Hobbies

[Aldethar]

@Saffity seeing that you love patterns I wanted to ask you about ideas for the pattern on the gold binding.

Sadly it is very unclear, but it looks almost celtic in design. I am thinking about something like this (it would repeat after that):

I wanted to embroid it for added texture, but I dont think I will have the time for that.

 

[Saffity]

I think you're really close, I just did a quick search and found a few shots of the boarder the might be a little bit clearer. The main thing to remember, especially about video game characters, is that most of the costumes are not made with any real thought to people actually making these clothes. There's a very good chance that the pattern changes each scene because it was just a brush, so as long as you get it close, it should be fine.

(I had it out with a friend who was making Final Fantasy X Yuna and redid her obi 3 times and her skirt 6 because "The flowers weren't quite right and I need the pleats to face the right way"... girl... the flowers and pleats change depending on your screenshot!)

 

[Aldethar]

@Saffity I will most definitely have to play around with that for a while. Luckily I have some spare pieces to practice on

I have finished putting the tubing on all the pieces and put the binding on one of them (and that was stressful).

When I bought the string for the cross section I bought 2 shades as it was not clear on the photo which one will fit. So while the one shade is used on the panel, I saw that the lighter shade is the same color as the binding I will actually attempt to make the tassel edging of the top with it.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I can also promise you that most people will not have noticed the patterns on the fabric in the game, so don't worry if you don't get to trying to replicate that ^^
You could also look for some trim that has the right colour and some sort of texture/pattern to it.
It really doesn't have to be accurate up close to read well from a distance
It's more important to have all the bits there than to have some of the costume be incredibly accurate and other parts missing.

Also making all that tassel with embroidery floss will take forever and a lot of floss
If you can find fringe in the right colour, that would save you a lot of time and effort!

 

[Saffity]

It really doesn't have to be accurate up close to read well from a distance
It's more important to have all the bits there than to have some of the costume be incredibly accurate and other parts missing.

Exactly!!! I always play by the 10 foot rule: If you hang it up, then walk 10 feet away, does it look right? That's what people are going to see at conventions and in pictures. The only time I worry about perfection (and that's more with my stitching than anything else) is when I was doing Masquerades and being judged on workmanship, because THAT judging is done up close.

I also agree with Maegaranthelas about the fringe. You'll drive yourself mad doing each one individually with floss, even if you just looped a few strips through the fabric. That's one thing I would definitely take a short cut on.

 

[Aldethar]

Thanks @Maegaranthelas and @Saffity for that awesome feedback. Especially the 10 foot rule. I did and the only blemishes I can see at 10 feet are the ones I know where they are... and then it is really minor things.

So I got 3 panels done, 11 more to go.

 

[NightWolf714]

Keep in mind that you will ALWAYS be your worst critic. Unless this is part of your job or trying to enter contests, it's okay if it's not 100% perfect. It's for fun, after all.

I say, while absolutely falling into the same trap, haha.

 

[Aldethar]

So at long last an update.

I started with the skirt panels last week Monday, however I did 2 panels the first day (2 hours) and 1 panel on Tuesday (also 2 hours) and didnt do anything the Wednesday and Thursday as I really didnt have the energy or motivation to work on it as in my mind I wasnt getting anywhere.

I then realized that at work, if I have to do the same set of tasks 40 times I dont finish 1 complete set of tasks and then the next (doing this 40 times), I rather do 1 task 40 times. and then go to the next task. The reason for this is that if 40 items is 100%, I rather reach that 100% over and over again when I complete 1 task, rather than not get anywhere but have completed items.

After doing some research I found some info. it is called the breadth vs depth approach and for some people it works a lot better.
And the proof is in the pudding. Within 3 days I managed to completely finish the other 11 panels

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I've also heard this referred to as batch sewing, and it's so useful!
(I think it was RetroClaude, who also taught me about the Good, Better, Best system).
I often try to pin as many pieces as I can, then run them under the sewing machine, and then see if other pieces can be sewn together before I need to go iron all my seams. You get a satisfying lump of progress that way

congrats on your skirt panels!

 

[Aldethar]

The latest update. I think it is really coming together nicely. There are a few things that I still need to figure out going forward, but all in all I am VERY happy.

 

[NightWolf714]

That's coming along amazingly!

 

[Aldethar]

Thank you @NightWolf714 .

Sadly the perfectionist in me isn't 100% happy with the top. So I will try to modify the leather X in the middle to get a better look. The thing that makes the Aloy costume so appealing to me is the symmetry by the neck line, so I want to try get more of that look.

I did see that on the Aloy one the leather actually curves up and I am hoping that is enough to get that look.

I am REALLY happy with the skirt as well as my selection of colors.

 

[Aldethar]

Good morning everyone,

So just a small update. Seeing that me and my partner do not stay together it was difficult to work on the top as I could only measure it over the weekend. Therefore I decided to make a bust.

