Astrid's Skirt

Believe it or not, even without a pattern, the skirt was not as hard as the shirt.  I'm quite happy with how it turned out! My cosplay is slowly but surely coming together. 

The first thing I did for the skirt was cut out the leather strips. I didn't use real leather, I used vinyl.  I cut out ten strips.  Then I pinned the raw edges back and sewed the edges.  

I made four spikes for each strip.  After putting it together I realized my spikes could have been a bit bigger, but, oh well.  Also I found out I didn't have enough spikes and I had to make a few more.  (Note to self - always make extra if you can)

I had imbedded brads in the back of each of the spike, which made it so much easier to attach the spikes to the leather strips. I also used some E-6000 glue to help secure them.

I pinned the leather strips on the fur and did my best the make them even.

I've made a lot of skirts before.  Skirts are one thing I can make without a pattern.  For this skirt I decided to make the basic waistband which I have done so many times before.  I attached the skulls to the waistband before I slip-stitched the waistband closed. The wires I had attached to the skulls worked perfectly for attaching the skulls to the skirt.  I don't know how else you'd be able to get the skulls to stay securely on the skirt.  I may add some hot glue later just to help with keeping the skulls from moving around too much.  

I wanted to do a zipper closure but after working with the fur, I realized that it would be almost impossible to sew a zipper onto fur. I used Velcro instead which was actually easier.

So far I have made Astrid's shoulder pads, Astrid's shirt, and Astrid's skirt.  I still have to make her fur hood, arm warmers, and boot covers (and her ax).  I also need to add knee pads to my blue jean leggings.  But the main parts are done and my cosplay is starting to take shape.  I tried on all the pieces I have so far to see how well my cosplay is coming together. It made my day! Oh, and as you can see I am also going to have to buy a wig because I'm obviously not even close to being blonde.  

I'm still waiting for the fur I ordered to arrive in the mail so I can make the hood.  I ordered it a few weeks ago but they sent me the wrong fur and they finally got back to me about their mistake. I should receive the right fur sometime this week.  

It won't be too long 'til my cosplay is finished.  I'm so excited!

My Astrid Cosplay ~ A Work in Progress

Everyone has dreams.  Lots of times our dreams don't go any farther than just being dreams but sometimes we can turn them into reality.  Ever since I saw HTTYD 2 I've been wanting to make a cosplay of Astrid. I'm making that dream come true because this summer I'm making an Astrid cosplay!  

Making costumes isn't new for me.  I have a closet full of costumes from colonial dresses to medieval gowns.  We used to participate in a history co-op where we dressed up from different time periods we were learning about.  My friends and I would have fun sewing costumes for each time period we learned about.  Making a cosplay of Astrid isn't going to be easy.  I'm used to using a pattern but I won't have a pattern for this project.  But hey, that's what makes it fun!  I will learn as I go.

Having a project to work on makes me so happy.  I haven't made a costume in a long time. I forgot how much I love creating things with my hands, especially costumes.  I spend most of my day in my sewing/craft room and put 'Owl City' on shuffle.  I'm as happy as can be! 

  

I'm not going to post a full blown tutorial but I will post pictures of what I'm working on and tell you what worked best for me.  I hope you find this helpful :)

So, first step was to buy what I needed.  I found the perfect fabric for her shirt and skirt at Hancocks. I got it on sale too!  I know that this is going to be an expensive project so I'm trying to be smart by using coupons and buying things when they are on sale.

There are lots of parts to Astrid's outfit. I didn't know where to start, so I decided that I would begin with making the bird skull thingies (I really don't know what they are, some sort of animal skull) and spikes she wears on her skirt.  Using oven bake clay I did my best to create them.  I made one big one, one small one, and one spike.  

My plan was to make molds of them so I wouldn't have to hand sculpt every one.  I've heard about silicone molding and since it was a very cheap way to make a mold I decided to try it.  I followed this tutorial to make my mold:

/http://fallfordiy.com/blog/2014/04/27/how-to-make-a-silicone-mould/

My molds turned out wonderful.  

I decided I needed to make around ten of the big bird skulls (I'm just gonna call them that 'cause I really don't know what to call them) and two small ones, and about 30 spikes (I ended up making a few extras as well).  I was looking into using resin for casting but it was very expensive.  We had some plaster in the garage so I decided to try my mold with plaster.  It worked nicely. The only problem was the weight. The plaster was very heavy and I really don't want the skulls to weigh down the skirt.  

