Elsa's Snow Queen Costume: Details, Details...

During my lunch breaks over the last two days, and well into the witching hour last night, I drew up the design details and applied all the crystal to the neckline and sleeves of the Elsa shirt (worn under the bodice).

 The shirt laid over the template and wax paper between the shirt fabric.

This is what I like about working with sheers when having to do applique or surface design;

you can see through it. I know the neckline here looks small compared to Elsa's almost/off-the-shoulder style, ut this is just what mine looks like when it's not on. The edge actually stretches open more and sits nicely on the outer curve of my shoulders. After a few wearings, once the rhinestone glue along the neckline expands a bit, it will fall a little lower on the shoulders like hers.

This picture is not such a good example, and not what I used to get the complete design, but it helped.

After finding a clear enough image of Elsa's arms and sleeve design, I was able to freehand sketch a template on paper to use as a guide. I rolled the final draft of that up with a top layer of wax paper into a tube, shoved it up each sleeve, pinned it in place and began applying the remainder of my crystals. Nearly 900+ Swarovski crystal flatbacks in various sizes have gone into this shirt.

 Early stages of the design.

First sleeve prepped and ready for the sparkle to begin.

This was taken before finishing the sleeves into points at the wrists. I also added clear elastic finger loops so they stay pointed and don't flip back over my hands.

I actually used two different colors of crystal; one was the regular clear crystal with the foil backing, the other was a color called 'crystal shade' and it has a very subtle silver coating on the face of the stone. They are extra sparkly and have a slightly different hue.

I have photos of a finished sleeve, but it's on my camera at home. I'll be posting photos of me wearing the whole thing soon enough, so stay tuned! I might also keep this as the shirt I use for the DragonCon version of this costume, but this is a first draft of sorts. There are a few design details I'd do differently, but if I end up not getting to it by the end of August, I'll at least have this one ready to use.

Now, off to Disneyland!

xoxox

Elsa's Snow Queen Shirt

During my lunch hour (after I had a tasty curry), I spent some time applying the small Swarovski crystals to the neckline of the Elsa shirt. I hope I can get to the sleeve detail in crystal this weekend, too.

Dragon Con 2014: Yeah, I Should Probably Start On That

So..I might have a sheepish look on my face as I write this entry.
Yes, I am once again deviating from my historical costuming path here, to start another random costuming project...or rather; projects. Sorry folks, please bear with me as I prep for Dragon Con 2014, and all the events leading up to it, between now and mid September.
In the vein of the Star Trek Romulan Commander costume from the last BayCon I attended, I am once again veering into the realm of fantasy and sci-fi. I guess this makes me an official cosplayer now.

Here's a breakdown of what I'll be working on, in the order of which I'll be starting first:

1. 'Frozen' - burlesque/cosplay of Elsa's snow queen gown (and possibly the coronation gown and cape). I will be buying a disgusting amount of Swarovski crystals for this, mostly for the bodice and sleeves, but some for the sheer train as well.

2. 'TRON Legacy' - Siren Gem costume, complete with LE Wire and LED lighting effects.

3. Caprica Six - (Battlestar Galactica) Remake the signature red dress from a nicer red knit fabric. The first one I made is a bit too heavy and 'plastic', for lack of a better term.

4. Vintage Star Trek - Romulan Commander Charvanek costume.
While I have this done already, I might need to make repairs and find some good thigh-high black boots.
Or, make another pair of thigh-high 'spats' out of a heavier faux leather instead of matte PVC. Lesson learned last time, as I spent most of the evening constantly pulling them back up.

Still deciding on weather or not I'll have time to build one or two more costumes, but here are some hopeful candidates I've been contemplating:

5. Female Tusken Raider (Star Wars)

6. Barberella? - The silver ensemble, or the green one.

At least I don't need to worry about a wig or dying it. I get to use my own hair!

'Valkyrie' Photos

Photo by RJ Johnson

As per my last burlesque costuming posts, here are more photos of the act in motion; my tribute to Loie Fuller.

"Loie Fuller (born Mary Louise Fuller in 1862) was one of the most innovative dance artists of the twentieth century. Her work influenced not only future artists in modern dance, such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham, but also a whole range of poets, painters, sculptors, and intellectuals. She brought both revolutionary dance forms and technical innovations in costume and lighting to American, Caribbean, London, and Paris stages." - The Modernism Lab

I, however; put a little personal twist on mine, adding a bit of Scandinavian lore in the form of crystallized deer antlers and the coloring of the costume itself. The theme is The Valkyrie.

Photos by Johnny Crash





Photo by RJ Johnson