Today while my fiance and I went to see Warm Bodies, a package came! Two in two days not bad. Today Caterina's wig came! I ordered form Gothic Lolita Wigs during their 20% sale and it arrived early like normal. I seriously love that company. They are so great about shipping out quickly.

Sadly since they haven't started selling the larger and longer version of this wig yet I couldn't wait any longer and decided on just getting this one for now since I'd rather not fret over wigs since I have so much sewing to do.

I love how curly this wig is! So cute. It goes to about my shoulders and is very bouncy! Not as full as it should be for Caterina but its a more realistic version so it will work wonderfully.

The bangs from the pictures of Caterina are always side swept but since my eyebrows are REALLY dark, almost black it's going to be hard to get them a light blonde so I'm leaving them like this to help cover them up. I might sweep them to the side during the contest.

Did I mention how curly this thing is?

I mean WOW! This is loaded with lovely and realistic curls. They are a bit frizzy but with real hair it would do the same so I think it adds to the wig. I can easily smooth it down anyway.

I love moving this thing. It has so much character. I really love it.

Fmanime review (xxxHolic Yuuko kimono and wig)

Date ordered: 01/05/1013
Date received: 2/20/13

Note: The shipping time was estimated to arrive middle of March. Even though it was caught up in the Chinese new years rush it still arrived early.  I'm impressed since last time there was a mix up and our package arrived late. They've improved a great deal.

Paid:
~Yuuko kimono-$108.00
~Wig-$35.00
~Shipping-$55.00

Total:$198.000


Kimono

In this picture I did this obi wrong, it is supposed to be tied around the inner robe. The whole thing together is breath taking. At first I wasn't sure about the patterns and the colors but now that I've seen it in person I'm impressed and head over hills in love with it.

The fabrics are very nice. No cheap shininess or heavy bed comforter type. Its light and soft to the touch. Every seam is done correct, no messy threads.

Where the obi should be. I need to learn how to tie in a bow. Sorry for the rush job.

Front part of everything together.

Inside of the outer kimono is lined in lovely red satin.
















The sleeves in together. They were well made and fit perfectly.

Close up of the fabric of the outer kimono. Really soft. I love it.

All fabrics side by side. They really do blend well. The colors are very nice.  I love all the different types of flowers and birds.














WIG



I've been grooming the wig, sorry its a bit messy. I'm going to wash it tomorrow. The bangs weren't styled like they were supposed to but that's an easy fix.


The color looks more brown in the pictures but it s a natural black  with brown undertones. Its super soft! Very much like natural hair and that is what I want in a cosplay wig.


The netting is thin but not noticeable when worn. Luckily all my hair fits underneath, which saves me from having to cut it. This wig is about 120cm. It goes down to my thighs (I'm 5'2 1/2)

Cut the bangs. I left the sides long so it is in Hime style like Yuuko has in the manga. It needs to be washed and looks bad because I sprayed it down. It is a very long wig but with some time and lots of spraying it will work out quite well.











Overall:

I'm very pleased. We bought two costumes from them before and sadly there were a lot of issues when it came to shipping. But they've improved! I'm very glad I gave them another try. Now I can say we will buy from them again. All is forgiven.


So I'm rating them at a 4.5

Why?

No issues beside them giving us someone else's tracking number and having us freak out because the package went somewhere else. It took us two times to email them before getting a reply about it, that's the only reason I didn't give them a five. The items ordered are perfect. I'm very pleased. Money well spent.

Wig, trim and 37 days.

My wig I ordered from Gothic Lolita Wigs has shipped! I'm using it for Caterina's cosplay. And although its not the longer version, I'm still pretty excited about it coming. Its just one step closer to being done with these costumes. I still have a long way to go but I have faith in myself.

In other news! I started putting on the trim! At first I thought "How the hell am I going to put the trim on the coat without having to hand sew ten yards of trim?"

This stuff Saved me from many sleepless nights. It's amazing, easy to use and works fast. Plus its permanent and washable. It took some getting used to but it works quite well. I managed to get the trim on the collar and cuffs.










Tomorrow's to-do list

~Make pocket flaps
~Sew velcro
~Hem
~Finish trim on front
~Start on bodice  ~Maybe~


Days left until con: 37.