18th February 2010: Sequins! Wow sequins are taking a long time to sew on. Even though they come on a long chain of cotton. :S
..I had to buy another two packets of 15 meters too - this dresss is swallowing the sequins up!
6th February 2010: Dress progress Centre detail panel now fixed in.
I also added some black ribbon on top of the bias tape around the neckline - trying to keep the edges straight.
Pretty soon I should start sewing the sequins on!!! That's the part I'm looking forward to most, making it all sparkly. ^_^
5th February 2010: Dress progress Centre Panel - My first two attempts to sew the centre panel and crossover straps into the dress did not go well - I couldn't adjust all those angles by eye to make it look perfectly symetrical. So I unpicked and started the whole centre panel again. This time I made an accurate drawing first and then constructed the centre panel with crossover straps onto the paper pattern.
Pic shows the pattern and the completed centre panel next to it.
The completed centre panel is now ready to be inserted into the V neckline of the dress.
5th February 2010: Dress progress stage 1 of the dress is now completed - This is the main body of the dress in sheer black material with armholes that are edged with solid black trim. (see construction sketch 1 from preceeding journal entry below)
To make this main dress body I first made up a rough tunic dress shape to fit me using some spare material, to get the shape and fit of the basic dress and its armholes. Then using that for my pattern I cut the dress out of the sheer black fabric.
Those arm holes gave me trouble! Two attempts to sew black ribbon trim around the edges of the openings to make them look neat, just kept puckering the sheer material. In the end I unpicked and ditched the black ribbon trim.. Instead to get the dark band of edging around the arm holes I had to turn the material over and then back on itself, hand-sew all around, and then carefully trim off the excess fabric. But at last it looks right and I am pleased with it now.
In the pic also you can see the black bias tape I sewed onto the dress - to form the V neck line, and also mark out lines for the sequin details to follow later.
28th January 2010: Costume update ..Spent considerable time today drawing construction details, trying to figure out how best to assemble the different layers which make up this dress. ..It's more complicated than I realised.
Finally sorted how it will be done. Tomorrow I'm going in with the scissors ..can't screw this up cuz I only ordered 1 metre of this material!!
I shall also take some wip pics so you can see how comes together. :)
25th January 2010: dress materials Normally I would go to the rag market for my stuff but I saw these sequins on eBy at 2.99 for 15 metres, and didn't think I would beat that so I clicked "Buy It Now" ^_^
I got three packs - I hope 45 metres will be enough.
Also I bought this sheer black streatch material for the main body of the dress.
23rd January 2010: Progress Today I finished work on the undergarments..In this costume the dress is made of sheer fabric with sequinned pannels covering parts so the underwear/corset is an important part of the costume because it is noticeable under the sheer fabric parts.
I didn't have time to make my own corset. So instead I used a lacy basque, and modified it:
- moved straps from the sides up onto the top of the bra cups so they will be unseen behind the sequinned dress parts.
- sewed in some tucks to the front to make the basque perfectly fitted.
Panties - I have made up some hip padding - ( 2 shoulder pads sewed together make up one hip pad. ) These are covered with black streatch lycra and sewed into the panties. Should give my hips a more womanly look.
Also I ordered the sheer black material and 45m of black sequin trim today. (£10 in sequins!!) As soon as these arrive I can start putting the main dress together. :)
21st January 2010: Shoes. Woohoo! Shoes arrived today.
..I snagged these gorgeous 'Office' black patent T-bar shoes off ebay. £58 down to £15 = Result! ^__^
Hmmm should I change the T-bar details to silver? would anyone notice?
I'm just glad these have a 1920s look.
5th January 2010: Research - Velma's costume I got Chicago DVD as a Christmas pressie ^_^ so I did some more research on Velma's costume.
But sadly there are no costume ref pics in the bonus features. So I just sat close to the TV screen armed with the pause button and watched for any clues... Suddenly I had a Eurika moment as I finally understood the different layers that make up her costume.
