Friday, April 19, 2013



Lust the Lascivious

You humans are such sad and weak, foolish creatures. 

  

Rasuto...
 
The Ultimate Spear...

Yes the Lady Lust from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist. Such a lovable manipulating woman with gravity defying boobies. I had heard a few days before Anime Matsure 2013 that my idol, Yaya Han was going to be present. Well I simply had to meet her. There was no other option, and I had to do it in costume. hat he heck kind of costume could I make between 8-10 hour shifts at the hotel? I can't just make any old costume for any character, I wanted to like and know the character I was to be portraying. It is a very important part of cosplay (not that I really know it was my first time cosplaying) to be able to be the character. Walk around and act like them, talk like them react to other characters as they would. To me this aspect of cosplaying is what sets it apart from "being in costume". It is not your costume, it is your characters costume, the clothes they wear everyday. When ever I decide fabric for a costume I really try to think to myself "What would my character wear?" This to me was the hard part about Lust, what exactly was that slinky little dress made of? It had to be durable, sexy, evil... and above all, lustful.



What Would the Sinful Wear?


My first thought was my go-to favorite: velvet. Oh boy how I love velvet (whether or not it loves me back is to be decided). Velvet though, felt so plain and more elegant than what I was aiming for. You wear velvet if your nobility, if you are classic, Lust is really none of those things to me. She is a bad-a, booty kicking finger stabbing sly little snake. Hmmmmm.. a snake, almost like the ouroboros tattoo on her chest. Perfect place to start. This immediately tossed my mind to latex. Yes, latex (that would have been fun). I googled some pictures and saw how shiny it was. Too shiny! It almost looked like liquid, and in the anime, her dress has a shine but it is more dull, more matte. I went through a few more choices, dance fabric, taffeta. This was a headdesk moment. LEATHER!!!! Goodness grief I do to know how this did not come to me sooner. Oy. Well pleather is what I settled for in such short notice. It was very easy to work with as well! Which surprised me, I thought I was going to have another silk-velvet moment.... (If any of you have worked with silk velvet you know its a creepy critter!). 

Well now that the hard part was over (hahaha yeah right), I could get down to business! I used a simple evening gown pattern for the dress and cut it just below the knees. Lust seems to be about 5'9'' or taller and I am a mere 5'4'' on a good day so I wanted the proportions to be pretty close since I knew they were not going to be exact. I decided to line the dress in red duck, I liked the little devious aspect it would give in matching the ouroboros as well as support to help the anti-gravity effect. I also decided to add boning to the bodice part as well. I got polyester boning and added 4 yards all along the front of the bodice, straight up sewn to the wrong side of the lining. Dress and lining were attached at the top and voila! complete!

 Front V with duck lining (and a few mis-stitches x.x)
 
The back zipper and the duck lining, you an see some of the boning channels.

 
Bootcover, slipped over some Bandolino heels.

Gloves and boots, they go all the way above my knees.


After I finished the dress I moved on to the boot covers. With a tutorial I found on deviant art from FireLillyCospaly, I was able to do them pretty quick, however I do need a wee more practice. Now that the majority was complete, so I thought, I was pretty pleased. Whew, I thought (mistakenly) that part would take up most of the construction time. Hahaha. No. Boot covers, fine. Dress, fine. But those GLOVES x.x

 I really wanted to have one glove with her long claws so That's how I cut my left hand (at least I was smart enough to think "oh hey I'm right handed better not make that one un-usable") though that turned into a disaster. The canals for the claws were too thin and when stuffed with the original concoction, would flop about and did not look too terrifying. So the Ultimate Spear glove was scratched. After that I decided to just trace my arm as far as I could on the fabric. Then I made a copy from wrist to shoulder and pinned that so the sides matched up. I did not want to attach the dress to the gloves because I knew I would already be uncomfortable strapped up in that leather dress and I really did not wish to add to my discomfort. For the palms I used, and I regret this and will change it, stockings. I simply pinned them to the hand of the glove and went to town stitching on the machine. The stockings were good because of the stretch factor so it made it look I only had gloves on the top of my hand. It also kinda freaky because even off, they still look like hands, would be fun for scaring unsuspecting victims.... For the red detailing, I used bias tape for stretch factor and the buttons for her round things on the hands and shoulders. I *tried* to hot-glue those on,,,but it does not stick long to costume leather. I had to pin it in the middle of the day. Maes Hughes was so kind to help me! I am going to try fabric glue once I go back to the costume. The gloves took nearly 3.5-4 hours by themselves, which was ridiculous..... All in all it was a quick successful costume and I really wouldn't mind doing it again.

The almost complete set, shoes covers and a glove.


Gloves in progress, inside edges need to be trimmed.

Glove details, needs refining and better way to attach
                
Right handed... Why hoes were a bad idea...