Sadly the foam I used wasn't enough so have to get some more, but hopefully will have the results for that soon. I used cling wrap to protect the skin and then used duct tape for the form.

Also, my partner on occasion does modeling, and there was a picture a while ago that made me thing of Aloy. I came across that picture again and just wanted to share.

 

[Aldethar]

So I looked at a few places for the fringe and I am not getting lucky.
I had a hard long thought of how I could do it manually and I came up with this:

OK I am going to try to explain it as best as I can.

So I have a 1cm wide cardboard strip (light gray). On one side I have a 1cm wide piece of cloth (light blue) over the cardboard.

If I now wind the floss (dark blue) around it it will be touching the cardboard on one side and material on the other.
I continue to wind it around, then lay a iron-on webbing (orange) on the side with the fabric, followed by another layer of fabric.
So on one side I still have the floss touching the exposed cardboard and on the other the floss is sandwiched between 2 layers of cloth and the webbing.

I would then use an iron to glue the 2 strips of cloth with the floss in between and then I just need to cut the top of the floss on the side of the cardboard and it would fall down

I can still sew it afterwards for added strength. The strip of cardboard should just fall away once all strands are cut.

In the end I would cut at the red mark.

It would take me 2-3 hours total, but I can do the prep work while I am by my partner

 

[Maegaranthelas]

If you can't find the fringe, this will still be a lot faster than attaching every bit by hand =D
Great progress!

 

[Aldethar]

Morning everyone. So I played with the leg armor over the weekend a bit as I got a bit despondent with the top. So got my partner all wrapped up and made the pattern.now the leather is cut and I am going to see how it fits before continuing.

I did see that the leg armor has a blue outline and I was really wondering how I will do it till I tried to make a tight zig zag pattern and that worked.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

I think this would be a good use for piping!

I've not used it before myself, but it should also give that nice pop of colour as well as being 3D =)

It's great that you switched to a bit of the project where you can move forward.
I do this all the time when I get stuck on one area, it gives you some time for your brain to think it through in the background while still progressing ^^

 

[Aldethar]

@Maegaranthelas That would look beautiful, but I dont think I got enough time to learn another sewing technique

Also. if you look carefully it does have a dark gold binding around it similar to the top.

But I WILL put that video into my repertoire of tools

 

[Aldethar]

Well. All panels are cut and the first ribbon is done... AND fits.

I just need to find a balance now between this and exercising as I was so focused on this I didn't do anything else today.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Looking cool!

 

[Aldethar]

One of the reasons I got so disheartened when I did the binding of the panels is that with the mitered 90° corners I kept on sewing some materials together that shouldn't be. Issue is I was following the instructions and still had the issue. I now did something different by accident and it worked.

And that is just folding the material differently. I had a relook at the video and she actually folds it like I do now, but doesn't mention it. I think she was expecting a more advanced person to look at the video.

 

[Aldethar]

So as I was finishing the leg, having spend a lot of time into it, I realised that I made a mistake.

In order to get the squares onto the leg armor, I went to the side of each piece, measure the middle and then did a 45 degree line in both directions.
In my mind this would have created the squares as I need them.

The issue is that when I stacked the patches over each other to test it looked different. It took me a long time to figure it out, and I even thought that I cut it incorrectly and wanted to start new... but then I realized that with the shape being a opened up funnel (the leg). This means if I added the same pattern the 45 degree line would reach the upper line first as it curved down, while the lower line would move away.

The result of that was that instead of the squares I now had this pattern

I ended up cutting the "extra" pieces of and although in the end it isnt squares anymore, I have finally finished one of the leg pieces. (with reference)

 

[Maegaranthelas]

That absolutely looks close enough though!
Good job on getting through it, even if it's not perfectly what you had in mind

 

[Aldethar]

Hi everyone,

after attempting the pouches once more (I ran out of binding for the second leg) I went into a bit of a downer as it was the 3rd time attempting them without success.

I have in the meantime bought a walking foot that is helping, but I have not gotten the heart to try the pouches again.

I can however share another project I finished for my partner for valentines day.

I am currently busy on the second leg armor and if everything goes right we will have a small fitting this weekend!

 

[NightWolf714]

It's definitely frustrating when a project isn't going right. I end up doing the same thing, shifting to something else and then returning to it. I hope the next attempt goes well.

Also, that is too cute!!!! I'm sure your partner loved it!

