Aesthetics Making a Link cosplay

It all started when I saw the Luts 1/3 winter event head, elf diez.


I immediately though of link, and having seen some custom link bjds by other people, I was hit with the urge to buy it. I place the order for him on the at the end of Dec, and so now that i've decided to make a link cosplay, preparations were in order.

 

Eyes and a potential wig were ordered
Eyes came in faster than the wig and 3rd row blue green was the color i decided on, but i'll have to see about iris size when the head actually gets in.

 

Then I started on the iconic champion's tunic. I started out looking for oversized long Tshirts to modify and adjust to fit, but then i learned about the method of printing fabric with cosplay designs reducing the amount of embroidery, dyeing or applique adding needed.
I went about designing a fitted T shirt pattern for a Luts SDF65 slim body, which i didn't actually have at the moment, but knew i wanted. I'd never made a sewing pattern before, but knew rough what the rough shape of a Tshirt pattern should look like, so I took a Tshirt PDF from google for the armscye and sleeve cap lengths and then drew out the shapes for the necklines, width of the shoulders, length of the tunic, tapered waist location, amount of waist taper, and side slit height.
After the general shape was done, i took some game images on a transparency layer and cut out the white embellishment designs
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...08/20210226_004913.jpg?width=1482&height=1116

making sure the front and back fit together and the collar design meet properly
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...241/20210227_114357.jpg?width=837&height=1115


then I added a 1/4" border around everything for seam allowances. arranged the shirt parts so I could fit them efficiently on a fat quarter and saved the image.
I uploaded this image to a fabric printing company and then took a while mulling over fabrics and fabric printing techniques to choose.
I ended up being unable to decide between combed cotton and a polyester crepe jersey, so I ended up ordering both >_>;;
then began 3.5weeks of waiting.

 

the fabric comes in and I'm quite glad I ordered both fabrics. They both have their pros and cons.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...50/20210324_143742.jpg?width=1488&height=1116

On the left is the polyester crepe jersey and the the left is basic combed cotton.
Thoughts on the fabrics:
the color accuracy of the combed cotton is much better and more of what i expected when i sent in the image, but it creases/wrinkles pretty easily for better or worse. Additionally the printing on the combed cotton has a slight cant to it. I think the fabric stretched a hair diagonally when they were printing and then when the cloth was cut from the machine the stretch was released and the image was skewed slightly. I became aware of the cotton's skew when i printed and cut out a full size paper copy of my pattern and overlaid it. The polyester crepe jersey didn't have any skew even though the fabric is stretchier.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...738/20210324_143758.jpg?width=837&height=1115

the polyester crepe jersey is much more sheer than the combed cotton
but for both, the line i used to delineate the seamlines from the seem allowance space disappeared since i didn't use a contrasting enough color for that line. I wanted to see a second dark blue line 1/4" inside the white line you see.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...932/20210324_174959.jpg?width=837&height=1115

used tom weight to flatten some of the combed cotton creases.

After my first sewing experience, hand sewing a tiny tshirt for chihiro, i decided that i didn't want to do that again, so I waited a couple more weeks to gain access to a sewing machine when I would visit my parents to get a sewing machine to put the shirt together.

 

while waiting to visit my parents, the wig i ordered came in!
I like the color, but it's a bit it's thin in the back and thick in the front, so it's a little hard to push the bangs to the side.
https://i.imgur.com/DfJenug.jpg


The practice head (DFA Karl) is acting as the wig holder until the real head comes in.
Shortly after the wig came in, the 2ndhand Luts SDF65 slim body came in, so pratice head tried on the blue green eyes and went on that body too, to keep the body warm, you know.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...04/20210327_225423.jpg?width=1488&height=1116

Luts SDF65 slender body Left; Luts SDF65 slim body Right.

 

Sewing machine get~
Starting with the cotton version, I did a little practice run with the collar hemming with some of the partial pattern prints.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...581/20210404_201603.jpg?width=837&height=1115

https://media.discordapp.net/attach...55/20210404_201532.jpg?width=1488&height=1116

https://media.discordapp.net/attach...67/20210405_001701.jpg?width=1488&height=1116

pattern cut out and mostly hemmed; forgot about the slit hemming in the pic. Apparently my thread tension is off which caused some waviness at the hems.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...106/20210406_160012.jpg?width=837&height=1115

so the cotton fabric does not stretch that much, and i discovered that it's impossible to get over his shoulders if i were to sew both sides closed.... I hadn't considered the aspect of putting on/taking off the shirt when designing the pattern. lol
buuuut I remembered that hook & look fasteners (velcro) are a thing. so then, I placed an order for cable management hook & loop straps since they are thin and low profile.
but other than the difficulty putting on the shirt, i like the fit. the shoulder width seems about right, and slim fit of the body isn't too tight.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...538/20210406_155808.jpg?width=837&height=1115

Pinned closed where the hook & loop fastener will be.

