Geek alert, or, More questions for the seamstresses

[nendil]

All right, home-going time is gradually coming up and I'm really needing to get planning on this, because if I don't get it done in those three weeks, I'll be spending another Halloween costume-less. If need be, I'll go make my inquiries on cosplay forums, but I figured I might as well toss the questions out here first and see what I can get from you folks.

So I've selected Sheik as my next cosplay. On the off chance you're on my friends list and still don't know who that is =P (or forgot what the costume looks like), here's a few pics. Since I bear pathetically little resemblance to most anime (and game) characters, a costume that covers 3/4 of my face should work just fine. XP Plus if I bring my brother with me to any cons, I can have a little Link in tow <g> So now the questions, because I am way too perfectionist dammit.

1) I have a dark blue gymnastics leotard that I think would work perfectly for the top. The question is, if I were to cut it at the waist, would the remaining fabric still behave with the right elasticity? Even though I've never worn it and likely will never need to for any other reason, I don't want to ruin a perfectly good leotard for nothing.

* 1a) If I do cut the fabric safely, is there any way to get the spandex(?) to look appropriately frayed? Just bust out the scissors and pull out some threads?

2) I plan to use fabric paint, which I've never tried before, for the many costume markings. Obviously it would work for the drapery thing, but would it look okay for the blue/white parts on the suit? Not too cheap or anything? (Actually, I'll be using a substance that I can supposedly mix with acrylic paint to make fabric paint. Any experiences with that?)

3) Any suggestions on the hair wrappings? I would like to be able to have something that I can easily put on in one piece, especially since you can't trust my hair to stay put under anything. I'm thinking something that works like a shower cap or wig cap, say, but I'm not really sure how to go about that.

4) A black-haired Sheik should look just fine, right? XP

Comments

[adella.livejournal.com]

Alright first questions first.. have you ever sewn stretch before? If you haven't...we're in for some serious talk.

[nendil.livejournal.com]

If you haven't...we're in for some serious talk.

Eheh... sounds like it. But do I really need to do much sewing (besides maybe a hem)? I have the top, and the pants.

If worst comes to worst, my mom has worked with stretchy fabric before, for my Sailor Saturn gloves... ^^;

[adella.livejournal.com]

Well if you really want to be a perfectionist a black leotard wouldn't work at all because well.. the base of Sheik's costume is blue and not black. If it were me making it I'd be piecing together different shapes of spandex to make the entire thing, but you can just as easily get away with a satin stitch top stitched over.

[nendil.livejournal.com]

It's not black, but an appropriate shade of dark blue, and so are the pants, so no worries there. But keep in mind I am no sew-er and I'll only have 2-3 weeks ^^;;; As for satin, I know it is the ideal-looking material for just about any costume because it's so shiny and smooth, but would it be doable to run with the idea that a Sheikah costume would probably be very form-fitting, possibly old/worn, and probably not shiny? I mean of course I'm not going to make a ratty costume, but is it plausible to do it out of cheaper-looking fabrics?

[adella.livejournal.com]

It's dark blue then.. sorry I thought it waas black.. 2-3 weeks is plenty of time if you work straight on it. I did not mean satin as a fabric, but a satin stitch. It's the type of stitch you use when edging something. Basically it's a super constricted zig zag stitch and it's prime for sewing on designs onto things. For instance I'm using a satin-stitch on the bodysuit for Din to sew the purple triangles up the side.

[nendil.livejournal.com]

Ah, I get what you mean. I might try that for the white lines, though I also might totally end up killing something ^^;; It'd make the clothing less elastic, wouldn't it?

Thanks much for the help! Would you happen to have any input on questions 1a) and 3)?

[adella.livejournal.com]

in truth painting it would make it less elastic. Your best bet is instead of painting the body suit, to piece together shapes in the shape you want using lycra and satin stitching the edges.

[nendil.livejournal.com]

Oh, headache-inducing... ^^;; One of the reasons I wanted to do this costume is because I have pre-made materials on hand, 'cause I have essentially no sewing skills. I know of course it'd be better to make it from scratch, but I've always been the poor man's cosplayer when it came to compromising. Cardboard (http://www.livejournal.com/users/nendil/22495.html), anyone?

[adella.livejournal.com]

None of those links work ;-;!

Oh no~~

[nendil.livejournal.com]

Fixed-ed