Petticoat progress- close-up of the hem (Posted 19th April 2012)

To show the lace detail better.

Petticoat progress (Posted 19th April 2012)

Made by myself without a pattern using white polycotton. Two metres ended up being the right amount to match the circumference of the bottom of the dress so I simply sewed and over-locked the side seams and the hem. Then I also machine-stitched the lace onto the hem. Getting the waistline done is where I got stuck so I took it to street-angel at Kita for help who sized it up and sewed in some elastic for me. However the elastic was many years old and once stretched wouldn't ping back to it's original size. Street-angel and the Cosplay Ops didn't have any so I had to leave it until I can buy some new elastic =(

Dress alteration- new zip (Posted 10th April 2012)

I finally bought the correct length zip so I no longer have the random button at the bottom. It should be a lot easier to get into the dress now.

EDIT- It's not lol. I need to get an open ended one.

New contacts (Posted 19th March 2012)

The brown contacts I use for Rinoa and Hermione are too dark for Belle so I tried a hazel pair before AyaCon but my natural blue eyes showed through them too much so I stuck with the darker pair. I finally got around to buying and trying another brown shade in "Honey". This colour is a lot better as it hides the blue but isn't too dark. I fear they can look a little orange in some lighting but overall they work well.

Pattern for cloak (Posted 18th January 2012)

I found a cloak pattern (5794) in the Simplicity Halloween catalogue. My local fabric store didn't have that one in stock so I noted the number and ordered it from sewingworld.co.uk. I shall be using pattern C (bottom right photo) although I will not add the ties as I want it to fasten with a button instead.

As with the last pattern I used the sizing is all over the place. According to the measurements I am a US size 14-16 which in the UK converts to size 18-20! I certainly am not the size! Stupid pattern. At least as it's a cloak it's not meant to be fitted to my body or anything so I hopefully won't have any issues.

Cloak references (Posted 17th January 2012)

Re-wearing Belle at Kitacon (2012) and would like to have her cloak this time!

I plan on making it myself.

Complete! (Posted 17th August 2011)

I haven't managed to sort out the petticoat yet but I consider it complete for now.

Wig test (Posted 17th August 2011)

Here's the front view of it on (I have a massive forehead...). The side photos didn't come out so well.

Also only just realised the sides of Belle's hair cover her ears slightly. Ooops. Must remember to alter that...

Wig styled (Posted 17th August 2011)

Well I tried lol I'm not that happy with it but at least it looks slightly Belle-ish. The sticky-up fringe was awkward as I didn't want it to be too flat or too big and cartoony looking either and then the side bits were a pain also. Bah. Doesn't help that wig heads are made at a slight tilt (why?!) so I had to re-do the ponytail after it came out all wonky. Hmpth. As you can tell I did not have fun with this lol
It's all held in place with Fructis hairspray and a couple of hair grips.

New hair bow (Posted 15th August 2011)

I didn't like the ribbon I made, the sewing was scruffy and it was a bit stiff. I decided to go back to the bow design from the film but smaller than the one Pixie Dust Boutique made which wasn't really to-scale for Belle. Thankfully I had just about enough fabric left over from picking apart the original bow to make this one (so glad I didn't throw it away!)

I used street-angel's Sailor Moon bow tutorial on YouTube to guide me, I just didn't do the streamer/trail part.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA7_lYJwIrM
Used my sewing machine this time also and made sure to iron the material after I had sewed the first section.

Really pleased with how it came out! And it was quite quick and easy to do too =) The ponytail shall be held in place with a pale blue hair band which the bow will be attached to.

New shoes (Posted 13th August 2011)

Whilst watching the film again I had to admit that Belle's shoes are actually brown not black. A minor thing but one that my stubborn attention to detail cannot ignore. So I went hunting on ebay and found a second-hand pair of brown pumps. They're real leather so will last well but they are very tight around the toes as I unfortunately have wide feet and most female shoes are made for those with narrow ones >_< So I apologise for complaining that my feet are dying by the end of the day lol

Base wig to style (Posted 10th August 2011)

Bought a New Look "Linda S" wig in shade 33- Dark Auburn from Coscraft. Fretting that the ponytail will be slightly short but pleased that the fringe area appears to be doing that lifty-up thing that Belle does by itself so with a bit of teasing and hairspray it should go how I want it! The sides might be a bit awkward to work out how to style though... I also like that this wig has a slight wavy kink to it, again like Belle's =)

Chip! (Posted 10th August 2011)

From ebay. 99p
I love that site.