 

[MangoTux]

Taking a break from a project can help reinvigorate you, or give you time to think of different solutions!
I once tried making a pair of pleather gloves, and found the thumb measurements were wrong, no matter how many times I made changes. A few weeks off before revisiting helped me realize my mistake.
I hope your next attempt is fruitful!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Yes, it's much better to change up what you're working on rather than feeling like you're banging your head against a wall!
And that's an adorable valentine's gift

 

[Aldethar]

Thanks guys,

she indeed lover it very much, the only issue is that I now upped my game in making her collars
At the moment I still have 9 weeks left till comic con and to be honest the panic has slightly set in

I am really hoping that I can get the top done this weekend as that to me is one of the more trickier pieces, and the piece that most people will see first. (except of course the bow)

After that there is not much left (he says while his mind goes 180)

I still need to do the pauldrons on the shoulders, which is similar to the leg armor. so that wont be an issue.
The bracers, which I have not even fully looked at.
the shin armor, the shoes and the pouches/quiver

Other than that it is all the smaller stuff.

I did take a week of at the end of March to make sure that everything is in order though

 

[NightWolf714]

You got this! And I can't wait to see it finished. ^_^

 

[Aldethar]

So here is the leg armor with the skirt.

Not 100% happy, however I need to stop being a perfectionist. Hopefully there will be another update soon.

 

[NightWolf714]

While I admit I'm unfamiliar with the source material, I think it looks amazing!

But agreed, it is best to move onwards. Maybe see about touching up if there's time, but I think they look nice.

It's also important to remember that you are taking computer made images and translating them to real life. Many times, it simply can't look the same because of the medium difference. So it's important to allow yourself some slack with making a reproduction of it.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Exactly! You are transforming real-life material to make it look like a computer-generated image. And on a budget!
So give yourself some credit, you are doing a great job and learning new things!

 

[Aldethar]

Thank you @NightWolf714 and @Maegaranthelas

Here are the latest pics with the top as well (not 100% finished yet)

Also, here is a small reference video with some game story videos, gameplay, and HD pictures.

It is around 3 minutes long with the pics being in the last half.

 

[Maegaranthelas]

That is recognisably an Aloy cosplay, so you are doing great!

 

[NightWolf714]

That's so incredible! I kinda want to get you and @Maegaranthelas to help me design an outfit at some point, haha.

 

[Aldethar]

The top was, and still is, a nightmare as there is a interaction of 3 different layers.

I will try to have it finished by the weekend for another fitting and then get the measurements for the bracers, cauldron, and shin armor.

I am still dreading to start with the bow.

 

[Aldethar]

So here is the more or less finished top. I still have to do that cross section of string.

through all the chaos and limited space I seem to have misplaced the wrap itself, luckily it isnt that bad of a part to redo.

The sides of the top with the Leather X were a tad difficult to stitch, and although I am not happy with it, I also know that I might not be able to do better, so it will stay like that

 

[Aldethar]

So we got a bit further with the costume.

The new walking foot worked wonders when it came to the pouches. I did mess 1 of the 4 up, but for now I am concentrating on getting the rest done.

I also started with the quiver with LOTS of sewing as you can see on the stitch lines.

And I said "we" because my partner started to do the actual patterns on the skirt and I think it looks stunning. The stencil did not work, so she did it free hand

 

[Aldethar]

And bracers are done.

I still have to get the leather cord.

It is not 100% accurate as the leather cross strips are missing, but it is recognizable and at this point I want to try get all the pieces done. If I do have time I will look at the whole costume and see what improvements I can do

 

[Aldethar]

So the top is done except the pauldrons. I am not 100% happy with it as the front does not cover enough and the angles are wrong. I have to keep reminding myself that it is only my first cosplay costume that I am making (and hopefully not my last)My partner in the meantime has gotten hair dye and her contact lenses for the character

Also added the reference pic again

 

[Maegaranthelas]

You are learning!
And hey, this is recognisably Aloy so I'd say it's a big success for a first cosplay <3

 

[NightWolf714]

I agree the angle is off, but definitely recognizable. I still can't believe this is your first cosplay costume! It really is looking amazing!

 

[Aldethar]

Thank you @Maegaranthelas and @NightWolf714

Well. I did the pauldrons yesterday and need to attach them. For the sandals we found sandal that will work very well with a sock.

So the only main things I still need is to finish the quiver, attach the skirt panels to the belt, make the shin armor and some smaller items.

The shin armor is the thing that is giving me bad anxiety at the moment. I am unsure why, but for some reason as soon as I am thinking of even proceeding with it I start to panic. But I have 3 weeks left so will need to do it this week.

 

[Aldethar]

So work has kept me so busy that sadly I was unable to do much on the exercise or costume front, but seeing that comic con is next weekend I had to put my big boy pants on and do some serious sewing this weekend. Results?

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Good job, mate! That's a solid first cosplay

 

[NightWolf714]

That looks amazing!!!!

 

[Aldethar]

So the day of the comic con.
I had less time making the bow than I was hoping for but it all came together nicely

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Super cool! You did an amazing job

 

[PetiteSheWolf]

You look great! That costume is a success!

 

[Mr.Javo]

I only can say AWESOME. Fantastic job