Author Topic: Magus costume for Sakuracon  (Read 1363 times)

Zephira

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Magus costume for Sakuracon
« on: June 09, 2011, 03:43:38 pm »
For next year's Sakuracon, I am attempting to make a Magus costume. I'm starting a year ahead of time (and I already bought some of the materials days after the last convention ended), so that I can give it the love and attention to detail it deserves. I've purchased leather to make the breastplate, codpiece, and possibly gloves, and some wool and velvet to make the cape.

I'm already working on the cape. I'm about halfway done with it, but I need the expert advice that can only be found here! For this project, I have to sew the wool to the velvet with the right sides together, then turn it inside out so nobody sees those ugly seams. Problem is, a part of it will have to be left open so I can actually turn it, then be sewn by hand. The wool and velvet are rather thick, so I will need a large-ish gap to pull everything through.
The options are a spot in front that will be covered up, but I'm afraid it will be too small for turning and the seam might break. I could also do a larger gap in the bottom hem, but this will leave a large, visible seam. It's possible to hide that seam with gold coloured satin blanket binding or trim, but the question is, is that Magus-y/Zealian enough?
After this part of the cape is turned and hemmed, I will make a mini capelet with tassels and a hood to wear on top for the Prophet part.
Once that is done, I should have enough of the blue wool left to make the cummerbund.

The next items on the list are the breastplate and codpiece. I've never worked with leather before, but I've done plenty of research. It will all have to be hand sewn.
The pants will be simple enough, just a poly-rayon blend linen-look fabric. I have yet to decide whether to go with a light lavender or a darker maroon.
For the amulet, I have a friend who works with metal. She has already agreed to help me make it.
The boots will take a while longer to find, as I'm no cordwainer. New Age or renaissance themed stores are bound to have something suitable. The metal bits on the shoes and pants leg can also be provided by my blacksmith friend - or, if that proves too impractical/painful, some sort of laminated aluminum. Gloves, if I can't make them out of the leather I have, will be obtained the same way.
The scythe will also be outsourced (I don't have a large enough lathe, nor sufficient woodworking skills). I already have a commission and payment plan set up with a propmaker to craft and mail it.
The red contact lenses and elf ears are a little on the expensive side, but easily obtainable.
The hair will be one of the harder parts, when it comes to the widow's peak. I can easily dye my hair, but I don't know if hairspray can work its magic this time. Research on wigs or hair styling will come later.
There will be other additions like a leather belt pouch or glass bottle (kind of like CuteLucca's fanart) for extra detail, if I have time.
Edit: And I just realized I forgot the earrings. There is a vendor at the local farmer's market who can make earrings out of crocodile fangs. I think those would be a good addition, rather than the generic triangles.

The whole ensemble is estimated to be upwards of $600 or $700.

This post will be updated with progress photos and other little tidbits that I may have forgotten. Any advice or critique is welcomed, as I wish to make this perfect. For the glory of the Fiendlord!

Current progress on the cape: http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c183/ZephyrAnalea/CT/capeInsideOut.jpg?t=1307643814
« Last Edit: June 09, 2011, 03:48:14 pm by Zephira »

FaustWolf

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2011, 08:56:00 pm »
Zephira, long time no see! I wish I could offer advice, but all I can say is that I see potential for a Frog and Magus sitcom skit in this.

Zephira

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2011, 11:43:21 pm »
Hi Faust! I got kind of caught up in lifethings, but I'm back! I think. I'll certainly try to keep up this time.
There is a Robo who manages to make Sakuracon for a day every year, but I haven't actually seen him yet. I'll have to hunt him down next time. If Frog can't join us, I'm sure video editing can work its magic!

Lord J Esq

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2011, 09:16:42 am »
Holy moly! This is the kind of serious attention to detail and love of craft that can only come from fear of the Fiendlord hearing that one of his admirers had hatched a second-rate costume. Your is definitely going to be top-notch work, fit for unholy schemes of the most abominable magnitude! =D

I am definitely not the person to answer your question, but it seems as though the smaller hole up front is the better option. You could try making such a hole out of spare material and trying to pull a cape-comparable amount of material through it, though I don't know if that would be a meaningful trial of the real thing.
« Last Edit: June 10, 2011, 09:18:28 am by Lord J Esq »

Zephira

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2011, 10:29:49 pm »
I got a kind of dark gold fabric to make the trims. It has a nice, coarse texture to it. I'll use gold metallic thread to put a decorative embroidery stitch on the trims as well. I found some tassels that I'd like to put in, the only question there is figuring out how many to add, and at what intervals. It looks like they're attached to the Prophet's cloak by some sort of button. I could either do upholstery-covered buttons - which are often used in decorative pillows or fancy couches and chairs - or brass coin buttons. The brass ones would add a nice bit of shine and flair.
Currently working on reinforcing seams and attaching the hook and eye closures. The neck and shoulder seams need to be gone over a few more times so they can stand up to all the weight they'll be bearing. This could take a few days, as this part all has to be done by hand. The bottom hem is ten feet long, and there's a cumulative twelve feet of seams in other areas that have to be reinforced.
I will put twill tape beneath the trim on the bottom hem for another layer of protection, and to prevent the heavier trim fabric from pulling the seam apart.
I'll get a progress photo after the hook and eye closures are attached, so I can actually wear it.

The fabric feels amazing, by the way. I got lucky and found the perfect match. Unfortunately, it's currently teeming with cat hair.. although, knowing Magus, that's probably required.

I fear not the ire of the Fiendlord, for as his High Priestess, I seek only to please him. No shoddy work shall pass these hands, only perfection will be presented! All is made possible within the Dream of Zeal!


On a more unfortunate note, I forgot the name of the website that sold the elf ears. I found it a year or two ago, so it's possible it's down now. I can't seem to find anything suitable on a quick search of the internet. Those will have to be put on hold for now.

Miniupdate: Apparently sewing all night and game testing all week nearly injured my shoulder (I tend to have problems with overusing that after an unfortunate job at Safeway), so I had to take a break for a few days. Got one of the seams reinforced, still have about seven feet of seams left to go. I went to my friend's house and had a duct tape party, so now I have a rough pattern for the breastplate. It still needs to be polished and transferred to paper, but I can begin cutting that in a couple weeks.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2011, 01:32:48 pm by Zephira »

ChaosWolf

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2011, 04:27:09 am »
As a long long time fan of His Royal Darkness, I look forward to this immensely.

Prince Janus

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2011, 09:45:43 pm »
Zephira, you know I'll want to see the completed product. What? A girl as Magus? You mean Magus was a dude!?

Schala Zeal

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2011, 10:44:25 pm »
I've seen some female Magus fan art

ChaosWolf

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2011, 10:41:12 pm »
Zephira, you know I'll want to see the completed product. What? A girl as Magus? You mean Magus was a dude!?

And here we thought Flea was the only gender-mindfuck character in the series...

rushingwind

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Re: Magus costume for Sakuracon
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2011, 01:08:27 am »
Woo! I can't wait to see the finished product! :)