Bioshock Infinite [Cosplay]: The Race is On!

It's there, looming: SLC Comic Con 2015.

I have exactly six two months to work out, work on, and complete two separate outfits for the boyfriend and myself. The costumes and characters are both from Bioshock Infinite -- 2K Games' mindf*ck of a story -- Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth Comstock.

While I have been working consistently on these outfits, it still feels as though I'll never get them finished. I've already put in 30+ hours on my costume alone, and the boyfriend ... all he's gotten is a muslin cutout and some pants fabric. The gun, skyhook, and other props are all up to him to finish.

The three patterns I picked for our costumes are all McCall's brand, and each one cost 18.95 retail price. I'm cheap, so I only buy my patterns on sale, and grabbed each of these during a "5 for $7" at JoAnn's. (Hancock's has similar sales, but I find that they're usually during holidays.)

The first pattern (M6770) I'm only using for the pantaloons. It's a detail that nobody's going to see, but I love the idea of wearing them. The lace detailing on the pattern's picture was too cute to pass up, so mine also has lace trim, unfortunately though, it isn't scalloped. It might be a decision that I come to regret in the middle of September, standing around outside, but hey, worst-comes-to-worst,  I can always just take them off, and the aesthetic won't be ruined.

The second pattern (M6911) I'm using practically everything, save for the overskirt. (Hat pattern is not included.) It's one of those rare patterns where I have to change very little in order to get the costume I desire.

For the corset, I went with white silk (which was given to me very generously by a friend) and sewed on black ribbon, lace, and white buttons. The skirt and jacket are both to be made out of royal blue velvet (14.99 per yard) that has a slight stretch to it, and I cannot tell you how beautifully it catches in the sun.
The velvet was found at Hancock Fabric and I've included a link of it here.

Finally, the last pattern (M7003) is for the boyfriend's character, Booker DeWitt. I'm using everything in this pattern except the coat (not pictured) and the shirt (not included) -- (intense, good looking model also not included.)

This will be my first attempt at making menswear, so I'll have to make a follow-up post and let you know how it goes. Though, to be honest, I think the thing I'm looking the most forward to is not having to line the pants. I hate lining things! Does anybody else out there hate this too?

As always, if you have any tips, comments, or suggestions, feel free to let me know! I like hearing things that will help me out in the long run. Also, if you know of any good places (online or otherwise) where you can get patterns on sale of for a good price, please let me know! I'm finding it harder and harder to sit an wait for sales on certain things.

I know the bulk of this was pretty uninteresting, but I hope you (somewhat) enjoyed reading. I'll include a picture of my finished corset here at the bottom, and I apologize for the picture overload!

Until next time!

Booker Dewitt and Elizabeth Comstock image: Google 
McCall's Pattern images: mccall.com
Corset images: Me 

Kimonos, Japanese Fabric, and Cosplay

Well, here we are. After a long, long absence, I've decided to try my hand at blogging again. In this particular post, which will probably be on-going, I'll be breaking down the complexities of traditional Japanese clothing and trying to modify it to fit my cosplaying/costuming needs.

I'm currently in the process of making a kimono from a Simplicity costume pattern (see link below) for my final project in Beginning Sewing. While it's not really geared toward beginners, I still felt compelled to give the pattern a shot, seeing as a good portion of my future cosplay plans all have a distinct Japanese flare to them.

From a costuming perspective, the pattern is pretty manageable--despite the instructions being rather unclear at times. There are shortcuts like snaps and pins, mostly where the obi is concerned, and it gives you the option of making a short-sleeved kimono, or a furisode, a long-sleeved kimono. Sounds pretty doable, right?

So how does one go about making a costume look as authentic as possible? I'd have to say: research. And boy, is there a lot to go through. From seasonal colors to seasonal patterns, all the way to age appropriate garments, there are a lot of rules to kimono wearing.

To be quite honest, I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of information I've had to compile in order to even remotely understand the kimono and its history. I'm sure the best way to collect any sort of information is to place yourself at its source, but seeing as I'm not able to actually live in Japan, let alone visit at this time, I'll have to make due.

My first go-to sources are always my books. The Book of Kimono: The Complete Guide to Style and Wear  has to be one of the better second-hand finds I've ever purchased. Another would be Kimono: Fashioning Culture which is written by Liza Dalby, author of Geisha.

Both books cover the different types of kimono, the accessories, a brief history, and lots of wonderful pictures. Norio Yamanaka's Book of Kimono even has two chapters (one for women, the other for men and children) on how to properly layer and wear a kimono.

The second, and most obvious source that I use, would have to be the internet. The Kimono Lady is one of the best reference blogs out there, and while she's said 'adieu' to this particular blog, the material is still too good to pass up. Another great blog is wafuku.wordpress.com, but the last updated post was back in February 2013. (Not that I'm anyone to judge.)

