Anime North 2011 - Saturday

This was taken after the Saturday night masquerade. I was entry 81, so it was a long night. We were too tired and it was too crowded to take any good photos. I hope to do a photoshoot soon.

Shinku - More Final Touches

I redid the sleeve that I was complaining about... it's a little better. More consistent. I added a lining, although I'm not sure it's quite right and I am may need to resew a few parts after testing it out. I cut off the hook and eye I sewed on the collar yesterday and redid it.

The only thing I might still do is touch up the crinoline because it is a little longer in the front than in the back. It should only take a couple minutes to do that though.

I need to pull out my bloomers to check those out...

That's it. Except for any possible lining touch-ups, it's done.

Shinku - The Final Countdown (Part 1?)

On the weekend I tried on the costume again and the alterations worked out very well, so thank goodness. The cane is painted pink and almost done being sealed. I added more tulle to the crinoline, which was the worst of it. I bought a lighter weight tulle than the original garment and had some difficulty sewing it, but it is bigger, so it doesn't matter too much. I trimmed the bangs and it makes a big difference.

I also picked up some hair pins to hold on the wig better than bobby pins. And a new mascara. I'll need to do some work on my eyebrows, but I think I'll probably wait until Friday to do that, Thursday at the earliest.

Today, I have sewn the band down on my capelet, so that piece is entirely done. I did a few touch-ups on my zipper and added a hook and eye to the collar, though it's a rather shoddy job. I added the three buttons to the front of the bodice as well. As it stands the whole thing is done. There are, however, a few areas that could be improved upon. I will consider these areas in the next two days and make any changes I deem necessary.

Otherwise... she's all done!

Shinku - Mini Part

Finished the hat, more or less, and attached the bow to the back of the dress.

Dress To-Do List:

• Finish sewing the zipper
• Hem the dress
• Bodice alterations
• Sew on the decorative buttons (0/3)
• Make a bow for the back
• Attach bow

Accessories To-Do List:

• Make buttonholes in the capelet (6/6)
• Sew the buttons onto the capelet (6/6)
• Make little band for top buttons of the capelet
• Resew the brim onto the hat
• Sew on a band on the inside of the hat
• Attach button to the top of the hat
• Attach more tulle to the crinoline
• Paint the cane pink
• Make bow for the cane
• Trim bangs and back of the wig

Shinku - Part Twelve

Five hours later, hem is done!

Dress To-Do List:

• Finish sewing the zipper
• Hem the dress
• Bodice alterations
• Sew on the decorative buttons (0/3)
• Make a bow for the back
• Attach bow

Accessories To-Do List:

• Make buttonholes in the capelet (6/6)
• Sew the buttons onto the capelet (6/6)
• Make little band for top buttons of the capelet
• Resew the brim onto the hat
• Sew on a band on the inside of the hat
• Attach button to the top of the hat
• Paint the cane pink
• Make bow for the cane
• Trim bangs and back of the wig

Shinku - Part Eleven

So... I worked on the hat. I reattached the brim and then top stitched all the way around. I don't know if I like how it looks. I don't know what to do about it.

I made the alterations to the dress bodice. It was a little bit of a nightmare, no surprise. Difficult to position, had to cut the skirt off to finish the seams. Not fun. It's done, but I still need to try it on again to make sure everything is alright.

Made the bow for the back. The velvet wanted to slip and move the whole time, so it's a little floppy and not as pristine as the bows usually turn out, but it's pretty good. Velvet is pretty floppy, so, it's fine.

Painting the cane is still going, but not well. I don't know... the paint seems unusually thin and just wants to slide right off the surface, making huge drip marks. I don't know what I can do to make this good, I might need to get new paint. Oi.

Dress To-Do List:

• Finish sewing the zipper
• Hem the dress
• Bodice alterations
• Sew on the decorative buttons (0/3)
• Make a bow for the back
• Attach bow

Accessories To-Do List:

• Make buttonholes in the capelet (6/6)
• Sew the buttons onto the capelet (6/6)
• Make little band for top buttons of the capelet
• Resew the brim onto the hat
• Sew on a band on the inside of the hat
• Attach button to the top of the hat
• Paint the cane pink
• Make bow for the cane
• Trim bangs and back of the wig

Shinku - Part Ten

So, weekend update!

