forgotten_aria (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
forgotten_aria) wrote2023-10-14 09:17 pm
forgotten_aria) wrote2023-10-14 09:17 pm
Catra costume
I did as much as I'm going to on my Season 4 Catra costume (from the She-Ra reboot.) I really loved working with the cheap stretch shiny stuff, so much so that I bought the remaining stuff from my Walmart, since they seem to be discontinuing their fabric section. Being able to make gloves the stupid simple way was so nice. I learned a bit about stretch stitching and a zigzag stitch was game changing. I know for most people who machine sew, they're like "well duh," but I always thought you had to use the stretch stitch for stretchy stitching. While fighting with the leggings, which was some extreme stretch, I bought some stretch thread, but couldn't get it to work for me, so I abandoned that and just decided to repair any stitches I popped.
The top was complicated, but I think I did ok. I did have to add a collar seam because a cartoon character doesn't need a collar seam. This is the first time I started with a pattern and modified it. I'm not actually sure the pattern helped in the long run, but it will be useful pattern to have. I also learned patterns come in size ranges, despite having all sizes on the back.
I really wish my plus size dress form was actually my body shape. It's helpful some of the time, but almost always I have to change things dramatically when I tried the costume on my own body. I really wish I were just straight size. Everything would be easier.
I'm glad I bought the pants so I don't have to worry about a stitch popping there, though they were cheap, so they kind of don't go over my butt. I have an undershirt, but it would be more comfortable if they actually fit.
I liked making the mask the best. I think working with eva foam is definitely my favorite thing right now for costume making.
I wish I could have hid the ear mount better. I tried several different things, including clips and combs, but the head band was the only thing that worked. With the wig teased, I can't even try to get it under the hair.
I did ok with my first attempt at teasing the wig. I think there's still a lot more to learn there, but luckily this was the perfect costume to experiment with because the hair is allowed to be messy.
I decided not to get contacts, even though the only reason I paid for a contact prescription was to get some, but it was just too tricky to figure out which affordable contacts were actually FDA approved safe.
The iron-on vinyl mostly worked. The stuff I didn't think would melt, did a little bit and got shiny in weird places, where as the shiny part did pretty well. I love my cricut when it's the right tool, though there is always some irritation getting it to actually work.
I also wish I had altered the undershirt/tail cover a little better. The hole got too big and isn't quite in the right place. It is way better than the Catra costume on amazon that has the tail coming basically out the butthole. I am extremely happy with my two tails (one with a wire for appearance, one without for moving around and not catching on things.)
The belt that holds the wire tail is very comfortable.
The cheap fangs I got are way too white and I couldn't figure out a mouth safe way to stain them yellow. Not sure if I should get better ones or not.
I need to get better at mounting the wig. I had the problem that when I was filming for the lyra photos, it fell off when went upside down and since I was wearing long artificial nails, I couldn't get it back on myself. G tried, but it was super awkward putting a wig on someone else. I'm not putting up my hair or wearing a wig cap, because I think my own hair actually looks perfect under it. (In the previous seasons, Catra had these grey patches of hair, and my own hair kind of reminds me of those.) This might be contributing to the problem of the wig not staying in place and then add to that my own inexperience with wig mounting in general.
Though not easy, this was one of my easier costumes to make.
I forgot my arm make up for the photos.
I mostly try to be ok with my body, but there were a lot of the photos (not posted here) where I was struck by just how fat I am and how my fat looks and sits. Even just getting the proportions right when you widen a costume is hard. I think I got the shirt a little two short at the sides, because I was trying to get the right shape to the point at the bottom. I really hope that no one at taekwondo gets unhappy with me wearing this. I'm mostly worried by a parent who takes offense in some way.
It gets a little hot between the stretch vinyl and the wig, but it moves really well, other than if I could lock the ears and wigs down, it would be great, because I'd love to be able to do a forward roll in the costume. It is a lot of find to have a costume where I can move freely and quickly.
The top was complicated, but I think I did ok. I did have to add a collar seam because a cartoon character doesn't need a collar seam. This is the first time I started with a pattern and modified it. I'm not actually sure the pattern helped in the long run, but it will be useful pattern to have. I also learned patterns come in size ranges, despite having all sizes on the back.
I really wish my plus size dress form was actually my body shape. It's helpful some of the time, but almost always I have to change things dramatically when I tried the costume on my own body. I really wish I were just straight size. Everything would be easier.
I'm glad I bought the pants so I don't have to worry about a stitch popping there, though they were cheap, so they kind of don't go over my butt. I have an undershirt, but it would be more comfortable if they actually fit.
I liked making the mask the best. I think working with eva foam is definitely my favorite thing right now for costume making.
I wish I could have hid the ear mount better. I tried several different things, including clips and combs, but the head band was the only thing that worked. With the wig teased, I can't even try to get it under the hair.
I did ok with my first attempt at teasing the wig. I think there's still a lot more to learn there, but luckily this was the perfect costume to experiment with because the hair is allowed to be messy.
I decided not to get contacts, even though the only reason I paid for a contact prescription was to get some, but it was just too tricky to figure out which affordable contacts were actually FDA approved safe.
The iron-on vinyl mostly worked. The stuff I didn't think would melt, did a little bit and got shiny in weird places, where as the shiny part did pretty well. I love my cricut when it's the right tool, though there is always some irritation getting it to actually work.
I also wish I had altered the undershirt/tail cover a little better. The hole got too big and isn't quite in the right place. It is way better than the Catra costume on amazon that has the tail coming basically out the butthole. I am extremely happy with my two tails (one with a wire for appearance, one without for moving around and not catching on things.)
The belt that holds the wire tail is very comfortable.
The cheap fangs I got are way too white and I couldn't figure out a mouth safe way to stain them yellow. Not sure if I should get better ones or not.
I need to get better at mounting the wig. I had the problem that when I was filming for the lyra photos, it fell off when went upside down and since I was wearing long artificial nails, I couldn't get it back on myself. G tried, but it was super awkward putting a wig on someone else. I'm not putting up my hair or wearing a wig cap, because I think my own hair actually looks perfect under it. (In the previous seasons, Catra had these grey patches of hair, and my own hair kind of reminds me of those.) This might be contributing to the problem of the wig not staying in place and then add to that my own inexperience with wig mounting in general.
Though not easy, this was one of my easier costumes to make.
I forgot my arm make up for the photos.
I mostly try to be ok with my body, but there were a lot of the photos (not posted here) where I was struck by just how fat I am and how my fat looks and sits. Even just getting the proportions right when you widen a costume is hard. I think I got the shirt a little two short at the sides, because I was trying to get the right shape to the point at the bottom. I really hope that no one at taekwondo gets unhappy with me wearing this. I'm mostly worried by a parent who takes offense in some way.
It gets a little hot between the stretch vinyl and the wig, but it moves really well, other than if I could lock the ears and wigs down, it would be great, because I'd love to be able to do a forward roll in the costume. It is a lot of find to have a costume where I can move freely and quickly.
no subject