Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #28

fox ears cut-outs

After a while, without even taking a glance at the fox ears, I finally finished cutting the cut-outs. After cutting, I filed and sanded out the imperfections.

+ finally it's done and I'm happy with the result.

- it took a long time and a bit of pain in my hand to cut out the ears, which I could have laser cut, but I didn't want to have to pay for it.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Heat form the back of the ears and paint the insides.

Yuuko - Foxy Lady #27

1st (left) cuff, and the starting of the embroidery on the 2nd cuff (right)

So, I finally finished cutting out the white cotton of the first cuff appliqué. It took much longer than I expected, mostly because I wanted to use a smaller blade scissors, one of those embroidery scissors with tiny curved blades, but it needs sharpening, so I used my thread cutter, which is fine, but the blades, although small, are much bulkier than the other delicate scissors. The cuffs' designs are symmetrical, so I decided this first one will be the left cuff, mostly because, as I'm right-handed, people will see and notice the right hand more than the left, and, predictably, the first embroidery isn't as perfect as the following. This is the same reason I left the collar,  the most visible of the embroidery pieces, for last.

embroidery appliqué pinned to the cuff

Just to check, I pinned the appliqué on the cuff, and it looks good. But, not that I wasn't seeing it comming, although all measures are OK, because of the embroidery volume, and the cuff's curvature, there's a much bigger gap at the closure. I will carefully try to stretch the appliqué a bit, and maybe sew the snaps a bit tighter, to reduce the gap. Anyway, I'm very happy with it, it looks great and lush, very lush!

weird angle photo of it worn
(its hard to balance a big and heavy tablet and press
the snapshot button at the same time with one hand)

I tried it on, and I definitely like it a lot! When I finish both cuffs, they will be tacked to the blouse's cuffs. Not just yet as I want it to lay flat for a few days, it's under a few books, and only tack it when I can have both. 

+ 1 out of 3 embroidered pieces finished! and the end result is quite satisfactory.

- I knew the embroidery would be shorter, due to its volume and curvature, but yet I didn't compensate. It won't be as perfect as I wished for, but it still looks very good.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Keep embroidering the 2nd cuff, try to have both for the next event: the Cosplay Photoshoot, at the end of February. 

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #26

A4 sheet of plexiglas

The photo is far from making it justice, but I finally got the last item I needed to buy for this costume, the plexiglas for the ruby. Dagol for the win!

+ it was very cheap, as usual. besides being an amazing material, plexiglas is cheap!

- lots of work ahead. 1st, finish the vectorial cutting design, then assemble the ruby, which means heating it to make the curve and sanding the edges at an angle, lots of trial and error...

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Fix and finish the vectorial file, call the shop where I'm having it laser cut to know what kind of file they use, and next week take it there to be cut.

Shopping #02

lots of black cosplay shopping

Lately, I've been bitten by the shopping bug, it happens from time to time. And I didn't place an order on AliExpress, just because my PayPal account was blocked a few months ago, and I didn't realise it until now.  That's how often I shop online. It's being sorted anyway.

So, today I went to this big shopping mall to get a bunch of stuff I can't get at local shops, to take advantage of the sales season, and search for some items missing to complete a few cosplays.

Hokuto Sumeragi - Umbrella

Got some short boots to make her over the knee boots at Lefties. The initial plan was to buy some ballerina flats, but I noticed these boots trending, and even though they don't really match the foot shape in the artwork, I think I will like the boots with these soles. Plus, the booties are mega comfy 💙

Yuuko Ichihara - Shawl

The black sweater I've been using for this costume is really old, a bit too hot and too short on me. So I've been on the lookout for a half turtle neck ribbed sweater to add some lace and use it for the cosplay. A while ago, I got some really nice black stretchy lace for this, so now I can finally complete this item. The rest of this costume, the skirt, will be finished after I finish the thesis cosplays, Hokuto Mad Hatter and Yuuko Foxy Lady.

Other cosplay stuff

Whenever I'm at Primark, I always take a look at the cosmetics and hair sections, and this time I got very pretty and cheap fake lashes, and a hair clip to make Yuuko Foxy Lady's hair do. I also got a new Catrice eyelash glue. I bought one for the first time in the summer, but I somehow misplaced it, and it has been sold out at most stores I looked for it. It's quite good eyelash glue and quite cheap too. I like Catrice make up products, they're quite good quality for a great price. Currently I'm using their concealers, face powder, blush, highlighter, and sometimes nail polishes, besides the lash glue.

+ I was looking for most of the things I've got, and I will surely get good use out of them.

- I ended up spending a bit, just for cosplay, today.

THE CUNNING PLAN 

Place the order at AliExpress once my account has been cleared, stuff for three future cosplay costumes. Go visit Bispos fabric shop, in search for fabrics to complete some costumes, and start new ones. I'll share my new cosplans in a few weeks.

Yuuko Ichihara - Foxy Lady #25

embroidered cuff vs. started embroidering cuff

I FINALLY finished embroidering the 1st cuff, which means, I won't have the collar embroidered by the Cosplay Photoshoot, in late February. It's fine, but I'll keep embroidering. 

I've been in a very lazy mood, I have worked on the thesis, but slowly, and all I've been doing for this costume is embroidering, which is a rather mechanical task. But I've been embroidering most evenings and at public transportation too.

I've also been postponing the corset alterations. I've put on weight at the last stretch of the pandemic and I'm not really dealing with it. I think I've lost a bit of it already,  but maybe that's wishful thinking. But I need to deal with it ASAP, in order to draft the pattern and make the dress. The good part is, once I've dealt with the corset, I can make the dress in about 2 to 4 days. Next time I'm at the new flat, maybe I should draft the underskirt pattern, as it will also have loads to hand sew.

sealed the embroidery reverse side with UHU glue

Meanwhile, I've added a layer of UHU all purpose glue to the back of the embroidery, to seal it. The original plan was to add wood glue, but it's water soluble, so I went for UHU, which also seals it well, and dries transparent. Tomorrow, I'll cut the white fabric out.

+ One down, two to go (another cuff and the collar). Deciding to embroider in public transportation was a good move, as I can get a lot done in one trip.

- It's still sooo sloooww... well, keep going!

THE CUNNING PLAN

Keep embroidering, finish the corset, draft the underskirt pattern. Buy more UHU all purpose glue. Buy the red plexiglas.