15th September 2013: Planned updates EDIT: Costume now retired so no improvements will happen sorry!

Things I hope to remake/improve in the future:

* New pink panels on shirt and bring in the armholes
* New skirt made with fabric that has the accurate pattern
* New sweeper
* Remake armband
* Remake stocking tops
* Change the red pear gem on the bracelet
* If I have monies: Buy the official earrings

15th August 2013: Shirt alterations 2 I liked the pink panels on my old shirt so a removed them and hand sewed them onto the new shirt, wrapping the pale chiffon that was already on the shirt around them which lightened the colour a bit more. In the process however I noticed the panels didn't match shape-wise so I will probably remake them myself at some point.

11th August 2013: Shirt alterations 1 I changed the buttons as Serah's ones have visible stitching on and the ones that came with the shirt were not four hole buttons.

29th July 2013: New shirt Sadly the shirt made by Pegsicle didn't fit me right and I couldn't see a way to adjust it so I ordered a new shirt from cosplayfly2010, the company who made my skirt. The arm holes seem a tad large but other than that it fits me quite comfortably, I just need to make some adjustments to the panels at the bottom as they are too see-through for my liking.

28th October 2011: That thing on her left thigh... Does anyone actually know what this is or if it serves any purpose? lol

Made using 2 pieces of craft foam, the bottom layer was painted with metallic gold paint. It attaches to the silver stocking top with a bit of velcro.

Sorry the image is a little dark, the flash glares in the mirror.

28th October 2011: Bandage test Plain white stretch bandage bought from Boots. Sealed at the back with mircroporous, dressing securing tape.

28th October 2011: Armband Made with help from these guides~

http://tunethesky.com/serah/armband.php
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=Serah+farron+armband#/d3becjh

Made using faux leather/vinyl and with snap fasteners to close it. The metal stud detailing was done with rivets but sadly they are too small. I made the rectangles too big (1" x 3") and got a superglue stain on the front so will re-make this at some point probably.

28th October 2011: Shirt finished, sweeper almost done Another photo update from Pegsicle.

27th October 2011: Back of wig re-styled After 2 failed attempts at getting a new wig I went back to my original one and attempted to re-style the back myself.

I had to take the ponytail down and remove some of the fibres from it so they hung down, these were then cut to to match the length of the back of the wig. The ponytail was brushed back in and I tried to sweep over as much hair from the right side as possible but as it was cut short a lot was falling out. Any fibres that couldn't be swept over had loads of Manga Head wax put on them to try and keep them in place. Then I made some wefts using the fibres that I had cut off and used these to fill in the gaps on the left side. The hair hanging down on this side sticks out a little as the fibres underneath my wefts were originally part of the ponytail and they don't seem happy with having to stay down instead now due to the way those wefts were sewn into the netting. Once finished I sprayed the whole area with strong hold hairspray.

I'm rather pleased with how this looks on my wig head but fear the moment I put it on the netting will stretch and show my dodgy wefts etc ><

27th October 2011: New pendant chain As mentioned in my journal about the engagement pendant, the chain that comes with it is sadly not a replica like the pendant itself. The chain was too long and didn't have the clear beads on it.

I bought a simple necklace from Claire's Accessories that had the chain length I needed. Using a pair of pliars I removed the clasp so I could pull off the pearl bead it came with and slide on the clear beads I got from a PoundWorld bracelet. Using the pliars again I bend the chain slightly where I wanted the beads to sit then put the pendant on before re-attaching the clasp.

There are meant to be some smaller beads on the chain closer to the pendant but I'm leaving them off for now, might be too fidly to do.

26th October 2011: Stockings and stocking tops The stockings are Smiffy's fancy dress hold-ups. I don't usually buy anything from them as the quality isn't good enough but it was difficult to find some thick stockings without lace-tops etc. I will prob have to use sock glue to help keep these up.

The stocking tops were hand made, I cut up a silver body warmer for the fabric and made 2 long strips using my sewing machine. I added the seam detailing (not clear on the photo) and hand-sewed the front and sides to the stocking tops whilst I was wearing them.

I think they could be better so will remake them for next year.

26th October 2011: Bracelet finished The red pear gem isn't big enough (or quite the right colour I think) but the best I could do for now. Another thing to add to my planned updates for next year.

20th October 2011: More shirt progress Getting there!

19th October 2011: Shirt progress Pegsicle has been regularly sending me updates and photos of my commission. Here's what she's done so far.

17th October 2011: Bracelet progress This was made using a necklace cord which was wrapped around my wrist twice. I had to shorten it a bit and remove the excess chain links from the clasp. I took beads and gems from some bracelets I found in PoundWorld and attached them to the cord with the help of a pair of pliars. I'm just waiting on the big ruby pear gem then this will be finished.

17th October 2011: Hairband As I did with the bracelet I took some beads and gems from bracelets I bought in PoundWorld and attached them to the hairband with the help of a pair of pliars. The big clear gem was kindly given to me by gaming_goddess after I found it when snooping through her cosplay supplies lol

EDIT- I changed the big pear gem for a smaller one as felt this one was too large.

13th October 2011: Wig no 3 Yet another fail *sigh* Colour is more of a milkshake pink than the dusky pink of the listing photos and the netting was showing under the ponytail also. I feel like I am cursed with this wig, no other character has given me this issue. I am just going to stick with the first one I bought and not have photos taken from the back I guess.

9th October 2011: Shirt and sweeper progress As I said in a previous entry the shirt and sweeper are being made by Pegsicle. She has finished her Vanille cosplay now so can work on this and has said it shouldn't take her long. I have sent her the skirt and a good fitting blouse/shirt of mine so she can set her dress maker's dummy correctly but of course she has my full measurements as well.

