In the beginning there was Christmas. "I want a Riku costume for Christmas," says the young man. That's a character from "Kingdom Hearts" for those of you who aren't video game geeks. Out comes measuring tape and assorted reference pictures. I find the right fabrics - bright yellow spandex, lovely black stretch twill, and glorious royal blue ripstop nylon - and wrap them up in a package.
Did I mention this costume was set to debut at Ohayocon in January? I attempted to make the top based on a similar commercial pattern. It was horrible. So I started with a doublet draft and sliced it up to make the black side pieces. As usual, the project escalated and ended with me sewing 36 hours straight to finish on time. 
The boy ran out the door carrying a pair of royal blue waders hot from the sewing machine.
I thought the costume would be in the annual costume contest but, alas, boy was working the con and could not compete. He vowed there were many pictures of him. I have yet to find even one.
Happy Ending! He appeared in the cosplay at the con in Pittsburgh this past weekend and won a Judge's Choice award. Again, pictures are promised.
It may be anime rather than strictly historical, but I have won my first prize. Prizes are happy. Cosplayers are welcome here, but I don't do props!
The New Stuff
Duct tape residue! The costume arrived from it's travels for refurbishing and finishing. Trim had come loose in a few places, the straps for the shirt needed to be added, the big blue waders needed to be changed so they would attach to the pants properly. NOT with duct tape.
The last 2 days have been devoted to removing duct tape residue from the pants and the waders. Goo Gone removes the residue, but getting the Goo Gone out is a trick. It takes lots and lots of dish soap followed by lots and lots of rinsing. And the Goo Gone did NOT come out of the stretch twill happily. It left a grease stain. But the waders cover the stain.
Looking at the first picture of the costume, the changes made were: adding straps across the chest, changing out the buttons so they all matched and adding a curved triangle to the top of each wader leg in the front and the back. There was much safety pinning to get the costume to the con. Snaps will be added later!
As usual, the boy was in a rush to get out the door, so no pictures got taken. I should be able to hold him still after he gets home from college in a couple weeks. While the reviews from Ohayocon were lukewarm, Colossalcon LOVED the Riku. Many people were suitably impressed with my mad sewing skills. Perhaps I should focus on anime cosplay a bit more.
Come back for pictures in a couple of weeks!
