Wigs, Wigs, and More Wigs

It’s been a while since I updated my wig progress so I figured I might as well do so.  I was able to get a hold of a camera today so there will be pictures to accompany these descriptions.  It’s a wig extravaganza!

First on my list of wigs is Vorfeed.  I styled her wig a while ago for a cosplay photoshoot contest at near the beginning of July (you can read more here).  It was a very easy wig to style as I only had to cut the bangs and brush the wig.   It was a very good, though somewhat nerve-racking at first, choice for first wig styling project.  I’m very happy with the way it turned out.  ^_^ 

 

Second on my list of wigs is Temari.  I was finally able to make my Temari wig for a cosplay photoshoot mid July. For my third wig, it turned out extremely well.  I am very happy with it and proud of it.  I almost can’t believe I made it!  ^_^

   

Third on the list is my new Akari wig.  It can as a almost prestyled wig.  I say almost because everything but the bangs were prestyled.  Nevertheless, I love this wig and can’t wait to wear it.  It is one of the ones I ordered via the batch order from C.C. Kids.  It is very smooth and photographs the perfect color.

 

Fourth on the list of wigs is Luka.  This wig is my absolute favorite wig out of my whole collection.  I love it!  It’s so pretty and soft and curly and the perfect pink color ever.  I’m surprised how little it tangles as well.  This is another of the wigs I ordered through the batch order.  This is how it looks after wearing it around con all day, even to a dance, and putting it in a ponytail and a messy bun.  I adore this wig!

 

Sadly, I did get any pictures of my brown wig, but the list doesn’t end there.  My friend, Stephanie, was getting rid of some of her old wigs, nd I was able to get a few.  I got a long curly light blond one that would work perfectly for Tamara, another character from Crown Duel that I hope to cosplay soon, and a short green one that would work perfectly for a Chikorita or Bellossom gijinka and/or Ranka cosplay.  I would just have to make clip extensions for Ranka which would be perfect since her hair is curly for one of her new songs in Macross F: On the Wings of Goodbye (which comes out in Oct!).  Here are the wigs.  The blond one is first, it does need a bit of brushing,  and the green is second. 

 

 

That sums it up for wigs.  I’ll be reporting soon when I start working on the wig for Nee.  Until then, thank you for reading!  Have a good day and an even better week.  ^_^

Cosplay Update – Maria Ross, Akari Mizunashi, and Other Cosplays for Con in May

My Maria Ross State Alchemist pants are almost done.  I just have to add a bit of fabric to the bottom because I forgot to calculate in ease X_X, attach the cuffs, and sew in the hook and eye closures.  Then it’s on to the waist coat and killer jacket.  I’m seriously saving the jacket for last.  It scares me.  I’m not good at jackets and this is no ordinary jacket, it’s secretly a monster in disguise.  Shhh.

My Akari cosplay is getting closer to completion.  The dress is done so I just have to make the fuku, glove, bracelet, and boots.  I might make the hat too.  If have time and resources I’d like to make a President Aria plushie as well. 

I have a ton of wig styling to do once the wigs arrive.  So far they have been ordered and are being processed for international shipping.  I’m really hoping they come in time.  If not I’ll be up the creek without a paddle to coin a phrase.  In other words, I won’t have any cosplays to wear to the con. 

I still have to finish gathering items for all my cosplays.  I have a lot to get for my Temari, Anna, Fio, and Luka cosplays and I still don’t have every thing for my Akari or Maria cosplays yet.  @_@  I feel like I never stop having to get stuff.  I also have to help my friend with his cosplay and style his wig.  @_@  I seriously hope I can everything done in time for the con in a month.  Then it'll be on to the next set of cosplays for my August con.  So much to do and not much time. 

Cosplay Plans for the First Con of 2011

My first con for 2011 is coming up in May so I'm making cosplays for it of  course.  It'll be my first con attending as an attendee, and I'm really excited!  It's a four day con so I'm hoping to debut a new cosplay each day.  So far I've got four cosplays picked out with a fifth as a backup. 

For day one, I want to go as Temari from Naruto Shippuden.  I really like her black kimono and from what I've seen of her character, she's pretty awesome.  I'm going to watch more of Shippuden to get a better idea of her character, but she's the first Naruto character I've wanted to cosplay besides Sakura.  I'm buying this cosplay since I found a really good deal from another cosplayer and it would be more cost efficient to buy it.  I'll post pictures when I get the costume hopefully within the next two weeks.  I'm going to make her wig and shoes myself, but I don't quite know what I'll do for her fan.  I'll figure it out as time goes on.  I’m stoked and nervous about this cosplay all at the same time.  It’ll be my first time cosplaying a popular character from a new anime. 

I also want to cosplay Anna from Final Fantasy 4: The After Years on day one because there is going to be a Final Fantasy photo shoot that day.  Her outfit consists of an ankle-length dress with a blue sash, waist-length orange hair, and an orange barrette.  I can probably buy the dress and either find or make the sash.  The barrette shouldn’t be too hard to find either.  As for the hair, I should be able to use my own since it’s a similarish color now that I dyed it. 

