Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Voting on the Designs: The Cos-Play Challenge

This week we are all about "inspired by Cos-Play" and we are so excited!  Remember to scroll down and look through all the contestants looks and then vote for your favorite....the details in each outfit are worth looking at....they are so well done.

Voting will begin at 6 am and end at 8 pm on Thursday evening just as we did last week.  The voting is one vote per computer/IP address.  Good luck designers!!!


Glitter + Wit: Marvin the Martian
marvin the martian by glitter+wit
The Story: For my Cosplay Craze outfit, I wanted to work off of a well-known character that had a lot of opportunity for creative interpretation. I ended up choosing good old Marvin the Martian. I love his pleated skirt. I was not so crazy about the Christmas red and green, so I decided to go with a slightly de-saturated color scheme. Of course, I couldn't keep it to just solids--I inserted a fun pink cloud print fabric to make things a little more interesting. marvin the martian outfit
The Sewing: I'll be honest--I don't actually remember much about this week's actual sewing. I got sick (still am sick) about 10% into the project and the rest is just a blur. I do know that those multiple black stitch lines were intentional--I thought they would lend to the cartoon-y look. Ha! I adapted the Tinny Dress pattern by StraightGrain to create a color-blocked crop top, finishing the edges with yellow-gold t-shirt yarn. I also used the yarn as a piping between the front bodice pieces. The skirt is a variation of the Blake Dress by Mingo & Grace. I used a darker shade of green to create a faux shadow to the pleats, and then stitched everything down (created an a-line skirt rather than a true pleated skirt). I used elastic in the waistband, but also added a drawstring, using eyelets instead of buttonholes. The socks are Abby's Trailblazing Socks by The Wolf and the Tree. The hat is my own pattern--the same pattern I used last week, in fact! I removed the ears, added a brim, and topped it off with a t-shirt yarn pompom. Done and done. Get all the pattern links and see more photos on my blog, here.
  marvin the martian cosplay

Sewing Mama RaeAnna: Tale as Old As Time
Project Run and Play Belle
 When I read what this week's theme would be I just about jumped out of my seat! My plan to sew outfits for Eva Mae during this competition to wear to Disney later this month fits in perfectly with the theme of Cosplay! I am all about creating inspired looks - but instead of costumes like traditional cosplay, these looks will be inspired and wearable to other events! As I envisioned which Princess to create for, I knew the answer would be Belle. She is my personal favorite Princess and I have so many memories connected with my childhood and her story. I'll blog more about it on my page, but today I want to show you how Belle would dress on a day out as a French Princess..... because there must be more than this provincial life - she must have adventure in the great wide somewhere! First, she would dress up in her flattering peplum top. (A favorite among many book loving women.) And of course, she is a princess so her trousers must be made of gold! To create this look, I modified the Violette Fields Thread pattern Violette to be a stand alone peplum top instead of a dress. The fabric is a beautiful textured specialty fabric from JoAnns. For the pants, I started with the Peek-a-Boo Skinny Jeans pattern but my fabric didn't have any stretch (I used gold lame fabric that was given to me by my great Aunt.) So, I cut the pieces a bit wider and on a bias grain to allow some stretch while wearing! I also gave it a faux fly and used the fabric from the top to create the waistband. I had the perfect button in my vintage stash for the closure to complete the look. I seriously want a pair of these pants for myself!

  Project Run and Play Belle
 And since Belle loves the ballet, in the evening, she swaps out her golden slacks for a full tutu! This was also modified from the Violette pattern. Instead of gathering the tulle and lining to the dress bodice, I created an elastic casing waistband for the top of the tutu so that she can wear these pieces as separates! Sewing the yards and yards of tulle was a definite labor of love! I didn't know you could run out of bobbin thread that fast! LOL! We had the best time on our photoshoot and I hope you'll head over to my blog to see the rest of the pictures! She also wore this outfit for the Daddy/Daughter dance and had her picture taken with Belle! Click here to see the rest of my French Princess and the sweet photo of her dancing with Belle!   Project Run and Play Belle


Sweeter Than Cupcakes: Rey in the Springtime
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..... Ok, not so long ago, and not so far away, we started on this cosplay adventure. My daughters have been indoctrinated into the Star Wars loving culture to the point where they cry out, "Star Wars" at each and every product sighting. Outfits based on their current craze were the natural path for our cosplay look. Transforming the drab, oatmeal colored attire of Rey from The Force Awakens to vibrant springtime colors was my primary intention. The pieces, combined with the accessories, provide a fun costume. With the goal of "cosplay inspired" in mind, I wanted the garments to stand alone as everyday clothing. The long scarves will be stylish additions to a tank top in springtime for both mommy and daughter. The top and pants can be worn together or separately. As far as the sewing details go, the top started as the Modkid Dakota pattern. I redrafted the bodice to have a dropped shoulder and cap sleeve to mimic Rey's top. The pants are heavily modified from a knickers pattern in a Japanese sewing book by slimming, swapping cuffs for elastic casings, and modifying the waistband and pockets. The extra-long gloves originated by tracing my daughter's arms.
Since little sister was clamoring for a Star Wars creation of her own, BB-8 was the obvious choice. For the fully reversible skirt, I used the Oliver + S Swingset Skirt pattern with dual drawstrings and bias binding. The applique side displays the BB-8 details while the reverse side downplays the costume. The raglan top is a very graded down version of the Hey June juniors raglan that is wrapping up in the testing process. For an extra feminine detail, I added sleeve gathers at the shoulders. This was certainly one of our more fun photo shoots, so be sure to come over to Sweeter Than Cupcakes for more photos and details. May the Force be with you!



