~Farewell Our Friends!~

Hey everyone!
So this week Victoria ordered her jacket pattern! Now she just has to add netting to the skirt and then make her jacket and presto she has an Elizabeth cosplay. So I have continued to research accents and I'm slowly taking steps to sounding like a Hungarian! This is our final blog update, but Victoria and I will post the final product and photo shoot pictures once Victoria has finished her cosplay!

Bye!
-Alyssa

More Research

So this week Victoria has sewed her skirt together and added pleats to it. I have finished my cosplay and now I have begun researching accents. My character is Hungarian, so I thought I would see what it takes to create a Hungarian accent. So far I have realized that I am terrible at accents, but I shall continue to practice and research the dialect patterns that Hungarians have when they speak English.

Until Next week!

-Alyssa

More Progress

Hi Everyone,

So this week Victoria cut out the pattern for her skirt and started to sew the lining on it. As for me, My mother wasn't home to show me how to sew on the polka dots so I wasn't able to do that. I did  however get a bow for the back of the skirt, now I just have to tact it on.

Until next week! :)

-Alyssa

Work Hard and Play Hard

Hi Everyone! So this week Victoria and I went to Youmacon! We both had a lot of fun seeing all the different cosplays. Victoria hasn't finished her cosplay so she was unable to wear it. I on the under hand had only a few things that needed to be added (the brown polka dots above the brown stripe on the skirt, a red bow in the back and red string around the wrists) so I wore my Hunagry/Elizaveta cosplay and even went to a photo shoot for the anime that I'm cosplaying form (Hetalia).

Here are some pis from the photo shoot.




This week Victoria plans on finishing the bodice and I want to finish the last touches on my outfit.

Until next week!

-Alyssa

Too Much Candy For You!

Hi everyone! Happy belated Halloween!

So this week Victoria and I have made progress as usual. Victoria took another trip to Joanne Fabrics and bought fabric for her skirt and cut out the pattern. I have finished almost my cosplay! I sewed the vest and  found an old dress shirt from my dad and altered the sleeves. Now all I have to do is add the brown stripe on the skirt and the bow on the back and then I'm finished!

So next week Victoria plans to start to sew the skirt and add some more detailing to the bodice. I should have it done by tonight (November 1st, 2013), and just in time too. After I finish my cosplay, Victoria and I are off to Youmacon, which is an annual convention held in Detroit at the Renaissance Center.


Thanks and untill next week!
-Alyssa

Progress Continues

Hey guys!
    So this week we've made lots of progress. Victoria has made her bodice, which includes bias tape (a narrow strip of fabric cut obliquely and used to bind edges or for decoration) and has to only add the zipper and lining She also received her wig in the mail! I have finished my skirt and am moving on to my vest and shirt.
    Here are some pictures of our progress.

    


    This week we have learned that the more research you do the better. For an example, Victoria bought a pattern for her bodice and continues to look for a pattern for her jacket, but upon looking for the jacket pattern, she found a pattern that had everything she needed to begin with. I learned that I may be done with this project before Victoria due to the fact that it is a lot easier to alter clothing versus make it.

Thanks everyone for checking out our blog, and stay tuned for more progress!

-Alyssa

PROGRESS IS HAPPENING

Hello everyone, this week we've made a lot of progress. I (Victoria) sewed a practice bodice and learned the basics of sewing garments. Then i went out and bought everything I need for the bodice. This includes a white fabric, a grey lining, also interfacing and boning to stiffen the structure of the bodice. As of today i have attached the interfacing to the withe fabric through ironing and have sewed the front half without the lining. Pictures will be included soon! Alyssa is going to make her cosplay by modifying secondhand clothes. This is also a popular way of making cosplay. She bought a brown skirt, a red dress, and brown fabric thus far. Once she has acquired a white shirt, she will start modifying the clothes.

                                                                                                            See you next week!
                                                                                                                          -Victoria

Patters Found and Sewing Commences

This week has been a successful week. Victoria has drawn her pattern for her bodice and is going to start practicing to sew. I went to Joann fabrics and found a pattern and unfortunately the store was out of that pattern. So, I went on an adventure to Salvation Army looking to see if there was anything I could use/alter to help make my costume. I was able to find a red dress that i can cut the material and change it into the top layer of my skirt, and a very long brown skirt that I can alter to make the bottom layer.

Next weeks goals:
Victoria plans on practicing sewing and I plan on buying materials to add a black layer to my skirt and some fabric to make the shirt and bodice.

Until next week
-Alyssa

And So The Plot Thickens...

This week I (Victoria) bought a pattern at a fabric store for part of my Elizabeth cosplay. I has instructions on making my skirt, slip, bodice/corset. and lining; basically, it has everything I need sewing-wise, except for the jacket which has been difficult to find patterns for. I also bought some plain, cheap fabric so i can practice sewing everything first. Otherwise, i'll probably mess up and waste the more pricey fabrics. Alyssa bought boots for her cosplay and is continuing to search for patterns
That's all for this week!

-Victoria

Finding Patterns and DIY Tutorials

So this week Victoria and I have been breaking down our cosplays into key pieces.For example, both our cosplays have skirts and bodices. My cosplay also has a victorian style shirt and boots similar to lace up combat boots. From here we've researched for patterns, which are models  or designs used as guides in needlework and other crafts, for the skirts and bodices. So far I have found a good basic design for the main part of my skirt (http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diypantsandskirts/ss/SimpleSkirt.htm). As for the rest of the design, luck has not been on my side when it comes to finding patterns. Victoria has also drawn a blank on finding patterns. We shall continue our research and hopefully be on our way to the next step in our adventure.

-Alyssa

The first part of making a cosplay is always figuring out what character you want to portray. Victoria has chosen Elizabeth from the video game Bioshock Infinite (picture 1), while I've chosen Elizaveta Herdervary / Hungary from the anime Hetalia (picture 2). We both have researched the characters and now the next step is to choose an outfit they wear and find patterns for those outfits.



Untill next time!

- Alyssa

In the Beginning...

Our twenty is to create a cosplay. Cosplay is a hobby taken up by people who are passionate about a certain character from a book, movie, show, comic, etc. They then portray said character by making costumes, props, and wigs. We chose this because we have been part of a cosplay community for three years but have never sewn our own costumes but have always wanted to. In order to accomplish this, Alyssa and I will need to learn how to make and sew patterns, make props, buy and style wigs, and possibly more. I hope you look forward to our future progress.

-Victoria