Taylor: Final Project Post #2

So, as all of you well know, I am going to be the mad hattress. So far, I have bought the fabric and assembled a skirt.

Chocolate Brown Satin

Crazy small pattern

Originally, when I embarked on this quest to become the mad hattress, I had formulated a plan. I had a hat, I had a top and some accessories. Little did I know that I was going to have to make adjustments. I had originally planned to make a skirt from a square dancing dress. I was of course only going to use the skirt part of it. However, after I had bought the 5 yards of chocolate brown satin, we discovered that the pattern was too small for me. I seriously think that It wouldn't have fit Kate Moss, and that chick was skinny. For real though, this skirt was tiny. So, I had to make some adjustments. And by adjustments, I mean that I made an entirely new pattern.

And...by made an entirely new pattern, I mean that Sister Dooley walked me through making the pattern for a circle skirt. It was fun. All I needed was tracing paper, a measuring tape, and some basic geometry that I learned in 4th grade. I drafted a pattern in an hour, tops.

After drafting the pattern, I started to cut the fabric. Alpha helped me with that. Who knew that Satin was so tricky. Just as a forewarning, cutting is an art. Everything needs to be as smooth as a military bed spread before you even pin the dang thing. It was fun, though. Getting out the wrinkles and smoothing out the imperfections in the satin satisfied the inner anal-retentive nut case in all of us (and by us, I mean me, but you I know you know how that feels, too). Just so you know, anal-retentive is not vulgar. It is a Freudian term that can sum up someone with perfectionist issues, and we all have one of those in at least one area. Haha

Anyway, as I was saying, I assembled that bad boy.  I need to hem it by like 1 1/2 inches, but for the most part, the skirt is done, but I need to stuff a LOT of petticoats under it.

I still have some stuff to do. First of all, I need to assemble the rest of my costume. I plan on borrowing (teehee, I already have). But I can mix and match as my satisfaction comes and goes and what have you. I plan on making my character very fancy proletariat.

Lauren Hadley, Final, Progress

So far, my final project is going as planned and is going well. I do wish I would be closer to finishing but I still have much to do. 

My original plan was to create the shirt in size XL, because my husband did not want it to be too tight. However, when I pulled out my pattern to see where to begin, I noticed I bought the pattern for sizes S, M, and L. Oops! After much contemplation and even changing my pattern for a moment, I  Another adjustment I made to the original plan, is instead of following the pattern which would create a long sleeve, I am shortening the sleeves. I choose to do this because I wanted to create a more casual look.

chose to stick to my original pattern and do a size L.

Although the project is far from completion, I have finished many steps. My husband helped me to cut out all the fabric, I added pockets to the front and yokes on the shirt, and I have attached one sleeve. I am very glad I choose to do a short sleeve instead of long sleeve because I do not have to worry about doing cuffs, something I have never done before. 

In order for my project to be fully complete, I still need to attach the second sleeve, stitch together the side seams, and add a flap to each pocket and try and the collar. The collar is something I have no idea how to do and is something which will probably take me a while to figure out. 

Besides the shirt I am making from scratch, I have found green shorts to match. I still need to find some sort of green hat, either a baseball cap or a beanie and also brown shoes. To incorporate the red feather as seen in the Disney production of Peter Pan, I want to either add it to the hat somehow, or make it into a necklace for him to wear. 

I am starting to fear that my project is beginning to look too casual, although that is what I originally wanted. I don’t want people to feel that I just took pieces of clothing my husband already owns and have him model it down the run way. I want to be sure to use original pieces for the costume, things my husband has never seen or worn before. 

 

Costume Critique, Lauren Hadley

A new Netflix sitcom I have fallen in love with is Parenthood. It follows four siblings, and watch as they handle the craziness of parenthood, relationships, and careers. The cast is over 15 people and one may think it would be difficult to dress a cast so big, however, each character has been able to remain individual and unique in their costumes. The costume designer on the show is Diane Crooke. 