So at last ..I know exactly how I'm going to make my costume now. Starting off with the satin corset, then to make the dress and add the sequined patterns. These patterns are beautifully interlaced - I have started by drawing some sketches using pictures for ref to give me something to work from.
ryaoki - 16th November 2009 lmao fucking epic mate, im gonna have to tell beccs about this, she ll be histerical(were both fans of chicage)
ThisIsLisaB - 16th November 2009 This will be EPIC! So taking your picture of you at expo!
Lady-Aira - 16th November 2009 :O this is so epic steve!! love it =3
KhaosKreator - 16th November 2009
Oh I love Chicago. Back in my girl days I would have been happy to do Roxie Hart. Now a days I'm sticking to male costumes to make things less confusing for people.
-Tab
Anonymous - 16th November 2009 I love chicago ^^ I cant wait to see this in the flesh xD
Captain_Marvelous - 16th November 2009 I LOVE CHICAGO :) As if i never imagined this character being perfect for you!
HystericalDame - 16th November 2009 Midlands dammit! If for some reason I become rich and can go, I'll totally do Roxie Hart 8D (Her true redhead stage version xD )
Ranma1-2 - 17th November 2009
^_^ lols, you guys...you're allways so enthusiastic when I put my stuff up - tis very nice. ^_^ ..If I knew you were all such big Chicago fans I woulda planned something we could all do together. Tab you could still do it - eg you could be one the guys who "had it coming" =P .. maybe the one always "chewin gum.. No, not chewin..POPPIN!' ha ha ha
And yes Roxie has a lovely costume too.
btw This time I'm planning a first - I shall be travelling to the show already in costume! It's a good excuse to borrow my wifes gorgeous fur trimmed coat. :)
Anonymous - 17th November 2009 Nice one - and a dance routine too! Looking forward to it =^_^=
Toshi-chan - 17th November 2009
Omg! That is the perfect hairstyle for you as well.....it really really suits you!
Awww this is going down in crossplaying history books already.
Ranma1-2 - 17th November 2009
Lunar-Kitten Oh good you are coming to Midlands Expo too. :)
Thanks Toshi-chan ^_^
I bought this this wig for my Memorabilia Girl/Space Babe costume really but it suits Velma too.
You're so kind.
(Memorabilia show coming up this Sat... I shall try to get pics from that too.)
Fables - 19th November 2009 Faye likes this :)
Ranma1-2 - 19th November 2009 I'm glad Faye is happy.. :)
Sephirayne - 23rd November 2009
Most excellent. I'm sure yuor going to look so glamourous.
If I wasn't already completely full with costume plans I might of been up for doing Roxie heart (Rene version) as I think we would of been perfect height next to each other.
Ranma1-2 - 23rd November 2009
Thanks Sephy. ..Roxie Heart.. Nawwww, that would o been so nice. *pout*
Well I'm sure I will want to cosplay Velma more than once.. :)
FairyPorchQueen - 23rd November 2009 love the eye on your right ^___^ it looks so lovely, what one are you going for? Cant wait to see this ^___^
Ranma1-2 - 23rd November 2009
Hmmm, well my left eye makeup (seen on right of pic) is more bold and theatrical looking, with lots of silver shimmer powder and heavy on the dark eye liner.
My right eye makeup (seen on left of pic) looks more subtle and actually more like Catherine Zeta's in the ref pic.
I think I should go for my right eye makeup (seen on left of pic). But I still want to use the silver shimmer powder on eye lids, cuz I love the effect when you blink or close your eyes like that.