For day two, I want to go as Kotomi from Clannad.  I'm planning on wearing a white sun dress, since she wears a white sun dress in one of the episodes and I don't have much money to spare.  I’m going to look around at second hand and thrift stores for this cosplay.  If it doesn’t work then I’ll try for another one of her casual outfits.  I’ll be styling her wig too which I am excited for too.  I can’t wait to try out my ideas for how to make her hairstyle work while staying as true to the anime as possible. 

Day three will be Akari from ARIA the Animation.  I absolutely love her summer uniform and can't wait to wear it.  So far the costume is 2/3 done.  I just have to make the fuku, shoes, glove, and hat.  I'm ordering a new prestyled wig cause I'm new to wig styling and it’s more cost efficient if I do.  I don’t have a lot to say about this cosplay because I’ve been talking about it a lot in my other posts.

Day four I’ll be one of two potential cosplays, either Maria Ross from Fullmetal Alchemist or Sheeta from Castle in the Sky.  I say one of two because I don’t know if I’ll have the Maria cosplay done in time.  I also thought of having Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya as a back up but that will depend on finances.  I found one that I can buy for a good price, but I don’t know if I’ll have enough money or not yet.  I’ll also have to buy a wig for it now that I’ve dyed my hair.  I don’t think Haruhi will end up being an option.    

 

Three potential cosplays, Sheeta and long haired Haruhi.

As I said I’m really excited for this con.  I’m going there to have a great time and meet lots of new people.  There are a whole bunch of things I’d like to do at the con,  like group photo shoots, a formal dinner/ball, and the cosplay contest/masquerade.  I want to enter my Akari cosplay in the cosplay contest/masquerade.  I’m a little nervous about doing so, but I’ll just do my best.  I might make a few group/photo shoot cosplays as well.  I still have a lot to do to prepare for this con especially if my friend(s) want to cosplay with me, but if that happens it’s for a different post.  Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to see you again soon.  ^_^ 

To the glory of God the father and Jesus his son.

Signing off, Narnian

Akari Update 7 - Wig

After much searching and price checking and wig hunting, I’ve decided to buy a prestyled wig for Akari.  I found that I can save more time and money if I buy the wig instead of making it myself.  As this is the case, I found a prestyled wig that I can buy from Clarissa-Kids on Ebay and Taobao.  The Taobao wig is less expensive so I’ll be buying it from there, especially since I know a group of people who want to do a batch order to save on shipping.  The wig will cost around $25-$30 USD including shipping.  I’m really about finding this wig as I didn’t want to style it myself.  I’m new to wig styling and Akari’s hair is at least at an intermediate level so I’m really nervous about styling it myself.  I don’t want to ruin a wig and I certainly don’t want to have a mediocre wig especially if I enter this cosplay in a cosplay masquerade. 

Akari Update 6 – Part 1 Complete

I finished the under dress for Akari Mizunashi’s Summer Uniform today.  So far all looks well.  I’m happy with the way it’s turned out, but I wish I could have done better with the slit and hem.  The slit doesn’t close exactly how I want it to and the hem is a non-traditional bubble hem because I couldn’t get a rolled hem to work with the way I designed the bottom of the dress.  (A bubble hem is a hem that is sewn on the inside of the garment so the bottom of the garment will poof.)  Like with any cosplay I make there are aspects that I’d like to change if I remake the outfit, but overall I am very pleased with it.  For the time, knowledge, and resources I had, I did well. 

PIctures!!!!  Now I have the fuku, glove, shoes, hat, and wig to complete.  ^_^

 

Akari Update 5

I finished the appliqué for the bottom part of the under dress today.  It looks so cool!  The general shape is different then I expected, but I love it nonetheless.  Sadly I don’t have any pictures to share cause I can’t find a camera.  I’ll post pictures of the full under dress as soon as I’m done.  I should be able to find a camera by then. 

It’s almost astonishing that I’m almost done with my project.  I don’t have much left to do.  If I keep at it I should be able to finish the under dress and the fuku, maybe even the hat, by the end of February.  All I have left to do is hem the under dress, finish the slit, prepare and cut out the fuku (which shouldn’t be that hard), cut out and apply the appliqué to the fuku, sew the fuku, make the bow, make the glow, apply the appliqué to the glove, draft and cut out the hat, appliqué the hat, sew the hat, and finish the hat.  Ok, so I have a bit more to do than I thought, but I know I can at least get the under dress and fuku done.  Especially, if school continues to have lax amounts of homework.  I love being able to relax more after last week. 

The hat and glove shouldn’t be that hard though I dread making another glove out of non-stretch fabric.  This time I will include ease.  I’m still having trouble with the last pair of gloves I made.  -_-  Ah well, live and learn to not make the same mistakes again.  I don’t know how to make the gold ring for the glove yet.  I had thought of using craft foam, but I don’t know how well that will work.  I have to get the supplies for the jewel and cast it as well. 

