Uhr Drache

Meet Uhr Drache (pronounced oouh dra'-kha), the McCormick clan's Drakkar class airship.

Allow me to acquaint you with her story...

Rose Cream Trellis Skirt

Ok, I've finally got some pics downloaded to show off the Rose Cream Trellis skirt. Miss H. had a Cinderella t-shirt, so I found this fabric to go with it, since I haven't made a blouse for her yet. The lace is vintage. I just put an elastic waist in.Here's a close-up of the rose fabric...Here's a not so great picture of Miss H, Master G, and Cinderella at Disney World...the point is to show the Cinderella shirt with the skirt...And, finally...Miss H. and Miss G. frolicking in the forest...Not bad for my first Lolita skirt, I'd say.

Toile The Night Before Christmas Dress

I named this lovely one piece "Toile The Night Before Christmas". It has a divine Christmas toile print with Santa Clause at the fireplace, kittens in Christmas hats, and holly. Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice.The sash is a seperate piece. There are 12 small bows lining the bottom ruffle, to represent the Twelve Days of Christmas. I'd like to find buttons, or charms representing the 12 Days to put in the center of each bow...the hunt continues.The collar and sleeves sport vintage lace, and the buttons are vintage mother of pearl.The hat is also a vintage rabbit fur I picked up at an antique store several years ago. It has pearls sewn in between the tufts. I added the red velvet bow.After these pictures were taken, I added a second ruffle to the bottom because the dress was a little short with the turbo poof petticoat Miss H. wears under it. I expect this to become an heirloom dress. I'm quite pleased with the end result.

Fruits Basket...Tohru Honda

Ok, my one anime costume per year rule is officially out the window. I've ended up making one for every Animecon we've gone to....which is 3 so far and 2 more on the horizon.
This time I made Tohru Honda from the manga Fruits Basket. She's wearing a basic Japanese winter school uniform...not to difficult, right. WRONG! The hardest thing about this costume was the lack of patterns! Think I could find a pleated skirt pattern? Nope. How about a sailor shirt pattern? Again, no. Of course, I could've bought most or all the pieces online, but I'm a cheapskate. The whole costume only cost $31.50. Walmart had the shoes($13), and navy socks($2). The skirt came from a yard sale($1). It was a size too small and too long, so I took off the waistband, shortened it up a bit and made a new waistband to fit. The skirt and shirt are just a shade different, but its hard to tell unless your in direct sunlight. The blue shirt is a bottomweight($6)for body, and the white part is an old sheet($0)I had. The only other expenses were the pattern($1 on sale), iron on interfacing($3), thread($1.50), and grosgrain ribbon for the trim and hair bows($4).

I used a Simplicity jacket pattern #2728 for the shirt. I had to modify the collar to make it a sailor collar, lengthen the sleeves and create a cuff, and modify the front to get the inverted v and make it one piece. I used the same sheet to make a bias tape for the trim on the bottom. The sailor collar is lined, and has double interfacing to make it stiff enough. The cuffs also have interfacing. I didn't line the shirt, but will if I make another one....or get the itch to go back and line this one. If you're entering a cosplay contest, it could detract a little from your score if it isn't lined.

So, here's the manga picture of Tohru...
And, here's the "real" Tohru...
And, here's the Fruits Basket crew at Animecon.

Suu costume

O.K...this isn't the Suu costume, its actually Amulet Clover. The anime this costume comes from is Shugo Chara. You can watch it here, this is the first episode... http://www.crunchyroll.com/media-509988/shugo-chara-1/
The girl's name is Amu, and her Chara is named Suu. A Chara is like a part of Amu's would be personality in a small person form. Suu is a domestic diva. She loves to clean, organize, and cook. The chara's have eggs that they sleep in and each has different characteristics. When Amu needs to transform into her supergirl form she gets help from Suu and becomes Amulet Clover. Her super power is using a whisk and saying Remake Honey...to restore everything that's been messed up.
I really like this one a lot...it took upwards of 40 hours to make, because there is a ton of interfacing and lining. Plus, it takes a few tries to get things to come out right.
I started with a Simplicity costume pattern #2827, using dress version B for the green broadcloth dress, and McCalls costume pattern #M4948, version B for the muslin apron. I modified the sleeves and bottom part to make it pouf. The bib on the apron was from the pattern, but the criss-cross straps and skirt didn't have a pattern. The bows are all fabric with a stiff interfacing. They're sewn and finished on both sides. The headband is fabric as well. This is the back, pictured also is Miss H's friend, Miss G in the Luchia costume from Mermaid Melody...This is Amu(with the pink hair), YaYa...behind Amu, and Miss H as Amulet Clover. You can see the Chara eggs on Amu's belt.I spray painted the shoes with a Krylon For Plastic paint...it cracked and peeled. This is my second attempt at painting shoes...I'm going to find paint formulated specifically for shoes next. The gloves are cotton and came from the beauty supply store. I added elastic and lace to the wrists. We had a short, semi-full petticoat to wear underneath to help keep the skirt puffy.