New project imitation black

 cleaning up dust here lolXD

So I've been wanting to remake one of my old cosplays for a long time mainly because I wanted to check how much I improved over time. I'm really bummed about this stupid photos because I only own a small compact camera that need constant flash and my sister never borrows me hers;v;

I ended up choosing Imitation black:)
This cosplay is three years old I think and I used it on my first Iber Opo in 2010.

It was ok for it being one of the first I made. I remember that I was so fed up making the ruffles that I decided that I didn't needed to hem the endings no more, huge facepalm thereXD.

So here is the process:



I started by collecting the fabrics, they are from all kinds of texture and weigh. I assigned each scrap to each piece depending on what work better and since I wouldn't be using lining or boning for the bodice I used the heaviest and with a little stretch.

For the bodice I used a pattern for a Wedding gown that fits me very well and that I already used on Devola corset and on a white corset I made for me. I really recommend to get one with just your measures because It serves has a great reference for a lot of cosplays and also It saves me a lot a time whenever I need either a dress or a fitted piece.
I placed it on the fabric marked it, marked the sewing allowance that cut it and sew everything. This particular pattern uses the zipper on the sides so I cut the back piece in half to place it exactly on my back.

The skirt is a simple circle skirt. I made one way to small and had to use other piece of fabric to start over. Luckily I still could use the first skirt to make the arm warmers. Anyway, the second skirt had a circumference bigger than my waist and the bodice for more flare so I marked the keys points, N, s, E, w, pined them on the bodice key points and from there on started to gather the skirt and pin it.

The final result:

Dont forget to press all of the seams and serge or zig zag the pieces. The old cosplay was basically turn the edge and sew over it lol.

I made the puffy sleeves detached from the dress. Its just two rectangles serged, that I add the tunnel for the elastic to go in, add some lace and sew closed both edges and puff, cute pieces.
The arm warmers is the then the first skirt that I made two small cut in half with added elastic band and ruffles similar to the technic I described on the puffy sleeves.

 After this I just had to assemble everything and start with the ruffles;
After having more experience, ruffles became much easier and I watch revenge while doing it so it was win win.

I forgot to take pictures of the bodice:X have to remenber next time otl.
here is the result on photographs:

man I look fat in this costume:X I really need to work on that diet asap. and I had trouble with the lashes so I had to skip them.

Anyway, I had lots of fun making it, I feel I improved tremendously and I cant wait to show you the next project I'm working on, Okami:) Hope I get it finished by next January<3

Maitsuki meet

Hello everyone, again one more weekend one more event:)
This time Maitsuki Meet.
It was held at orfeão do Porto, I've never been there before but I liked the space. It had a bar, proper stage, lots of sofas to sit and rest, a big mural to write that was more used has a clean background for photos and it was sponsored once again by Aniplay, I love that store.

The day started for me doing my make up, lenses and getting self conscious of walking out the house with shorts shorts(part of the cosplay)XD;
It was sushi lunch with friends:

before the event sushi with friends:)

After we took a short trip to mascarilha to get some cosplay supplies for my friends, one cosplaying as Lara Croft and the other, who was going to participate in the contest as Sakura; We then get there pay the ticket  and get dressed.
Overral:

The good points were

• the maid cafe, all the maids were lovely and beautiful and it also had a few butlers; They had a great menu with food, drinks and lots of Japanese treats; 
• I liked the stage though not that big contestants had sound and video, its a nice change from the usual gallery walk-on;
• It was held at a nice location with good access and atm;
• CPC, I think its a really good initiative; 

alright, now for the bad points

The prices of stands were to high, i tipped a friend and she, after informing herself, told me the stands were almost the same price as in Iberanime but the cake goes to the lack of entertainment, for a paying event there were not much things that differentiate it from others, in fact I felt that Haruhi was a more fulfilling experience in comparison and it had a 0€ entrance. If It wasn't for photoshoots I would have been a bit bored most of the time. I also want to point the lack of updates and little information so close to the date. It made not take that seriously Maitsuki and the CPC. I feel next time things should be more organized and only announced once all the details are taken care of, It also makes things easier to us cosplayers.

 Now I obviously am not involved in events of any kind  and I don't know the difficulties that comes in organizing one so I'll just drop some suggestions:

gaming zone, karaoke, maybe partnerships with other organizations that would allow to have exhibitions in the area (figures, drawings, anything japan related), some members of the community have a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and possessions too and can perform small workshops or lectures, some stands dont necessary have to be busyness, they can be only display and therefore a plus for the event; since there's a stage there could be para para, ramen, whatever contest, they are usually seen in every con and serve to at least fill in gaps between main events etccc... 

anyway this was my cosplay:

Hotglueing stuff the night before the con FTW

The winner:)

And this is my report, i do hope I can attend the next one and hope for improvements:)

Haruhi 2013

Hello:3

Oh nooo its been to long since I last wrote hereD: When I came from Iberanime I was so dead tired that I didnt write the report and then it slipped my mind--'.

