Mana's Skirt! (Dix version)

[thephotographer]

Hi guys

I'm midway through this cosplay (http://www.visunavi.com/artist/img/photo_b/MoidisMois2.jpg) right now. I can do the shirt(s) just fine, but I have no idea how to do the skirt!

It's definitely mostly black with buttons in the front, but I have no idea where those bluish bits come in. I was thinking it's just a black skirt with a sheer overlay and blue slit-thingies in the bottom layer. Can anyone help? It would be much appreciated!

Edit: This picture is bigger, but darker. If you want to see: http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f365/asakura_daisuke/mana/mana_o9dsvgds.jpg

[rachelle]

that's a skirt from his clothing line, moi meme moitie, i'm pretty sure.
skirt! (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EGL-77858BK2)


and i think the piece with the buttons that's draping down in the front might be part of his shirt? that's how i'm seeing it, anyway.

[rachelle]

ok. i got it.
his shirt is made of lace. which you can see through.
but he has another shirt on under it, that's solid black.
and that shirt is long and hanging down. with slits on the sides.
then the corset.
and the skirt under the whole thing.

problem solved, haha.

[thephotographer]

:D Thanks. I remember seeing that skirt before, but I couldn't for the life of me remember where! But since I can't afford it I'm probably going to have to make it myself... this is going to be hard. Thanks for your help!

(In case anyone was wondering, I have a plain black tank top that makes a perfect undershirt, and I'm about 60% done with the overshirt. I haven't started on the corset, though. How interesting that it has four rows of lace-holes instead of two!)

So now that I've gotten that sorted out... anyone know how to make a skirt like the one in the link?

[rachelle]

yep.
if you can use patterns, try to get a pattern that's similar to the shape of the skirt. which is relatively bell-like. check in the "halloween&period costumes" section of the pattern books. they always have a good one in there. the skirt will probably have 4 blue pieces that need to be sewn together. (plus the waistband and such, which don't matter a whole lot, really.)

so, in order to make the tulle overskirt... just cut 8 panels and sew them all together. then go back, either by hand, or with the machine, and baste the top perimeter of the entire tulle "skirt". (use a weird color of thread, so it stands out better. it makes it easier to find.) then tug at the string you used to baste it, and it will gather. pull at it and move it around until it's evenly bunch-y. fluffy, if you will. it's important to get it even, so it will look right.

then! take the blue skirt, and the tulle overskirt, and pin them together at the top edge. (make sure they match properly in size. once again, pull it and tug at it until they match correctly and look even.)

then you can go back and sew them together. from this point on, treat the skirts that are sewn together like you would if it was just the one blue skirt. and follow the pattern until it's done.

the corset is a separate part from the skirt. at least, if i was making this costume, that's how i'd make it.

[thephotographer]

Yeah, I agree the corset is a separate pattern. Luckily enough, I think I have a basic large skirt pattern that I can tweak a teensy bit. Thanks for your help! You give very clear instructions.

[rachelle]

ahhh, you're at the level where you can mess with patterns. that's good. i had no idea if you knew how to sew or not, so sorry if i sounded like i was treating you like you were stupid.... lol.

ever since i wrote that epic post, i've been thinking about making this costume as well... i just might.

[thephotographer]

ahhh, you're at the level where you can mess with patterns. that's good. i had no idea if you knew how to sew or not, so sorry if i sounded like i was treating you like you were stupid.... lol.

ever since i wrote that epic post, i've been thinking about making this costume as well... i just might.

No, it's OK. Most of what I know comes from "Well, let's see what happens when I do THIS and... oh... er, maybe I should fix that,"-type experience. So if I haven't done it (like this type of skirt) I need those type of instructions to save myself a lot of trial and error XD.

Yay, I'll have company!