Bambi. - 14th January 2010 Yay Chik-a-go :D Can't wait to see this at Midlands! :) xxx
Ranma1-2 - 14th January 2010
Aww Bambi..I love your forum name. Sounds so cuuute. ^_^
Yeah I'm looking forward to doing Velma. :)
Bambi. - 14th January 2010
hehe :) Thanks
I'm looking forward to seeing it! I'm sure you'll keep to Velma's nature and be the star of the show ^.^ xxx
Ranma1-2 - 15th January 2010
Yep. I'm doing my own dance routine cuz it's more exciting than just copying the film and I don't know where it comes from but performances just seem to want to come out of me. Velma is quite a sassy lady...so I will be shaking ma tail feather ;P
Just finished editing the sound track to fit in with masquerade time constraints. So it is a shortened version of 'All that jazz'. I hope folks really enjoy it. :)
Costume progress -
Now have fishnets and opaque stockings, and my T-bar shoes are in the post.. :)
Working on the under 'corset' at the mo. Running out of time to make one from scratch so I'm altering a basque I just happen to have handy.
When I get hold of the sheer material for the main body of the dress I shall be happy. I can't wait to sew the black sequins on.
Bambi. - 16th January 2010
Thats great! I'm looking forward to seeing it! :) You got alot of work for February sugar! I don't evny you! Sorting Miki is enough nevermind a dance routine too :p hehehe ^-^
xxx
Fables - 26th January 2010 Eeee the fabrics look great! Definately getting excited at seeing your performance, too :)
Captain_Marvelous - 27th January 2010 thats amazingly cheap for good sequins :) we shall cheer you on in your performance :)
Ranma1-2 - 28th January 2010
Thanks for the encouragement guys.
I got my masq spot confirmed now and the music has been sent. I had to reeeally hack chunks out of the music track to squeeze it down to the max 2 min time allowance for solo performers. But I just about managed it. Hardcore Chicago fans might notice it's a very shortened down version. Otherwise I think it will work quite well. Even for the anime fans who never heard of Chicago - the short version should be 'engaging'. ..We'll all have fun. ;P
Cheap sequins, yeah that's what I thought. I couldn't resist that price. I hope they're gonna be ok..
Saffron - 29th January 2010 Ohhh, you look lovely :)
Ranma1-2 - 30th January 2010
Awww Thanks Osaka.
I hope I spot you at Midlands Expo. :)
Captain_Marvelous - 8th February 2010
agh midlands soon XD faye was singing chicago the other night :) Im used to seen zeta jones in darling buds of may :) your gonna look so rad, how is progress?
ps: I made the lantern :)
Holli - 8th February 2010 ahhh, now this looks interesting =D, i really can't wait to see this costume, i really like the cut of the wig; it is very similar to the original, and i know the costume is just going to fall lovely on you :) See you at Midlands :)
Ranma1-2 - 8th February 2010
Ryuk, just in case she wants to sing along during the masq performance - I had to edit my music track down A LOT to squeeze it into the time limits... its a very condensed version, but hopefully still has all the character of the film musical number. I'm really looking forward to 'performing' it on stage. :D
Progress on the costume has been slow going tbh cuz I kept altering things until it looked just like the screen costume. Hopefully though the sequins will go on quickly now that the main dress body is there. Also I have finished altering the corset (which you see through the sheer parts of the dress) but no pics of that up yet.
Also tried on the Jazz Dance fishnets and the opaque stockings with the shoes - looks really close. ;P
Holli, aww thanks :) I'm looking forward to seeing you again too.
Bambi. - 8th February 2010 Eeeeeeee its looking awesome! Can't wat for sequin-ness xD
Captain_Marvelous - 9th February 2010 agh im not even worried :) s'gonna look rad, we keep forgetting we get to see you at expo, faye or me keep saying it every now and again XD first midlands masquerade I will have watched also :)
KhaosKreator - 18th February 2010
I keep watching chicago clips on youtube. I really need to get the DVD.
-Tab
Bambi. - 20th February 2010 YOU WERE AMAZING TODAY!! :D
Lurida - 21st February 2010
It was nice talking with you at the end :) Wish we had longer though. Can't wait to see you at the next. <3
x Cathy
Mungojerrie - 22nd February 2010 You were brilliant in the masquerade :)
Ranma1-2 - 22nd February 2010 Thanks guys. :) Those cheers were just Awesome. I stll find it hard to understand why people like my pefromances that much.. I'm just glad you all enjoy watching, cuz I sure was having fun performing that lil routine. Def want to cosplay Velma again sometime.