 

I randomly found an SD sized pony! I was just browsing craigslist and someone had listed a My Twinn Doll horse.
Compared to a 65cm doll, it's a little on small side, but i think it's close enough.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...276/20210409_153917.jpg?width=837&height=1115

I also went and put together the polyester version of the pattern while waiting on the velcro to come in to finish the cotton one. I can happily say that the polyester one stretches over his shoulder without the need of any fasteners to allow part to open up.
https://media.discordapp.net/attach...52040469/IMG_2483_2.JPG?width=744&height=1116

I do have to say, it was a bit finicky sewing the polyester though. the needle had difficulty going through the fabric several times and would just push the fabric down into the hole. and then when hemming, it wouldn't crease on its own, so I had to iron it, but it's nice the the shirt doesn't look wrinkled when wearing like the cotton can get.

Next: to add velcro to the cotton version of the tunic, and then eventually: receive the luts head, find an undershirt, pants, arm wraps, gloves, boots, belts, 3d print a sword and shield.

 

Okay, finished the hook & loop attachment on the cotton version, and now is the dilemma of deciding which one is better
Cotton:
pro

• color is more game accurate
• not as see through
• has a starched look

con

• velcro side is stiffer/slightly visible
• wrinkles easily

polyester:
pro

• stretches so no need for any fastening method; just pulls over the head and shoulder
• doesn't wrinkle
• drapes

con

• color is darker than the game
• slightly see through and can see where pants start

Polyester version:

Spoiler

https://i.imgur.com/l3JiW64.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aEiW60J.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WecMIP1.jpg

Cotton version:

Spoiler

https://i.imgur.com/UABjsoT.jpg

hook & loop fastened side
https://i.imgur.com/kB9N9uM.jpg

hemmed side
https://i.imgur.com/g1uWMD4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kDQVlrZ.jpg

Opinions between the two are very welcome. I'm having trouble deciding which i like better.

After this is waiting on the luts head, ordering: undershirt, gloves, pants, boots, belts. then little mods on the undershirt and belts. then printing a sword/shield when the library 3d printer opens up.

 

thanks for the input guys! we'll stick with cotton for now and see how both look with the undershirt.
now...
Belts, get~ .
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51161868965_660e66c88e_k.jpg

Now to determine if I want to go about buying rivets to put the harness together or if I want to go the easy way and just use a thumb tack and sew it together...
still waiting on: undershirt. gloves, pants, boots, armwraps

 

@Vindalootoo
this is character. He's from the game Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild
http://s01.riotpixels.net/data/14/9...eath-of-the-wild.1920x1080.2017-05-04.113.jpg


I def agree, there are the pros and cons for both. so i'm still hanging on to both versions lol.
the undershirt i ordered is like one of those doll anti-stain white long sleeve shirts so i think it should fit under the shirt.
You def might be right. I was trying to use my sharpest thinnest needle in the machine. but wouldn't a round point have trouble going through the fabric?
I ordered the fabric printed at myfabricdesigns.com. the price ended being the best compared to other fabric print shops like spoonflower esp with the coupon i found online.

 

ended up using 2 rivets from the craft store for the chest harness and received a to-scale hylian shield as a bday present from my brother




album if images fail
still need to make: forearm wraps and arm guard.
still waiting on: Link's actual head (@_@), undershirt, pants, boots, gloves.

 

The master sword came in, another present from a friend. :3
I might actually 3d print another slightly larger master sword myself when the library 3d printer opens up since this one is like die cast in metal and kind of dense/heavy for a doll hold up and a tad small. but overall i think the look is pretty good.
pictured bellow is my heavily blushed Real Skin White Luts Junha head on the 68cm Ringdoll RGMbody-4 with the polyester shirt.
I just got the ringdoll, and i quite like its general shape and posing, but it def wouldn't match Luts Real Skin Normal that the Elf Diez head is going to be in and it's a bit too tall for the shirt >_> so this is just for trying on for funsies for Capella, my fav, to wear all the clothes.


Album Link (heh) if images break.

still need to make: forearm wraps and arm guard.
still waiting on: Link's actual head (ordered Dec29,2020 @_@), undershirt, pants, boots, gloves.

