Con Costume Part One - Steampunk Collar

[teddy_radiator]

Okay, a little back reference here. When I was trying to think of what kind of costume I could do for con, sempraseverus sent me this lovely dress suit in a deep green, with large gold buttons. While the skirt didn't fit, the jacket does (albeit tightly) and I started thinking about how I could use it. Sempra also sent me this great photo of my Ministry of Magic papers, citing me as working for the Ministry. The idea of the Ministry's Steampunk Librarian came to mind. I'm probably breaking every cosplay rule in the book, but I knew this was supposed to be my job at the Ministry. A leather tooled belt, a ring of skeleton keys and a fascinator tophat later, and a star was born - more or less.

While out on my thrift store rounds, I found a huge old green sofa cover in almost the same green as Sempra's suit, in the same type of fabric. I picked it apart, put it on droxy's Abuse Cycle wash, and ended up with enough fabric to make a long skirt, and if necessary, a ruffle could be made from the quilted skirting of the sofa cover. I've since found other fabrics which will do for the bustle and the apron, which have yet to be completed, and will have to wait until my dressmaker's dummy  - the Hubs - can get out of the bathroom long enough for me to try this on.

Along the way, looking at other Steampunk-y things, I ran across a high-necked victorian collar, and decided to make it. First hurdle - didn't have a clue how, and no one is sharing their patterns. Sempra once again sent me a blueprint, and many mistakes later, it is done. The lace was originally white, but I tea-dyed it to match the lace cuffs I'll be wearing. And yes, I hand sewed everything here, which is why it's a bit awry in some places!

The thing I like about it is that it is sort of a scrapbook of my life - many of the trinkets on here are personal. I added the clockparts and keys because I really like them and they are part of the steampunk aesthetic, but some things, like the Head of Minerva cameo, is an antique that fell apart years ago and hasn't been worn by anyone for the past 25 years, as well as various silver teapots (since stgulik nicknamed me the Tea Dominatrix) and collar and coat buttons from the Hubs' granmother's button box (some almost one hundred years old). On the shoulder you can barely see the old USSR symbol, which came with my Russian fur hat many years ago. Other buttons I found at my wonderful open-three-days-a-month fabric store (the back buttons), and there's even a button sample of the ones I'm using for the Hubs' Snape cosplay later this year.

So, without further ado:


This is the front with the Minerva Cameo. The ISSR badge is just seen on the top - you can see the gold leaves.


The back looks strange because, yes, I made it too small, and had to insert panels in. I also ran our of lace at the top, so hopefully my hair will cover up that gaff. I'm also pants at sewing buttons in line, so really, I thought they turned out okay, considering. The gold disk on the right, which looks oblong here and is actually round, is a Mardi Gras dubloon for Minerva, which I thought was fitting ;) A tribute to music and my love of hearts is back here as well.

Anyway, it's done, and will be no doubt bubble-wrapped for the journey. I suspect I need to bring a mini sewing kit to Con while I'm at it.



I named this part 1 because I hope to be able to do more pics as I go along. I'm no one's great seamstress, but I did have fun trying to put this all together.

Comments

[jenidralph.livejournal.com]

.... lol.... "sewer"

sorry

carry on

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

LOL I thought for a moment I'd written sewer as well!

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that you're not a sewer. Storm sewers are quite bad enough, what with people dumping motor oil and anti-freeze down them. And the other kind of sewer... well... ahem... it's better left unsaid....

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful, Teddy. Making your own pattern is very clever, and I think you did a great job (hand sewing and all). All the keys and buttons along with the other bits of jewelry and mementos will make you the best steampunk librarian the MoM has ever seen!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you, Beffey! That's so lovely to hear. I hope so!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful! Just like a busy, curio-collecting librarian would look. The way you worked the back looks deliberate, and nobody will suspect it is a hack. I love it.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babe. I'm hoping to put the rest of the skirt together when Trev gets better. But I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, even though trying to do my own pattern showed me that is not one of my strengths.

