Updated Cosplay List – March 2011

As I’ve said before and we all know, I change my cosplay list nigh constantly depending on finances and circumstances.  This year is the year of the cosplay for me.  I’m trying to get as many cosplays done and or gathered before I go off to college fulltime next fall (fall 2012).  I’m using the time I have left to make sure that I’ll have backup cosplays to fall on so I won’t have to worry about it as much next year.  I’m also just trying to enjoy life before I have to completely become an adult.  The transition from child/teen to adult is a new, difficult, scary, and challenging one, but it is worth every moment as well.  I can’t wait to be fully on my own and self supporting. 

Back on topic, I’m trying to get as many cosplays done and/or planned this year as possible.  I still have another school year to make and/or gather cosplays, but I’m trying to get as much done this year as possible, especially since I’m planning to go to two new cons this year.  I’m so excited!  I’ve gotten most of my cosplays figured out so far, but I’ve added a few new ones to my list as well.  I might buy some of the new cosplays to save on cost, time, and other expenses, but overall I’d like to make as many as possible.  Just because I bought the cosplay doesn’t mean I won’t wear it with pride or be less of a cosplayer, it just means that I’ll have more time and funds to channel at the cosplays that I really want to work on and enter into contests.  I won’t enter a bought cosplay unless it’s for a skit because that wouldn’t be far to the other contestants or to myself.  I’d be cheating, and I wouldn’t feel right about it. 

To recap, my cosplay list for this year so far is:

Akari Mizunashi from ARIA the Animation (Summer Uniform)

Vorfeed from Lost Universe

Maria Ross from Fullmetal Alchemist (State Military Uniform)

Sophia Forrester from Last Exile (Silvana Uniform)

Sango from Inuyasha (Slayer Uniform)

Meliara from Court Duel (Original Design Purple Gown)

I was thinking of changing Meliara to Nee, another character from Court Duel by Sherwood Smith, but I haven’t decided whether or not I’ll actually do that yet.  As you can see, I’m making a lot of uniforms this year.  I guess this is kinda the year of the uniform as well as the year of the cosplay.  It’s the year of the cosplay uniform! 

Here are a few recap pictures for my present cosplay list.  The pictures follow the order laid out in the list from left to right.  [Akari, Vorfeed, Maria, Sophia, Sango, sorry no picture of Meliara.]

 

I’ve added to the original list quite a bit since January, but I won’t include all the additions since I don’t know how many will actually happen, but then I don’t even fully know that for the original list either.  Anyway, I’ll include the additions that I actually have or can easily get the materials for first.  The lower on the list the cosplay is the less likely it will happen.  As such, here’s the new list. 

Temari from Naruto Shippuden (Time Skip Kimono)

Rapunzel from Tangeled (ending spoiler -_^)

Yui, Megumi, and or Mio from K-On!! (School Uniform – Both winter and summer versions)

Susan from Prince Caspian (Red Battle Dress with Corset and Chain Mail)

Aerith from Final Fantasy Advent Children

Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender (Earth Kingdom Outfit)

Nausicca from Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind (Ending Outfit)

Nagisa, Kotomi, and or Tomoyo from Clannad (School Uniform – Summer and/or winter)

Euphemia and/or Shirley from Code Geass (No Specific Version Yet)

Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (School Uniform with long hair)

There were a few more I wanted to add, but I moved them to next year’s list.  So far, I almost have the Temari cosplay.  I’m going to buy it from another cosplayer.  I want to make the Rapunzel cosplay for my birthday in 10 days.  I’ve picked out most of the fabric, but I still have to get it and the money to buy it.  The K-On!! cosplays are still on the back burner though I might have the jacket fabric already.  The Susan Cosplay is part of 4-H and will be finished this year.  Aerith is a maybe for later this year once my hair grows out longer, although I could use hair extensions.  Toph is on the back burner as well.  I want to finish her Fire Nation outfit before I start on her Earth Nation outfit.  Nausicca might be another 4-H project.  Clannad is a maybe.  Code Geass is just an idea I’ve been toying with for a while.  I love both the characters so cosplays are inevitable I just can’t decide on a specific version to cosplay for either characters.  Haruhi is also a maybe and, if done, will mostly serve as a last resort/back up cosplay for if everything falls through.  I found a good deal on premade Haruhi cosplay and I’ve been told that I look like her so that’s why I’m thinking about the cosplay. 

Here are some pictures of the newest additions.  The pictures follow the order laid out in the list from left to right.  [Temari, Rapunzel (her hair would be different), Yui, Megumi, Mio, Susan, Aerith, Toph, Nausicca, Nagisa, Kotomi, Tomoyo, Euphemia, Shirley, Haruhi (yes, I’d do the funky hairstyles per day too).]

    

 

I still have a few cosplays that I need to finish.  They are as follows:

Yuna from Final Fantasy 10 (Amano Artwork Interpretation)

Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender (Fire Nation Disguise)

Sheeta from Castle in the Sky (Pirate Uniform)

Susan from Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Narnian Trailer Dress)

My Yuna cosplay still needs to be finished.  It’s been over two years, and it’s still not done!  Luckily I don’t have a lot left to do.  I have to finish the hibiscus and ties, remake the skirt (I want it to be fuller), add the ties to the sleeves, make a staff, and that’s about it.  I also have to find or make her earrings too.  Toph just needs a bit of work.  I have to remake the belt thing, line the over-the-shoulder thing and add the back button, fix the bracers, restyle the wig, and make the crown.  I might make her shoes too, but I’m not sure yet.  Sheeta’s wig still isn’t done cause I haven’t gotten around to styling the bangs.  I also have to make her headband and hair ties, and fix the belt as well as find a pair of brown flats.  Susan is the almost done.  I just have to hem the dress and remake the collar.  I might embroider the collar too if I get the time/chance. 

