Trial (Posted 28th January 2012)

Actually almost done on the basic costume. Just sewing together the lining of the coat and sorting out the trouser cuffs, then all that's left is to accessorise. I will get pictures at some point but that'll probabaly be when I test the belt and necklace, which are currently in the drying stage of sculpting.
Just had myself a little make-up test, which was probably super stupid as my skin has been a real state lately, which you may be able to tell from the photo. Was taken in a dark room with flash so is completely aweful, but you can see from my neck in the photo just how much bronzer and make-up I have on. I have decided from this two things:
1) I'm mad, and am probably going to look a real moron on the day.
2) If I'm going to do this, I need WAY more eye make-up on, and to use a darker colour for my brows (was being a wimp cos I'm all blonde underneath the wig and dark brows look stupid with blonde)

Coat progress (Posted 7th January 2012)

Finally! Christmas is over and I am now allowed to sew things again, so I ventured out in the rediculous winds of the outside world to go and find fabrics to get started on this and the other 5 costumes I'm working on right now.
As far as Jasmine is concerned, I know where I'm getting the majority of the fabrics and will be putting in that order sometime next week, so the only things I picked up are the Satins for the coat/jacket. I know what you're thinking, "Satin?! Are you mad woman?!", but it really is the best option for this and since she is the daughter of a sultan it is far more appropriate than any more matte fabric that would have draped in the same way. However, I'm not stupid enough to buy cheap Satin like so many Disney Princess costumes I've seen before, so I bought some high-quality Duchess Satin from the lovely guys at the Bridal Satins stall in Birmingham Rag Market. £5 a metre with Cosplayer discount (yeah, they are that brilliant) and just the right colours I needed.
So voila, the jacket is now nearly completely cut out and pinned together to see how it will look. It's so pretty to wear, and billows out when you walk in it which should be an absolute asset in hot May weather, not to mention the fact that the fibre content should keep me cool too. All I have to do now is find some lining fabric and something for the sleeves and I can start sewing.
On the mannequin is also a mock-up possibility for the construction of the bodice and trousers made out of left over fabric from a dress I made years ago. I think this still needs a lot of work as the bodice shape is not working brilliantly and looks too bulky with the panels, so I'll try out a few other methods before I decide on one. The waistband however, even without the elastic, works really well in creating that deep V waist that reaches up to my waist at the back (this is hidden by the jacket and will help it stay up), so I'll keep that to be placed under the bronze decoration.

Also, little note: The background in these pictures is the fabric for the blue fairy. I literally cannot contain my excitement.

Plans (Posted 11th December 2011)

Any one that knows me personally knows that I spend a good 2-5 months planning every cosplay in a rediculous amount of detail before I buy materials and fabrics so I don't have to hesitate and leave things till last.
It's not often that I even put a cosplay up on here until I have at least the basic garment cut out and pinned onto my mannequin, since I usually hate finding an interesting looking costume with no pictures or information, but I know that I am doing Jasmine for definate in May so I thought I'd put it up.
I'm not actually allowed to do any cosplay until after christmas, so I can help my family with nothing else taking up my time, which means I can't go fabric shopping yet.
I can't help myself though, so I have bought 2 wigs for Jasmine. The first is the base wig and will be styled as the top part of her hair, while the second is a super long wig, from which I will steal wefts to wrap over either a foam core or wire frame for the ponytail (I hope to acheive something as awesome as this: http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpjo0aXqXD1r0iqnoo1_500.jpg).
I plan to attempt casting the jewels for Blue Fairy, so will likely be casting Jasmine's too. If that doesn't work I'm looking into translucent clays to sculpt with, which should be interesting.
I really wish I could get going on this, but in the meantime, I'll be sketching and painting in my little cosplay scrap book.