Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #13

the clingfilm + tape method

I put the left golden shoe on, to trace the golden swirls that run up the leg. I used the good opd clingfilm + tape method for making boot covers. First I wrapped the shoe and leg in clingfilm. Then, awkwardly and patiently (another person is supposed to do this), I added duct tape on top of the clingfilm areas that will have the golden swirls. Then, even more awkwardly, I loosely sketched the swirls placement.

an almost flattened pice of artistry

After I was kind of happy with the sketch, I cut the clingfilm where there was no pattern and tried to flatten it. only the left leg will have the long swirls up the leg. For the right leg, I will only keep the swirls around the foot. This is both because it won't be seen, the dress only has a slit on the left, and because it's very likely that the swirls will get tangled in the petticoat flounces.

+ this is an easy and efficient method for making patterns, pity it works best when one other person apllies it.

- it's sort of a saga to do this, especially smoothly applying the tape.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Now I will scan it, and adapt the vectorial traced pattern on top of this sketch.

Lum - Tiger Yukata #2

finished tacking the denim to the inside of the obi, to reinforce it

the finished straight part of the tsuke-obi

So, I'll be wearing Lum again for Anisama Akimatsuri, by the end of September, and I'm finally tackling the needed changes and finishing stuff. I may be also wearing it at Fórum Fantástico, where I'll be making a presentation about the cosplay origins in sci-fi.

I've added stiff denim, from the stash my friend Ana gave me, to the inside, and tacked it to the already existing interfacing. Then I turned it, and closed the opening with a ladder stitch. I may press it a bit, but it's not a big necessity.

the obi-ita pieces: polypropilen, felt interfacing and unbleached muslin.

Then I grabbed the sheet of polypropilen I got to make an obi-ita, traced and cut it. I just traced a rectangle, by eyeing it's length on my body, and making the height a little narrower than the obi. Then I traced the corners with some round shaped packaging, placing the rounder corners on top. I also cut an additional felt interfacing layer, traced and cut it on a piece of unbleached muslim, for the obi-ita cover. I will add some grosgrain tape to the edges, and an elastic closure with a buckle (which I still need to buy). The elastic will be leftover from old leggings.

I also scanned the bigger fan, I eventually found amongst my stuff, to make the final version of it. I now need to get it printed.

I also mean to lower the back of the Yukata collar, like Billy Matsunaga shows in her easy kimono tutorial, and finish sewing the hems.

If I have time, I will also make the juban, but I'm not sure where the fabric is right now, if at the Batcave or the Sunset House. 

+ I'm finally finishing Lum's Yukata, it's been three years(?)!

- There isn't much to do, but most is boring stuff that takes a bit of time and patience.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Make the obi-ita and finish the Yukata.

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #12

duct tape on the sole and traced the sole shape

I must have made a mistake while ordering the shoes, I'm pretty sure I wanted to order the normal sole version, but somehow I got the suede version, for both pairs. So, to be able to wear them outside, suede soles are meant to slide on ballroom wooden floors, I bought rubber half soles, but I needed to cut them to size.

glued the duct tape on a cereal box, and cut the pattern

I placed some duct tape on the soles and traced the shape. Then I stripped the duct tape from the shoe, glued it on cereal box cardboard, and cut on the traced line.

traced the sole shape onto the rubber soles

Traced them, and tried to keep both feet symmetrical, to the rubber soles, using Sharpie for the light soles and white pencil for the black soles.

the cut soles

Cut the soles. With a box cutter, I made a few crisscross scratches to the soles flat side, so they would grab the glue better. Then I glued them with contact glue to the shoes.

glued them to the shoes

The black shoes are at the new flat, so I'll glue them later.

+ Doing this allows the shoes to be worn outside.

- I still don't know I got suede soled shoes instead of normal soles, maybe it was my mistake, maybe it was the shop's mistake. I wasn't in the mood to find out or to replace them, as this is an easy fix.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Make the shoe swirls pattern with the clingfilm+duct tape method, and trace it on the computer. Buy the wood beam and contact the people whith the lathe, to arrange for the cane to be made.