In which comic con happened

Erza Scarlet, from the anime Fairy Tail

Corvo Attano, protagonist of the game Dishonoured

Katniss Everdeen of the film/book The Hunger Games

Dr McNinja, of the webcomic The Adventures of Dr McNinja

I went to London MCM Comic Con one week ago. And after a radio silence on my blog because all my time has been spent building this look, I can share with you the finished outfit. These pictures could have been posted sooner but I decided to spend some effort for myself and my friends to show who is is we went dressed as and how are costumes were in comparison. I think the four of us were all brilliant, and I'm really proud of how good we look.

We did all the classic Comic Con things: demo'd the new Lego Hobbit game, met the author of Gunnerkrigg Court, watched a League of Legends tournament, and bought some comics. It's all good fun, but the heart of the event was just hanging out with friends all day and starting at strangers' clothes. Because dressing up is everything.

You can see I still have my pauldrons on here. People kept banging into them until they ripped off so I gave up on them later. I actually think it still works without them. I also yelled at a stranger for barging past me to get ahead in the queue to get in a doing that first bit of damage. Still feeling a little guilty that I may have ruined his day. On the other hand, he ruined months of work. And I can be pretty forthright about that kind of thing!

Even made the earrings to match as well.

 

 That's us meeting 2 other costumers at the train station on the way. They then very kindly fixed my wig for me. One of those strange things of them fixing my hair, sorting out my costume and chatting for some time before sticking our hands out and getting names and introductions.
And then just a little flavour of how other people were dressed at the event:

 

Have you been to a Comic Con? Were you at the one in London last weekend? I hope you think I make a good Erza. But now to decide what to go as for next year... And I just watched Maleficent last night so I'm full of ideas!

In which I am making Erza Scarlet

For the past 2 weeks I've been spending my spare time on a completely new creative endeavor. It's like the wedding prep time all over again! By which I mean part of my mind is constantly on the project and all my hobby time and artistic attention are devoted to it. I think about neat ways to make it better as I am falling asleep, and I am just so so excited.

I am making an Erza Scarlet cosplay outfit.

This is Erza:

She's a wizard from the anime Fairy Tail. A character who is motivated by loyalty and the desire to defend her friends. She doesn't take any nonsense, taking everything seriously whether that's saving the world, winning a race or getting a picnic exactly right. I recommend watching the show if you are looking for an anime to start.

So as you can see from the picture there is a whole lot of stuff to make there!

I've been working on the main chest piece for most of the time. There was a slow beginning and I had to do a lot of maths (ugh) and measurements to get it right for my chest. But now it's all cutting and gluing and fun stuff. I've just about done with the breast plate and am super excited for the painting stage. My problem is that I am just too impatient!

So what do I have so far?
1. Shoes. I'm actually going to use platform black canvas shoes with knee length black socks. This is because comicon is roasting hot and I don't want to bake my legs or buy shoes I won't wear agani .

2. Wig. I bought a specific Erza wig which has already arrived.

3. Pauldrons. Shoulder pieces are made! But need to be painted.

Making initial measurements.

Curve number 1 glued in place

Completed pauldron.

4. Breast plate. Almost all done except for the neck, and then painting.

It fastens with a zip!

Basic body shape before extras

 

Making a paper template for the neck piece

And now! A little bit of detailing, and putting those pauldrons on!

Pauldrons are attached with split pins so I'll be able to move my arms about. Always useful!

So what's left? 
Yeah so, quite a lot. That would be the sword, gauntlets and little winged elbows. Plus her diamond earrings. But I am confident it's going to get done! Comicon is 23rd May so I'm going to have to keep working hard.

In case you think that I am incredibly clever to have come up with how to make all this, I am not. Yes, I made it and did the measurements, but I am actually following a tutorial I found online!
I'd decided to go for Erza from that start but Google found me this amazing girl who had made it all before AND put up every single bit of instructions online.

I'm sure mine will turn out a little different, just through having different materials available but the girl below is basically what I am aiming for:

Image by SIMCAT on DeviantArt. The instructions written by the model are all available on her page on Inustructables.

Have you ever made armour like this? Got an tips?