Went shopping for all the last minute supplies that I still needed and somethings I found out I didn't have. Picked up white stockings, false eyelashes, more thread and interfacing, skirt hooks.

I tried on the finished dress with the corset I've decided I'm going to wear and decided the bodice needs to be taken in. This will be a nightmare, but if it works it will make an astronomically huge difference in the fit and look of the whole costume.

I made the buttonholes and sewed on the buttons on the capelet. I tried the - disassembled and pinned together - hat with the wig and it looks A LOT better, so it's ready to be sewn together and finished. A first layer of pink paint was applied to the cane. All in all things are looking pretty good.

Today I didn't do too much work, but I made the little beige band to go on my capelet. It really makes it. I just need to sew it down a bit.

A few people are suggesting I enter the masquerade at AN. I'm still not sure... it's a huge commitment, which can be very worth it. But, last year entering the masquerade took over the whole Saturday. So... I just don't know yet.

Dress To-Do List:

• Finish sewing the zipper
• Hem the dress
• Bodice alterations
• Sew on the decorative buttons (0/3)
• Make a bow for the back
• Attach bow

Accessories To-Do List:

• Make buttonholes in the capelet (6/6)
• Sew the buttons onto the capelet (6/6)
• Make little band for top buttons of the capelet
• Resew the brim onto the hat
• Sew on a band on the inside of the hat
• Attach button to the top of the hat
• Paint the cane pink
• Make bow for the cane
• Trim bangs and back of the wig

Shinku - Part Nine

Countdown to Anime North: 14 Days.

Yesterday, I mostly did work on the cane. To patch up those cracks (I found out someone stepped on my cane, arg!) I applied layers of wood glue and dried them in front of a heater. I think I did around five or more layers... I started to lose track pretty quickly. The thing is pretty sturdy now. I also used some glue layers to smooth over some rough parts. I also started a little work on the seven meter hem. I think I only did about a yard, but I started quite late in the evening and my eyes got tired pretty quickly. I also straightened out the curls in the wig ponytails a little bit. They're still pretty curly, but in more a appropriate way.

Today I went back to the dress. It is now sewn up the back with the zipper mostly inserted. I tried to put it in nice and correctly, honestly, I did. But the velvet was such a nightmare that I had to resort to drastic measures. Needless to say, it's not the prettiest zipper, but it's in there. I just need to hand sew the section near the waist, because it was too bulky for my poor, stupid, domestic machine.

I've also been applying more coats of primer to the cane... after adding all those glue layers, the prime job has to be pretty much be completely redone. But I've been speeding through it, so hopefully I will finally be able to paint it pink this weekend.

Dress To-Do List:

• Finish sewing the zipper
• Hem the dress
• Sew on the decorative buttons (0/3)
• Make a bow for the back
• Attach bow

Accessories To-Do List:

• Make buttonholes in the capelet (0/6)
• Sew the buttons onto the capelet (0/6)
• Make little band for top buttons of the capelet
• Resew the brim onto the hat
• Sew on a band on the inside of the hat
• Attach button to the top of the hat
• Paint the cane pink
• Make bow for the cane
• Trim bangs and back of the wig

Shinku - Part Eight

Both ruffle cuffs are on the sleeves and the skirt is attached to the bodice. Huzzah! One zipper, one hem and three small buttons away from dress completion!

Shinku - Part Seven

So... yeah. Today I was really hesitant to work after the nightmare that was yesterday. But I did give in and do some stuff. I assembled and attached the sleeves. They're pretty good. Well... the right sleeve is not quite right. When I was machining it somehow the gathers were all pushed to the back of the sleeve head, and it looks off. Especially in comparison to the left sleeve where the gathers are positioned better at the top of the sleeve head. So... I'm not sure what to do. The right sleeve has already been inserted twice, thanks to a stupid mistake (lined the sleeve seam up with the wrong seam on the bodice).

