Pseudo-Cosplay Lolita: An Experiment

[demitour]

Gonna outline the basic plan for my new cosplay project. My aim is to have this prepared for Animethon 2011 (August 5-7). This shouldn't be overly complicated if I work at a steady pace for two months. Part-time student, part-time job, plenty of free time inbetween. If it ends up looking super nice, I'll continue this pseudo-cosplay lolita idea and

Comments

[icarus_suraki]

HI THERE.

Straight up, I gotta recommend some of the patterns over on the egl community. The community can be kind of catty, so proceed with caution, but they have a really good, basic, full Lolita skirt pattern that's the right length and the right proportions. I've used it more than once with great results. And it's free

[demitour]

Is there a certain pattern you're speaking of? I tried searching that comm, but I couldn't come up with anything.

I'll look into appliques for the Robin emblem once I've got more time to research.

Lol, I hadn't thought of black bloomers. ...I currently own a pair of white bloomers, actually (I think that's what they are). Dylon dyes are "buy 1 get 1 free" this Friday, so I could possibly dye them black and add them to the outfit. I'd probably like them better in black, anyway. Now's a good time to fix them!

I like steampunk. :) Never done anything steampunk-ish myself, though.

If you think of more things, coming back would be greatly appreciated! ♥ Thanks so much for going through my post.

[icarus_suraki]

This is the one I was thinking of. I've used this pattern before myself a couple of times with good success. You have to draft it yourself, but a little newspaper and a meterstick can handle that. (They used to have a "patterns" tag over there. Not sure if they still do. And I'm not sure how many of the Lolita sewing comms are still active--but poke around! You may yet find something.)

I'd recommend appliques or felt or something like that. I think it would be a little stiffer, look a little sharper, and just generally hold up better.

IDK, I'd just make new bloomers myself out of black broadcloth or something dirt cheap rather than try to dye something, but I've just personally found them easy to sew. I just thought it would be sort of lulzy to have 'em there.

I find myself interested in it, but with no occasions to wear it. I like it a lot, but the local Steampunks don't seem to do all that much. And I can't justify wearing Steampunk to an anime con (get your own con, Steampunks!). I have a set of personal rules like

[demitour]

Oh! Easy pattern to follow... once I find myself a metre stick or decent ruler. would you recommend following that instead of the skirt pattern I bought? Thank goodness I only bought one. Do you think 18" would be a good length?

Say I wanted to buy this petticoat -- site says it's about 15-16" long. Is it still okay to use if it isn't as long as the skirt I'm making?

I'll probably try sewing my own pair of bloomers eventually... I might end up buying red dye for the blouse's lace trim anyway, so I'm trying to think of what color to get for the 2nd dye and what to use it on.

[darkfox200]

you can probably switch between your mask and glasses. Or take your glasses off during photos? there's probably some option or another to hide your eyes like the mask in the photo, or otherwise just ignore it and wear the normal domino mask. hey, if it worked for tuxedo mask...

Cape:
I HAVE AN IDEA but I can't word it so I'll get back to you unless someone has a better idea. >>;;; mandarin collar with string tying it together? something like that. Maybe yellow string for your color scheme lol

and I vote for the low black heels. PRACTICALITY you can figure out the length later or something idk

I'M MOSTLY HERE BECAUSE I SPOTTED MAYU ON THAT LIST AND WAS LIKE "BBYYYYYY ;______; "

/not very helpful

=darkfox200

[demitour]

Yeah, taking my glasses off during photos is what I'm thinking of at the moment. As long as people don't sneak photos of me while the glasses are on... I'll look stupid, I bet. XD

I would like to hear your cape ideas. ;u; I don't know what a mandarin collar looks like; someone mentioned it in my plurk.

Now shifting between ballet flats + ribbon up my legs, or low heels + black spats.

MAYU! >_> When I am skinny I will legit cosplay her... or maybe try the Wii remake of her outfit. And I want to attach a crimson butterfly on a wire or something on my hand or shoulder, too.

[darkfox200]

Well, if you have a pair of glasses with the right color frames... At least they'll match your outfit? lol

You remember those Qi Paos that I put Shito in way back when? Those have mandarin collars. Basically, I was thinking of a shorter cape that's down to around mid-back or waist. (you're doing a lolita outfit right? You can probably modify the cape into a shawl like thing to match the lolita theme) Then you can just tie the cape in front of your neck or use clasps or something else. A bit easier than a full blown cloak and if you use string to lace it up you can change the color to your purposes. or something idk I fail at actual practical clothes lol

... That would be cute, the ballet flats + ribbon up legs.

Aw man, I knew I should have bought you that really light and pretty glass butterfly I saw a couple of years back. It was made with wire, but the wings were bright red and very light/thin. ;v; I thought of you but it was like... $15 with tax and our Canadian dollar kinda sucked at the time so it was like "screw that"

[metafictionally]

For your R patch, if you want it to stay attached why not just make it out of wool felt and use Wonder Under or some equivalent dual-sided fusible interfacing to stick it on? That's how I've done all my applique work so far and never had any problems. Honestly though the drawing you linked is a little idealized-if you make a full loli skirt, even if you wear it with a petticoat or bloomers underneath it's still going to be ruffled enough that attaching the R to the skirt itself is going to mean it's hidden 50% of the time. It's probably safer to attach it to the bodice

[demitour]

I'd rather not have the Robin emblem permanently attached so that I can wear the blouse in other situations; I won't put it on the skirt.

Oh, freaking sweet. *A* Maybe I will use spirit gum then.

/crosses acetate off list of ideal fabrics

Any fabric you'd recommend for the blouse? Pure cotton, cotton-poly blend? Something like that?

Looks like I'll be going with a waist-length cape with the hook-and-eye closures. :D

asdlkjha Where the hell did I read that synthetic fabrics don't fray... I don't remember. If getting Fray-Check is cheap, I'll buy that during Friday's sale, too.

tl;dr is love ♥ ;u;

[metafictionally]

Ohhh that makes sense. In that case I'd probably use a couple basting stitches or something temporary like quilter's tape, but a safety pin might catch the light and be kind of noticeable!

I like poly/cotton blends, since they tend to be less expensive and wear out less easily, especially for cosplay since cheaper is better in my experience (cheaper fabric, not necessarily cheaper construction LOL). But if you can find cotton broadcloth that's cheaper than a poly/cotton blend, go for it. If it's not going to be put up to day-to-day wear and washing, durability is probably secondary to color matches and price.

At my store, Fray-Check is like $4 maybe, idk how it'll compare in Canada but hopefully it's something around that!! Good luck :D

[demitour]

Quilter's tape sounds nifty. I'll look for that tomorrow. :D

All the broadcloth at Fabricland seems to be 60-some poly, 30-some cotton blends; one type just seems slightly shinier than the other. Are less shiny fabrics are better for flash photography? That's what I was thinking as I browsed the shop.

Gonna get me some Fray-Check, too. Taking advantage of this sale splurge...!

Thanks so much for all your help! *A*

[demitour]

SHIT BEFORE I FORGET

- stiff felt for the Robin emblem
- there were black safety pins at Michael's
- decent glue selection there, too
- gloves at Claire's were okay, but pricey for their quality
- make 2 R-shaped batarangs out of double-layer stiff felt; can fold into the utility belt
- can I turn a Dollarama toy gun into a grappling gun?

[josiana]

I'm not at all helpful in this area, but this looks like it will be so adorable when it's done. :o