GC Supanova

Once again, April saw Supanova return to the Gold Coast. Due to my crazy study / work commitments, I could only attend the con for one day – so I chose to make the trip down on Saturday. Things were a bit stressful at the time, so I didn’t exactly have the motivation or timing to make a completely new cosplay to wear, but I did want something new instead of just bringing out an old costume.

Thankfully, what I did have time for was finally finishing the Steampunk Belle costume that I started making two years ago. Everything was cut out, parts had already been made, I just had to finish it. The costume is based on artwok by Amy Mebberson. And while Belle is not my most favourite of Disney Princesses, I did fall in love with this design. I had originally started the costume to wear to a Steampunk event, but when my plans to attend fell through, I just put the costume aside and moved on. With my current intention to make some dents in my fabric stash, what better thing to do than finally complete the costume?!

As a re-enactor, I already had the undergarments ready to go – chemise, drawers, socks, boots, stays and bustle frame. I had previously made the dickey, hat, underskirt and partly sewn the apron overskirt. Unfortunately some hideous weight gain meant that the apron did not fit my current measurements. I pulled off the waistband, added an extension and re-pleated the fabric to fit. Then came the Jacket. It’s cut from a small piece of silk velvet from my stash. Unfortunately there was no more left so I had to make do with what was cut. I stitched up with tiny seams and thankfully it fit! I was incredibly pleased. So it was simply a matter of completing the bodice sewing, finishing the edges with silk bias binding, adding boning and closures. It all came together in a remarkably short amount of time. And after some wig styling and last minute prop shopping, I was able to debut Steampunk Belle at Supanova.

And the wonderful Paul took some fabulous photos of my costume. I’m pretty sure that nobody recognised who I was supposed to be (the nature of artwork costumes), but I love how it turned out and I look forward to bring able to wear it again. Maybe to a steampunk event.

Disneybound April

Then came April. With a convention coming up in April, I wanted to keep my April Disneybound to one outfit and a simpler one at that. So, I chose to do Jane from Tarzan. I whipped up a yellow linen 1940s dress with a white collar and paired it off with my American Duchess Skidoo shoes in brown and white and a brown belt. The dress is made from one of my favourite original 1940s patterns – it’s been sized up to fit me, including a full bust adjustment for some extra room in the front. I have this dress in a few different colours sitting in my wardrobe, so way quite happy to add a pretty linen version. And wonderfully enough, it all come from my fabric stash.

Disneybound March

And look at that – I’m playing catch up again. Despite the lack of posting, I have indeed been continuing my Disneybound challenge for the year. For the month of March, I decided to choose Brave as my movie. It’s a fantastic movie with a great soundtrack (despite it not being a musical). This one was a simple put together – green stretch velvet maxi skirt, black t-shirt, brown belt and my celtic style necklace. I did make the maxi skirt for the occasion, but it was a great way to use up the fabric that I had sitting in my stash, and I’m pleased to say that this skirt has become a regular for my work attire.

Disneybound February

February is done and with it, my second month of Disneybounding. This time, I decided on one of my favourite Disney movies - Wreck it Ralph. 

First up - Vanellope. 

  

I whipped up a new pencil skirt for this Disneybound out of some stretch cotton that I had in my fabric stash. It was as simple as pairing with a light green shirt and black heels. I finished it off with some candy hearts brooches and a velvet ribbon for my ponytail. 

Second - Ralph 

   

This was my excuse to finally make some wide leg trousers from a vintage pattern. Hemming was a pain as there was so much fabric, but it was worth it in the end. I also made a tartan blouse of of some left-over linen in my stash (from one of my Bustle gowns). I also added a light green singlet underneath to help give the look. I think this has got to be one of my most successful Disneybounds so far. 

12 Months of Disneybounding

It may seem like I have had a slow start to the year, but I have been sewing like a crazy person the last couple of months. It’s funny, over the last couple of years, I really haven’t made a whole lot of new costumes or clothing. And when I think about it, I suspect it’s because I burnt myself out. But in 2018, I feel like I am finally getting back on track. I do have a new costume in the works, which I will post about soon, but the main thing I have been working on lately is filling my wardrobe with work and casual clothing – all made from stash.

And one of the ways that I am spurring myself to do this is by taking on a challenge. One of my good friends the lovely ainead, challenged me to 12 months of Disneybounding. If you’re not in the know, disneybounding is where you dress in normal clothing but it is inspired in design and colouring by a Disney character. And I don’t know if I am crazy, but I have accepted the challenge.

So, how does the challenge work? Well, each month I pick a Disney movie and I dress as characters inspired by that movie. Some months I might only Disneybound once, and in other months it might be four times. And I’ve been posting outfit shots on my Instagram each time I wear something, making sure to use the hashtag #12monthsdisneybound. Keep in mind that I am wearing this stuff to work, so it does have to be somewhat office appropriate.

So I’ll start off with January. I chose Alice in Wonderland for my first Disney Movie.

First up was Alice herself.

I made a new dress out of some Alice in Wonderland print fabric that I bought on my 2013 trip to Japan (yay for using stash). And then I paired it with some black vintage shoes, an Alice headband leftover from my Lolita days (Innocent World) and some Alice themed jewellery. I topped it off with some Alice perfume oil from Black Pheonix Alchemy Labs (BPAL).

Then came the Cheshire Cat.

This one I managed to put together completely from my closet – pencil skirt and a purple review cardigan (which I have never worn like this). I then added my QPOT Cheshire Cat necklace (that was a Christmas Gift) and again topped it off with some heels and the Cheshire Cat perfume from BPAL.