[jenidralph.livejournal.com]

I think it's gorgeous!

Also, the extra panel in the back adds to the effect, in my opinion.

You're gonna look great!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babe. Your icon RAWKS!

[jenidralph.livejournal.com]

Minerva would SOOOOO play a Les Paul... through a Marshall.... cranked to eleven.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

It looks wonderful, sweetie! I can't wait to see the whole outfit together. You're very clever with your hands. I could sew a button on, but the rest would have me giving up in a hissy fit.

(And yes, DO bring a little sewing kit. You never know.)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I will be sure to post pics, if the Hubs is ever well enough to help me with the skirt. I'm thinking a trip to the doctor is in order if he can't start keeping food in.

[jazercise.livejournal.com]

That is totally amazing!!!! I, for one know that I couldn't make something like this ever! Also, I have a random pair of heels that would sorta work with this. I'm sure you have shoes. lol. But it almost spot on. Only they have a fur trim. They always did scream steampunk to though.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

To be honest, the shoes are my biggest problem. I have a very old pair of steampunk lace-up boots, but they are just too small - I bought them over 20 years ago! Needless to say, my feet have changed since. I wear a 9 or 9-1/2, so if your heels are that size, would you consider loaning them to me?

[jazercise.livejournal.com]

Totally! I'm a size 11 and my foot is sorta wide. These shoes are a size 10. They dont fit, what so ever. If you're a 9 1/2 I think they should fit. They seem to run small to my sasquatch feet. I will post of picture of them. The intricacies of LJ are still alluding me and idk how to post a picture in a money or if you even can.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, they might just fit the bill perfectly! Tell you what - why don't you email me the pics? I'll PM you my address. Thank you!!

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

i think that is utterly amazing and you should be quite proud. you of course see all the flaws, but the rest of us just see the awesome. and admire your ingenuity. i love all the buttons and things, and i agree that the panel in the back does not necessarily look like a mistake and just seems like it's a design detail - along with the lack of lace. just pretend you meant to do it that way all along and no one will be any the wiser, unless of course they read this entry, lol.

and i definitely think it's wise to bring a mini sewing kit. and i can't wait to see pics of you in the outfit. you mustn't be shy about posting them. (i mean from con, not before that.)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I am thrilled it looks good to other people. I put so much of myself into it, and I was starting to think, "What if you've spent literally days on this and it's too naff for words?"

I think I will take a sewing kit - always be prepared. And I promise photos will be taken, if only to prove that I got my dance with Professor Snape! (Are you reading, Droxy?)

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Gawd, YES!!!! You MUST have a pic taken dancing with professor Snape! You hear me now? MUST!!! Squeeee!

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

I actually prefer the back view. I hope you have fun there, you've been needing a break for a while.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I actually to like the back a lot as well. It's sort of reversible in a way.

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

*applauds wildly* You know, I actually like the aesthetic you've achieved with the inset panel bordered with buttons. There's something that says "practical and slightly penurious librarian doesn't waste time adorning what's going to be under her hair, but she's sure as hell going to make a border for her long braid hanging down"!

It's lovely, it really is.

And how opportune, to be able to use the hubs as a dressmaker's dummy!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

practical and slightly penurious librarian

LOL That fits me to a T!! Thank you, though - I feel pretty good about it now - it doesn't seem as much about covering up a mistake as it is about making it work.

[ex-logospil.livejournal.com]

That looks amazing, most beloved! And the missing bit of lace in the back looks like it was done on purpose to me... I like the way it looks :-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I've put way too much thought into it, and I was terrified people would think it was hideous - thankfully, my friends have been very encouraging.

Please continue to take care of yourself - It is my hope that you will be nice and rested up for MISTI-con!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it! I would have never done it but for your sketch. It gave me the courage to do it (you've done that a lot for me through the years, haven't you? Talk about motivational)

I'm still feeling punk from this stomach bug, but I've got two more days to sit around and get well before work calls again, so I'm gonna let the Muse have his way with me and do anything creative..