update

Lots of progress today, even after waking up to go to work early :)

I finalized the pattern, cut and sewed the last of the overrobe piece out. I'll post the picture of the insane number of pins I used to keep everything together. I had to sew in psuedo guidelines so I can keep my beading straight, mostly so I know where the real edge of the seam is; so the guide is less than an 1/8" in from the seam, and then the line for the beading is about another half an inch in.

Currently beading the first line of the bottom accent (two lines of beading for both the top and the bottom accents). I need to figure out how this is going to stay attached to the rest of the robe, pattern the embroidery for that and .. keep beading. I'm using size 1 bugle beads in gold that I got in bulk from the NY trip. Just putting it out there right now, it took me the better part of an episode of Numb3rs to get maybe a foot of beading done.

Also, the tabards have lining pinned on and the actual size I want traced on to the lining with fabric markers. I still need to do two more embroidery pieces, interface and iron on the designs before I start beading THAT mess. I have figured out the sizing I need for the "knotted cord" decorations that are going to hang from the belt. I may start patterning that out tomorrow once I get back from my friend's house.

Then it's just the wig and the insane head dress. That's my late June/early July project.

Of the sailor senshi costumes.. it's resin casting, finishing the skirts and getting started on the boot covers. I'm mostly waiting for the sleeves from Akira before I really work on anything else for them. And then wigs. That's going to go with the resin casting time period. I'm mostly trying to get a lot of Tomoyo done before the middle of this month so I can work on Nave's Syaoran costume without panicking and worrying about my own. His is going to be way easier in terms of decorations.

FABRIC and shoes (Part I)

T-minus 3 days until Pokoteng (minus 2) does New York City! We're trekking to the second closest large city to us to go fabric hunting for the senshi costumes. Technically speaking, we can go to the closest one, but I've been wanting to go back to the city and wander around for a bit and do touristy things again.

Plus I know where the fashion district is and spotted at least four large stores around there. ZOMG fabric.

Hopefully we will succeed. The Joann's around us doesn't really have a great of a selection of serviceable fabric that has a heavy enough weight and a slight sheen in enough colors. And yes, I've looked at fabric.com already. My experiences with them was either hit-or-miss depending on the costumes. I have a bunch of fabric stockpiled for various costumes, but the one costume that I haven't nailed, either online or in person, is the one right below this post. Hurr. I think I may have finally found the right fabric for the overrobe (technically speaking, I've already found one, but the problem is that I didn't get enough yards *SHAKES FIST*).

The under robe is going to be an adventure for NYC, along with senshi gloves and senshi fabric (Pluto, Mars, Saturn and Moon.)

I just dished out about 60 dollars on 6 yards of 58" wide violet gabardine suiting, 4 yards of olive green cotton blend broad cloth and 4 yards of medium weight white cotton twill. The latter two are the lining and main fabric for Nave's Syaoran Nihon-esque (or is it closer to Shara?) outfit. Thank goodness we don't really need to line his pants with the same fabric.. I'm putting him to work with stamping the fabric with the necessary designs. Oy.

Another item on the list at DSW is a pair of red high heeled pumps. I should get these so I can color match the red of my sailor collar and skirt when we wander to the City. There are two or three pairs that could possibly work.. I just need to test walk and break them in. Oh, oh! A pair of tan character shoes too ._. Akira mentioned a boot cover tutorial for her Pluto costume and how they slip on like socks. This is a brilliant Idea, now that I think about it, especially for women who have HUGE issues finding knee high boots that are remotely serviceable for a costume.

Buying boots and modifying them for every costume you make can get pricey, especially if you have a fondness for costumes like that. And let's face it: a pair of comfortable long boots gets expensive. And fashion designers don't go "HURRR let's keep the cosplayers in mind!" I have dancer calves from so many years en pointe, so most of the boots in my size? Yeah, they don't fit. Either the ankle is too baggy, or I can't even get the zipper 3/4 of the ways up.

So boot covers, over character shoes. This is a good solution. Please insert a sagely nod here.