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.

30 day cosplay challenge....in one day.

The 30 day cosplay challenge is from Tumbler, I however do not go on that site nor will I remember to post one of these each day for 30 days. There is just too much cosplay work going on for me to remember to post everyday so I'll save time and just post it all right now!

1. Your first cosplay.

Sharon Rainsworth from Pandora Hearts. This was one of the first pictures I had taken of me wearing the cosplay. I adore cosplaying as Sharon. 

2.How many costumes have you done?

2 done. With 2 new ones on the way. I sold the Sakura cosplay and replaced it with Yuuko. I'm currently making Caterina and Abel's costumes.

Total: 4

With many more to come!

3. Your most recent cosplay.

Sakura from Tsubasa worn at Kumori-con 2012. I cannot explain my hatred for this costume. The outfit was beautiful! But I'll never wear short wigs again....

4. Your cosplay communities, where do you go to talk about cosplay?

I mainly go on DeviantArt, as well as Cosplay.com and Sakura-con/Kumori-con websites, I do have account for WorldCosplay as well. I mainly post my updates on this blog and DA though.

5. Blatant self plug! Link us to your cosplay page, be it dA, ACP, Coscom, whatever!

WorldCosplay     DeviantArt

6. Your favorite cosplay (that you have done)

Sharon from Pandora Hearts for sure! I love prancing about in the big hoop skirt. The wig is painful because of the clip on ponytail but I adore this cosplay and character. My fiance often calls me "The Duchess" Because of this cosplay.

Its a very easy cosplay to wear and put on. The only downside is the fabric is hard to wash so I try my hardest on not getting it dirty. I've been updating this cosplay since we bought it a few years ago. This may be the last year I wear this outfit, for I might make Sharon a new dress this fall.

7. The character you have cosplayed that is most similar to you (if none that you have cosplayed, then one that you will cosplay)

Sharon for sure. I believe that is why I enjoy cosplaying her so much. She may look innocent and delicate but there is a strong side to her. She's willing to venture out and try her best to take care of those she cares about. And when she needs someone she has Break to depend on. She's smart and awesome when drunk, hello queen complex! 

8. Your cosplay plans for the rest of the year (if you have no more for this year, then do next year!)

For our largest con of the year and first of the season, we are bringing two new  cosplays, Yuuko and Watanuki and Caterina and Abel.  I'm very excited for this con and to be able to wear these new cosplays!

Fall, we're keeping it simple. Two more hand made cosplays. Just new outfits to replace our default outfits for our Pandora Hearts cosplay. We'll be on a panel this year so we want to look our best!

9. The dream cosplay that might just happen

Since my sewing skills are improving and I'm more comfortable working with the machine and reading patterns, these might just happen in the next few years.

1. Seth/Augusta (Trinity Blood) 

Will take a full year to complete.

2.  Lacie (Pandora Hearts)

3. Ozma (Return to Oz)

4.Dinah and Vincent (Bizneghast)

10. The dream cosplay that will never happen

I love this outfit worn by Dinah from Bizenghast. Sadly I just can't even began to think of how to make it. All those details...I love the color scheme and how the skulls are blended in with the "prettiness" but I just don't think I can tackle all those details. I wouldn't even know where to began on how to create them. But I can dream...

11. Something cosplay-related that you will never do (eg. crossplay, cosplay from a certain series)

No tight bodysuits! Don't have the body for it, even if I did I wouldn't. 
No short school girl outfits! Sorry Saya....that skirt is WAY too short. I'm overly modest.
No young character. Tried Sakura...didn't work out.
Facial hair. 'nuff said.

12. Your cosplay idol.

Shushuwafflez is one of my favorite cosplayers! Her attention to details and passion for this hobby is amazing. She's also my favorite Seth cosplayer! I admire her greatly and her cosplays really inspire me to imrpove and grow as a cosplayer. Check out her DA (Linked above) Her work is great!

13. Your cosplay specialty (ie. something that seems to apply to a large amount of your cosplays, it could be a specific series, or 

a common feature in their appearance, such as glasses)

1. Little details
Details are everything to me when cosplaying. For Sharon's dress I added on golden beads on the ribbon as seen on the manga cover. Whether its the shoes or the right colors I try to focus on the smaller details that most people skip over.

