No costume progress, but I became an apprentice leatherworker

I was at camp for work this past weekend (and will be there next weekend too) and our crafts for the guys was to make card/money holders out of leather (cut, carve, stain).

Here's the one I made!

Also, I was going to make one for Dan, but my coworker (also Dan's friend wanted to make another so did it for him).  He's a protoss player in SCII  ;D

Hopefully more costume progress updates this week!

One leg armor down, one to go!

Progress pic, yay!

No, boots won't stay brown, don't worry.  Details on these pieces will come later.

I thought I was done with eyelets/rivets... =(

This last week I've been working on the other black/grey pieces (shin coverings and the part that hangs down in the front from the waist).

Here's the hanging down part; it's in front of some white tights I found... it kind of looks weird.. but oh well (it won't look wrinkly like that on me).

The leg parts were a bit more tricky.  I used the pattern I made with duct tape over my leg a couple months back, but I couldn't decide how to affix them to me.  

Some options included attaching it directly to the tights, velcro, a zipper, elastic hidden under the front section, etc... but I decided on going the rivet method again... which is a TON of work... -_-  buuuuut I think it'll work the best and asthetically tie into the bodice/corset since it's done up like that too.

So, I've begun the process... but doing these stupid little holes takes multiple hours and sore fingers.

Oh ya, and then I still need to do this for the left leg D=  Oh well, I'm pretty pleased with how they're turning out, although I won't have a complete idea how they look on me until I'm done and can tie them up.

Also, I keep checking the Blizzcon site multiple times a day so I can get my entry submission for the costume contest in like asap so I actually get in this year!  Wish me luck!

Headdress beginnings

Hey, so I've not really done much costume work for the last 3 weeks =(  I've been stupidly busy... and I'm also one of those people that has a hard time getting back into the swing of things after I've taken a break (good thing I didn't take a "year off" after high school).

But alas, I did some work today.  I wanted to work on a piece that would feel significant upon completion so my next part to tackle is the headdress.  I have some black spandex that I worked with to make a tight cap to go over my head.  Took a couple tries and the opening of the back, but I have something that works now.  I might redo it though and loosen the neck as I'm not sure if wearing it all day will start to choke me >.>

The next part was working on the patterns for the crazy parts of it.  As I don't have any sort of mannequin or styrofoam head, I improvised with this balloon.  I felt the smiley face was appropriate ^_^

I swear I wasn't trying to make it look angry.  That's just for the black part in between the pointy purple parts!  The red balloon is to give a base shape to work with for making the pattern for the pointy parts as seen below:

I still need to work a bit to get the shape exactly how I want, but I'll then make pattern pieces from that to translate to fabric.  I have a good feeling about this!  A TON easier than my priest tier 10 helm!!!!!!

Not really an update...

...but here's a picture of the paper-craft ceiling cat I just put together and taped to the ceiling of the "nerd room":

Real updates to come hopefully soon ;P

Analysis now that i've tried it on...

So, the back worked out splendidly .. although I could have left a larger gap.  As it is now, it closes without much gap so if I lose any weight between now and Blizzcon, it might overlap =/

However, the front did not work out as anticipated =/  Most corsets have what is called a "busk".  It's a metal rod that has these hook-ball things to unclasp for easier getting in and out of said corset (instead of having to lace it up each time).  I decided not to do this since I didn't really like how it looked and it's not like I'm going to be wearing this on a regular bases.  However, because of not have this, the centre front line doesn't have a stiff metal plate in it (it has boning... but those flex) which makes it so it just kind of gapes between my boobs instead of laying flat.  And, because my pattern accounted for it lying flat, that space is too large =/    Soooooo... I'm going to have to do some sort of problem solving to get it to adhere to me... double sided tape?  Attaching it to a bra and wear that underneath?  Le sigh... I'll figure it out ><

The back is pretty though! ^_^

Corset finishing touches

After about a week of not working on my costume, I knew I had to do a bunch of work tonight so I tackled the finishing details of the corset.  I first did the trim to clean up the edges.  I did this along the top and bottom:

Then was for the scary part:  the eyelets (the holes on the back for the lacing).  I had to poke and stretch of each of the holes first using an awl and then using a chop stick to stretch it even more for the eyelet pieces.

After much measuring and marking to make sure I didn't screw this up (I can't undo holes...) I started along the one side, which took HOURS... and my hand is sore =(  But here is the one side completed... I'll do the other tomorrow or something.