Creepy gloves o.O

Looks pretty nifty :) Left glove so not really torn up




 The Look of Lust:

On to hair and make up!! I will do a 'Hair Teasing' tutorial later  on how to get big huge hair the Texas way :) but for now, take my word I teased it, but not enough. Unfortunately at AM my hair fell flat  from crowds and humidity :/ lesson learned NEVER be frugal with the rat-tail comb. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH! Especially if you are portraying an animated character. Basically I teased the top of my hair and curled it all over with small sections of hair so that my hair would be very full. I have very long black hair that is identical to Lust's, luckily. I might convert to a wig as it would be easier to maintain and better so as not to ruin my hair. For the make up (this was the fun part) I am, luckily naturally pale as death (seeeee why I picked this character haha) so I used my regular foundation and powdered a little more than usual. I have a fantastic eyeshadow from MAC called sketch and it is a nice deep plum. I brushed a little in my cheek bones to get an exaggerated 'dead' look. I also brushed a little bit on the corners of my eyes and used some as line for the outer part of my eyes. Lust has a small, sultry eye look, I piled on a bit darker so that my eyes could have that dark look. In the future, I will use false lashes and re-draw my brows to mimic hers. I had a Revlon lipstick that actually matched pretty well and did a quick swipe of that on my lips. She has rather thin lips and I did not want to use liner and get a too-full look so I went simple on this. The ouroboros was sharpied on in the mirror. I do NOT recommend this, it will hurt your eyes and your co-workers will think you are in some weird cult when you still were not able to scrub it off the next day... Really I think it turned out quite fantastic. I have made notes so at the next con I will have all the wee kinks worked out!

The Doctor and I. You can see the ouroborus and some details of my make up.


What I learned:

1) Make sure you do your brows, especially if you are taking pictures! Just because they look awesome in the mirror does NOT mean the camera will be as friendly!

2) Follow directions. This really should be a no-brainier, but unfortunately for me I like to go by my own rules. You see, I thought if I did not include the darts on the bodice, I could get a better shape and have a better "anti-gravity"effect. Well this, of course worked to the opposite effect x.x It provided no support and was about 2 sizes too big in weird places. I made a second one and added in the darts and all worked out perfect.

3)You cannot tease your hair too much because as soon as you start moving around and bumping into people and being outside it will fall....

4) Gloves are not fun. They are so so so soooo not fun to make especially with 2 different fabrics and especially if one of those fabrics is pantie hoes -.-

5) If you are going to be wearing an uncomfortable costume, bring a back up costume in case you get too uncomfortable. If you want to stick it out, for women please invest in a bodice chiller, they are wonderful. I got mine at the Texas Renaissance Fair and it is the best thing. You freeze it and just pop it in there and keeps you at a nice temp all day. Also STAY HYDRATED!!

6) Remember to BE IN CHARACTER! I am so horrid at this... but it really helps with the costume! Make sure you not only look like them, you feel like them as well.Also remember to react to other characters in your set "Universe" makes for great fun!

7) Practice your poses before hand. I looked so awkward a hundred times that day because I was like errr derp idk how to pose. I had a few but I needed to practice what to do with another character instead of stand there and smile like an idiot.

8) Make a muslin mock-up. Super important so that you don't mess up nice fabric, like me. Oy -.-

9) Sharpie takes a few days to come off....

10) Hot glue  does NOT stick to pleather....

I really had a fun time cosplaying Lust, she is a really great character and I am such a fan. Also really happy to have met Yaya Han!!!


I know it's a mirror picture.. buuuuut I don't have a photographer v.v




Vash the Stampede!! This guy's costume was awesome!!
Yaya!! She so pwetty!!


 

 

 

 

 

 




  
Batman vs. Lust!!!
Hughes, oooof course with pictures -.-
                                                                                                      

 

  All images used for educational purposes. Lust and Fullmetal Alchemist are copyright Hiromu Arakwa.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Oopsies....


Before I forget, don't forget to enter to win some Regency era Highbury flats from American Duchess! Perfectly versatile as they are dye-able satin and oh-so cute! I simply love the lacing detail. American Duchess is the best place to grab some wonderfully period accurate shoes (and beautiful hand carved french heels *swoon*). Personally I am in love with the red Kensingtons. Check out her other posts as well, she does some really fantastic 18th century dresses. Such a talent.

TTFN for real this time x

            Morgan le Fay

Cat Scratch Fever

Not as delightfully hip as it sounds....




I had planned on starting my gown for The Ream Of Venus' Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge 3. Well today's sewing expedition started off well.... and well I mean my cat bit me, so actually not-so-well. It wasn't his fault...really... He was enjoying a nice pet and some love then suddenly decided he did not want his belly rubbed (I think he's self conscious, he is a bit chubs). As I was washing up and dressing my wrist to avoid infection, the little punk decides he is oh so sorry and come bounding up mewing and cooing rubbing up against my leg. You can't stay mad at a little ball of happy fur... He was probably just hungry.