2.Wigs and contacts
Maybe its because I have bad version but I always have to have contacts for cosplay. It makes the costume whole. You can't avoid looking at a camera or hiding your eyes. They are using make-up. It only enhances the costume. Wigs as well. I can't stand a off colored wig or cheap Halloween wigs. I'm always careful about using the right types, styles and colors. A lot of good cosplayers do this too so maybe it isn't a specialty.

3. Hoop skirt!
Love this thing. I try to be historially correct for cosplays like Sharon and Caterina. That means BIG fluffy skirts. They are so fun to swish around in. They may seem a bit...daunting at first but they are easy to wear, sit in and walk in. Plus they make the dresses so full! I try to use it as much as I can.

14. Your cosplay-making habits (eg. singing while working on cosplay)

I love to listen to music or watch TV/movies while working on cosplay and props. It makes the time go by quickly and before I know it I'm all done. Some times when I'm trying to inspire myself I'll go online and watch videos from other cons. Coffee....coffee is the key to getting things done quickly for me. Yum! Yum!

 15. Your least favorite thing about cosplay

Taking breaks or going back to the hotel room to eat. I feel as if I'm missing something. Like the huge con is going on and I'm sitting in my hotel room where no one can see my cosplay and where I can't see theirs. I also HATE sleeping in. Which is strange because I'm not a morning person but when people do want to sleep in I always feel the need to rush to get into the con space because I hate feeling as if I am missing something. 

16. Do you belong to any cosplay groups?  If so, what are they?

Black Cat Cosplay. Its not really a group. Just my fiance and I. We decided on the name a while back (Hence the title of this blog) We'll be using this name for when we entering cosplay contests at cons. 

17. What events have you cosplayed to?

We attend Sakura-con in the spring (March-April) and Kumori-con in the fall (September). We'll also be going to FaerieWorlds in the summer but will not be cosplaying. We may attend Steamcon as well this year but that has yet to be decided. 

 18. What is your best cosplay memory?

When Ger from Breaking All The Rules interviewed my fiance and I for her book. Although we may not be in the book it was awesome talking to her. That Kumori-con was the best con so far. We had good time after good time. We spent the weekend with friends (Sadly no longer friends) and shared nothing but laughter and made memories I will forever hold dear. 

19. What is your worst cosplay memory?

We were at our second con and were in the hall, trying to fix my wig which was having major issues. Our photo shoot was in about half an hour and I was panicking. I guess someone was calling my fiance's character's true name and we didn't hear them. Later at the shoot this person was very cold and rude towards us, believing that we SHOULD have stopped what we were doing, and talked to them. If I would have heard them all we would have said is "Hi." or waved so I really don't understand why they made such a fuss about it when we didn't even know them. It made our first photo shoot awkward and they tried their hardest to make the shoot bad for us. We wound up in three or four pictures. And our characters were ignored. Not a good start. Luckily I haven't seen this person at the meet-ups anymore.

20. Have you won any cosplay awards?

Not yet! We are on the waiting list for our first cosplay contest right now! Hopefully we are able to enter it by the time the con comes around because I've been working hard on these new costumes.

21. Show us your best cosplay derp photo!

Our friend took this of us while we sat in a hall. We weren't paying attention and look silly.

22. Have you worn cosplay in a regular situation? (eg. at school, to work)

Not yet. I would have when I was back in high school but I wasn't cosplaying at the time.

23. Your most expensive cosplay

Since we normally buy two cosplays at a time (One for me and one for my fiance) they come about to the same price. Although I'm pretty sure our handmade costumes are the most expensive so far.

24. Your most comfortable cosplay and most uncomfortable cosplay

Each cosplay has something uncomfortable about them. The shoes to Sharon's are made weird and hurt my toes like no other, and her wig with the clip on ponytail sucks. The dress is very comfortable and easy to wear though. Sakura's outfit was by the worst because it was in pieces and would not stay together! I don't know about my two new ones yet. But we'll find out soon!

25. The cosplay you put the most effort into

Most defiantly our handmade Trinity Blood costumes. I've been slaving away on these for months. I'm trying to add as much detail as I can and making it look just like the picture I post at #25. I really want these to look good and not like they are my first cosplays I've ever made. So if we are in the contest people will be surprised by my work and will remember my cosplays.

