13th March 2011: Obi inspired bow To give this cosplay more of an original and contemporary twist, I decided to make a bow for the back as from behind, the cosplay looked kinda plain - I just hope I didn't over do it >.< but I really like my bow ^_~
1st March 2011: Bodice progress Been putting this cosplay on hold for like a month now but seriously wanted to finish this! ... one thing that is certain - wrong pattern = wrong look ... this is what happened - the top has taken me longer than expected due to this pattern problem. Anyways, it's done - all I have to do to hold it together is sew some snap fasteners to the garment and have to remember it's left over right - if I did it the other way round, it will mean something very unpleasant to the oriental culture ^^;;
28th February 2011: Epic sleeves Last night I stayed up sewing the sleeve pattern together - I wanted to create a cascade effect but due to my inexperience, I had to result to creating 'bell, wizard' sleeves instead - they're so huge but I don't think they turned out too bad ^^; the inside is cotton lining breaking the whole satin run I've got going on with the outfit - I fear if I used satin for the lining of the sleeves I'd be sweating even more buckets ... I should really consider this more as a winter cosplay... what am I thinking wearing this for the summer???
7th February 2011: sketch of back Wasn't gonna upload this but need some suggestions - to make the cosplay more 'oriental' I wanted to make an obi butterfly bow back - nothing special just two bows ^^
7th February 2011: Band - hemming in progress Cut a strip of red fabric, zigzag stitched the edges and pinned the thing over the annoying and ugly edges
7th February 2011: Red dress hemming If there's one thing I learnt as a cosplayer is that we HATE raw edges... ¬¬ so what I've first done is made the red and white dress out of crepe satin and chinese brocade (red fabric same as band on corset to match. Then to reduce the bulk, I'm combining both the white and red together to form one (hopefully) lovely dress ^^;;
4th February 2011: Corset Whoo! I have curves! XD Like to see the matchmaker say "Too skinny" to my face now lol - first time making a corset too ^0^ then again there was really no magic to it - interfacing combined with boning, cotton lining and some gorgeous butterfly printed chinese brocade ^_~
1st February 2011: Beads Got them through! :D
30th January 2011: Make up test trial 1 As well as the wig, the make up is just as important - I'm definitely not going for the whole white "geisha" look cos I don't really want my face to stand out like a light bulb but instead I'm gonna try and bring out a more contemporary feel to Mulan - I've cropped half my face as I don't do very well on full face shots XD
30th January 2011: Wig test trial 1.. The first of a wig tests (courtesy of my friend helping me -^^-) .. as I couldn't get on with my actual outfit cos of pattern piece construction issues, I asked my friend to aid me with this instead ... wig is a mess but as stated before - it's the first of many trials... but hopefully you get the basic idea .. t
12th January 2011: Comb Feeling a little drained of energy today, I decided to also begin the comb as it was another 'simple' part of the outfit. Researching into how existing Mulan cosplayers made the comb, (Some used sculpey, some missed it out and some with an artificial lilly) - I chose to use this last method to make the flower stand out - however, a lilly consists of 6 petals so I changed it to five - I'm not entirely sure if Mulan's flower is a lilly; some say it's a lotus instead - literally all I did was add a bit of fray check and gold paint to the the edges - til I get the comb piece, I'm debating which sized lilly to use
12th January 2011: Start! FINALLY getting some free time to myself after much 'education based work', I began by doing a simple thing - the scarf. Brought some organdy and hemmed it like mad.. not difficult or much but it's start ^^;; The hardest stuff is yet to come...
11th January 2011: Robe ref Not a full figure but you get the basic idea of the outfit construction...
Komapsunida - 28th July 2010
aa!!! My brother and I are obsessed with this film right now for some reason;; then again, it is very very awesome!
I LOVE Mulan my dear! She's also such a good role model no> <3 You'll look amazing as her!!
btw I had no idea we weren't on friends lists;; I'm sorry!! OTL
Pandora-Chi - 28th July 2010 LOL it's ok ^^ Thank you!! I love this film to bits! I just watched it recently and it's sparked my liking towards the film and I was like - I should try this.... even though it seems very typical this cosplay... ^^;;
Lolita Hime - 28th July 2010 wow awesome! best film eva XD
InfiniteJester - 30th July 2010 aww love this film, cant wait to see this!