The show is set in present time and I would say Crooke has done an amazing job at keeping the styles and clothing on the show current and trendy. As I have watched the show, I have observed that each character has their own color palette and style. For example, Julia Graham is a career-forward woman, who is also a mother. She wears darker shades of blues, grays, and maroon. She can always be found in a form-fitting business suit and if and when she is a home, she is still dressed professional. In contrast, her older sister, Sarah Braverman, is a single mother, and works as a bartender to pay the bills, dresses more casual and following the latest trends. One may say she dresses young for her age. Her color palette would be red, purples, and light blue. Sarah can also be found wearing leather whenever possible. 

 

Because the cast is so big, I would think that the characters could disappear from one another when all in a scene together. However, Crooke was able to create unique styles for each character which helps them to stand out from one another. An additional way I noticed Crooke was able to set characters apart from one another and help them to stand out as individuals, is through accessorizing. Even a simple statement necklace or ring can help bring a character to light. 

As I think back on past episodes, there is only one specific costume that I have envied and coveted. It was worn by a minor character, Jasmine, who married into the family. It was her wedding dress. Her style is very bohemian chic. She wears very light textures and natural colors. Her wedding dress fit her character and style perfectly. It was a light cream and very simple, yet elegant. 

One character on the show who I have yet to connect with and whose wardrobe I haven’t enjoyed is the daughter of Sarah Braverman, Amber. Amber is a rebellious young adult. Her hairstyle is continually changing from colors, texture, to cut. One word which someone may use to describe her style is, Punk. She has multiple piercings and dresses very grungy. She wears a lot of black and dark colors, baggy, dirty looking clothes. Although I do not connect with her character, and wouldn't personally wear anything in her wardrobe, the clothing choices Crooke has made for Amber suits and compliments her stubborn, punk personality. 

Final Project Post #2

I'm not sure this is kind of cheating or not since I already have mine done, but I'll talk about the last thing I did with mine, which was the most difficult and slightly frustrating part. THE HAMMER! So with making props, there are lots of different ways to to the same thing; it just depends on how much money and time you have. With me, paper mache is my forte. I know how to work with it;I know the cost and time it takes: I also had something knew I wanted to try with paper mache.

So the first problem of making this thing: making it detachable and sturdy. I knew I wanted it to be big. It had to be to stay true with the character. So I had to think of a way to make it travel friendly and the first answer that came to mind was a detachable pole. I've never made a weapon before, so I was busting my brain with concepts and ideas of how to make a hollow, flimsy box into a sturdy yet break apart-able hammer.

(inside Narnia)

I had a friend help me figure out some ideas of how to stabalize the part where the pole and the box meet. At first, we had a comlicated platform of wood to mount the plumbing piece to, but then, in a moment of genius, my friend suggested drilling a hole into a frisbee. Thanks to the help of Brother Ferre, it happened! I attached the pole that ran through the middle to the top and stabilized the sides with painting sticks and cardboard then taped that puppy up. I did this to prevent the water to distort the boxes shape as I layered it in paper mache. If cardboard is not protected, it will sink and sag in lots of places =P

Next was the layering of the paper mache. This wasn't the hard part =) Afterwards, it was time to try a new technique. With other props I've made (horns, helmets, and crazy arm speakers), I had no clue how to even out the paper mache so you couldnt tell it was actually paper mache! I read a tutorial online that used Gesso, a paint primer for canvases, and sanding it, so I got me two large bottles and went to work on it. I did about 6 coats I believe

Sadly, after the Gesso and sanding, it was still not to my satisfactory. On camera it looks great, but up close, lines were still noticabe and distinct, but I didn't want to start over at all, so I went with it. I spent hours taping newspaper so painting the designs would be easier and cleaner.

After that step, I covered the newly painted grey parts to protect it from the spray paint

A hop, skip, and a jump away it was complete! I don't have any pictures of making the pole, but I will say that there is one thing that bothers me about the hammer... when its on the pole- it rocks. it teeters and wobbles and I don't like it. Makes me worry it's going to SNAP and tear any moment. If I were to do it again, I would find a second mether other than paper mache to make this hammer

Costume Critique: Kawaii-Kon 2015 Masquerade

SURPRISE! Not an anime show! but still anime related. Sister Dooley suggested I did a critique of the cosplay show and for my last review I think that it is an excellent idea. The official title is in the title above, and there is no designer for this. Most outfits are pre-designed by authors, and artists, and animators, ect, so the people are just modeling work they transformed from 2D to 3D.

