RB's motivation: Elsaba hair, tease and braid for your life

Alright so Elsa's fucking hair was the part I was most excited about, and probably the most tricky part for sure

SO this was my loose french braid, okay but no volume or length at all

So I needed assistance of hair extensions on my side. I could only get 14 inch for my budget at the time, for anyone that can actually afford always go for the 20 inch or longer. The pack I got provided quite a few/ lot more than I needed so yeah. Don't forget to buy your clips to sew in as well!

So here's my hair when I started, it's pretty voluminous, wavy and damaged so yeah, start with that and build onto it 

I have grown out bangs so this is super idea for this tutorial/process. Tie them away with a clip or hair tie first.

Put in your extensions by how many layers you want. I parted my long hair into two layers with the first set of hair extensions on the bottom, like under all my hair completely, then one extension layer above the bottom layer of hair. Then brush and blend together. Then start french braiding, or get your friend to do so. 

I know how to myself and none of my roommates want to do this for me. Once you got your braid, stretch out parts to get more volume. 

Now the fun part is hairspring all your bangs back. I used a mix of freezing spray and got to be hair gel. I was really obsessed with eh concept art work

And I was really into trying to get actual frozen spikes but I just didn't have enough volume in test runs

Really loved the side braid when it was working though, I was really stressed out and couldn't fully tell when it was working or not. Just more of lie, okay i know the process now, I think I'm done for the night

Also I was kind of just blind spraying to make certain ends stay down

First time testing out the green makeup. This is the shitty party city stuff. Their quality depends on color, greens are always the most concentrated I feel, just green straight out of a tube is always gonna be super pigmented so I used barely any and it STAINED ME. Like I was stained for days after the convention. That's cuz that shit is oil based go damn. But I knew I had to out it under the sleeves because it looked like a very weird transition without it

But good thing Homestucks educated me about SNAZAROO water based face paint that stays on so good, seals well, and DOES NOT STAIN YOUR SKIN

On the day of I was putting on makeup for probably a good hour or so, being green. It was a weird feeling literally, like the makeup was a very strange sensation when sealed. Like I didn't feel anything but other people felt my hands and they felt very very weird they said. I used the oil based on my chest, arms, back, and hands just to try and get full coverage but it was layered so thick that I actually almost got stuck putting on my costume from the tight sleeves, as well as the second skin forming from my stupidness

I was pretty pleased that day with the hair

I never got to do a makeup TEST so that was a fun experiment in stress, con day of.

But look at all these beautiful selfies during a not very interesting panel 

I was trying to document and their faces just couldn't resist phtotbombing. Overall I had a really stressful friday night but atleast I felt fabulous and will say I will wear it again for sure 

shitty picture on my phone at the end of the night (1-3 am is)

MAYBE I CAN TRY A MORE WESTERN CON, SAY COMIC CON CHICAGO HMM??

hmmmm??? -RB out

RB's Motivation: AMKE Elsaba cape/dress !!

Alright giant mass post for AMKE in the next few updates so we'll go chronological order and start with Elsaba which I wore for Friday. There is so much that went into prep for this con that I can only break down into certain parts. I worked my ass off in last two weeks before AMKE thanks to a refund check I splurged on a sewing machine that WORKED FUCKING MAGIC. I had no idea I would even get a refund check and let me a tell you I would not have been able to finish this outfit if not for it. I was delusional to have thought I would have been able to do so

So onto it then!! This is the fabric I used for the cape to start, I didn't really have enough but I was in no place to buy anymore seeing as the closest michaels and joannes are waaaay too far by bus now. 

But I tried to make my own pattern using math. By taking a rectangle of fabric to turn it into a cape, just cut the part into more diagonal shapes. It kind of worked but I cut too many shapes and so the effect didn't make much of a different

Follow this pattern people, unlike me who didn't take advantage of a dramatic cut.

SO then I sewed all the pieces together to get this which was a much better outcome than I thought seeing it laid out on the floor. This was just the first layer for sure I wasn't even thinking of how to attach it yet just MORE DRAMA  MORE FLOW MORE DIVA.

But this was a hybrid of the sparkly web fabric and more wrinkly soft veiny fabric. Hard to describe and unfortunately hard to photograph. it starched more and was much longer so i just sewed that on without any cutting unlike the web fabric

Next was handling the details of the shirt. I made the shirt myself so it was kind of hard to deal with, but it worked in the way it was form fitted in the sleeves like I needed and stretched everywhere else thanks to the beautiful mesh fabric a great great great Joannes fabric employee directed me too. I had so much excess for my tiny size too 

I based the shirt pattern off of an existing compression shirt and went from there. This is the front and I used a lot of left over fabric for details and improvising like my prom fabric seen in the ruby skirt and shirt details. What can I say I had a lot of it leftover and it's kind of become a signature thing so far.

I made use of the sewing lines from the machine to try and incorporate some of the nordic designs in Elsa's shirt as well as the feel of Elphaba. Also my favorite part as the leftover lace for the shoulders my roommate gave me from her own leftover school project. Since I chose to boost the neckline, for body paint coverage reasons as well as Elphaba reasons I lost the off the shoulder effect of the lines on Elsa's design and had to improvise with this lace aspect. I was feeling pretty unsure about the shirt UNTIL I put on the lace and everything else came together much more

Also a very bad picture of the back. 

