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Description
Character: Terra (Amano version) from Final Fantasy VI
Costume Construction: Me
Cosplayer: Me
Photographer: ~Quezy
Location: Woodbridge, VA

This cosplay was my first all handmade cosplay. I did not have a sewing machine or any sewing experience (much less skill) before I started this cosplay. I gave myself plenty of time and began researching patterns and techniques as soon as I got my machine (which was for my birthday in August).

Construction/Assembly: I began construction on this cosplay at the beginning of September and worked off an existing pattern that I modified. I worked up a rough draft in muslin which I wasn't too happy with and after the second draft I was confident enough to work with the real materials.

The bodice is a scarlet dupioni silk and it is lined in a dark gold Satin. I wanted the flowers to be really loose and water color inspired, with uneven lines and lines that don't connect. I painted them on with a watered down acrylic paint. After the paint set I hand beaded the designs with a sporadic "pattern" of greens, golds, reds and purples. It was a huge, time consuming pain but I really loved the outcome.

The bodice is also boned to give it more shape and to help hold it up while wearing. The trim is a gold bias tape and there are two trims at the bottom; gold fringe and black and white striped piping. I really liked the black and white striped piping as I felt it lent more of an Amano feel to the costume overall.

The tights are just plain white tights. I painted the designs on with a watered down acrylic paint while I wore them. That part was really fun actually. My favorite part were the boots. They were an old pair of boots I'd pick up years ago for a Dickens' on the Strand in Houston. I just wiped them down and painted them with gold and red Lumiere super opaque paint for fabric and leather. I LOVE the way they came out. I added gold fringe and rope to accent the boots a little more.

The scarves were a bit of a pain and I had to do a lot of fudging with them the day of the con but it all ended up ok. They snap together and snap to attach to the dress. They are accented by a winged heart pendant that has dangling Swarovski tear drops on it.

The cloak is a crinkled polyester in a cream color and is hand painted with purple, pink and yellow. The bottom has purple fringe. The bottom of the cloak is also hand beaded with 4mm Swarovski bicones. The jewelry (save the bracelets) is all hand made with Swarovski and Czech glass beads and antiqued brass beading wire and findings (I forgot the earrings in this picture ><)

Overall I was insanely pleased with the way this came out. I really hope that this is a jumping off point to many more successful cosplay exploits.

Awards
Anime USA 2010 Hall Cosplay Best in Novice Class

No Critiques please, this is a happy place, haha! :3

Description
Character: Terra (Amano version) from Final Fantasy VI
Costume Construction: Me
Cosplayer: Me
Photographer: ~Quezy
Location: Woodbridge, VA

This cosplay was my first all handmade cosplay. I did not have a sewing machine or any sewing experience (much less skill) before I started this cosplay. I gave myself plenty of time and began researching patterns and techniques as soon as I got my machine (which was for my birthday in August).

Construction/Assembly: I began construction on this cosplay at the beginning of September and worked off an existing pattern that I modified. I worked up a rough draft in muslin which I wasn't too happy with and after the second draft I was confident enough to work with the real materials.

The bodice is a scarlet dupioni silk and it is lined in a dark gold Satin. I wanted the flowers to be really loose and water color inspired, with uneven lines and lines that don't connect. I painted them on with a watered down acrylic paint. After the paint set I hand beaded the designs with a sporadic "pattern" of greens, golds, reds and purples. It was a huge, time consuming pain but I really loved the outcome.

The bodice is also boned to give it more shape and to help hold it up while wearing. The trim is a gold bias tape and there are two trims at the bottom; gold fringe and black and white striped piping. I really liked the black and white striped piping as I felt it lent more of an Amano feel to the costume overall.

The tights are just plain white tights. I painted the designs on with a watered down acrylic paint while I wore them. That part was really fun actually. My favorite part were the boots. They were an old pair of boots I'd pick up years ago for a Dickens' on the Strand in Houston. I just wiped them down and painted them with gold and red Lumiere super opaque paint for fabric and leather. I LOVE the way they came out. I added gold fringe and rope to accent the boots a little more.

The scarves were a bit of a pain and I had to do a lot of fudging with them the day of the con but it all ended up ok. They snap together and snap to attach to the dress. They are accented by a winged heart pendant that has dangling Swarovski tear drops on it.

The cloak is a crinkled polyester in a cream color and is hand painted with purple, pink and yellow. The bottom has purple fringe. The bottom of the cloak is also hand beaded with 4mm Swarovski bicones. The jewelry (save the bracelets) is all hand made with Swarovski and Czech glass beads and antiqued brass beading wire and findings (I forgot the earrings in this picture ><)

Overall I was insanely pleased with the way this came out. I really hope that this is a jumping off point to many more successful cosplay exploits.

Awards
Anime USA 2010 Hall Cosplay Best in Novice Class

No Critiques please, this is a happy place, haha! :3