I have pictures for the yet-to-be-finished cosplays as well.  They are as follows.  The pictures follow the order laid out in the list from left to right.  [Yuna, Toph, Sheeta, Susan.]

That pretty much concludes all I was going to say.  I might add a few more cosplays or change out some of the possible cosplays as the year goes through, but I want to save some cosplays for next year even though I’d like to have ten new cosplays this year so I can wear a new cosplay each day of the cons I plan to go to.  I also have a tradition of making a new costume for my birthday, and I might make something for any fun events I go to.  I’m trying to keep the list reasonable while thinking ahead, especially as I plan to go to new cons.  After all, it is my goal to go to one new con each year until I run out of cons or get too old which I don’t think will happen for quite a while. 

As always thank you for reading.  The page views and comments mean a lot to me.  ^_^  I hope to talk to you soon! 

To the eternal glory of God.

~Narnian

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.

Vorfeed Update 5

My feathers came in the mail today.  I really like them.  They are really soft and the perfect length for her shoulder feathers.  I still have to get the rest of the feathers for here wigs, but I’m happy that I have these.  ^_^

I have pictures of the feathers and the wig.  I didn’t post pictures of the wig sooner so I’ll post them now.  I love how the feathers add to the costume.  I also love that the wig is the perfect color.  It’s a bit thin so I might add to it, but this is what I have for now.  Enjoy!

Cosplay Goals for 2011

Every year I set goals for myself and my hobbies.  Cosplaying is no exception.  A day ago I realized that I forgot to outline all of my cosplay goals in my previous post “A New Year, 2011”.  So I’m going to go over the goals I mentioned in the previous post and add the rest of the ones I forgot.  Mind you, these are not New Year’s Resolutions, these are just goals that I hope to accomplish for cosplaying this year. 

First on my list of goals is to make at least three new acquaintances this year.  This can be at cons, the fabric store, or on my way to a photo shoot.  Either way I want to meet more cosplayers and costuming enthusiasts.

My second goal is a singular goal with multiple sub goals that correlate to whom I will cosplay this year.  Granted some of my cosplays will not fit into one of the sub goals, but the goal of this goal is to make new cosplays, learn new skills, and have fun doing so. That said, here’s the next goal, its sub groups, and possible cosplays that correlate to each.

Second on my list of goals is to make at least four to five new cosplays.  Notice I said at least.  Knowing my love for sewing I will probably exceed this goal by the year’s end.  To make this goal easier to attain I made sub goals for each cosplay.  These sub goals will make it easier to choose cosplays as well as help me learn new sewing and cosplaying skills. 

My first sub goal is to make a cosplay that utilizes at least four intermediate to advanced sewing techniques.  I chose this goal because I want to learn more about said sewing techniques.  I want to get better at sewing since it is the basis of most, if not all, cosplaying.  I already have my cosplay chosen for this sub goal and have gathered most of the needed materials.  It is Maria Ross from Fullmetal Alchemist. 

 

My second sub goal is to make a cosplay based on a literary character.  I chose this goal because it is an adequate challenge.  I don’t know for sure who I’m going to cosplay, but right now I’m planning on Countess Meliara Astiar from Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith.  It’s one of my favorite books and Mel is one of my favorite characters.  Since there is no artwork in the book, I’ll have to design an outfit for her if I choose to cosplay her.  I only have tentative plans on this goal, there are no pictures to share at the moment.

Third, my sub goal is to make a cosplay that incorporates some kind of armor.  In addition there have to be two types of armor used.  I made this goal more complicated because I want to try my hand at the new armor techniques I’m learning.  I’m anxious to see how I’d do at making foam armor though I haven’t got the second type of armor making process worked out yet.  I’ll decide the second method to use after I choose the cosplay to base it off of. 

Fourth on my list is to make a cosplay using fabric with a moderate to high spandex content.  This is were Sango and Raven come in.  I have to decide between the two for whom is going with this goal.  Though now that I think about it, I could just use Sango for goal three and Raven for goal four.  That’s perfect! 

So for goal three I’m going to make Sango from Inuyasha in her Demon Slayer outfit.  I’ll use the foam armor for the body armor and shin guards and a different type of armor for the shoulder, elbow, and possibly knee guards. 

 

I might even make her kimono if I have the time and money. 

For sub goal four, I’ll make Raven from Teen Titans Animated.

Now that sub goal three and four are taken care of, I’ll continue.  

Sub goal five is to make a cosplay with a newly learned skill that does not apply to the rest of the sub goals.  I chose this goal because I wanted to use one of my new sewing skills I’m learning, machine appliqué.  For this sub goal, I chose to make Akari Mizunashi from Aria the Animation.  I’m working on her currently. 

My last sub goal is to make a cosplay from a modified or self-drafted pattern.  Knowing how to draft patterns is a very helpful skill to learn since most cosplays don’t have prescribed ready-made patterns.  Right now I know how to modify pre-made patterns.  For this project I chose to make Sophia Forrester’s Vice Captain Uniform from Last Exile. 

 Depending on how long I have till cons and fair, I might use Vorfeed from Lost Universe for this project.  I’m already working on Vorfeed, and most of what I’ve made is from a modified pattern.  It will be a while till I am able to make fully original pieces without the aid of an outside pattern source.

Now that my second goal with all its sub goals are fully explained, I’ll move on to my last goal.

 

Third on my list of goals is to attend at least one new con.  It is an ongoing goal that will continue till I either I stop going to cons or run out of new cons to attend, which ever comes first.  Either way, I am excited to see what cons I’m able to attend this year.  There are three local cons that I know about so I’ll stick to the local cons this year.  It should be really fun.  I can’t wait to debut my new list of cosplays too! 

Thank you so much for reading this humungous post.