26. Any unfinished costumes?  Will you ever finish them?

Our TB cosplays are still being made. So they are unfinished but will be worn either for Sakura-con or Kumori-con. 

27. How many wigs do you own? Which is your favorite?

-Picture to come-

Owned-6  (Including my fiance's)
~Sharon
~Break
~Yuuko
~Caterina
~Syaroan
~Lolita wig

With two on the way (Watanuki, Abel)

28. Where do you work on your cosplays and where do you store them when they’re done?

I work on props downstairs on my desk and sewing and such upstairs in the dinning room. 


All cosplays are stored in my closet in garment bags. The bags are HUGE so I can store their props in with them as well. Since my fiance's mom likes to mess and throw out cosplay stuff we keep them at my house where no one besides me touches them. I'm over-protective. 

 29. What is your favorite cosplay item? (eg. a pair of shoes, a wig)

My hoop skirt! This thing is amazing! And it makes all my dresses look very large in charge. I'll also be wearing it for my Caterina cosplay and boy does it make the underskirt I made look good.

Plus its fun to walk in and sit in. 

30. Describe cosplay in three words.  No more, no less.

Fun. Creative. Rush

Next steps

38 days left....


I'm so excited! I'm finally getting things done. The coat only needs the be hemmed and have the back of the collar sewn. Pretty easy stuff. Right now I'm working on all four of Abel's armor plates. They are turning out pretty good. I found out that you don't really NEED to use heat. Once the Mod Podge, Impasto and paint is on, the foam is very bendy. If you didn't know acrylic is plastic. So the foam is not only protected but its flexible.

I made a mistake on the two larger ones so I recurled them and am now using the inside for the out. I put a wide bangle around the foam plates overnight and they really helped keep shape. No heat involved. Which is awesome. It just takes a bit for everything to dry.

I did forget something on Abel's coat. POCKET FLAPS! I am so glad I got extra fabric. It'll be easy to quickly make without a pattern. Since I bought trim today (Around 10 yards) I realized we had forgotten the pockets. So tomorrow I'll quickly sew those.  Sadly I couldn't find iron on trim! So I have to hand sew the damn trim on. I'm going to see if it'll work with using the machine so I only have to sew the small parts by hand.

I'm excited to start work on Caterina's dress. Especially since we just ordered the wig today! Sadly the online store didn't release the longer version of the wig we got. But it'll work just fine. I also found the perfect ribbon for her hair bows today! So we're one step closer.

All we need to do now is....


~Finish the coat
~Start on the dress
~Buy shoes
~Finish props (Armor plates, rosary)
~Buy gloves (And sew the crosses on them)
~Buy Abel's wig.
~Buy con tickets (Have until March)

And we'll be set to go!

Trinity Blood Armor plates-part one

Prop: Trinity Blood Armor plates
Number of plates:7 (Four-Abel. Three-Caterina)


Since Abel's coat is almost done. It will be finished today. I've started on working on the armor plates so I don't have to do all this work last minute. There are 39 days until the con which is the last week of March. This is our biggest con and our first con of the year. I thought I would explain how I'm going to do these plates.

Supplies I'm using:

~Craft foam sheets
~Mod Podge
~Acrylic paint
~Impasto

I decided to to many different layers in order to get a rich worn gold color. So I picked three colors that will create a base and top coat.

The impasto is for texture.

The Mod Podge is a sealer and finish which will help prevent the foam from getting dent and will keep it waterproof.

The ugly greenish color is a mix of silver, gold and yellow. It is the base color. First thing I painted on the foam was a thin layer of gold. Then painted this. The color isn't as green as it looks in the picture. It will give a darker undertone to the plates to make it appear aged.

The top piece has both layers.

The golden piece has a thin layer of gold metallic paint. This shows through the undertone paint layer. Gives it more sparkle.

How it looks with both layers painted. It appears more gold. This will be covered by layers of impasto and gold metallic paint.

The reason it is dark is to give it a aged appearance. Like painting on a canvas its important to paint a darker undertone when aiming for an aged look. Otherwise it would be bright gold and would look new.





More to come~

Paint is drying.