Inuyoku - 22nd February 2010 You defo deserved the best performance prize! You looked great :)
Sephirayne - 22nd February 2010 Great job on the costume. Really looked the part. I loved the performance you nailed the timing very well. I love that even when edited down it still works really well. Congrats on the best performance award ;)
Anonymous - 22nd February 2010
I know I said this to you on Saturday but that performance was brilliant and you looked amazing - well done Steve :-)
I love 'All That Jazz' and I couldn't get it out of my head for the rest of that day! Congrats on the best performance prize :-)
Captain_Marvelous - 22nd February 2010 I speak for Faye and myself when I say you looked amazing :) Faye almost screamed when they said your name :)
FairyPorchQueen - 22nd February 2010 OMG you look amazing!!! And look like you had so much fun! I wish i could have seen it in the flesh
Wyrdsister - 22nd February 2010 Steve, you were fab! Damn you and your sexy legs! lol...I wish I could have seen more of your performance it was so packet I couldn't see much of it! Well done on the win, you always go all out on your cosplays and you're so brave! Well deserved :)
Ranma1-2 - 22nd February 2010
Awww thanks for your lovely comments guys. ^_^
..As soon as Tony gets the vids up I'll post a link. I can't wait to see how it looked from the audience. ..Not that I'm vain ^_^ it just felt fantastic being Velma.
No thanks - 22nd February 2010 Stunning! Gorgeous! Beautiful! <3<3
Captain_Marvelous - 22nd February 2010 Yeah me and faye were looking forward to meeting you :) glad we got to saw you, we left a bit prematurely im afriad but we will catch you again, mabye I will be dressed as superman when that day comes XD
FairyPorchQueen - 22nd February 2010 Yes i HAVE to see your performance!
KhaosKreator - 22nd February 2010
Can't wait to see a video!
-Tab
Ranma1-2 - 22nd February 2010
Woohoo video is now up! :P
I'm on at 2:05
http://www.youtube.com/user/TonyoTimes#p/u/1/s-cZuwCdTLY
FairyPorchQueen - 22nd February 2010 Bravo! you were fantasic, great timing tooo!
Ranma1-2 - 22nd February 2010 Thanks Emmy. ^_^
Wyrdsister - 22nd February 2010 Just watched that clip, great stuff!
Freyarule - 22nd February 2010 Just watched it - you looked fantastic :D did you take any inspiration for the dance moves from the film?
Ranma1-2 - 23rd February 2010
Thanks guys. ^_^
Freya - yes inspiration but I didn't want to just clone the film choreography. Dance is expression from within. I wanted to get the feel of Catherine doing Velma, and then allowed the music to move me.. Thats how I put the choreography together. So it is in character and I feel connected with the performance because it is me performing as Velma.
I think it is important to connect with the character you are cosplaying. That's the role play part of cosplay. Well, I enjoy the roleplay part that is.. ^_^
Fables - 24th February 2010
Awww!! I can't beleive I missed you by seconds!!
Yeah, I can't walk in heels so I wore them for about half hour intervals :P I wore them specially during the masquerade cos I was right at the back and they allowed me to peer over everyone's heads. I was waiting for you to appear but you weren't, so I wandered to a nearby DVD stall, but then the announcer was like 'Steve as Velma Kelly' and I think it's the fastest I've ever moved! I was at the back but I was swooning :3
Unfortunately Bambi had to drive back and we were all craving Burger King so we left after the masquerade, so she didn't have to drive too late while feeling tired and stuff, otherwise we probably would have formed an organised serach party for you! Hopefully though we might be able to get cheap bus travel to London which makes May Expo a possibility :P Maybe we'll finally get to meet there!