As for the shoes, I might have found a good pair of base shoes, but they’re a bit out of my price range.  I’ll have to keep looking and hope I find the right pair fairly soon.  I only have till mid May to get this and three other cosplays done.  Yes, three.  The con is four days instead of three.  I’m so excited even though I’ll have to sew my heart out for a week or two before the con.  Ah, such is life. 

Progress Pictures

I decided to post my current progress pictures in one post so you could see what I’m currently working on.  Every time I get a lot of progress done I’m going to make a recap post like this one.  That way you can easily see where I am with my cosplays.  Enjoy!

First I’ll start off with Vorfeed.  I’m putting her at 50-55% complete.  So far her dress and gloves are done.  I still have to make the shoes and cape.  I also have to style the wig and cast the gems.  I need to get supplies for her forehead markings and neckband.

 

 

My other current project is Akari.  She right between 45 and 50% complete.  I already have the first part of the dress done.  I have yet to finish the second part of the dress and make the fuku, shoes, and glove.  I have to style the wig too.

Akari Update 4

I finished the first part of the under dress today.  The lining is in place along with the zipper.  Now all I have left to do is make and attach the appliqué for the bottom of the dress and finish the slit.  I cut the dress too short originally so I have to make up for it by adding fabric to the bottom.  I’m actually pleased that I have to add the add the extra fabric.  Though it decreases the accuracy of the cosplay, it makes it easier to attach the bottom appliqué. 

I’m really happy with the way the dress is coming along.  So far it’s the most accurate cosplay I’ve made.  I love it already!  The dress fits wonderfully.  It’s a bit tight in the hips, but I can live.  I only had to fit it once this time, which is a first.  Usually it takes me three or more times to get the dress or garment to fit correctly.   This cosplay has a bunch of firsts woven into it.  It was my first appliqué project, my first zipper that turned out well, my first easy fitting project, my first total modification project, and my first time working with a vented slit.  I’m so happy with it!  I’ve learned so much so far!  I can’t wait to see what else I learn before it’s complete. 

I have a couple pictures to share.  Enjoy!

Akari Update 3

IT’S HERE!!!!!!  My wig came in the mail today.  It’s a beautiful milkshake pink wig from WigFashion on eBay.  I love it!  The fibers are so soft and the color looks good on me.  The pink even slightly clashes with the blue appliqué just like in the anime.  I also got a pair of extensions with the wig.  Sadly they are blue instead of pink.  I’m going to contact the wig seller to see if I can trade the extensions.  If not then I’ll put them up for sale. 

Nevertheless, I’m really happy with the wig.  I can’t wait to wear it!  I’m even tempted to wear it to school, but I don’t want to cause a ruckus.  Oh!  I also got a free wig cap with the wig.  It’s a nice mesh cap that holds the wig on well. 

I have some pictures of the wig!  Isn’t it beautiful?! 

 

Wonderful Find

I was watching Aria the Natural, sequel to Aria the Animation, and I made the most wonderful find!!!  The summer uniform’s under dress is a strapless dress like I had originally guessed!!!  Now I’m not trying be conceited, I’m just really happy that my cosplay is more authentic.  I’m a stickler for details so the closer the cosplay is to the original design, the happier I am with it. 

From the picture, the under dress looks to be a strapless dress with a back zipper and frontal darts.  The small gap at the back of the dress shows the zipper.  I also found out that the the fuku has a small zipper on the left side.   You have to look closely, but you can see the small zipper closure.  I also found a picture that shows how full the bottom of the dress is. 

 

I hope these pictures help anyone who wants to make an Aria cosplay.  The general design and fullness can be applied to all the summer uniforms.  You may use any of the screenshots I put on my blog so long as you credit the show and its producers.  If you want to credit me for the screenshots go ahead, jut remember that I don’t own the rights to Aria, its artwork, or any of the characters. 

Akari Mizunashi Update 1

Cosplays always take me longer than I expect to complete.  I’ve been working on Akari for the past few days, and I’m still in a relatively beginning stage.  Granted, I have accomplished some minor progress.  So far my cosplay construction has been more of a hit-and-miss training session than an easy pattern modification.  I’ve learned a lot about what not to do when it comes to sizing, scaling, and design/pattern moding.  Hehe…well I know what not to do, for this project at least.

It’s taken me three tries thus far (I’m currently on my third) to get the dress pattern to work and look right.  There’s a big difference between a cosplay looking right and working right.  Why nearly every anime/video game outfit defies the laws of gravity and physics I will never know.  It sure makes the outfits hard to recreate perfectly.  Even near perfection is difficult.  Nevertheless, the reward of a near perfect cosplay is what motivates me to pursue my hobby.  Pretty soon it won’t be too hard to recreate cosplays that nearly defy the laws of both gravity and physics. 

I have some progress pictures to share as well.  So far I have the main part of the dress almost worked out.  I cut the original piece too short so I have to add a bottom piece.  My current bottom pieces need to be redone too.  I cut them at an angle that slopes the wrong way.  -_-

Pictures!!!!!

Front

I’m making it as two separate pieces with a vent to get the slit right.

Back

I’m making two separate pieces because I don’t know how to make the zipper work without the back seam.