So now that I have all of this reference material (and this is a very condensed amount of actual materials I have on-hand), how do I go about applying it? 'To the best of your abilities' is my answer. I'm constantly having to remind myself that I'm going for a costume piece, and not an authentic, true-to-wear kimono. However, that being said, I don't want to purchase the wrong kind of fabric, or have my outfit looking cheap either. And this is where the fun begins!

Fabric buying is the highlight of my sewing journey. It can be challenging to find exactly what you're looking for, but once you do, it makes the whole experience that much more rewarding. Some of my favorite websites specifically for Japanese fabrics are Etsy, Ichiroya, and Fabric Tales. I've also had some luck at JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby, but their selections vary and Japanese prints are very difficult to come by.

Just as I said above, there are a lot of rules to wearing kimono, and there are a lot of rules concerning the different fabrics too. However, in this particular instance, I feel comfortable enough to bend them with a costume piece.

The fabric on the right (purchased at JoAnn's) is 100% cotton. Normally, patterned cotton/cotton-polyester blends are generally used for yukata, but with such a rich pattern, I've decided to go ahead and make a furisode with it.

The obi, which traditionally pulls a brighter color from the pattern on the robe, will probably need some tweaking too. I've found some really great obi fabrics on Etsy, but nothing seems to come in solid pieces -- guess I'll be fudging the all-important belt (and fighting my perfectionism the whole time in the process).

More pictures, thoughts, and updated information will be coming (relatively) soon. If you have any suggestions, questions, or related material please comment below or send me a message.

As always, enjoy and wish me luck! ありがとう!

Simplicity Kimono Pattern: http://www.joann.com/simplicity-pattern-4080hh-misses-costumes-sz-6-12/11102019.html#q=simplicity+kimono&start=1
Gate 7 image via minitokyo.net 
The Book of Kimono image via antiqbook.com 
Fabric image via me, myself, and I 

Update: This post was originally intended for publication back in the Spring of 2014. I've now completed my Intermediate Sewing class, and just finished my Advanced Sewing project on March 15th. Next up is a Dress/Corset Making course, which will help out with my current cosplaying endeavor -- which I'm hoping to share with everyone soon.

An Obligatory "Journey" Post

Journey. For those of you who have played the game, I really needn't say much else except "omg". For others, let me just tell you this: never before have I been so completely and utterly absorbed/obsessed with a game. From its sweeping visuals, to its emotionally gripping gameplay, Journey is by far one of the best games out on the market. On a scale of 1 to Awesome, it's Awesome x10, making it a MUST BUY for anyone who thinks they're serious about games. 

I can't think of a single game that has kept me coming back again and again, or has given me, the player, such an incredible game experience. As my sister's boyfriend put it so eloquently: "You've managed to turn a 2 hour game into a 40 hour game." And it's true. I have.

However, in order to understand this statement in its entirety, you have to realize that I've taken this a bit further than just gameplay, and it's taken the form of ... Cosplay. (My one true love.)

As any self-respecting, self-proclaimed nerd, I've undertaken this massive project so that I may enjoy Journey outside of its game form. And luckily, I've managed to wrangle in a couple of friends to join me! Below are the different levels of embroidery work for the different cloaks I'm going to create. And when I say "embroider", I mean embroider.

 

 

As a detail whore, I really want the effect hand embroidering will give the different costumes. And while I realize that this is suicide-inducing, I've already gotten started on one of the scarves. (Yay, progress!) I found the pattern off of Tumblr (Journey Scarf Pattern) and bought the supplies from JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts. I'll also include a list of the different materials and their prices, as best as I can remember, and I'll also include the hours I've spent making it.

For those of you who don't want to embroider, or sew, or knit a scarf, here's a lovely little thread provided by thatgamecompany for other Journey crafts. Enjoy!
 

(Note: This list does not include future materials. This is what I have on hand right now.)

Materials:

17" Plastic No-Slip Hoop (1) . . . $ 19.99

Dritz® Chenille Hand Needles-Size 18/22 6/Pkg (1) . . . $ 2.49

Fiskars Quality Forged 4'' Embroidery Scissors (1) . . . $ 10.99

Embroidery Stitching Tool Needle Threader (1) . . . $ 4.99

Iron On Transfer Pencil (1) . . . $ 4.99

DMC Pearl Cotton-Balls sz 8 95 yds 498 Dk. Red (1) . . . $ 2.99

DMC Metallic Embroidery Thread Silver (1) . . . $ 3.49

Sew Classic Linen-Linen Look Solids, Honey (2yds) . . . $ 9.99 per yard

 

Hours:

(this includes cutting, sewing, stitching, and pattern making)

13 hours [and counting]

 

 

 

Journey image via gamingirresponsibly.com

Journey Cloak Embroidery Pattern via viczar-skiekatsu.deviantart.com

Journey Scarf via me! Wish me luck!

