Supplies: Round one.

So we got the first wave of supplies bought. We forgot a few things but oh well. We can always go back and get them later on. It was funny how I got so prepared before hand and then when we left I kept forgetting things, including the measurements! Then once in the store I realized I had forgotten to place Abel's coat pattern back into my bag. So we had to guess how much fabric we would need. We got 4 yards but need 5 yards but oh well. I can at least get started on the sleeves and the custom parts. For Caterina's dress I found a lovely white fabric with a bit of a shine to it that is very soft and moves wonderfully. I also got fabric for her petticoat, although I didn't find the right lace so we didn't get any for that. Abel's fabric is a off white that just so happened to look great next to Caterina's fabric.

We also got a few smaller items such as thread and elastic band for the petticoat. Otherwise we had forgotten to get Velcro for Abel's coat and couldn't find lace. But hopefully we can find those later.

Note: Sorry for the pictures. They were taken on my messy bed. I haven't set up my sewing area yet so there isn't much room in my bedroom right now. Wig heads and hamster stuff is taking up most of the room besides...make-up clutter. XD

These are the three base patterns I'll be using for this project. The bottom left is for Abel's coat, top is for the  Caterina's dress and the sleeves, bottom right is for the petticoat.

Caterina's dress will be customized. I will have to add onto the pattern for her skirt to make it large and full, not A line. The petticoat will be finished first to help guide me with the shape.

For Abel's coat I'll be making my own pattern for his coat's lapels.

Abel's coat fabric. It's hard to tell but it's slightly off white. We decided to go with a more breathable fabric since it'll be worn over a turtle neck sweater.

All three patterns and fabrics. I had to put sticky notes on them for I don't get mixed up. The fabrics are next to their patterns.

Petticoat fabric. It's about five yards. Along with our smaller items we got today.

Patterns for Caterina. The fabric for her is above to the right. This is going to be a bit hard since I have to customize the patterns to much but it'll be so much fun, especially getting to wear it in the end!

Abel's patterns and the fabric used for his coat. I'm using the pattern on the right, the non-shiny one. I thought it looked very similar plus I can use this pattern again for the Undertaker when I make his costume...someday.

TB- metal plates

Trinity Blood (manga) is known for it's details. This picture which is what we are cosplaying for Sakura-con 1213 has a lot of little details, although it isn't as many as most of the outfits from the series. This happens to be from the artbook. Which I believe is more based off the novels. 

The main details are metal plates or armor which is what I've been calling them. All pieces seem to be gold with small bolt like circles. 

From what I've counted it seems...

Abel has: around four

Cateirna has: three

 I'll be making seven in total of these metal plates. At first I was wondering how the hell was I going to make these and have them still be able to be sewn into the costume while being able to be flexible.

My first idea was clay since I was a roll with clay but then after thinking it though clay would be the worst possible choice and so I long gave up that idea. I've been searching the net for some good ideas and found a wonderful tutorial for using craft foam (You know those cheap foam pieces that you can find at almost every art store) and have decided to use this method to create the armor pieces. Since I want my fiance to start making more of his own costume so he can later work on his own cosplays in case he choices not to do a couple cosplay, he'll know how to do some work. 

Here is the tutorial:  http://misscordie.deviantart.com/art/Craft-Foam-Armor-Tutorial-307592921

Cool right? It's amazing what you do with foam and a heat gun, which you can buy for around 25$ at most hard ware-stores. This is pretty easy method to use for armor pieces. So we'll be trying it out later on once I get the sleeves done. 

Tomorrow

Should be very fun. After my fiance gets off work we'll be going to the huge fabric store to pick up supplies. We already have our patterns but I wont be able to get the dress form until next week when I get paid. I love going to this fabric store. It's HUGE. There is a smaller fabric store near my house but this one has way more options. I'm hoping I find light blue lace so I don't have to dye lace but I suppose finding blue lace might be hard since I've only ever seen black and white lace being sold. To get an idea of some of the new techniques I'm going to be trying out I'll go ahead and post some links to the awesome tutorials I've found over the last few days. 

Our next con is in March, right after my 21st birthday and  four weeks after that is my fiance's and mine wedding! These next four/five months are going to be a lot of fun. I'm really hoping that it takes me less than two weeks to get Abel's coat done so I can try and finish Caterina's dress and petticoats within a month or two. 

Why?

So I can start work on our next cosplays! Lacie and Levi from Pandora Hearts. Long story short we want a break from Sharon and Break, they both need new wigs and I plan on making those characters other outfits, and I've grown fond of Lacie and Levi plus we'll be with a Will so it'd be awesome to walk around as a "family" I'm hoping it'll take me about two months to finish these costumes too. Since Lacie's dress is basic and I already have a hoop skirt and Levi's outfit is also somewhat basic I'm sure I'll be able to finish them on time as well. 

Besides going shopping tomorrow for our supplies there isn't much news. We're super excited to be going to Sakura with our high school friend, which will be her first Sakura! There is still a lot to do before the con and four months is kind of scary. I wish we would have started earlier but oh well. I have been busy trying to get a job (Which I did!) and my Fiance has been busy with work and school. Cosplay is an awesome relief from all this that's for sure. I love my job and I sure will be excited to go home and sew! 

So that's it for now. Thanks for the huge spike in views! I'm not sure what I did or where I posted the link to my blogs but thank you for stopping by and reading  through my posts. 

Trinity Blood check list (Unfinished)

We are not going supply shopping until this Friday but like normal I feel the need to be ready before we go up to the large fabric store to gather up what we need. Since this is my first hand-made project I'm trying to stay organized so I don't forget anything important. This post will be a check list and will updated up until the point the costumes are done.

