Megara - Hercules
Complete
| An improved version of my previous Meg costume. This was really fun to do last May, but I still wasn't completely happy with the costume, so I set out to improve it yet again. This required a complete re-make of the dress with a better design and materials, and needed re-fitting since my measurements have definately changed over the last few years. I effectively tried correct my figure, with a boned bodice, underskirt(to add movement and to increase my hips a little, which were also padded with elbow pads). I re-structured the wig, with foam core so that I didn't tear my scalp again. The plan to use better adhesives so that my hair didn't go mad with the wind did not work that well, mostly due to even windier october weather and waterside photoshoots, which don't go well with very styled wigs. This time I was more focused on the movie itself, as the first costume was for Kingdom Hearts, not the original, so the colouring is a little different and the dress and hair should look more natural and free-moving. I made the herculade cup for a bit of fun in photos, and it ended up holding my lipsticks etc, which is super useful. The sash also had a full pouch sewn into it to store my purse and phone. |
Total cost: £0.00
I literally never stop re-making this...
So, my figure has changed a lot since last I wore Meg, which means it needs a bit of a remodel again to have the same effect. Starting with a new top. Going for another layer with a deeper cowl this time, so it's a bit more shapely, and I've cut down the existing top into more of a plunge to fit with this. Also making myself some new hip-padding to wear under the dress, and I'm going to get around to the airbrushing I wanted to get done on it to emphasise the panels. Lastly, the wig is getting another makeover, adding in some new wefts which should add a little more toning (I hate how it looks so bright red in sunlight), and some new shiny curls.
Wig Trial
Just a quick update to note how the first trial with the wig went, now that I've completely sewn in the foam core and all that's missing is the general re-style, bronze band and the final self-made weft. I have to say, I'm impressing myself so far. Yeah, it's not polished yet and you can still see wig cap through the gap where the foam core is attached (will be fine once the hair is styled better and extra weft is in), but it's already a vast improvement. You can see that the ponytail is much higher and more angular. It has also accidentally meant that all the layers are falling in the right place to give the right shape and length to the hair fall. It does look a little frankenstein's bride-esque in places but I don't think that's a terrible shame for Meg, considering how rediculous her hair actually is. Not to mention the fact that it is a million times more comfortable and light to wear than the last time I did this costume - I was even running up and down stairs to find my camera and not a twinge of discomfort. Odly enough it's actually more comfortable than some of my simpler wigs coughNaNacough.
Wig Progress
Been working on the re-style for the wig, so today I chiselled the final shape for the foam core, covered it with viscose fabric the same colour as the hair and began to sew wefts across the top. To fit the foam core in place, I've cut the wefts out of the wig where it should sit and will sew the foam core into the gap created. Both the base wig with the gap cut out and the ponytail can be seen in the journal image. The reason I've decided to do it this way is to make the enormous ponytail a lot easier to wear, since the foam core is lighter than a huge mass of backcombed hair, and the way I've carved it should also mean that most of the weight is on top of my head, rather than at the back. Hopefully this adjustment will mean that my scalp doesn't bleed like it did last time I wore this wig and will generally be a lot more comfortable. Other Meg progress I have made this week: Started to add a layer of clay around the Herculade cup so that I can carve the details into it and get that pottery asthetic. Also working on a way to cover up the innevitable florescent wristband which tends to look a little less Ancient Greek than the rest of the costume, using self made clay plates connected with elastic. It's a theory. Waiting for my haberdashery order to finish off the dress, then I can get going on Tinkerbell.
Hand sewing
So much of this project has to be done by hand it's frustrating, but I hope it'll be worth it by the time I'm done. The entire bodice section has now been completed, along with the new sash (check out that georgious satin compared to the previous incarnation). The sash is going to have an in-built purse and mobile phone holder so I can be mostly handsfree and will double as padding to make it jut out in the right way from my none existant hips. The Herculade cup too now has an actual plastic lidded cup inside so that I can actually use it to remain hydrated. So all that's left to be done on the dress is the neckline and straps (currently pinned in place with solid satin lining for suppport), the back fastening, and hems. A few little peices could do with a good press and some invisible stitching here and there, but that won't take long. The biggist problem I'm having right now with this is that, as you can see from the journal image, my mannequin doesn't have as tiny or flexible a waist as I do, so the dress doesn't fit properly, making it impossible to tell how the dress is looking without actually putting it on. This is making adjustments difficult. Next thing to tackle, and what's really going to take time, is the wig. Fingers crosses.
yay sewing
Finally got started sewing everything together today, one day behind schedule, and the dress is definately having a anastasia moment before the pleats are all sewn in. Shown in the photo is the current state of the top, bodice support and underskirt, with the new satin band and badges. Quite a lot really so i'll break it down a little. Bodice is without interfacing currently so it looks less smooth than i would like, and of course the mannequin is not quite the same shape as i am (and a lot less fleshy) so it doesn't quite show the final product. Underskirt is a basic chiffon that i'm using to act as a shift while also hopefully adding more body to my tiny boy hips. With any luck the triple-layer bodice and underskirt should make the costume slightly less than freezing in October. New badges are all finished now, though i may bronze them a little more before October as they are looking a little too gold atm. Much smaller and neater than the old badges, which should make them a little more accurate. Ok, type-farted this journal enough for now.