AnimeWarrior - 23rd October 2010 OMG NO WAY :=O your doing mulan :O ???
Pandora-Chi - 23rd October 2010 lol it won't be for a while but my friends kinda convinced me to cosplay as her - they'll say I'll pull it off - they also suggested Snow white for me ^^;;
AnimeWarrior - 24th October 2010 Ok so i nominate YOU for the best cosplay =0 No1 ever does mulan i aint seen no1 do it so thats unique !!! :) and also the film is a childhood memory ^_^
Pandora-Chi - 24th October 2010 Aww thank you! I will do my best when that time comes ^^ and yeah same here - it was one of my childhood favourites ^^
Kacela - 29th December 2010 You are going to make a beautiful Mulan! I can't wait to see it ^^
Anonymous - 19th January 2011 I love Mulan!
KiraraYumi - 1st February 2011 Wow, progress looks great! I love the make-up, you did it perfectly!^^
J-Po - 4th February 2011 that is beautiful material and so well crafted, the matchmaker will be pleased lol
Pandora-Chi - 4th February 2011 @kirarayumi - Haha thank you - admittedly I can't take much credit for the make up though cos my friend is more of an 'expert' at applying - I simply suggested how I wanted it and made sure it wasn't 'white'
InfiniteJester - 7th February 2011 lookin great so far - def go for the obi!
CrystalNeko - 7th February 2011
Really love how you used patterned fabric instead of just the plain colours, it looks lovely! Can't wait to see this complete, you'll make an amazing Mulan!
Now go save China :'D
Kouji - 7th February 2011
love the fabric <3
and it looks great so far <3!
Pandora-Chi - 7th February 2011
@justthewaydrmade me - Thank you ^^ and yeah I had this idea for a long time to include the obi - may not be the right culture but it does make it prettier ^^
@crystalneko - Thank you so so much ^^ - didn't really fancy making the outfit plain - and HELL YEAH I'LL FIGHT FOR CHINA WHEN MY TRIBE'S AT STAKE!! XD
Kacela - 7th February 2011 Everything is looking beautiful! Looking like the perfect Mulan =]
Anonymous - 8th February 2011
Wow!
This is looking beautiful~
Pandora-Chi - 8th February 2011 @kacela - Aww thank you so so much - that's too kind ^^ I will try and do my best with this cosplay ^_~ still got a way to go...^^;
jaks-kingdom-dwarf - 17th February 2011 This look absolutely beautiful i love it already <3
Sailorette - 21st February 2011 Ooooh looks lovely so far! Can't wait to see you as Mulan in person xD you should have a Mushu on your shoulder hehe Mulan was always one of my favourite old Disney films :3
Pandora-Chi - 21st February 2011 aww thank you Jay ^^ I have actually got a Mushu toy lying around somewhere cos I too loved the movie that much when I was a child ^^ though I'm unsure if I'll wear this for the expo - there's another outfit I wanna see if I can make, if not then Mulan is going to the expo!
FusionRose - 23rd February 2011 Progress is absolutely stunning x.
FuriePhoenix - 24th February 2011 oh my gosh!!! Your progress is absolutely stunning!! I love your choice of fabrics too! I also like the idea of doing a proper obi bow at the back ^_^ You're going to look amazing as Mulan!
Pandora-Chi - 24th February 2011 Wow these comments are way too much guys but each and everyone of them are so special to me - I want to thank you all as it's just the kind of boost I need to complete this x
BabemRoze - 28th February 2011 I watched this last night =D Are you doing the make up as well? :D It's looking awesome so far @.@ jealoussss
Pandora-Chi - 28th February 2011 haha not the full 'geisha' look - I don't think I'll have the confidence to walk around with a white face lol it's more of a 'contemporary' make up for Mulan =b and aww thank you so much sweetie - I'm delaying this so badly - gotta get this finished quick! DX
TheEmoEmu - 1st March 2011 It looks simply beautiful!
BabemRoze - 1st March 2011 WOW absolutely stunning!!!
