Costuming New Year
Big costuming events like Dragon*Con always seem like sort of the turning of a year. So, I'm developing a new time called the Costuming Year. Labor Day is the Costuming New Year's Day, which makes September Costuming January. That means, it's time for me to reflect on what I accomplished this year and start firming up plans for next year. Especially as I have already bought my D*C membership for next year. That's right bitches! We are go!
All I really managed to throw together this year was Sexy Gandalf. Oh, and the commissioned Nancy Ward costume as well, nearly forgot that. But I've been collecting pieces for things and I need to focus on those first.
Projects that are half done:
Celeborn
Arwen Angel Gown
A New Hope Leia
Projects that I've collected materials for but haven't started mockups:
Lamia
Historical Aurora
Lady Wolverine
Super Sekrit Project #UWS01 It was Selene from Underworld, specifically the second movie with the magnetic holsters for the Walther P99s. Yes, I've sourced EVERYTHING! I already have a kit from a guy in the UK who's going to cast some custom fangs for me. But I think I'm going to switch it over to Sonja from Rise of the Lycans. I mean, armor and swords and chainmail OH MY! I don't expect to have it done in a year. But I want to have it on my list of current projects and work on pieces as I'm able.
Repairs/upgrades to current costumes:
Blood Red Gown - hem or line sleeves, finally sew on braided trim to edge the bullion, consider refitting upper sleeves, consider weighting the undergown to keep it from creeping up and maybe hooks and eyes to keep overgown straps in place.
Dream Gown - Redo all hems with rolled hem foot. I almost don't want to wear that costume again until I can fix those embarrassingly messy hems. At the time, it was the best I could do. That is no longer the case.
Elseworld Batgirl - remake all the armor from Sintra with velcro attachment to suit instead of snaps, take in the suit (or replace it) and consider making an applique for the emblem to cover up my sloppy stencil paint job, make detachable gloves or maybe velcro closed slit at wrists so I can at least free my hands from the suit when necessary, finish kneepads, finish installing boot soles on suit, eventually work on either molded leather version of cowl or get the guy on RPF I was talking to do a custom latex one for me.
The Wishlist (which seems stupid to even bother with after all the stuff I just listed out above which is more than enough to keep me busy):
Elvish Bathing Suit
Thranduil, based on the image that came out with the crazy spiky crown and the weird looking metallic gold fabric. I may go with a brocade and/or a taffeta instead of something that's more accurate. But I want that crown!
Amrod, The Weasley Twin of the Feanorians
Merida from Brave
Maleficent
Aisling from The Secret of Kells
Sweet Pea from Sucker Punch
And I know I have more, but I'm just going to stop right there because that's enough for the next five years, probably. And I'll probably see another costume I want. Tauriel is really starting to appeal, now that I've seen a figure of her. Plus there are commissions I've offered to do and there's Halloween costumes for Jonah I'm not accounting for. And there are unforeseen burlesque clothing needs. And some brilliant group may sucker me into joining them in costumed shenanigans. In the past two days I've uttered the words "full on vintage Lynda Carter Wonder Woman" and "Lady Wolverine". Notice these things are not on the list. But that doesn't mean they won't happen. Right after an event like D*C or ALEP is a dangerous time for costume ADD. I just need to sort out all the ideas floating around in my head so I could pick a direction and work toward it. Making repairs will come first. Then I can start working on my backlog of unfinished projects. That will take me through to Costuming April (January) and then maybe I can start tackling some totally new stuff in 2013.
All I really managed to throw together this year was Sexy Gandalf. Oh, and the commissioned Nancy Ward costume as well, nearly forgot that. But I've been collecting pieces for things and I need to focus on those first.
Projects that are half done:
Celeborn
Arwen Angel Gown
A New Hope Leia
Projects that I've collected materials for but haven't started mockups:
Lamia
Historical Aurora
Lady Wolverine
Super Sekrit Project #UWS01 It was Selene from Underworld, specifically the second movie with the magnetic holsters for the Walther P99s. Yes, I've sourced EVERYTHING! I already have a kit from a guy in the UK who's going to cast some custom fangs for me. But I think I'm going to switch it over to Sonja from Rise of the Lycans. I mean, armor and swords and chainmail OH MY! I don't expect to have it done in a year. But I want to have it on my list of current projects and work on pieces as I'm able.
Repairs/upgrades to current costumes:
Blood Red Gown - hem or line sleeves, finally sew on braided trim to edge the bullion, consider refitting upper sleeves, consider weighting the undergown to keep it from creeping up and maybe hooks and eyes to keep overgown straps in place.
Dream Gown - Redo all hems with rolled hem foot. I almost don't want to wear that costume again until I can fix those embarrassingly messy hems. At the time, it was the best I could do. That is no longer the case.
Elseworld Batgirl - remake all the armor from Sintra with velcro attachment to suit instead of snaps, take in the suit (or replace it) and consider making an applique for the emblem to cover up my sloppy stencil paint job, make detachable gloves or maybe velcro closed slit at wrists so I can at least free my hands from the suit when necessary, finish kneepads, finish installing boot soles on suit, eventually work on either molded leather version of cowl or get the guy on RPF I was talking to do a custom latex one for me.
The Wishlist (which seems stupid to even bother with after all the stuff I just listed out above which is more than enough to keep me busy):
Elvish Bathing Suit
Thranduil, based on the image that came out with the crazy spiky crown and the weird looking metallic gold fabric. I may go with a brocade and/or a taffeta instead of something that's more accurate. But I want that crown!
Amrod, The Weasley Twin of the Feanorians
Merida from Brave
Maleficent
Aisling from The Secret of Kells
Sweet Pea from Sucker Punch
And I know I have more, but I'm just going to stop right there because that's enough for the next five years, probably. And I'll probably see another costume I want. Tauriel is really starting to appeal, now that I've seen a figure of her. Plus there are commissions I've offered to do and there's Halloween costumes for Jonah I'm not accounting for. And there are unforeseen burlesque clothing needs. And some brilliant group may sucker me into joining them in costumed shenanigans. In the past two days I've uttered the words "full on vintage Lynda Carter Wonder Woman" and "Lady Wolverine". Notice these things are not on the list. But that doesn't mean they won't happen. Right after an event like D*C or ALEP is a dangerous time for costume ADD. I just need to sort out all the ideas floating around in my head so I could pick a direction and work toward it. Making repairs will come first. Then I can start working on my backlog of unfinished projects. That will take me through to Costuming April (January) and then maybe I can start tackling some totally new stuff in 2013.