All of the fabric needed has been bought and arranged to be sent to her address:

2 metres of white polycotton
1 metre of pale/baby pink polycotton
3 metres of medium weight interfacing (for the shirt, originally ordered 2 but it wasn't wide enough).
1 metre of heavy weight interfacing (shirt collar)
5 metres of white bias binding
5 metres of pale/baby pink bias binding (in 16mm and 25mm widths as unsure what needed)
10x black 4-hole buttons

Pegsicle already had some pale pink organza spare which she is using for the sweeper.

Just need to focus on the stuff I need to finish now!

4th October 2011: Skirt My skirt that was made by cosplayfly2010 arrived today, 18 days before the deadline I gave them so I'm very pleased with that. It looks like their photos and thankfully fits (I was a little concerned with my waist measurement...). However although the front of the skirt looks short (as it should) it is still decent but the back only just covers my ass... Oops. I plan on wearing bikini bottoms for extra cover/security and I won't be bending over XD

2nd October 2011: Wig no 2 So my second wig arrived and the moment I got it out the bag I was un-happy. The seller used a cheap fibre so the ends were all matted and felt like dolls hair. Even gently combing it did nothing to improve it. I shall be complaing and I have already ordered yet another wig to replace it. *sigh*

The photo is of the wig I ordered (looking nicer than the one I recieved). Made/styled by koreahomme

11th September 2011: Trying to rush this for October Expo... I really want to join my friends cosplaying as Lightning and Vanille so trying to rush this now and not be as picky as I usually would be, I can always update her later (as I always do with my cosplays).

Due to limited time the skirt has been ordered from ebay, I chose a seller that had fabric as close to the design as possible and asked for additional photos to confirm it was their work. Next year I plan to get some fabric custom printed so it's accurate to the pattern on hers and make it myself.

The shirt and pink over-shirt (sweeper?) has been commissioned by Pegsicle (my Vanille =p). The good thing about this is I can visit her for a final fitting once it's made and she's happy to discuss my pickiness for details lol

So all I need to do is sort out a possible new wig (with an accurate back parting), stockings, silver stocking bands, the diamond thing on her thigh (whatever that is...) and the rest of the jewelry (armband, hairband and bracelet).
Here's hoping it all comes together ok and in time. I still have my main costume for Expo to work on also eep.

Photo shows the skirt I ordered from cosplayfly2010

15th June 2011: Engagement pendant I bought the official replica of Serah and Snow's engagement pendant from the Square Enix store. Yes it cost a lot... But I wouldn't be able to make anything near as pretty and I'm a collector anyway so I will appreciate this outside of cosplay.
Despite the pendant itself being a replica the chain is not accurate so it will need to be changed or altered. It's also too long (it's pulled back behind my neck in the photos).

The pendant is made from 925 Silver and Cubic Zirconia.

5th May 2011: Boots finished! I laced the boots using the Sawtooth lacing method which is how Serah does hers. I might buy a slightly longer pair of laces but other than that these are now finished =)

4th May 2011: Boots alterations part 4 Added another coat of paint to the white areas but this time I used acrylic to give a more matt finish. The soles were then touched up in areas where the white had got onto it and then I had to use the white paint again to cover up an accident with the black lol
Finally got everything painted and the right colour! XD

29th April 2011: Boot alterations part 3 Painted the white parts today. It looks a bit messy as used metal paint again and it gets a bit blobby and tacky... Hoping a top coat will make everything look a bit smoother.
And as you can notice I need to re-do the black parts now lol

25th April 2011: Boots alterations part 3 Painted the soles and heels black. I used a metal paint so hoping this won't chip off as easily as acrylic.

2nd January 2011: Boots alterations part 2 I painted the eyelets (shoe lace holes) silver using Hammerite metal paint.

30th December 2010: Boots alterations I bought some beige boots from ebay to alter as they seemed more suited than just buying Converse, Serah's shoes have heels after all.

The boots had 9 shoe lace holes whereas Serah has 8. I am one of those annoyingly picky people who notice these small details so therefore have to do something about it ^^' Thankfully it was quite easy to fold over the top of the boot and line it up with the 8th hole on the inside before glueing it down. I can get the boot on without the laces in so I folded over the top of the zip inside also to hide the zipper pull (Serah's boots don't have zips). Through lowering the general height of the boot it makes the tongue seem longer which is how Serah has hers so bonus there.

Next up is painting the eyelets (shoe lace holes), soles, heels and toes.

4th December 2010: Earrings I found some cat earrings on ebay that are silver with the hanging tail. They're not accurate but they look okay. I removed the hooks and snapped off the loops for the hooks, carefully trying to neaten the edges with a craft knife without stabbing myself. The cat has a collar with two crystals in which I popped out with the help of a craft knife again. There's one crystal in each tail just like Serah's so they stayed where they are. I then glued on posts to the back of the earrings and added butterfly clips. The glue isn't very strong but hopefully they'll hold as long as I don't fiddle with them too much. I'm quite proud of them!

22nd June 2010: Wig I brought the wig from Cosplay Wig as it's the most accurate I've seen and I've loved wigs I've brought from them previously. In general the style and colour are great but the back isn't as accurate as I first thought. But without without extra wefts in the same shade of fibre I can't really do much to fix it. I had to slightly trim and style the fringe myself.

10th April 2010: Jewelry references Close ups of the braclet, hairband and pendant chain. Sadly it's difficult to get clear, hi-rez images of these.