 5) There were lots of great cosplay this year and it surprised me that I took the Master title. Comparatively, this was the smallest and shortest competition I've been in. Texas and Spokane had A LOT more competitors and took longer. Despite that, most of the cosplays I really enjoyed and awed at. Luckily, I've narrowed it down to my top 3 (aside from myself)

The first group are the Sailor Scouts from Sailor Moon, but with a little twist

The reason why I love this group is because they take an original, overdone idea and make it their own. Below is artwork of the show's original character design. They designed and created their own armor to add onto the regular uniform

Not to mention that I was right next to them in line so I got an up-close look at the armor. I love the craftsmanship and colors of it all. The only critique i have is that the belt on the blue one is falling off. I informed her of this backstage and she fixed it, but it must have slid off again with the waiting and walking. Lots of things could be the cause of it though. I understand the rush of the con and maybe whatever that was holding the armor up wasn't fitted to her body as well as the others

The second on is Raven from Teens Titans. Ah, nostalgia. A favorite childhood show with one of my favorite characters. I didn't get to see this one up close, but she looks good in this picture! The shape of her suit fits her really well, but not too tightly, her wig looks great, and her belt looks well-done. Her cape could have been a bit fuller, but making a large cape takes lots of fabric.

I have no idea what this is from, but i love it! I'll just leave this here.... Those tails.... <3 to die for

6. Sadly, there was one group that was not on my top favorite list... It was a Batman group but with a steampunk interpretation. I think?

 If I'm completely honest, this looks like a closet cosplay meaning that they just dug everything theyre wearing out of their closet and slapped some makeup on. However, to enter, one's cosplay has to be handmade or bought and modified about 70% (if i remember correctly). I wasn't there at their interview so I don't know how they actually pieced everything together. Aside from that,the only two recognizable characters are harely quin and the joker, but I have no idea about the other two. Poison Ivy and...? I have no clue. Just look like ordinary clothes and some crazy makeup (not even any wigs!). I may just be picky, but I can't help but be "meh" about this cosplay

Costume Critique--Kai Langer on Ellen Degeneres

There are a couple of YouTube videos of an adorable Bruno Mars fan who comes on the Ellen Show and sings. He is a toddler, and he has some impeccable style for such a little kid. Ellen looks pretty good, too. Professional-looking menswear style. But this little kid looks pretty dope! And the fedora, he always has one, and the button up shirt and the vest--for some reason it is so cute to see little kids look like well-dressed adults. When my friend showed my one of the videos I thought it was so cute I nearly died, and then when I got home I looked up the rest of them and decided that it was worthy of a blog post.

 For designer...I am not certain but I am gonna say his mom dresses him. Is it right for the production?--absolutely!! Just look at him! The style is great for being on the show, and it seems like he is getting inspiration from his favorite singer, Bruno Mars. The clothes make him look cool and classy, while his personality makes him seem sweet and adorable. It's a pretty perfect mix. There is not a single out fit he wears that I don't like. I will remember this for someday when I have a little boy and will make him look as cute as this.



If you haven't seen the videos, I would suggest checking this one out--it is my favorite.

He got his first moment of fame from a video that his parents posted of him singing that went viral, and then the people on Ellen contacted them and invited Kai to come sing. Pretty cool!

He looks cute and very professional. And I just have to say that for a 4-5 year old kid he has a heck of a lot of confidence to be comfortable performing in front of such a large group of people, several times.

He actually got to sing with Bruno Mars, too. And it was very cool for them to work  it out that he would get to meet him. It really meant a lot to this little kid. And the outfit he wears when he sings with him is my favorite. He's a cool, well-dressed little kid.

 This is my favorite outfit of his because it is the most relaxed looking. He looks more casual in this--it's the denim jacket, I think--but still has that flair with his trademark fedora.