Frederica la Noir - 8th March 2011 Sqwee! That looks so lovely! :3 x
InfiniteJester - 9th March 2011 omg this looks gorgeousss, u wont need a matchmaker hunni!
Pandora-Chi - 9th March 2011 Thanks so so much guys and aww that's very sweet of you to say Kila *hugs* I'll be my own matchmaker lol
Kacela - 9th March 2011 Omg Omg omg!!! You look so beautiful, absolutely stunning =D
SamanthaKaiba - 9th March 2011 you look great nice work
KiraraYumi - 9th March 2011 Oh wow, absolutely gorgeous! You look fantastic and the dress is so pretty! x3
LemonPanda - 10th March 2011
so cute!~ great make-up test :3
i love your fabric choices as well, works really good :]
animekid3000 - 12th March 2011 Absolutely AMAZING :D I cant wait to see it comppleted at the LFCC at the disney group :D
Kerhys - 14th March 2011 Oooh wowowo this looks fantastic! I love how you've added your own little style to it, you make a very pretty Mulan :)
CrystalNeko - 14th March 2011 You make a beautiful Mulan! I love what you've done with the wig and as I said before - the dress is lovely!
Pandora-Chi - 14th March 2011
Thanks so much guys for the lovely comments everyone - these comments really make me feel excited to wear this next week! ^_~
@ animekid - hehe if this cosplay is not worn out after its first appearance in Minamicon then I can't wait to wear it again at LFCC - I'm also expecting to wear this at May expo too making three appearances during the year - hopefully that isn't too much ^^;;;
@ crystalneko - I may need to get my friend to restyle the wig - the bangs hanging at the front may need to be pulled back and plus the bun needs to be retied again... hopefully it'll still look ok and stay up ^o^ xx
FusionRose - 17th March 2011
This is utterly gorgeous. I love how you put your own unique touch to it by the choice of fabrics, it works really well.
Can't wait to see this at LFCC! x.
FuriePhoenix - 17th March 2011 oh...my...god! This is utterly BEAUTIFUL!!!! So looking forward to seeing this in person at LFCC!!
zabuza89 - 20th March 2011
WOW
awesome dress ^^
DuskatNight - 20th March 2011
Aww that is so beautiful. ;-;
I'm actually jealous about how wonderfully you can pull this off.
CrystalNeko - 21st March 2011 You look beautiful~~~ I love the photos!
BabemRoze - 21st March 2011 You look soooooo goooood! omg :D stunnniiinggg!!! <3
SamanthaKaiba - 21st March 2011 The photos are beautiful and you look amazing
Monkey - 21st March 2011 Hello lovely! It was so nice to meet you at Minami! You looked so cute and pretty both days! (I loved your Mai Valentine too!) It was really nice to have met you! I hope you had a wonderful time and perhaps we can plan a Disney collective soon!~<3
Street-Angel - 21st March 2011 Too skinny :D But truly gorgeous all the same :3
j_mercuryuk - 21st March 2011 I loved this costume on you. You looked great and so did the costume :D Loved the material you used as well
Anonymous - 21st March 2011 Wow your costum looks great and so do you inside it. Also impressed how closely you have made it to the picture and it was a delight to see it for real.
Tsuchinoko - 21st March 2011 This was such a pretty cosplay, I really loved the colours and shimmer of the fabrics. It was nice meeting you at MinamiCon (I was the Fai cosplayer).
Ichigo-Chan - 21st March 2011
This is absolutely beautiful, I like the fabirc choices and you really suit the character.
I really wished I said this in person and really wanted a picture of you, but I was holding a massive prop at the time which make it kinda akward to approach people.
phalor - 21st March 2011 You look absolutely stunning! The outfit looks gorgeous nd I love how vibrant the colours are.