Dress alteration- concealed zip (Posted 4th August 2011)

As mentioned in a previous journal I didn't like the look of the buttons on the back of the dress and I can't do them up without help. In the references Belle has a seam down the back of her dress so a concealed zip seemed the best option.

I removed the buttons and pinned back the side of the fabric with the buttonholes then using my sewing machine put in the zip. I left the bottom button as the zip wasn't long enough and the apron strings hide it anyway. I'm hoping my pony tail will cover up the zipper pull so when I'm having photos taken from behind I shall just ask the photographer to check it's not in view.

Basket alterations (Posted 1st August 2011)

I painted the crossed parts at the base of the handles a darker brown to match the references. Just used acrylic paint which dried pretty quick.

Test run (Posted 16th July 2011)

Wore the costume as it is so far to a friends birthday party. Before Ayacon I need to buy a wig and style it and get a petticoat. Also I want to remove the buttons from the back and put a concealed zip in their place. Then she will be finished!
Yes I still haven't ironed the outfit ><

Hair bow (Posted 16th July 2011)

I didn't like the way the hair bow was made by the seamstress, it just seemed too big and "fake" for my liking. I removed the clip and unpicked all the stitching so I was just left with a bit of fabric. Then I cut it into strips and sewed these together to make a ribbon I could hand tie for a more realistic look.

Make-up test one (Posted 16th July 2011)

First make-up and contact test. I want to get a lighter brown pair of contacts and I will prob have to use a lighter eyebrow pencil depending on the shade of the wig.
I will have another test once I've bought the wig and styled it.

Outfit arrived (Posted 12th July 2011)

After having to wait a while to pay a cutoms charge *shakes fist* I finally got my outfit! I'm really pleased with the quality and fit of it, the seamstress has stuck closely to my measurements and the sewing itself is neat with over-locked seams. I also got it made in the lighter shade of blue like I asked ^^

Due to me being a picky arse though I will be making some slight alterations... I will remove the apron tabs from the dress as they are not needed and the buttons at the back will be removed and a concealed zip put in its place. One reason for this is I think it will look better and the other is I can't do all the buttons up by myself! So it will make it easier to get into the dress also. The hair bow is pre-tied but is too big and "fake" for my liking so I will take it apart, remove the clip and tie it by hand for a more natural look. And lastly I just need to add a few stitches to the shirt to keep the front collar crossed over. Phew!

But seriously, despite those little bits to do (purely 'cause I'm nit-picking) I am really happy with this commission and would recommend Pixie Dust Boutique to others.

Basket and book (Posted 27th June 2011)

Wicker basket was bought from the stable market in Camden.
The book came from an antique book store and was a gift from sjbonnar =)

Outfit (Posted 15th June 2011)

I did plan on making it myself as it's quite a simple design but I couldn't find a pattern I was happy with and didn't feel confident altering one. Then I came across Pixie Dust Boutiquee on Etsy and ebay whilst on my hunt for a Rapunzel dress. She specialises in Disney Princess gowns for children and adults and her work is absolutely gorgeous! I can see she knows what she's doing and her feedback is flawless so decided to go ahead and commission my Belle outfit from her. If I'm happy with it I will prob order from her again and I've already discussed the possibility of Rapunzel's dress from the end of the film with her =)

Outfit includes dress, shirt, apron and hair bow. I am having it made in a lighter blue than the one in the picture. I will just have to sort out a white petticoat.

Photo was taken by Pixie Dust Boutiquee.

Shoes (Posted 12th December 2010)

Nice and easy. Simple black flats that you can get in most shoe shops at the moment.