Oh well  this past Saturday I went to a fan made event called Haruhi 2013 held at a public school, Escola Secundária Inês de Castro. It was really fun and I met so many people:) I sadly have no photos whatsoever of the place and the people because I was really busy most of the time and forgot to record;________;

I made a cosplay super last minute:

I was supposed to be accompanied in this little duo but cosplay plans fall apart all of the time lol.

Anyway I put a lot of effort on the jacket and finally successively made a collar that stood up and used interfacing for the first time. gloves and armor were pretty easy, I dyed a pair of old boots and the only true hard part was to make his triangular strip. Oh dear so many work. Overall It was a pretty cheap cosplay, I already owned the shirt, trousers, boots and wig and had the red and white fabric. The only things purchased was the blue fabric, red spray paint, craft foam and blue shadow, everything together was around 8 euros. Noone knew who I was but i still got lots of compliments:)

here's some pictures:

Its so coool cosplaying with more people and its so rare for me to things work out that way that I feel I had the most fun in this cosplay*3* thank you Sandra for cosplaying with me:)

I participated in the cosplay contest and got 4th place*__*. Apart from that I was shot for a cosplay video which I cant wait to see!! so excited:) And that's pretty much about it, I didn't participated in many activities, just had fun with my friends:)

Till next time:)

Usagi meet

Last Friday I attended a easter meet:)
I took the oportunitie to make use of a new cosplay, Nai from the manga Karneval.

Honestly it still misses lots of details. I made the shirt and shorts but ended up with not enough fabric to finish the bunny ears which would have worked perfectly with the meet theme being Easter haha and maybe i'm a bit colorblind because honestly I fest his outfit was red and now it sure does look pink. >_<.

I left details to much for the last minute and made his bracelet the night before and was to tired to cut his wigXD I thought I would get time the day itself and totally forgot and had to cut it in a tiny changing room on my knees on the bottom of a mirror while my WCS partner and her gigantic petticoat were occupying the upper mirror half. It still provided cute pictures though:

My favorite part were the cute hearts on my assXD

more photos:

I had lots of fun but had to leave early for workOTL. Thank God that next week i'm on vacations and did I meantion Iberanime too*___*?

see you<3

  

Aniplay

So last Saturday was the opening of a new Anime Store in my city:)
It had a few contests like quiz, poki and cosplay and It was a pleasure to be with my friends again:)
Sadly I don´t have pictures of the store itself but It was lovely, bright and had a lot of variety! I ended up Buying Camus to add to my saint seiya collection. besides the merchandise and cosplays they also sell contact lenses*__*. They import from Youknowit, a company that I started to hate but that's a story for another time. They do have nice lenses so if i can get them without the hassle of shipping I definitely will catch the opportunity:)

About the cosplay contest I ended up wining best costumeXD I was so happy, first time winning first place:)

There weren't many competitors but the skits were lovely. I didnt took any pictures so have a bit of cosplay silliness: 

Trophy and prize

Sadly I think I wont be able to go to AONime this next saturday;________; noes!!!! wanted to debut Link there so I guess Iberanime is next in line?
See you soon.

First 2013 post

whohohohoho first 2013 post and It comes this late--'.
But I have many news coming so prepare for incoming long journal.
Lets begin to announce that my sister has decided to abandon cosplay and engage all her forces to lolita. This made me very sad at first but she promise that if I asked her she would still make one or two cosplay with me and truth be told, in three years of cosplay we only did it together once. The good thing is that she gave me all her cosplay suplies that were piling up so I have now one more bag full of fabrics, sewing material, wigs and possibilities of new costumes.
So one of my new years resolution and challenge  was to cosplay completely on a budget and every time I can, do it for absolutely 0€. I'm pretty confident about it has I have lots of stuff to use that I need to take proper care of.
Another resolution was to diminish significantly my box of unfinished costumes that on the spam of three day increased a lot due to my bad planning--' Its something I hope to fix on my own and quickly.
As you probably saw already my cosplay list was updated, projects that I didn't conclude last year passed on to this one I will definitely make them despite me always changing my mind and adding more stuff OTL(already planning stuff that wasnt origininally).
Some Wip:

 Next i'll post about a small aniparty I went so stay tuned:)