New Year, New Blog, New Post

A Word of Warning:

Here at Obsessive Nerd you won't find be finding anything fancy. I won't be sharing gems of wisdom, or glorious insights into my perception on life. I am merely creating a space for myself where I can talk/post/write/dream about my obsessions, and all of the little things that follow.

That being said, I am probably extremely boring to listen to and/or read. I tend to rave, go on tangents, or otherwise explain, in exact detail, my current topic of interest for any length of time.(Sometimes days, usually weeks.)

If you have little to no fascination with the following subjects: history, literature, travel, cosplay, video games, or art, you should probably stop reading now. If you do like these things, and are thinking that you've found someone who understands you, bear in mind that I tend to take things that people love, and beat them into the ground. :)

That being said, let me properly introduce you into one of my many obsessions ...

While doing research on one of my favorite historical figures (Oda Nobunaga) this evening, I came across this amazing discovery: Azuchi Momoyama Theme Park, also known as Edo Wonderland.

Standing watch over the city of Ise, this replica of Azuchi Castle, Nobunaga's opulent six-tiered fortress on the shores of Lake Biwa, is the center of a sprawling castle town. The best part? It's a theme park centered around life in 16th century Japan!

Upon entering the main gate, specially trained staff walk the park in period costume to help transport you back in time. As a visitor, you can also rent a costume to enhance your enjoyment and overall experience.

The re-created town is complete with a shrine, temple, old houses, and a theatre where you can enjoy Geisha performances or see an Edo court case.

There's also a Ninja Museum, a Ninja maze, and a Ninja house of tricks where you can test your skill at throwing shuriken (ninja stars) and win prizes. From a special gate, you can ride a bus shaped like a kago, an old-style palanquin, to take you up to the Azuchi Castle replica, where inside a museum is dedicated to Oda Nobunaga. The top floor, like that of the original, is made of pure gold and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and scenic coastlines of Ise Bay.

While it's not the original castle (as the initial fortress was burnt to the ground in 1582), Azuchi Momoyama Theme Park offers a glimpse inside of what the real castle could look like, minus the splashes of red woodwork, and blue rooftop.

As a lover of Japanese history, this is practically a paradise for a nerd like me! Tea ceremonies, samurai processions, old timey souvenier shops ... I can barely contain my excitement! I definitely will be making a stop on my Japanese Castle Tour this year.



Lucky Lucky New Year's Noodles

"We are noodle folk, broth runs through our veins."
-- Mr. Ping, Kung Fu Panda.

In China, noodles are considered to be a symbol of long life, and eating them on special occasions, supposedly, brings you good luck.

To the Chinese, food is life, health and a pastime that is best shared with others. So, to welcome home my best friend, Olivia, (and to honor my very favorite character from Hetalia), I thought it'd be a fun idea to whip out my wok, and cook us up some longevity to help reign in the new year.

I should add, that red, the traditional color associated with good luck, is also included in the meal. Usually it makes its appearance by adding red meat or cabbage to the dish, but my particular recipe called for neither. (My attention for details is such a hindrance, I swear.) Rather than dismissing this subtley, however, we merely improvised. Substituting the red meat with radishes, and serving it up on red plates, our dinner looked almost professional. Now to just sit down, and eat it.

There's a snag, though.

There are special ways to cook, eat, and keep your lucky noodle from breaking, (which is considered to be a bad omen). You can't just blaze in there, chopsticks drawn! Heavens, no. Each noodle has to remain completely intact and wholesome. Which -- in my case -- was apparently easier said, than done. Aiyah.  

So, perhaps I won't get everything I hope for in 2011, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. Broken noodles be damned.

ni chi le ma? (Have you eaten yet?)

{Noodle Photo via WeHeartIt}

Cooking With Chopin

(Right, well, before I get started with all this blogging business, I would love nothing more than to give a shout-out and a huge "Arigatou Gozaimasu" to my dear friend, Ashley, for putting up with my crazy schemes and ridiculously time-consuming blog layout. =D You continually amaze me, friend. Je t'aime.)

Now then, to start, I would like to begin with this factual statement: I hate, nay, detest, nay, loath winter.
There are few things in this world that I dislike more, (but we'll save those for a later date).

The few joys I do find in this grim, bleak season is the food, and the clothing. (Tailored long-sleeved shirts and pea-coats are always fashionable, and dare I say, sexy? And the food, well, how can you go wrong with cup o' noodles, and a tall glass of hot chocolat?)

On this particularly cold evening, "Chicken and Potato Dumpling Soup", was on the brain. And who better to cook it with than old, musical friends of mine: Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms.

Their wisdom is invaluable.

Chopin: Spice it up with some violin.
Beethoven: Let it simmer with just a touch of "Fur Elise".
Brahms: ... needs salt.

Ah, how would I cook without you, my friends? Truly, you are wondrous in what you do best: entertaining me whilst I parade around the kitchen, as I pretend to know what I'm doing. My thanks.

(Image via WeHeartIt)