While considering this I added a ruffle-cuff thing to the bottom of the left sleeve. It's pretty good. Thanks to velvet slippage it's not perfect... but it was hard enough and the error is small enough that I'm going to ignore that one for sure.

But this right sleeve. What to do, what to do...

Also the collar is fully attached now. Decided to just stitch in the ditch on the right side of the bodice. It looks prefect from the front and it saved a lot of work and cursing.

Once this sleeve business is taken care of I will attach the skirt. It's almost a dress! Whoo!

Shinku - Part Six

Today wasn't great in the costuming department. Someone stepped on my cane and now there are hairline cracks in it. The cane is made of bamboo, very fragile and filled with sand to add weight. So. Yeah.

I sewed the last side seam on the bodice, which was a bit of a nightmare. Did the wax paper thing, diagonal and straight pins. It still was messed up. At the risk of ruining a lot, I took the seam apart and tried again. It was only marginally better. For the most part the pieces still slid to where they had been when I sewed the seam the first time.

Then I added the collar. Had to add sew-in interfacing. It worked out okay, but for the most part I sewed it on completely by hand and did not bother with the machine at all. At the end there was a pucker in the bodice (arg - nightmare!) so I took that section apart and then machined it back together. It was a little off, but it's not noticeable. I still need to slip stitch the other side of the collar down, which will probably be interesting... I hope not.

I may also sew the sleeves by hand depending on how it goes. I think that will be sucky enough without adding the stress of trying to sew it all together on the machine. Scary!

Shinku - Part Five

I wasn't going to work on the costume at all today... and then I did. Basically I sewed four seams and it took about two hours. The first one took an hour. Velvet is mean. Following a tip I found online, I tried sewing the next three seams together with wax paper placed between the two layers of velvet. Let me tell you, this works A LOT better than basting. And it wasn't even just basting that I used to keep the pieces together, I did a fully back-stitched seam. Go figure. Just pinning with the later of wax paper worked almost perfectly. Pinning diagonally. One more seam and the bodice will be done. Next up, collar and sleeves.

YAY! *eyeroll*

Hat surgery is also an ongoing nightmare process. And more cane priming.

Shinku - Part Four

Sewing velvet sucks. How is it possible for it to shift so much even after being pinned to death and hand sewn together on the line? How is it possible?!

Today I made my nice seven meter ruffle and attached it to the bottom of the skirt. It looks awesome. Then I started sewing together the bodice and that's when the nightmare began. Nightmare! I also sewed the lace on the center front piece down. I may go over that with the machine, I'm not sure yet.

Afterwards, went out to pick up more primer and the pink paint for my cane. Also went to the mall and found shoes ($99 marked down to $39, plus 30% off the reduced sale price - whoo!) and little rose shoe clips to go on those too. It's all starting to come together!

Shinku - Part Three

Red fluffy dust nightmare!

ETA: Finally bit the bullet and started cutting into the velvet. I've cut out all the pattern pieces except for the sleeves at this point. I've also cut out a three meter piece for the skirt and a three meter piece for the skirt ruffle. The ruffle is going to need to be longer yet, but I won't really be able to cut that out until after I get the sleeves cut.

I also serged the pieces, which was necessary but not too fun. There are, of course, little red fluffy particles everywhere!

I really want to start sewing but I have a massive headache, so I think I might just leave it for today. Perhaps I'll cut the sleeves and ruffle out later so that I can at least get straight so sewing tomorrow morning.

Shinku - Part Two

May the Fourth be with you!

Hehe.

Got a bit of work done today, yesterday and Monday on the Shinku costume. Monday I drafted the bodice for the dress. I'm just going to make a simple gathered skirt. Yesterday I drafted a sleeve pattern for the dress and starting priming the cane for painting. Then went out to pick up some supplies that were preventing me from progressing, mostly notions and a bit of lace for the bodice.

Today I chickened out a little on starting the dress; I've worked with velveteen, but never velvet before. So I decided to start working on the underparts. I made a little crinoline out of tulle. There's a little extra tulle at the back for a bit of a bustle shape, it's subtle. The petticoat is a nice cotton material I found in my stash. It's about three meters pleated onto a twill tape. I just need to add some kind of skirt hook. I salvaged some lace from the bottom of my Belle petticoat, which is a bit of a write-off at this point, and added that to the bottom of this new petticoat.