Long story short I did not feel like doing too much because my writs hurt so I sat down and did a bit more research on the Italians in the late 15th early 16th century. I also purchased the pattern for an Italian Reta, via Lynn McMasters (who has so many fantastic hat patterns I don't know how I have not bought them all). An Italian Reta is a netted headdress worn draped over the hair and tied on with an embellished chord. 


                                   Beatrice d'Este (1475-1497) by Leonardo da Vinci & Ambroglio de Predis

 
  I have all the materials for the dress and I am really going for a combined look. I am a full on believer that the gowns that have been painted in the past are not the be-all end-all for costuming and there were transitional styles for years as well as regions. I found a pretty sage green damask upholstery fabric for the gown and one version of the sleeves. I also have a contrasting crimson velvet for another versions of the sleeves. I love the detached styles of sleeves on Italian gowns, it really allows you to mix and match styles for a whole different look with just a few items. I will be posting a few pictures of my designs soon but I have yet to get them uploaded (bad bad me I know...) Here is a look at my fabric though. 

                                                                                            With flash



                                                                    Without flash

Terrible iPhone photos, I know, my apologies. I was also thinking of adding a lighter brown to the mix for some 2 or 3 detached sleeve styles. 

I do plan on using the draping method to get a well fitting pattern. I have not used this method before, so I am certain that it will be an adventure! I do hope my gold cording and the reta pattern arrive soon because that is where I plan to really start.

 I really love the sleeve style on this dress as well as the longer bodice style. It is a fairly common early Florentine style gown, which had sleeves attached at the shoulders and had two to three different parts.     

















 Portrait of a Lady, Unknown Artist

  
 I love this dress, the beautiful fabric, the length of the bodice, the sleeves! My oh my! It i very much the style of gown I am aiming for with this project.  It is a really great silhouette for the period and flattering on a very wide range of body types. It is also a very wonderful resource to see how the sleeves are attached to the bodice with ties.

























 And now for some Inspiring Italians...




                                                              Ambrogio de Predis Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis





                                                                            Saint Mary Magdeline, Carlo Crivelli





                                                               Portrait of Lucrezia Panciatichi, Agnolo di Cosimo







                                                                       Lady With A Unicorn, Raphael Sanzio

 


                                                  Portrait of a Lady in Green, Agnolo Bronzino





                                                                          Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis 




                                                                     Portrait of a Young Woman, Sandro Botticelli

 

Ahhh all so beautiful, not to mention the marvelous artwork. I simply cannot wait to start on my gown!! Silly kitty... At least I got to post an entry here and also organize some of my sewing things before the big move! Funny how you think you only need 2 thread boxes... No hahaha no no no.... I have too much thread. I really cannot believe I am supposed to be in training in less than 2 weeks! I will be certain to keep you updated on my escapades during that month as well. Hopefully next post, I will have something to show you!!

TTFN ta ta for now xx

         Morgan le Fay  


Monday, April 15, 2013

Introductions

 Yes yes I know, but we must get them over with...



Hello my darlings,

Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Your time-keeper, a companion perhaps even, Mistress Morgan le Fay, the Phantom Queen and ruler of the Isle of Apples. I hope to take you on a marvelous trip around the world as well as through time. How do I plan on doing this you ask?

Well...magic.

Maybe not exactly magic. Though it is something close.

Come close and I will tell you.

Closer...
Closer still..
Just a bit more.

Perfect. Now just pull up a chair and relax because you can go on his wonderful journey right from that spot.

Imagination is key.

I have been sewing as a hobby for a few years, with a particular interest in historical clothing, "garb" if you will. My adventures will mostly center around my adventures in costuming and how one can quickly travel back in time by just slipping on a gown. Well not just a gown, you'll need a chemise, a bumroll, some stockings, a few hundred petticoats and of course, a corset. Fear not! That's what I am here for. Whether you are here because you love to sew, you love history or you are on the precipice of both, in which case, I hope you dive right in.

Oh I did say I would take you around the world as well... hmmmm...

That should not be a problem either. You see I have a very fun new day job I am excited about. I am a flight attendant, in training at least. Though, I promise you to take all the pictures and write about all the wonderful things I encounter along my merry way. I want to explore the fashions, fabrics, customs and cultures of other lands. I want to absorb their history and see how all of this has molded and shaped the wondrous world we live in today. To me, all of these things are most fascinating. Its a bit silly but I found myself looking through all of my old books from when I was younger. It was silly but oh-so-fitting that the two I remember as my favorites were my Encyclopedia and my Atlas. I simply cannot believe I can see all of these places for real!

I do hope you will stick with me, through training and all those little costuming setbacks. I will do my best to take the long way around so I can show you the short way. I know I had soooo many questions and have so many more still. I hope I can find the answers and assist my costuming community with them as well. I will post all my future endeavors in costuming successful and not so successful, as well as my adventures in the skies.

TTFN, ta-ta for now.

             Morgan le Fay