SephNoir - 25th February 2010 An absolutely fantastic performance and costume! You really impressed me with the knowledge behind the costume and the lyrics. It was great to finally meet you in person too and have a chance to chat! If you haven't already, definitely take a look at the Amecon website, it'd be fantastic if you entered the Omake (performance event).
Ranma1-2 - 25th February 2010
Thank youuuu. ^_^ It was lovely meeting you too.
..I always start with a lot of research when embarking on a cosplay. I just love to try and get things right - even if I run out of time making it :P
I will though add all the other sequins onto the back and sides, because the costume deserves to be finished accurately. And I do want to cosplay Velma again, she is so much fun.
Ame is sounding more and more like a definite. Thanks for the info, I didn't know there was a performance event - sounds exciting. :D
O
KhaosKreator - 25th February 2010
Just watched the video- you look great!
And whoot to hear you may be at ame! I'd love to see you there!
-Tab
Ranma1-2 - 25th February 2010
Thanks Tab.
Would they allow this cosplay at Ame? I'm worried looks like Anime only cosplays in the gallery.
KhaosKreator - 25th February 2010
Oh hell yes they would! Lots of cons allow pretty much everything, especially as the main masquerade at cons tends to be non-competetive. The Omake/talent show on sunday is pretty much a free for all for singing, dancing and skits, so whatever goes!
-Tab
Ranma1-2 - 25th February 2010 Oh great. I could do the routine again for those who would like to see it live. :)
.neverbell - 26th August 2010 wow this was you! i saw you do this at expo you did an amazing job onstage! you looked fantastic =)
Ranma1-2 - 26th August 2010
Yes t'was I ..Thank you. ^_^
It's a shame I only have one good still pic from the show. I still need to finish adding the rest of the sequins, and then wear it again sometime. Possibly might wear it for my Sat cosplay at Oct Expo since there's no masquerade for us to enter this time.
- - 1st September 2010
Omg you are srsly epic and all that jazz XD
you make a better woman than me O_O
really amazing and your legs are better than most woman i've seen
Ranma1-2 - 1st September 2010
Thanks for the compliments SachikoYumi. I seriously doubt I make a better woman than you though.. :P
Plus - you need to go to see Salsa dancers ..or ballet dancers.. they have legs to die for! *_*
- - 1st September 2010
Very true. I've seen male ballet dancers and it makes you go 'wow'
I've always found that silk light tan tights do the world of difference to your legs no matter what sex you are though =3
+ Your very welcome, you deserve it <3 takes a lot of guts for a male to cosplay/crossdress woman and pull it off so wonderfully!!
Ranma1-2 - 1st September 2010
Thanks for the tip on tights...I will look on eBay for some. ^_^
The way I look at it.. if I'm gonna crossplay I will do the very best I can. I'd hate anyone to be embarrassed for me. I do get some really nice compliments off the girls actually. :) It's a lot of fun.
Sometimes, when I am back to boring blue denim I feel slightly envious of the glamourous world you girls have going.. ^_^
- - 1st September 2010
That's such a lovely way of putting it ^_^
But also sometimes us girls get sick of dressing so glamorous and would just love to dress down like most/some guys do :)
Your amazing!
Ranma1-2 - 1st September 2010 Nawww Thanks. ^_^
MadameLapin - 11th September 2010 You look so fantastic! Seriously.... wow. The costume is stunning and you look amazing! ^^
Ranma1-2 - 11th September 2010 Thanks. ^_^ I keep meaning to finish this dress - there should be SOOOOO many more sequins everywhere. I bought plenty but I ran out of time for the Expo and, well, it just got packed away in its box since. Some day I will be inspired to sew the rest of them on and wear it again. :)
Anime_Angel - 12th March 2011 you know, if you wore a curly wig then you would remind me of Tim curry from Rocky horror picture show lolilol
Ranma1-2 - 14th March 2011 Anime_Agel - I have thought about RH but for some reason just dont feel it, so no RH cosplays planned, sorry.
FuriePhoenix - 6th July 2011 love this!! Reminds me how I wanna do Roxie's white version from the end of the film!