Naeh--Connection:Ronia, The Robber's Daughter
Project Run and Play, Season 11, Week 2: Ronia, the Robber's Daughter inspired outfit sewn by Näh-Connection
 "Cosplay inspired"- when I read this, the first thing that I did was to google cosplay. There are cosplayers in Germany, too, but it's not a mass movement and I had to make sure that I was thinking in the right direction. It took me two weeks to decide which fictional character to choose as I wanted it to be kid-appropriate. I wonder why it took me so long, when the answer was right in front of me: My daughter is indeed named after a character from one of my favorite books and movies: Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (although in the german version it's Ronja). I know that Astrid Lindgren isn't as popular in the US as here in Europe, but I'm sure you know one of her characters: Pippi Longstocking. She has, however, written many other amazing books, most of which have been turned into movies, too. Ronia, the Robber's Daughter plays in a medival world with some fantasy-like creatures in it, too. Ronja and her parents live together with their band of robbers in a castle on a hill that is surrounded by a forest through which a beautiful and wild river runs. Ronja loves to explore the forest and the animals that live in it, she has a big heart and sometimes is so full of joy that she has to shout out loud. However, she also is very strong minded and stands up for those that she loves (seriously, she is the best character to name your daughter after). In preparation for this look, we have watched the movie with our daughter for the first time (we fast forwarded the parts that would still be too intense for her). She totally fell in love with it, is now super proud to be called Ronja, too, and was so happy to get an outfit that is inspired by "her" character. Project Run and Play, Season 11, Week 2: Ronia, the Robber's Daughter inspired outfit sewn by Näh-Connection
I went with a look that consists of many different pieces that together give the „Ronja Räubertochter“ feeling (please check out my Ronia, the robber's daughter pinterest board to see some photographs of the Ronia from the movie). I deviated a bit from the brown color scheme to make it more appropriate for my daughter. Also, once you leave off some of the accessoires and maybe wear some jeans instead of the leggings, the whole look isn't medieval anymore. The leggings for which I used some brown jersey from my stash are drafted from some other leggings and adjusted to fit my daughter well and to allow for the growth spurt that is about to happen soon. The beige tunic length sweater with cap sleeves is self-drafted and upcycled from an old sweater of mine. The cape is made from a gorgeous purple wool. It has a high-low hem and a big lined hood with a high front that works also as a shawl. The cape is self-drafted, too. I just cut a circle out of the wool and cut the neckline 15cm from the middle (to get the high low hem).  To make the look fully winter appropriate I decided to cut into an old coat (faux leather and shearling) of mine: The old hood was cut in more straight angles and sewed to become a pixie hat (self drafted). The hem of the coat turned into gloves and the sleeves were used to hide my daughter's very inappropriate winter boots. Last, but not least I cut a circle piece of leater, punched holes around the circumference and threaded a leather band through it. This became the perfect little leather bag for little treasure finds in the forest. The tunic is based on the Mara blouse by Compagnie M. Please head over to my blog for many, many more pictures - especially also of the beautiful surrounding and tower as well as more detail shots. (And once you have voted, make also sure to google "Ronia, the robber's daughter" to order a copy of the book for your kids. You and they will love it!)
Project Run and Play, Season 11, Week 2: Ronia, the Robber's Daughter inspired outfit sewn by Näh-Connection


Sew Like My Mom: Game of Thrones

Sew Like My Mom | Game of Thrones
Winter is coming. Well, really, Spring is coming, but the new season of Game of Thrones is coming and I CAN.NOT.WAIT. While I'm a true Jon Snow fangirl, I can't help but also totally love Daenerys. She's such an awesome character! In a show like this where men are definitely dominant, it's great to have a strong lead character that's not afraid of being a total badass. And Missandei has proved herself to be such an amazing friend to have at your side. I'd made a totally different Daenerys outfit 2 weeks ago, but after seeing the looks last week, I knew it wouldn't be enough. Sofia wasn't thrilled about having to take pictures again and asked for one of her siblings to join her. Need a sidekick? With dark, curly hair? No problem! Sofia is also completely dragon obsessed, falling deeply in love with Toothless several years ago, so she's the perfect kid to play the Mother of Dragons.
  Sew Like My Mom | Game of Thrones
 Their outfits are loosely based on the white and blue dresses Daenerys and Missandei wear in the Season 5 finale. I used this photo for inspiration. I didn't want to copy them exactly, but more honor them in lines and style. I kept the neckline from both looks, then took some creative license. I drafted the patterns for the dress and the romper myself, and I couldn't be happier! Chloe's Missandei dress is a stretch knit with a stretch lace overlay. I dyed the lace royal blue to compliment the darker blue found underneath. The straps cross over each other in the front and back and keep the general look of the original. I added a circle skirt to give her the same fullness on the bottom. For Sofia's Daenerys romper, I used a thick ponte knit with lace details for the sleeves. I again kept the neckline from the original design, but gave her a drop waist with pleats for volume. You can see more of both of their outfits in my blog post found HERE. Sew Like My Mom | Game of Thrones

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4 comments :

  1. OMG there are so many great ideas to be had from these fabulous entries this week! I don't know who I am going to vote for.... can I vote 5 times? This is what I love about Project Run and Play Challenges- the quality of the sewing and the amazing ideas.
    Deborah @ Sew Much to Give

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  2. Tulle Fabric: Thanks for sharing this valuable information with us.

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  3. I can't believe how close this vote was! These looks are all so amazing--I can't wait to see which one is the winner!

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