Notes:

HM= Will be hand made
B= Will be buying
*= Focal point, will be finished first

Abel (Male):

1) Black turtle neck shirt []  -B
2) Floor length coat        []  -HM*
3) Heeled black boots    []  -B
4) Black skinny jeans     []   -B
5) Double belt                []
6) Lilith's rosary              []  -B
7) Prop glasses               []  -B
8) Black ribbon              []
9) Black Gloves             []
10) Armor                     []  -HM
11) Blue contacts           []  -B
12) Silver wig                []  -B


Caterina (Female):

1) White dress               [] -HM
2) Layered petticoats     [] -HM
3) Rosary                      [50%] -HM
4) White shoes              [] -B
5) White gloves             [] -B
6) Armor                      [] -HM
7) Blond wig                 [] -B
8) Periwinkle contacts   [] -B
9) White stockings        []

Reasons why Cosplaying is cool (And isn't just for teenies)

Yes. A game company has hired a cosplayer to be the face of their character. That's amazing. You can read the story below as linked.

"Forget that cheap cardboard Iron Man getup you threw together for Halloween -- the best cosplayers in the world are serious craftspeople who go to great lengths to portray characters as accurately possible. It takes, time, energy, and true dedication to do it well.

And occasionally, it pays off big time."

Cosplaying is an art. It allows you to create, learn and inspire. And that was why I wanted to cosplay. I have a love for art, whether it's painting or beading, or creating shadowboxes, I've always felt art was the one of the only ways for me to express myself freely and openly. Cosplay allows me to do that and so much more. Within my first year of cosplaying I've heard a lot of different inputs on cosplaying including some goods one and some...nasty ones. This post is going to stay positive and why cosplaying is cool and not only for teenie bobbers but for adults too. 

Note: These reasons are based on my beliefs and experiences. They may differ from yours. This is only my option and my words are not law. But before you bash it, try it at least once.

1) Cons are family friendly.

-Yup, parents all over the world bring their chickens to cons, dressed as characters, cosplaying beside them. Some cons even have events for children. such as drawing rooms and such. Plus who doesn't love seeing a mini version of their favorite character?

2) Widening your abilities 

-For you artsy folk who are curious about cosplaying, this is a great way to really try out new techniques and come up with your own. Whether it's sewing, beading, dying fabric or maybe making props. There are so many possibilities for you to creatively try new things. Plus nowadays it's easy to find tutorials in case you get stuck or are trying something new that is a bit tricky. 

3) It can led to a career

-Yeah. That's right. A career. You may be writing a book, taking photos, or crafting items, all of these things can make you money. Plus some contests have cash prizes. Maybe you are really good at sewing, it could lead you to a career working with a needle and thread. 

4) You meet new people

-I'm a little wary of explaining this one because something happened with some people we met and befriended . I can't say I'm pleased with this topic right now but I can say if you do make friends, enjoy them. Cosplayers are awesome friends as long as they don't separate you, live two lives (A cosplaying one and a noncosplaying one) These types of people don't make good friends if they can't embrace openly their hobby.

5) That rush you get when you step out of your hotel in full costume

-It's amazing, breath-taking, exciting. When you are stopped for the first time, asked if someone can take your picture, when you strike a pose, you feel like a model, like a celebrity. It's awesome. The memories are worth it. Although I don't know what it feel like yet, I'm sure wearing your hand-made costume must be the best type of rush you can feel. All those long nights stitching and sewing.  There really isn't a way to explain how it feel to be at a con. Go out there try yourself before sticking your nose up at it. 

Yahoo post

Official blog post

So much planning...

Today was a really good day at work. It was interesting and they trained me on the cash register! Me on the cash register! That's crazy. I even did it by myself for a while. That may not seem big to normal people but I have a learning disability as well as dyslexia which cause me to have issues with counting and using numbers. It was fairly simple, just lots of buttons and remembering the order. But really hard when they used cash and I had to give back change. But I'll learn. I have faith in myself and my coworkers do too, which makes me feel so much better.

It was a lot of fun and time went by quickly. Tomorrow is my last day for the week and I'm really excited for this weekend! Why? COSPLAY SHOPPING!!!!!! We are going to a big fabric store to gather what materials we need plus things like buttons, embroidery items, lace and lining. I get really excited holding the patterns. As soon as I get paid I'll be buying a dress form with the help of my fiance so we can get these costumes started.

Like I said before I'll be starting on Abel's coat first and maybe work on the petticoat for Caterina's dress as well. Although I work three days a week (so far) and am busy trying to write and get my novel finished, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to finish both costumes in a fair amount of time. Hopefully, and I'm crossing my fingers, that I am able to make Lacie's and Levi's costumes before March! That would be awesome seeing as I found two perfect wigs for them.

Patterns have arrived!

The patterns have arrived today. I was so excited. After looking over each pattern I'm pretty sure it'll be fairly easy to customize the patterns to fit each character's outfit. I'll be starting with Abel's coat the when that is done and I am pleased with how it turned out I'll be starting Caterina's outfit which I will be wearing. That should be interesting since I'll have to do a lot of custom work to the outfit as well as make a very full petticoat for it.

Since I finally got my work schedule and start working tomorrow we are going shopping later on in the week for cosplay supplies!  I'm not sure if we will be getting all supplies those two days or not we might if things are well priced to save us from making another trip later down the road. I'm super excited to finally be starting work and starting my first hand made cosplay project. Sakura-con will be so much more fun wearing something I made by hand. Hopefully everything turns out okay and I am pleased with the work so we can enter them into the costume contest. I really can't wait until Sakura next year.

Hopefully I can get my dress form soon!