My mom recommended I use something called Model Magic.  At first I was thinking that stuff was for kids and would not work, but after I looked into it I found that it was perfect for what I needed.  I bought a big pack at Walmart for $20.  This stuff is so light!  You can pick up a huge handful and it weighs like nothing.

For extra support when I attach the skulls to my skirt I decided to add a wire to the back (I actually just took apart paper clips). 

Then I stuffed the Model Magic into my mold, and inserted the wire clip.  The nice thing about silicone is that it is flexible.  I was able to pop the stuff right out the mold and place it on a tray to dry and then make the next one.    

The Modely Magic took three days to dry.  That's a long time when you're waiting.  I decided to try making the shoulder pads while  I waited for them to dry.  I tested my design with paper first before I cut anything out.  I pretty much copied what I saw others do.  Here are some of the tutorials I found that were very helpful:

http://dorkofberk.tumblr.com/post/76868522220/astrid-shoulder-pads-tutorial

http://aliceincosplayland.blogspot.com/2014/12/cosplay-tutorial-astrids-shoulder-pads.html

http://liv-is-alive.blogspot.com/2014/06/astrid-how-to-train-your-dragon-2.html

Once I was happy with how my paper model looked I took it apart and I basically had my own pattern.  I cut the pieces out on craft foam.  You can get sheets like the one I used for about one dollar at the craft store.  I know orange isn't the desirable color, but they are going to be painted anyway.

The fun part was putting the cut-out pieces together.  It was also the hardest part.  I found that when working with foam hot glue works great.  I also found out that if you heat the foam and then bend it into the shape you want and hold it, it will keep that shape when it cools. Think of all the possibilities with craft foam!  This website gives some great advice when your working with foam: 

http://windofthestars.com/blog/tutorials/the-many-wonders-of-craft-foam/

Before I painted the foam and  I gave it three coats of Modge Podge for a sealant.    

Then I painted it black.  I'm so happy because finally I got rid of the orange color.

Next, I painted it with metallic acrylic paint.  I used black paint on a sponge to add a tarnished look to make it look rustic.  I can't believe I made these our of ordinary craft foam. 

Painting the shoulder pads was fun.  Next I had to paint the skulls and spikes. I wasn't looking forward to it because there are so many!  I did the same thing I did with the shoulder pads.  I even applied one coat of Modge Podge because as the Model Magic dried it cracked a little.  The cracks actually looked cool but I applied the Modge Podge hoping it would keep the cracks from getting any worse.  

After I painted them all black, I used a sponge with the metallic paint and lot's of Q-tips to make them look like metal. And I still can't believe how light they are!

After a long day of painting my hands are a mess.

That's as far as I've gotten so far.  Next I plan on making Asrid's shirt.  I will take lots of pictures and post another tutorial on how I made it, but first... I have to make it ;)

DIY ~ Lace Headband Tutorial

Today I made these cute headbands and they are so easy to make and don't take much time at all.  I was able to make one in fifteen minutes. I thought I'd try making a tutorial.  This is my first time making a picture tutorial so I know it's not going to be perfect but I hope you find this tutorial helpful.

Step One: Cut a piece of lace about fifteen inches long.  Or wrap it around you head and cut the lace long enough to reach to the end of your ears. (I actually used a lace headband I bought last year but was too small for me even though it said one size fits all.  I was pretty bummed that the headband didn't fit me because It wasn't really cheap.)

Step Two:  Cut a piece of elastic that measures six inches.  I think I used 1/4'' or 1/2'' elastic.  I just used the only elastic I had so the width of the elastic doesn't really matter.  You may need to cut a longer strip depending on how loose you want your headband.  I usually prefer my headbands to lay loosely on my head because I hate it when your headband slowly works it way off your head.  SO ANNOYING!

Step Three: Find a coordinating fabric and using your elastic strip as a guide cut the fabric about 1/2'' wider than the elastic on all sides.

Step Four: This step is optional. I took my fabric and trimmed it so that it was not as wide in the middle to give it a more fitted look.  

Step Five: Fold the ends down on both sides and sew the fabric together right sides together.  When you finish is should look like the above picture.

Step Six: Now turn your fabric right side out.  You now have the casing for the elastic.

Step Seven: Sew the elastic to the lace.  Make sure you go back a forth a few times to add extra support.

Step Eight: Slip casing over elastic. 

Step Nine: repeat step seven with the other end of the elastic

Step Ten: Lastly sew the end of the fabric to the lace.  I went backwards and forward a few times for added support

And that is it!  Your done!   Wear your new headband with pride! 

Let me know what you think of this tutorial.  I'm open for any advice and tips.