A lot of the reference I used here. I looked at concept art a lot because the artist would know exactly the motions I am going through. 

Also there are never enough cape references to look at. But the big thing was taking all these details and translating them into Elphaba's style and colors, and then into what I had on me

So I remembered I cut up a shirt for a Pearl reference and pattern. This was the design that was on it. It was one of those sheert top, peplum shirts sold at Body central on the clearance rack. I cut it down to the essentials and knew this thing would come in handy. 

I think the design really screams flying monkey, wicked and further more elphaba's glamour

So here's a giant finished result. The rest really was just a lot of layering and improvising on the train and cape so it goes without saying, what is best to your idea. It was grueling to say the least. I actually put myself into decommission and had to slow down for school because I puked in class after this was all done.

But also I decided to attach the train to the shirt permanently. As I knew people were going to step on my train, I didn't want to deal with a sloppy velcro job. It made the costume pretty hard to put on, almost got stuck at the con but very much once it's on, it's second skin which I do enjoy.

ALso I very loosely sewed the symbol onto the back of the shirt by the top meshing and none at the bottom so that way the peplum prt would flow as much as possible

Also you can see the peplum cam out so much I was able to sew it to the fronts I could solve a lot of the hanging parts of the train I thought were messy edges

I used the very last bit of the red lace prom fabric to do a dripping ascent that mirrors the long snowflake in elsa's cape. I still think it stands out way too much compared to the blunt black peplum  so I might find more black mesh to go over or just with black fabric paint wash. I still like the tear and rip effect though.

Look at that sparkle glitter!!

Speaking of fabric paint. I wanted the symbol to pop more so I went in the red and watered it down slightly

It got kind of a rustic feel which while I like I might one day go in and amplify more with jewels or something else in the future

Also it fit very well when the whole thing was put on. It goes, skirt, leggings (yep can't be seen but I was wearing green leggings), shirt +cape, and then corset to seal everything inside. 

No one recognized me much but I was still so happy with the result cuz it was comfy, workable, and I felt fucking fabulous with this train.

I know for sure I want to put a high slit into the skirt to show off those leggings and get the full diva effect.

-RB out

RB's motivation: IT'S TIME FOR ELSABA WHAT??!?

SO after midnight and a month of doing probably nothing but dreading the holidays and complaining about sleeping on an air mattresses and various couches I got off my ass and started work on some of Elsaba as she will be the only new cosplay for Anime Milwaukee and possibly my last convention/cosplay for awhile.

Despite that ominous opening I made progress. I bought a bustier from party city and it finally arrived today. Pretty fast, 4 days online and 20 dollars not counting shipping. 30 overall

So first thing I see is the lingerie promo and I felt immediately self conscious. Also looks like Christina Aguilera

Gonna be someone's birthday present. I read the content and it tells me I also got a thong! And garters! Holy shit that's generous!!

Probably should have removed my tooth brush but whatever. 

Back to the bustier I'm really satisfied. I adjusted it to my size. I was worried it wouldn't cover my whole stomach but it does really well. It's pretty comfy and completely basic like I wanted. I actually can bend down but it's not the most comfortable so I will try not to at the con.

I might just wear this as a shirt one day. It's art school I can do what I want.

Also I love the constricting of the boobs. Makes me feel secure and I was scared I was gonna have a nipslip incident but no every things on lockdown up there. Lace up in the back zipper in the front, very easy in and out.

Also the really shitty mesh shirt I made couple days ago. For my first time making something and being really shit it actually holds up really well. Like I can't do a fight scene in it but I can walk around pretty comfortably. 

So like shoulders down I'm done.

Need:

-hair extensions

-style test

-green makeup (snazaroo brand)

-make train

-do details on shirt for sure

-definite test run

(RB OUT)

RB's motivation: Elsaba just let it go! Defy legality!

Oh my lovely lovely elsaba, can't wait to do your hair test run. But we'll have to wait for now. If nobody remembers, take a good long look at this majesty. But again we will be adjusting things for her, like adding some red accents. in places

This is probably one of the most unnecessary details. But I really like it, plus winter conventions in wisconsin are nothing to dress skimpy about. So green tights under spider web netting tights all from party city. Using spider webs as a substitute aesthetic for snowflakes, simply because Elphaba is a witch character. Even though I KNOW her character goes way deeper than halloween decorations.

Showing off the shoes that will go with the dress, my moms. Also kind of inspired the whole outfit. Very comfortable but dtill match I think. Because Elphaba is more covered up than Elsa I doing alot of blurring and compromising the designs I think

And finally really love this skirt. It's stretchy and flows almost exactly like elsa's own dress in the movie. Also I don't trip. Idk if I'll put in a high slit, as it would show off the leggings better and make it even easier to walk, hmmmmm

So far, all I have for this girl. Better than nothing like before. And I know almost exaclty what to get next for her. 

-corset from party city

-extensions

-braid buttons (going to be very WICKED inspired)

-damn black lipstick!

-and cape +sleeve fabric

Oh also this happened. I needed a way to take home cat litter from the grocery store. So i improvised while looking like some real modern white trash. Then I decided to leave it in the field near my house and make a really awesome indie rock cover.

Then someone fucking stole it before I could return it out of guilt. No good thought goes overlooked by people that just make your neighborhood look bad.

-RB out