And lastly I made a fabric covered button for the top of the hat. But the hat is still a work in progress. Anyway, I'm oddly excited about how awesome the button looks!

Shinku - Part One

I started some preliminary work on my Shinku cosplay today.

On the weekend, I went fabric shopping and got some cotton velvet for the dress and wool stuff for the hat and capelet. I'm very excited about the velvet, it is very luxurious. I'm hoping it's at least a little less nightmarish to work with than the polyester velveteen stuff I worked with a couple months ago. Shudder. The wool is very nice. One of the colours is not quite right, but I think it'll work well once it's all put together. After fabric shopping I went to a costume store and found all the accessories for the costume too. Amazing. Her cane (she carries a cane) needs to be primed and painted pink, which I may start on next weekend if the weather is nice. Nicer...

My wig came in as well and I'm very excited about it. It's so bouncy and fun and full. It needs a little work still. The curls are a little too dense, so I need to straighten them out a little bit. And the bangs go down to my chin (and are so thick!) so they need to be trimmed down quite a bit.

Today I copied out and altered a pattern for the hat that a friend lent to me. I also drew up a pattern for the capelet and made a quick mock-up (except for the collar). I'm going to get an opinion on the shape of the capelet and then after that I'll draft up a quick collar and start working on the real one!

School is almost over...

With less than a week left of school that means pretty soon my personal costuming can start up again! I'm so excited! Today I thought a lot about what I'm going to make, and I've settled on finally making my Shinku costume.

And to further set this in stone in my mind, I have purchased a wig for it. (A necessity for it to arrive in time.) I'm ordering from Arda wigs, which I'm pretty excited about, I hear they are very nice.

I've done quite a bit more progress on my SW packing gown front piece but it's still got a ways to go. But that's okay. I won't need it until the end of August. I took quite a few progress pictures throughout but have been too busy to fix them up for posting. Hopefully there will time for that in the near future!

ETA:

Really, Really Crazy.

So... here's the part where the name of my blog starts to sound pretty accurate. I think I want to set aside the Ciel Phantomhive costume for a little while and start on the Shinku (with Detective Kun Kun Henshin Set from episode I-have-no-idea of Rozen Maiden Traumand) costume. Why? Well, my love for Shinku is great and profound, not to mention I just got my very Shinku doll, which is the creepiest and cutest thing I have ever bought, and I just need to keep expressing my love of it, ideally in costume-making form. And while the pink ballgown will be an awesome costume (and historically relevant enough to be worn at an upcoming Historical Ball/Halloween Party), I don't really love Ciel Phantomhive as a character. Anyway, I guess nobody really cares about only doing characters they love, but it's important to me.

Shinku: Part One
Did I mention how I feel that this is very insane, and that this means I want to attempt to make both of these before August and/or October (in addition to the two Sailor Scout costumes I'm making, and the Renaissance costume I'm making, and my super secret crazy sewing project - granted that last one can wait a little while).

The first thing I plan on doing here is finding the pattern I made for my Belle costume and altering it. Knowing my luck, however, I probably will not be able to find this pattern. I know of no concievable place where I might have put it... but I'll look anyway. Second, I have a huge pile of burgundy tulle that I think I could use for a crinoline/petticoat. I am tired of seeing Shinku cosplays without the appropriate undergarments (*nerdy frustration here*). There are a few other things that I think need to be under that skirt to get the proper shape, but I am going to keep those to myself. I can't share all my secrets after all. I think overall, this costume shouldn't be too difficult to put together. The wig on the other hand... well, I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Additionally, Bryan (who loves Kun Kun and I gather Shinku by association) suggested that when I do this costume, we find a really good place to do our photoshoot, even if *gasp* we actually have to pay for a location. I was both surprised and pleased by this prospect. Obviously, I'll test all the contacts I can at my work for Victorian locations that won't charge me, however, it will probably only take me so far.

So excited!