When Fabric Mart asked me what fabric I wanted for my first project I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to make, Nene Yashiro from Toilet Bound Hanako kun (a weird but cute anime) but as cute as the design was, I knew I'd need to adjust the colors to a slightly warmer tones to better suit my complexion and undertones.
For the main dress I was so happy to find an off white cotton/Lycra stretch twill that was opaque enough to not need a lining and stretched enough that I could continue avoiding my nemesis; zippers.
I wanted to try out having a seamless center front panel, so I modified one of my existing go-to bodice patterns, and after figuring out what length I wanted for the skirt, was able to have the center front panel incorporated into the center front panel of the skirt. I then had the rest of the bodice as their normal waist length so that I could add an additional panel to the skirt to be able to have enough width to have volume and gather it down evenly around my waist.
The hem has a fun detail of scallops, to accomplish this I had cut my skirt length with an additional 3-4 inches, pinned the excess length to the right side of the fabric, and traced a bowl to get an even scalloped shape. Once it was traced out, I sewed over that line with a simple straight stitch, then with pinking shears trimmed close the the line and flipped each scallop right side out, pressing it smooth, and essentially making a facing in the process! Once the facing was flipped to the back, I did a herring bone stitch by hand so there would be no visible top stitching to finish off the hem.
The original taupe-brown color of the collar and accents is unfortunately not very flattering color on me so I was so happy to find the perfect light mahogany cotton shirting. The collar (as well as the sleeves) was a self drafted pattern specifically for this cosplay and has two sneaky secret pockets to hold my lipstick, that I honestly forgot I included since I had also made larger, more functional pockets on the skirt of the dress using a welted pocket technique that has them been covered by a cover for the pocket to match the ones shown in the characters design. Once the collar was sewn, I hand sewed the neckline of the collar to the neckline of the dress with a quick whip stitch so they wouldn't shift while wearing, and so I couldn't lose the collar as that was my greatest concern.
To finish off the smaller details, I used more of the dress fabric to make fabric buttons on the collar, as well as a cute bow at the center of the collar, and that finished off my Nene Yashiro cosplay! I can't wait to wear this to more events, especially as a comfy and casual cosplay, I know it'll be something I reach for often!
MINA | @cosplaytology
It's very cute and well-crafted! I'm a suckered for a sailor dress. Thanks for the details about creating the scalloped hem.
ReplyDeleteThis is so dang cute!!! I love your cosplays!
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with that anime. I think you look adorable. Thanks for the info on making a scallop hem. Enjoy your cosplay.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding job! Your scalloped hem is beautifully done, and the self facing was an excellent solution for both finishing and adding body to the skirt hem. If you ever come across an eggplant color knit, I'd love it for the tights. In the meanwhile, your costume is adorble and I hope you enjoy your cosplay moments.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love how this cosplay came together.!!!! The large scalloped hem, and pink accents really bring it to life.!! Congrats on your exquisite recreation.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your saying with which you start each show. It reminds me of one that started every day when I was in graduate school. I wish I remember the two announcer’s names, but alas it was a long time ago, in Lincoln, Nebraska and I am in my seventies now. But back then the alarm would go off, and they would say Good Morning, chat a little, and say “you know, it’s nice to be important, but it’s much more important to be nice.” That has been with me my whole life, reassuring me or or inducing me to think again. This was an important lesson.
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