Insert boring introductionary text here
Connichi 2010, one of the biggest conventions in Germany, is coming up in two weeks, so the last couple of weeks I've been busy sewing my new costumes, some of which I've been wanting to do for ages.
First costume:
Yuuko Ichihara from xXxHoLic ♥
I love CLAMP's designs for Yuuko, it was reeeaaally hard to pick one for cosplay. So this is what I'll be wearing on Sunday for the WCS prelims together with Maddi, who'll be my charming Himawari ♥
Here you can see the back side of the kimono, the green lining and some details on the sleeves.
I originally wanted to sew the garment using a real kimono pattern (read: rectangular shapes and open sleeves), but close fitting, low neckline and kimono patterns... just don't work together. So I took my kimono, closed the sleeves and added some darts, which makes it an evening dress with kimono sleeves, I guess...
One note on colours: This kimono I decided on is worn by Yuuko only once during the manga (in Tsubasa, actually), so I only had a b/w reference.
I've been pondering about what colour scheme I should choose for it and did some research on different kimono patterns, keeping in mind that Yuuko's style of clothing tends to be rather flashy. I decided on red (it's somehow Yuukos image colour, right?) with green lining, white obi/corset and orchids in white, silver and bronze-y gold and I think it matches quite well.
It's really subtle in the pictures, but I also gardient-dyed the sleeves and the bottom part of the dress in black. First time gradient-dyeing, but I'm really pleased with the outcome.
The orchids. They're made out of satin and I appliqued each and every one of them OTL
Once that was finished (1000hrs later??) I painted the contours with metallic fabric paint ... for another 1000hrs (I'm not really good at this kind of stuff...)
I suppose they could look better, but at least they're recognisable as orchids...
The corset. I couldn't find any nice (and affordable) gold laces or chinese buttons, so I bought white ones and dyed them myself. Yes, a lot of dyeing on this costume... orz...
And yes, I know there's no bow in the reference but with the low neckline and the long skirt it just looked... as if something was missing. So I made a obi-esque bow (detachable for conveniece) as well. Deal with it XD
Left: A wig test I did ages ago. The wig looks quite different now, but I'm too lazy to put it on again and to take some pictures. I also painted the orchids in a better fitting white and gold. You get the idea XD
Right: My contacts. Yuukos eye colour shifts from red to lilac to amber on different artworks. I would've loved to get red ones, because they'd fit the kimono best and would have the most impact, but there are no red contacts with prescription and I need to be able to see on stage (-6.00 dioptres here...).
So I decided on light brown contacts. They look kind of ... not brown... on my light blue eyes orz
This is what it looks like on me. I'm wearing another (selfmade) long black dress underneath, btw.
It's at 95% because I still need to paint on those tiny crests onto the sleeves and I also want to do something more about that choker. I already replaced the original lace and some of the beads, but I still don't like it.
So, what do you think?
I can't wait to wear it, I just hope it doesn't rain that Sunday >_>
Second costume:
A costume I've been wanting to do since two years now. It's an artwork out of a set of gem stone themed artworks by Nao Tsukiji. She is a mangaka/illustrator I like a lot and when I first saw her "Garnet" design I instantly fell in love with it.
This'll be my costume for Saturday.
I'm still in the middle of sewing, so there's not much I can show you.
Above you can see what will be the sleeves some day (left side) and a part of the head piece (right side). I really love the combination of green, gold and champagne ♥
Elaborate designs like this ask for a lot of beads, gems and laces... I've started to glue, paint (again, no buttons and laces in the right colour) and bead... First time doing this kind of jewellery. And I'm nowhere close to finish, but I like it. You can see in the bottom left corner that there're still a lot of beads, pearls and laces waiting to get attached >_>
This is what the dress looks like now. I spent a lot of money on beads, gem stones and laces, but I didn't need to buy even one yard of fabric! All of it are leftovers from my Euphemia costume, namely taffeta and chiffon. XD
You can't see the bottom part of the costume in the reference picture, so I'm free to do what I want ♪
I've decided to go for something like the court dresses during Napoleon's empire, with a high waist, a train (still missing in the picture, but I'll have one!) and light fabrics ♥
I think I can finish this dress until next Friday.
Third costume:
This is where it gets tricky. I've already decided that I want to do a Belle costume for Friday. Maddi is going to wear her beautiful Ariel costume and my sister Melli'll wear my Aurora costume. So far, so good.
BUT
I can't decide on a dress!! OTL
I already narrowed it down to two. This is where I need your help:
Left is Belle's "library dress" (she's wearing it for ... 10 seconds in the movie?? XD), right is her "Something There" dress (minus the cape). I really like both dresses, which is why it's so hard for me to pick one now, so please help me:
Which of these dresses should be my costume for the first day of Connichi?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I'll go fabric shopping next Friday (September 3rd), so I need your advice until then. Thank you in advance!!
EDIT: Thank you very much for your votes! In the end it was still a tie between both dresses orz (I've been asking for opinions outside of this blog, too). I went fabric shopping today... for dress A. Dress B is still on my list. Maybe I'll do it later this year.
