Progress images

I've been radio silent for a while, but that's because nothing much has happened. But now I'm on vacation for two weeks and trying to catch up with everything.

So, here's fitting the petticoat and bustle on Fluttershy:

Nothing much has happened with this cosplay. I still need to fit the corset properly, but I have a growing fear that I might have to make it again. I'm not happy with the quality of it and it does not fit properly around the bust. I'm still trying to save it, but I'm not sure if I can. Le sigh...... Oh, and feather's arrived for the train. These might cover 1/4th so I need to order more, but I'm happy about their quality so I know where to find more.

Today the lovely Elena came to fit her Rainbow Dash dress and she's utterly gorgeus in it. The fit of the chiton does not need alterations, but I need to make the himation a tad bit longer.

Rarity has progressed more in these past two days than the other two. I have managed to make the corset and the bustle and today I made her a petticoat.

Funnily enough, I didn't take pictures of the finished petticoat....

Until next time!

Fluttershy's petticoat and petit bustle

I got around drafting and making Fluttershy's petticoat to a point where I need to try it on the cosplayer and make necessary arrangements for it to fit nicely. Since I have no plans to giving this cosplay away, I also need to make sure that it also fits me.

I used a pattern I found in Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1800-1909 by Jean Hunnisett. I got a few copies out of it because my copy is from the library, so I cannot make markings on it. I had to insert more room for the waist as the pattern was designed for someone very tall and built like a stick.

I used the same book for the petit bustle. I'm doing everything in the wrong order, because I haven't made her corset yet, but I plan on drafting that this evening and trying to piece it together tomorrow. Then I can finish the petticoat.

Petticoat without bustle on the left and petticoat with bustle on the right. The bustle is small and  about and inch thick, but it gives the petticoat such a nice lift. If you look carefully, you can see how much fabric I had to insert into the side seam to make it fit. Material for the petticoat is cotton.

Fabrics

So, I've been spending on fabrics lately. I found a nice bright yellow cotton for Fluttershy's petticoat and I discarded the original idea of tulle, when I found gorgeus white chiffon on sale.

I also used spoonflower to make the himation fabric for Rainbow Dash. Once it arrives and I review the quality, I'll open it up for sale, so everyone who wants to copy it can get it.

But now, onto the canary yellow petticoat! Whee!

Also, I'll be making the final draws on Rarity today so expect those to upload during the next few days.

Finished plan: Fluttershy

So I finally drew the Fluttershy plans. It's not strictly one period as I couldn't find a style we were comfortable with, so it's made from two time periods.

I feel that I made the yellow in the plan a little too prominent. The underskirt I planned as two layers of tulle to get that soft look on it.  The overskirt will be covered in peacock feathers. I'm regretting this plan already, but it will look magnificent for our birthday girl. The bodice will be lightly boned. I just need to make a petticoat, corset and an undershirt to go under the corset. And of course the wings, as Fluttershy is a pegasus pony.

Here's the inspiration I used for the design. The skirt is from early 1900's and the bodice is around 1909-10. Both are from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion. Time for material hunting again! Allons-y!

Shoes for Fluttershy are the Astoria's from American Duchess. I'm waiting for them to arrive (and hope to God I got the right size).

Astoria shoe from American Duchess.

Planning progress

I haven't scanned anything, but I've gotten the design for Rarity together. Cosplayers of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have confirmed and accepted the plans, now it's just defining the details and colors, plus hairstyle for Dash and Rarity. Fluttershy is more or less finished and waiting for fabrics.

I'll try and update today or tomorrow. I've been horribly lazy lately and the allergy season is terrible. There's still not that much pollen in the air, but it's just starting here. I might need to double my medication in some point.

I also made some preliminary drafts of Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. As with Pinkie Pie, they are not on the list of dresses that need to be made for the Gala, but I might someday make all ponies and wanted some preliminary plans to start with. Probably another forever project, but it's still a nice though.

Early plans; Fluttershy's Grand Galloping Gala gown

Fluttershy caused my quite a lot of grief, because I had no idea to which time period I'd tie her costume. There was thought of Middle Age, Byzantine inspiration, but I wasn't sure and it didn't just feel right. Then I happened to come by this image:

And something just clicked to place. The soft floofy look, the embroidery, the lace, the floofy trail... This was it. This is how I saw Fluttershy's gown. So I pitched the idea to the cosplayer who, after gentle persuasion, was exited about the idea.

I collected together images as an inspirational map, while I got myself a book about Edwardian fashion.

We both adore Alphonse Mucha's art and I'm hoping that once we get the early design chosen and I can start the detailed design plans, I get to incorporate some of that adoration into this cosplay gown. If nothing else, the hair and the accessory jewelry could be from Mucha's art.

Here's the first drafts of the gown. I'm still waiting for the feedback from the cosplayer on which kind of design she wants for the dress. After that I can start adding details, get the shape fixed, sampling materials and just getting the general planning together.

Getting back to bussiness

Winter is slow and practicly nothing happens in terms of sewing for me. Even with my D-vitamin everyday, I'm still very tired during winter due to the lack of sunlight. But spring is here and summer sewings are about to begin.

What you will be seeing at some point are:
- Abaddon

I found a beautiful wool/rayon blend material to make this dress. Too bad that since the fabric is rather high quality, I'm not gonna pour fake blood on it. So if I want to make the bloody version, I need to find a cheaper fabric.

- Meg Masters

Season 5 Meg. I love this costume and how it suits Meg. I'm gonna go through hell of a time trying to find a suitable leather jacket (because I'm lazy and don't feel like sewing leather).

- My Little Pony Grand Galloping Gala humanized.

I promised a friend to arrange her a big birthday party. Not all the ponies will probably be present, but for now we have confirmation on Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Princess Celestia. There was talk about Pinkie Pie, and I have reference/early scetches of her costume, but then she was discarded. I might publish those aswell as soon as we start making the costumes.