Next gen
Haven't done much that isn't for this costume over the last week, although I still have to wait till monday before I can even get my sewing machine back out and knock it all together (promised my parents they could have a dining room for at least a few weeks). It seems I really wasn't kidding about re-making everything. My Herculade cup is now onto Mark 2, building the base out of craft foam and PVA glue so that it's more accurate and solid. I'm then going to sculpt the details onto it with air-dry clay to give it the vase-look texture I want. It is huge, so I'm hoping I can mount a proper lidded cup inside and use it for actual hydration (yay!). Just finished cutting a new sash out of super high quality heavy-weight satin, which hopefully should look way better in photos than the previous incarnation as it'll hold it's shape better and shouldn't be as annoyingly shiny (we all know how aweful cheap satin looks in photos). It only cost me £9 for more than what I needed so I don't mind the expense too much. I will post a comparison photo of the 2 sashes once the basic sewing has been done. Also in the last few days I've picked up some strong cotton that's the same colour to make a boned bodice to incorporate into the dress so that it will keep the right shape (what's the point in having a tiny waist if the dress doesn't fit, for meg especially). Once I find some interfacing to strengthen the panels I'll start to hand sew the boning into them. So yeah, apparently I'm quite mad.
Starting again
So yeah... this was meant to be a quick fix up and polish but it's ended up being a complete re-make. There are far too many things I saw as being wrong with the costume that all needs re-making, but I don't mind so much as the original costume was just for a fancy dress party. I've already started sculpting a block of foam to shape the wig onto, which hopefully should make the overall weight much less likely to tear my scalp again, and also should help the bizarre shape of her ponytail stand out. I'm going to be a lot less careful in keeping the wig for future uses, so will probably stick the thing solid, unlike my last attempt. The new dress is all cut out now, so it's only the underskirt and the boning left to add into it. I went with viscose on this one as opposed to the poly-cotton I built my last meg dress from, basically because the drape is really pretty and it moves a little better, while also keeping the natural looking fibre content. My main aim for the dress was to have a more accomodating bust and to have the accurate slit seen during the date scene with hercules, so having a fabric that would stretch and fall nicely was essential. So I have quite a lot done, but really a very long way off, and while making several other Disney costumes for the giant group in October. woot!
woah! You look awesome!!! Perfect Meg! :D
Epic meg! And the fact you have the Herculade is even better!
YYYYAAAAAYYYYYYs it's our Meg :D hehe I am loving the Herculade - brillant!
i really love this costume ! i love the colour of your wig! it also has soo much volume!
You make a perfect Meg! :D I hope I get to see you as her in person!
loved th old dress but the newone looks even better XD
Absolutely LOVE the new version, it really looks so awesome and floaty! :D
I loved seing your Meg back last year, I do look forward to seeing your remake, but I personally loved it before :)
LOVE the two versions of your Meg! Cant wait to see it at expo!
Prettyyyyyyyy! I love how floaty the dress is! Can't wait to see it at expo!
The new dress is just gorgeous! I adore the way it drapes. Really hope I catch this in person at Expo!
I absolutely adore how u did the dress!! It's so perfect for Meg!! <3
oh my gosh! i love you new dress =D and i thought your first dress was amazing!! =D when are you wearing it ?
yay for Meg!!! Loving this so far!
Wow, I love the new dress. It's got such a lovely shape to it bravo! You make a beautiful Meg! She's so cool X3
Omg this is brilliant!!! i haven't see many people cosplay her but you do it perfectly
Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! I really love Meg so I'm working super hard on this to do her better justice in October. x
Your original outfit looked amazing, but this one looks even better, I love the floatiness! I can't wait to see it at Expo!!! :D
Gorgeous! The fabric is just perfect!
looks fantastic!!!
Love the herculade! Nice fabric choice for the new dress, it really gives it that floaty feel.
you look gorgeous
=O This is so gorgeous! Really looking forward to seeing this! x.
oh wow!! STUNNING
OMG. Your wig is great. the previous dress is beautiful. the new one is awesome.
Ahhhh I love that you have a Herculade cup! :D I'm really looking forward to seeing this complete, everything looks amazing so far!
This is fantastic! *__* You suit her perfectly. <3
your dress is more and more beautiful now. we really enjoy it.thanks a lot
Your cosplay look smexy. ^o^b
you looked AMAZING. So beautiful, I'm glad I got to see you in this cosplay ^^
you looked amazing, still my fav Meg cosplayer!! You do her so much justice!!
You looked amazing!! <3 It was lovely meeting you!!
Undoubtedly - BEST. MEG. EVER!! 8D
You suit meg ever soo well! Funnily enough I was queuing in front of you for Eurocosplay, your dress was ever so beautiful! Good work ^_^
Absolutely stunning costume, you make a perfect Meg!
You are gorgeous beyond words!.I love your dress ! Your so very very talented!
Amazing cosplay, look just like Meg!
omg this is amazing! you are actually the best Meg cosplay iv ever seen !
Best Meg cosplay ive ever seen!
So amazing! You suit Meg soooo well! <3
love the photos im so happy i got to see this i cant wait for expo x
That is incredibly impressive. The best Meg dress and wig I've seen in a long, long time.
I miss you Meg
Amazing! :D You suit her so well and the Herculade is such a great prop. XD