Pandora-Chi - 21st March 2011
Man there's a lot I have to reply to lol so I'll try and make it short ^^;;
First of all thank you to all of you for the comments - words cannot describe how thankful I am to receive them ^_~
@duskanight - aww don't be silly - your fairy Mulan cosplay is soo adorable :3 x
@ monkey - it was lovely meeting you too sweetie and yes lets definitely plan a huge Disney group together for one of the cons! >:D your Rapunzel was soo soo cute! ^^
@ street-angel - LOL I'm gonna remember that line for the rest of my life XD
@ J-mercuryuk - I was hoping my fabric choice would work and glad you like it :3 loved talking to you ^_~
@ wildarms_rudy - aww that's one of the sweetest comments I ever got :3 thank u 4 being awesome too ^_~
@ tsuchinoko - thank u ^^ your photograph skills are amazing! lovely meeting u x
@ ichigo-chan - aww no worries, I understand ^_~ I was planning to rewear Mulan at May expo anyways :3 and that prop did look heavy but very well done ^^ Shame we couldn't talk more though but it was a lovely first encounter x
mizunotohru - 22nd March 2011 You where one of the highlights for me on Sunday! I love Mulan, she's my favourite Disney princess and you did a wonderful job with the costume! Sorry for making you dig out your cosplay bits after the closing ceremony, but I really wanted a picture of your costume, as I simply loved it!
Pandora-Chi - 22nd March 2011 Aww, you're too kind and no worries - it makes me smile so much when people ask for my photo :3 thank you so much x
Spirit Of The Stage - 22nd March 2011 Yep, this was stunning, no doubt...*hides his blush* :)
FuriePhoenix - 23rd March 2011 STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING!!! That's all I can say! You are absolutely adorable as Mulan! Perfect! Cant wait to see it at LFCC for our disney group!
Strawberry_Sprite - 26th March 2011 Wow this is really pretty!! :3
Captain_Marvelous - 27th March 2011 I just love it!
LittleRecordGirl - 28th March 2011
Love it!
The fabrics you chose are gorgeous!
You make a beautiful Mulan!
Hannah-Kiwii - 25th April 2011 This is one of the most beautiful costumes I have ever seen, your fabric choices are spot on and you look stunning!
Sailorette - 6th May 2011 Such a beautiful perfect Mulan *_* love love <3
Frederica la Noir - 12th May 2011 *__* so stunning! You look gorgeous!! x
JustPeachy - 23rd May 2011 This is beautiful!! You look lovely :D
ZOMBIEfurby - 26th May 2011
This is absolutely stunning!
I can't wait to see this!
KiraraYumi - 30th May 2011
I'm so happy I got to see you in this! >w<
You make such a perfect Mulan, so beautiful!
Kacela - 30th May 2011 I am so glad I got to see you at Expo! This cosplay is one of the most beautiful and elegant creations I have seen! Can't wait for the Disney group!
FusionRose - 30th May 2011 This was even more beautiful in person! Was awesome finally getting to meet you at expo hun. You made such an amazing mulan <3 x.
Lozzie - 1st June 2011 oh my gosh this is absolutely stunning!! <3
Neverforever - 2nd June 2011 You look so amazing ~ very happy I got to see at expo ^^
rosieroo - 16th June 2011 this looks beautiful
BabemRoze - 10th July 2011 I can never get over how beautiful you look as Mulan! And I love seeing it in person even more so! :D Can't wait to see you again! ^_^
SamanthaKaiba - 17th July 2011
These new pictures are simply beautiful...the Disney group looks amazing
You really suit Mulan...you look beautiful
ToroSonyCat - 17th July 2011 Lovely cosplay! You make a wonderful Mulan ^^
Pandora-Chi - 17th July 2011 O.o WOW thank you thank you thank you!!! I never expected to get this many comments even after my Mulan debut ^///^ I'm speechless with these comments - really guys, thank you so so much my lovelys! *bows* I give honour to you all :D
FuriePhoenix - 25th July 2011 ive said it before and ill say it again... BEST EVER MULAN! You just ARE Mulan! Love it love it love it!!
Tsuchinoko - 5th March 2013
I had to comment again just to say how much I enjoyed your Match-maker skit.
It was nice to see you wearing this cosplay again ^^
CrystalNeko - 7th March 2013 That latest picture with the Matchmaker is just perfection! You don't know how much watching your skit made me smile, I was cracking up!
Leonie Heartilly - 8th March 2013
Gah I thought I had already commented on this doh.
Anywhoo.. You make an amazing Mulan <3 And I freakin' love the face you pulled in your Matchmaker skit when Charlotte get's her moustache XD
Leolarua - 8th March 2013 perfect mulan!