Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #8

paper templates on PVC sheet 

 

I had the ear templates printed, cut them on the outlines, and glued them to the PVC sheet. Every time I went to buy a PVC sheet (or sintra), the only colour available was grey. This time there was only black. It's really not important, but going to paint them gold, It's an advantage. I wanted to glue them with glue stick, but since Anisama, I don't know where I put it. So I hlued it with UHU glue.

cut the outlines with a box cutter

and started cutting the blank areas

Then I cut the outlines with a box cutter, and started cutting the blank areas. I have to do this in small bits, or else my hand will start to hurt, so I'll keep cutting a bit every evening.

I also got a new gold paint, by Pébèo, and tested it. It matches the shoes.

+ this is a cheap and simple way to make the ears...

- ...but my hand starts to hurt after a while, so I can't cut it in one go.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Keep cutting the blank areas, bit by bit. Make the cane/sceptre template on the computer and make the ruby mock up in cardboard.

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #7

two pairs of skin colour dance tights

golden dance shoes, with X straps

black dance shoes, with X straps
for Yuuko's Green Dress 

The shoes and tights finally arrived! Not without a few mishaps. A few days after it said they were shipped, the tights shipping was cancelled by the sender. I asked what happened, they never gave me a proper answer, and a few more days later, I had a PayPal notification that there was a refund from them. I asked what happened, they gave me a weird answer, that they had to cancel the order to resend them, but I refused, due to poor customer service. In fact it ended being for the best, I immediately ordered other tights from another shop, and they look much more like I was looking for. The first ones seemed like they were warm fuzzy tights, the second ones are normal dance tights, skin coloured (they match my skin tone too) and opaque.

The same cancelling happened to the shoes, but fortunately their customer service is much better, and one or two days later, they were back on the tracking timeline. The shoes are very comfortable indeed, but a nightmare to put on. They have those hook closures, but I would prefer normal buckle closures. They won't come off easily, which is still an advantage. The only fault I have to point out, is the soles are suede, which means I can't wear the shoes outside. It may have been my mistake while ordering them anyway. I'll have to buy soles for them, but fortunately I have Domingos & Nogueira, so I just need to buy some there. Ah, I also ordered the same shoes, but in black, for Yuuko's Green Dress.

gold paint test swatch - not yellow enough

I recently tested a golden spray paint I got, sadly it doesn't match the shoes, so, next time I go to Benfica, I'll take one shoe and stop by Imaginação das Cores, and try to get a matching gold paint. I'll have to do the same for the golden thread, the next time I go downtown.

+ I have the shoes and tights, I can start working on everything for this costume. The only thing left to get is foam clay, golden thread and paint, and grey dye (or a nice grey fabric).

- the shoes have a glitter finishing at the front, which I'm not a fan of, but I'm afraid to ruin them if I try to take it off. There were none just plain golden fake leather. I also have to buy extra soles, in order to wear the shoes outside.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Start working on the ears.

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #6

1. embroidering swirls

2. securing the stitches with wood glue

3. cut embroidery

After writing the previous post yesterday, I decided to make a test swirl. I didn't use the proper technique or materials, but I'm satisfied with the result, and I think I can make it work in a decent timeline.

I used:

- red cotton base

- golden crochet thread

- satin stitch without guide stitches

I will be using:

- white cotton base

- golden embroidery thread (matching the shoes)

- satin stitch with stem stitch and chain stitch guide stitching

+ I like the effect and it will look even better with proper thread and techniques.

- it will take more time than using EVA foam, but it will look lush.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

the same as before, draft the blouse, draw the pattern on the computer, print it, trace it to the fabric, and embroider.

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #5

gold embroidery

The original plan for all the gold swirls was to emulate wooden gold work, but then I saw a picture of a garment with gold embroidery like that above, in satin stitch, and I thought it would look amazing in the blouse collar and cuffs. So, instead of using EVA foam, sculpt and paint it, I'm going to embroider it in a cotton, cut it, and then tack it to the actual collar and cuffs. The ears will still be made out of PVC sheet, and the shoe embellishments out of thin EVA with sculpted foam clay swirls on top. I still have to order the foam clay.

In order to do that, I need to start drafting the blouse pattern, finish drawing the swirls in Freehand and adapt them to the actual patterns. Meanwhile I drafted the swirls for the ears, I just didn't print those yet. With the house move, the good part is, I can start on these small pieces, and then tackle the bigger sewing later.

The shoes, for the Foxy Lady and thd Green Dress, have finally arrived in Portugal, but not to my doorstep yet. I'm eager to have the shoes, so I can match the gold paint and embroidery thread to them, and start working. Anyway, progress in June will be very slow, because I need to write my evaluation for the uni, and keep doing a few things in the new house. The first things I've been taking to the new house are the cosplay stuff, and one of the first furniture pieces I mean to buy is my cutting table IKEA hack. As most cosplay things are quite portable and I can carry them myself there, I think I'll start working on cosplays there even before I move. Just the small things I usually make in the evening, in front of the TV, I'll keep making here, in the old house. 

+ Embroidery is a skill I already master to some extent, and I'm quite comfident about the results.

- This will add a bit to the budget and work hours to the project, but fortunately not that much and I enjoy embroidering a lot.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Finish the drawings, buy the thread and matching gold paint, as soon as the shoes arrive. And then start working.