Wearables Mogu mogu gotta sew! (sewing journal for motivation)

New Thank you all for the kind words

I've been planning a Utena cosplay for over a year. I've had the wig materials, some of the needed fabrics, I'd planned out how to make the outfits and shoot them... I simply had no motivation to get started, though

In the end I kicked myself to at least make the wigs recently - the pink one is a bit scrappy, but I already re-made it once so I wasn't going to go at it again. I had fun shaping the fringe on Anthy's wig, although I think this properly coming out had mostly to do with pure luck rather than my nonexistent skill with the curler.



I thought I'd make the proper outfits at first, but realised, looking at my few doll cosplay attempts, that I'd nearly never use those bits again. The outfits in RGU are exquisite, but also specific in how they're decorated etc and it'd be a shame to leave them in a box after taking photos - I think that has been my main reason for postponing this project constantly. I felt a bit more inspired to go for it from an easier angle - for Utena, I used a shirt I already had and quickly made the shorts and socks. The sword is uhhh cardboard and craft foil lol. A prince is a prince despite the garments!



As much as I love Anthy's red dress I thought I'd rather go for a look inspired by her night gown. It's a very modest and kind of old-fashioned in the anime series so uhhhh I did not do any of that I thought something sheer like this would reflect the character, as she is towards the end of the series a bit better, at least how it was in my imagination. The make of the dress was very easy - just an extremely oversized raglan shirt/dress, with elastic in specific spots + a ribbon tied around. I wish the material was a little less see-through but I went to several fabric stores in town and this was the best soft tulle I could get.





Even if I was a bit lazy in the end, I'm glad I could check this off my list now! RGU absolutely blew me over when I first watched it (the main character decides to be their own prince!!! uses the gendered terms and clothes *they* want to use!!! (big relatable feels) the soundtrack is absolutely metal??? the shadow play??? 10/10 no notes). I'm just happy I got to play dolls to it a bit

Here's the whole photoshoot if you wish to see~

 

New The red Utena socks were so inspiring I ended up making some for all sizes:


Then I just couldn't stop so... more socks


and while the black lycra is out, why not a bodycon dress? A long overdue garment given that the one I made Nuoyi last year ended up way too short



And then, you know, after lots of 2-4 seam stretchy items... why not do the opposite and make jeans again

I had already gotten the best bits out of that denim shirt so I had to scheme around a bit and undo some hems and the collar to get the right length pieces - but I actually really love the fun pieces I got that way! I could never come up with those folds, lines and patches otherwise!



I also cut out the chest pockets to make a bag



There is still *some* of that shirt left, but... not a lot. Maybe something for the minis...?

I'm not truly happy with the outcome (front pockets cut too deep, back pockets too small, yoke way too deep, waistband too wide) so I'll still need to perfect my jeans game. This is how it looks on Morrow, who I kind of intended the pants for:





but as always, it's Dott who gets those "intended" garments They look so cool on her! Definitely glad I didn't hem the legs for the length.





That's some Diesel type stuff right there.

I'm also always up for making my dolls useful so they can carry my stuff - a totebag! 3 functioning pockets!!! (in this economy?!)



(fun fact - did you know the J in BJD stands for Jeans?)


They are too cool! I love sewing (as long as it goes according to plan)!

 

New Thank you!

More bags! A patchwork tote! Using leftovers from the patchwork dress, I'm almost out of cuttings in those fabrics/colourways, which feels very satisfying. Unfortunately I somehow managed to melt some of the snaps... don't ask me how, it wasn't a successful endeavor in what I was trying to do







Looks like I can finally send my dolls to do my shopping for me!