> made in 2011
AWARDS: Best in Novice (SabotenCon 2011) I CRIED no joke
This costume was difficult and time-consuming because it was the first costume where I had to make every part myself. Most costumes you can at least buy the shoes, stockings, or a pre-styled wig, but I had to make all of those! I'll always be proud of this costume for that reason - it also got me my first major award, Best in Novice at SabotenCon 2011. This is another costume I'd like to remake someday because I would do it totally differently now.
The shirt was made from some cotton material I found at SAS with a modified blouse pattern. The bias tape is hand-made. I took a slight artistic liberty with the buttons (as well as the ones on the sleeve bands, which you can't really see in most photos). They may not be """""accurate""""" but I think they're much more attractive and are a nice detail.
The skirt I patterned myself, and made from sparkle satin from Joann's. I used the reverse side for less shine and no sparkle! The bias tape was bought and it has an elastic waistband.
The waist cincher is from a modified bodice pattern and is made from upholstery vinyl. I wanted something that looked like leather since Mami's outfit has a slight steampunk feel to it. The bias tape is hand-made and the lace was found at SAS. It closes at the front with velcro, and the straps were made from the reverse side of the vinyl. The buckles were another SAS find and they have a nice design on them, but it doesn't show up in photos. Sadly it isn't a proper corset because I just didn't know back then.
The gloves were made from the same vinyl, and the gold detail was painted on with acrylic. I wanted to use the same bias tape for color consistency, but it was difficult to do and looked awful.
The stockings I patterned myself and were made from some sort of terry cloth material I found at SAS. I'm not crazy about the material itself but it was literally the only thing I could find with that specific design on it! I even looked in NYC's garment district when I visited that summer, and still only found what I wanted back home at SAS.
The hat I patterned myself and made from the same vinyl. the feathery poof is made from several layers of a thin feather boa tied at the end.
The soul gem was made from sealed and painted craft foam reinforced with heavy interfacing and a bobby pin sewn to the back. The gem itself is just made from rhinestones colored with Sharpie - sculpting and resin casting were too scary and too expensive back then.
I'm still not sure how I managed to make those boot covers, because they were the first ones I'd ever made. I think it helped that the base boots had similar seamlines. I used the draping method which sucked and I never used it again. I used the same fabrics for the final covers so everything matched. I had the ~genius idea to use electrical tape for the details and to attach the covers to the base boots - this didn't work out so great. Don't try it.
