Sakura's outfits are always so cute, and I wanted to try a more challenging one. I've never even worn a poofy skirt like this before, let alone made one, so I had to try!

I really liked her Spirit Town dress--the one she actually wears in the town, not the one that she wears in the artwork (which is shockingly similiar to Princess Emeraude's...). I had only seen one other person try this dress--but while I was making it, one of my friends told me she was doing the same one! Talk about weird coincidences. :)

I used the same kind of satin I'd used for my first Sakura dress--the expensive kind. >.< Actually I find this is very pleasant to work with, it's not overly shiny, relatively thick, doesn't fray too easily and has a nice, soft texture. I needed over seven yards of this--I had to go back and get more, so I lost count!

For the top part I used a pattern for a corset-fitted top. I had to keep taking it in, because it was a larger pattern than I was. I also lined it with another layer of the pink satin just to give it extra strength.

The skirt was a challenge. I originally tried to do it in one piece, but it didn't hang correctly when I pinned it on. I ended up doing it in three seperate pieces.

I had a friend who 'knew just how to make sleeves!' help me with those... and they don't fit right at all. The elbows ripped during Anime USA, so I'm going to have to sew new ones for my next con. This is a double pain, because the scallops at the end of the sleeves was one of the hardest parts to do!

The 'wing' part of the sleeves were made using stiff interfacing. I cheated and used trim for the ruffles, I admit it. And I also cheated on the white cuffs--they're seperate pieces. And the bottom ruffle... is just the petticoat. YES, I CHEATED A LOT... but I'm going to redo it all soon.

I borrowed a friend's bridal petticoat for this. It was so much fun to wear! I don't wanna give it back. Eventually I'll have to buy my own... but until then, I'm going to love this one!

The scallops, I know you're probably asking about them. Although I haven't quite mastered it yet, I do think my technique is a good one. I sew along the curve I want for the scallop with tiny, tiny stitches on the reverse sides of the fabric. Then I trim out as close to the stitches as I dare, and make tiny slits all along the curve. That way, when I turn it inside out and carefully push it through, it works very well. When I iron it, it's done!

I sewed on a ruffle for Setsucon 2007, but due to ride malfunctions, I wasn't able to wear it to the con (even though I was wearing it the day of!!!), but I did get a small shoot in with my then boyfriend before the con. He didn't have a clue how to work a camera, so they didn't turn out very well. And before that, at AUSA, some jerk stole EBK's stuff, so I really don't have any good photos of this costume. I guess that should hint at me to remake it now and get some, huh?

I pieced it together on a dress form with a friend and we went over what all would have to be fixed, and I'm honestly not sure I'm up for a remake now. I would have to pretty much start from scratch. I MIGHT try to pull it out and do a snow photo shoot sometime this winter and then call it quits for good, but we'll see.