The Snapdragon Sewing Diaries
Cosplay: Snapdragon, Fairy painting by artist Nene Thomas
Project overview: I selected Snapdragon to be my second attempt at cosplay in March of 2008. I began collecting materials slowly and designing a pattern over the next year. I started sewing September 28th of 09, and I completed Snapdragon on August 29th, 2010.
The entire dress is lined, serged and seamed. There were no patterns used for this dress. It was fashioned almost entirely on a dress form.
Machines used: I have a very old Singer model sewing machine that I started this dress with, but along the way I upgraded to the Brother brand Project Runway machine. All the edges were done with my Singer 14SH654 serger.
Material list:
Corset: Black polyester and red patterned taffeta, 2 butterflies, and parachute cording for lace.
Underskirt: 25 yards of white bridal satin (Mostly cut into individually pleated ruffles), 7 spools of red thread, 17 spools of red ribbon (I lost count after that, anyway.), roughly 10 yards of tulle, one elastic loop, red fabric flowers, inner lining fabric and countless untold spools of off-white thread.
Overskirt: 4 Yards of red satin, 4 yards of red patterned taffeta, small piece of black lace. Two spools of 2 inch black satin ribbon and a ruffle made from the taffeta’s natural edges. 6 red glass vintage chandelier ‘drop crystals’. Two zippers for hidden pockets.
Wings: Soldered galvanized wire, 2 cans of aerosol glue, one roll of clear cellophane, 2 rolls of red cellophane, about 4 yards of iridescent cellophane, 2 small red fabric flowers, and 4 rolls of white floral tape.
Sleeves: 6 spools of ½ inch black satin ribbon, 2 yards of tulle, 2 elastic bands, and 150 red jewels attached by hot glue.
Dragon: The dragon for this outfit was made by my friend Liz as a commission. I gave her scrap fabric from the dress to make him, and she used the same fringe that is in the overskirt to fashion his ‘spikes’. I designed and added his red Swarovski crystal and black sequin eyes.
Hair: Strands of black glass beads and anime style elf ears, both ordered online. Scarf made with decorative stitching feature using white thread on red satin. Small flower pins made with red silk flowers.
Necklace: Black ribbon, the raw edge of the red taffeta, and vintage chandelier red glass jewels.
Project credits:
The biggest thanks goes to my family and friends for not leaving me over my obsession, lol. And of course there is Nene Thomas, for her inspiring artwork. It was a pleasure to bring this piece to life. Special thanks to Liz of thewovenchain for making the dragon for me, and to Jennifer of FaerieMuse. I could not have done the wings without her willingness to tutor a first timer over email.
Click HERE to see my photo scrapbook and records on the entire project.
Pics from Dragon con of me with nenethomas and daenerys .
