Relena Peacecraft
Gundam Wing
Queen version
I loved Gundam Wing when I was little and Relena's dress has been on my wishlist for quite a while now but I never really knew how to start this costume. I'm glad I finally took the challenge because I learned so much from making this cosplay. It's cost me blood, sweat and tears but it was so worth it.
Hoopskirt: I used a Simplicity pattern for this (http://www.naaipatronen.nl/simplicity-2621.html). It's very comfortable and not that hard for a beginner. I had it rest on my hips with an elastic band, even though it was supposed to be on my waist with this pattern but that would not work with the top I was making and the hoopskirt was kind of short. It has double plastic boning which gives my hoopskirt enough strength to keep my skirts up.
Skirts: I did not have a pattern for this so my aunt helped me with these. At least now I know how to make a skirt pattern from scratch. They are actually two separate skirts sewn together at the waist band. The little bows at the bottom were the most tiring. It took me some measuring and calculating to draw them out but my neighbour cut them out for me with an overlock which saved me a lot of time. I handsewed the lace and the decorations. The little leaves were cut from cotton fabric because they were too expensive to buy them ready-made in a store.
Top: this was the most fun part to do. I used an online tutorial on corset patterns to make one with my sizes. I tested it on cheap fabric at first and put it on my mannequin. I pinned away the excess fabric until I got a snug top. All I had to do was cut it to pieces afterwards and use it as a final pattern. The satin was slightly see-through so I added a layer of cotton fabric to the inside. The top has no boning so technically it's not a corsette but on the top side, it was comfortable and warm.
Shoulder wrap: I really hated this thing, even though it was the easiest to make but it constricted my movement a lot on the convention.
Ribbon: a wide red satin ribbon with golden bias binding. I used an online tutorial to make my butterfly knot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1wl3vxaC0w).
Gloves: I bought these at a local store for ony five euros (lucky me).
Wig: I bought the wig on ebay but I had no idea how to do royal hairstyles and it almost arrived too late. My neighbour, who is a hairdresser, was so kind to style it for me, the day before the convention.
Crown: two layers of crafting foam glued together with a layer of cardboard in between. It got two layers of golden acrylic paint before I spray painted it. Apprantely if you use spray paint directly on crafting foam you get this weird effect (or it eats away your foam).
Necklace: a golden chain bought in a local hobby shop. The pearls are made from fimo clay and were spray painted. I glued the pearls onto the chain to keep them in place.
Hoopskirt: I used a Simplicity pattern for this (http://www.naaipatronen.nl/simplicity-2621.html). It's very comfortable and not that hard for a beginner. I had it rest on my hips with an elastic band, even though it was supposed to be on my waist with this pattern but that would not work with the top I was making and the hoopskirt was kind of short. It has double plastic boning which gives my hoopskirt enough strength to keep my skirts up.
Skirts: I did not have a pattern for this so my aunt helped me with these. At least now I know how to make a skirt pattern from scratch. They are actually two separate skirts sewn together at the waist band. The little bows at the bottom were the most tiring. It took me some measuring and calculating to draw them out but my neighbour cut them out for me with an overlock which saved me a lot of time. I handsewed the lace and the decorations. The little leaves were cut from cotton fabric because they were too expensive to buy them ready-made in a store.
Top: this was the most fun part to do. I used an online tutorial on corset patterns to make one with my sizes. I tested it on cheap fabric at first and put it on my mannequin. I pinned away the excess fabric until I got a snug top. All I had to do was cut it to pieces afterwards and use it as a final pattern. The satin was slightly see-through so I added a layer of cotton fabric to the inside. The top has no boning so technically it's not a corsette but on the top side, it was comfortable and warm.
Shoulder wrap: I really hated this thing, even though it was the easiest to make but it constricted my movement a lot on the convention.
Ribbon: a wide red satin ribbon with golden bias binding. I used an online tutorial to make my butterfly knot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1wl3vxaC0w).
Gloves: I bought these at a local store for ony five euros (lucky me).
Wig: I bought the wig on ebay but I had no idea how to do royal hairstyles and it almost arrived too late. My neighbour, who is a hairdresser, was so kind to style it for me, the day before the convention.
Crown: two layers of crafting foam glued together with a layer of cardboard in between. It got two layers of golden acrylic paint before I spray painted it. Apprantely if you use spray paint directly on crafting foam you get this weird effect (or it eats away your foam).
Necklace: a golden chain bought in a local hobby shop. The pearls are made from fimo clay and were spray painted. I glued the pearls onto the chain to keep them in place.