Sunday, May 31, 2009

Hawkgirl Inspired Jacket

Dark Brown Interlock- 60% Cotton 40% Polyester
Yellow
Interlock- 100% Cotton
Tan Int
erlock- 60% Cotton 40% Cotton
Kelly Green Interlock- 60% Cotton 40%
Polyes
ter Red Rib Knit- 95% Cotton 5% Spandex

First, the inspiration, Eve chose Hawkgirl from the Justic League animated series. Hawkgirl has a few different outfits, but this one is cool for a number of reasons, first off its so feminine- but at the same time you know she kicks ass. So I came up with this little number, with wings of course! Perhaps I should have added the mace too huh? No, I think this one is lovely, and understated.


Next, patternmaking! This took a little longer because this was the first ladies version I made, but I assure you, will not be the last. I will be working on one for myself as one of my next projects.

Green Lantern Kyle Rayner Inspired Jacket


Black Interlock 60% Cotton 40% Polyester
Kelly Green Interlock 100% Cotton
White Interlock 60% Cotton 40% Polyester
White Rib Knit 95% Cotton 5% Spandex

Black Rib Knit 95% Cotton 5% Spandex
1- Black Molded Separating Zipper

First we start with some inspiration. In this case, it was this version of Kyle Rayner as the Green Lantern in Countdown Final Crisis.

Second, I interpret this 'costume' into something sew-able, and wearable for anytime- oh, and of course, make it comfortable. (hence, cotton, cotton, cotton!)















Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Sewer Becomes the Teacher

Yes, yes I know that I should have used the title "The Seamstress Becomes the Teacher" but sewer is silly. Lucky for me, I have an opportunity to impart my sewing/spandex knowledge at the National Costumers Association Conference in Pittsburgh this July. They just posted the education section including my class. So now I scramble to sharpen all my skills and be able to articulate them effectively. That, and have several new costumes to show off. But never fear, there are more jackets coming well before that, and several more "normal" garments to be posted very soon.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Best of the Rest

Some photos of additional things that I have sewn that are not costumes.
This yellow and blue ensemble was something I made for the Simplicity pattern contest. I did not win, let alone place. Boo. But the husband really likes this outfit, so I guess it was not a complete waste of time.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Justice League Valance

I found this Justice League fabric, and just could not leave the store without it! Finally, I figured out the perfect place for it, above the window in my work room.

The green curtains were given to me by my mother some years ago, I merely shortened them to the proper length for this window. The curtain rod and the hardware were in place from the previous tenants so I made this some snowy afternoon a week or two ago.

I put all the pins and other swag I collected from the New York Comic Con all over the curtains. This was a simple project. I decided the finished length that I wanted the valance to be, then added measurements for the bottom hem, the top ruffle, and the channel for the curtain rod. The width of the curtain is twice that of the window space. I just wish that there were a few more characters on the fabric, and that I had more windows in to decorate!

The Action Man

The Action Man: The Venture Brothers
Materials:
Top and Pants: charcoal poly/spandex moleskin
Turtleneck: dark grey acrylic/wool yarn
Gloves: Red Cotton/poly Interlock
Holsters, Belt and Kneepads: White spandex and Red cotton/poly Interlock
Helmet: purchased and covered with white cotton/spandex twill
Boot covers: black poly/spandex, fusible fleece, and velcro
Red lenses: purchased
Guns: purchased

My dear husband decided only a few short weeks before, that he would like to be The Action Man, for New York Comic Con. We just moved in the beginning of January, so he questioned if I would be able to finish all three outfits for the Con, taking place in early February. I just assured him that all would be finished, but he just needed to decide who he wanted to be, preferably someone simple. After unpacking his black army helmet, the decision was made.

Shadowcat


Shadowcat/Kitty Pryde: Excalibur
Materials:
Mask, gloves and underpants: poly/spandex
Blouse: poly/rayon
Sash and leggings: nylon/spandex
Boots: purchased

Originally when I considered making Shadowcat I was thinking of doing the blue and gold costume, maybe even the old 'uncanny' one with the hood, but then I caught wind of the Excalibur costume. So totally and wonderfully 80's! Love the blouse, I knew shoulder pads were a must!

The decision on which costume to make has a lot of different factors. Sometimes it's driven by a beloved childhood character, sometimes it's part of set. Sometimes it's a suggestion from someone else. Sometimes it is time and money constraints. Sometimes it's based on the materials I have at hand. Kitty Pryde was a little bit of the last two reasons.