 

I still haven't had everything come in (white undershirt, pants, the HEAD), but I had a doll meetup to go to, so janky hijinks to fake complete the look.

so a fake undershirt was made and the collar design with fabric marker.
https://i.imgur.com/jTiVBJH.jpg

lol so those sleeves and "collar" are held inside the outer tunic with masking tape. and courtesy of an old white doll shirt i took apart that was too small for a 65cm boy body to fit into.

and then forearm wraps made out of additional masking tape with the marks drawn on with the same fabric marker lololol
https://i.imgur.com/lCdoG9T.jpg


and finally put together an arm guard with low quality scrap leather i got for a dollar and scribbled the design on with a regular ball point pen. janky? yes. very much so, but i think it gets the idea across for a bjd meetup
https://i.imgur.com/wGcE1HQ.jpg

and still using a practice head that i rushed out a different faceup on for the meetup

so still waiting on:
-luts elf diez head
-white undershirt
-pants
-possible alternate hair with different style bangs/lighter color.

 

got impatient and also really like the shape of the Ringdoll body, so i ended up ordering a WS elf diez head 2nd hand even though i have a NS one coming in <_<

Headcap is original Luts WS color and fists are Ringdoll NS color. color matched face with pastels.


and faceup. brows are a bit thick/not long enough imo and lower lashes got a little thick/long as i was trying out a different brush, but acceptable for now.


put it on the body and of course had to dress him (with the janky masking tape clothes from previous lol)
https://i.imgur.com/WfOtTlU.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/cXFHVVe.jpeg


Really don't think it's too bad of a look/shape and the clothes fit, but he just feels so tall... esp next to the pony..

 

Okay, so everything came in, but it still not quite there...
I feel like i've been in a creative slump where i'm not satisfied with anything i do.
however, everything finally came in!
-the pants, i love the fit on the SDF65 body. the draw string portion is different from the listing picture, a satiny nonwoven cord which is weird, but hey at least it's hidden.
-the undershirt i like how it fits as well, but unfortunately the collar portion is a little to low/scoop necked so i'm back to taping the white clothe i faked the collar with earlier. but at least the sleeves are real this time lol.
-the alt wig i think is a better fit in the cut, but even though it looks fine on the place holder head, its feels all wrong on the luts head. Maybe it's the faceup i did, but i dunno i don't particularly like the practice head's faceup, but the new wig looks fine. colorwise, both the first wig and this wig are wrong, but at least this one is more blonde.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/862884453495996496/20210706_231029.jpg

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/862884439687430154/20210704_014130.jpg


-the actual NS elf diez that was part of my order is here, but after putting it on the SDF65 body, it feels too big/shoulder too small, so i'm having 2nd thoughts about this being link even though it was the head that started it all <_< previous pics of the elf diez on a body were of the WS elf diez head on the taller 68cm ringdoll body.
NS elf diez on the SDF65 body, but not dressed up as link. just place holder clothes for decency and acting as a accessory holder.

Spoiler

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/862884448190070864/20210702_162525.jpg

but in short, i'm just unsure of everything. >_>
I might just be shelving this for now....
thoughts? comments?

 

after a like 7m of doing nothing with the project , i finally figured out what was wrong after i'd finished up all my commissions. it was his face. lol
i redid the faceup a couple days ago. and omg i love him. loooove him.
btw these daiso lashes were perfect! very thin strands and not too too long! also found some fancy tianba eyes at a great price 2nd hand which were fun.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/942118333006872626/IMG_3360c.jpg

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/942118333459890226/IMG_3359c.jpg


though once his brows and eyes got so dark, i was worried it'd no longer feel like Link and that the wigs wouldn't match the face anymore.
however my fears were unfounded when i was able to try on the wig after the glue and the gloss had dried!
the lighter wig i'd rejected earlier now was perfect!!!!
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...42118438502039642/20220212122238_IMG_3366.JPG

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...42118468646498344/20220212122445_IMG_3369.JPG


i love him so much more than i did with the prev faceup and the straighter reddish wig
(comparison pic)

Spoiler

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/799347596069044306/942118475042799616/20220212_114247.jpg

I finally also was able to order a DFA65cm body matched to luts NS earlier this month during the LNY sale. it has the broader shoulders while not being too tall that i was looking for. so hopefully that'll be here in a couple months.

 

The DF-A body came in! I think I've finally settled on this body and look for him. He started out on the Luts ssdf 70cm, but 70cm is too big for me. Then I tried the Luts sdf65cm slim body, but the shoulders were too narrow. Then I tried the Ringdoll rgm4 68cm body, but i still preferred a smaller body and one that'd match Luts normal instead of the pale pink that RG normal is. And finally, the dfa 65cm body has the wider shoulders I wanted along with out being to tall and dfa color matched to Luts normal for free! So I'm pretty pleased.
Unfortunately, my combed cotton version of the tunic won't stretch over his shoulders, so I'm limited to the polyester stretch tunic. But I'm thankful that at least one of them fits.
Now I just need to take him and the horse outside and take some outdoor pics with a proper camera in the park!
https://i.imgur.com/hIM8jjp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XJ6fNo6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PuGxQOB.jpg

 

Thank you~ it was such a long process lol