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[LakuriSyaoran]

alright, So I have made a few Final Fantasy XIII-2 Costumes and I would really enjoy some critiques on them, because I want these to be the best they possibly can ^^

--Serah Farron---
This is my personal costume, and I've remade it several times to try and get it right >.<
Picture #1: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3248492/
Picture #2: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3239865/

Ref #1: http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy..._cg_render.png
Ref #2: http://www.fmj-online.com/medias/ima...g?fx=r_650_919

Only comments I really have is I know in these 2 pictures My legs things where falling down, and in one of them it was nearer the end of the day and the sews on my bow were becoming loose so the blades weren't staying up as much as they should.
Also, my shorts, I just need to watch those, but I forget XD

--Noel Kreiss--
This is my best friends costume that I made for her. She did do some of it though!
Picture #1: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3217828/
Picture #2: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3156057/
Picture #3: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3156059/

Ref #1: http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy...NoelKreiss.png
Ref #2: http://www.cosplayhouse.com/images/D/2-2573.jpg
Ref #3: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D6h_YOIBhTU/0.jpg

Comments: We haven't ventured into the shoes yet, and the yellow embroidery isn't on the pants yet lol.

-- Lightning--
This is another one of my close friends.
Picture #1: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3215084/
Picture #2: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/3247618/

Ref #1: http://images.wikia.com/powerrangers...-lightning.jpg
Ref #2: http://www.ff-xiii.net/images/media/...-Artwork-2.jpg

Comments: her actual costume page hasn't been updated since I fixed her chest plate and remade her belt lol Also, just saying, The gun blade Transforms >8D Also, her belts a little too big still, and we just haven't made the sheild yet


Any critiques are welcome~ I would like to have some advise on how to improve these cosplays ^^

[Visage]

Greetings LakuriSyaoran,

A few things I noticed while looking at the photos of the Serah costume:

The very top of the top seems like it's a little too loose. It would probably benefit from being slightly more fitted.

I really like the detail work on the brown mid-section piece, but it looks like it's slightly bowing/folding on the bottom 1/4 or so. Maybe reinforce it a bit more on the back and then reattach it so it doesn't bend as much. Serah is *very* disproportionate compared to a normal person, and her piece seems to end before or at her waistline. If reinforcement doesn't work, you may want to consider trying to rework the piece (probably making it smaller) to accommodate your ability to sit down.

The white stripe at the bottom is a bit too thick.

The prop is awesome. I love the prop.

I love that you made the bag, but it's hanging much too low. It would look better if it were higher up on the body.

Which brings me to an element of this costume I felt was very distracting, but I'm not sure exactly how to suggest a fix: the open side "scoops". Something about their shape looks odd. I can't exactly pinpoint the problem, though. I think the shape should be a bit more straight on the top and sides, and only the bottom should appear curved. As it stands, it looks more like circles are cut out of the sides, and maybe that's where the problem lies? You might need to make the cuts straight down a bit more on the sides before you begin the bottom curve. I would experiment with scrap fabric and shapes on your body in the mirror to see what shape will give you the "look" she has.

I really like your arm bands and leggings. To help keep your leggings from falling, I highly recommend using some double-stick tape.

If you had a photo that showed your arms down, it would be awesome to see it to check out the straps and jewelry on the top. It's also a bit hard to see your wig completely from the poses in these shots.

Nice costume! Keep up the good work. Hope this feedback helped you a bit!

[Penlowe]

Your attention to detail is good, the quality of your assembly is good. My only real criticism- and it's not an easy fix- is none of the costumes fit very well. By "fit" I don't mean "can get it on, not falling off, not bulging out", that isn't "fit" that is simply "wearable".

Fit is to wearable as Ruth Chris Steak House is to Mc Donald's Angus burger.
sure, they are both beef, will provide your body with the same protein, but one will be forgettable while the other is a real treat.

Todays' fashions have put younger folks at a serious disadvantage, because everything has a little stretch to it and the styles are not truly fitted like they were in previous eras. I recommend getting the Butterick or Vogue fitting shell pattern and using it. Not only will it give you a pattern you can apply to all your future sewing endeavors, but it's designed to teach you how to tailor clothing. It isn't a fast or easy process, but you have demonstrated some good skills, keep it up, you will only get better and better.

[LakuriSyaoran]

Thanks for the comments~ ^^ I really appreciate them, but just stating, I do want critiques for all 3 of the costumes I listed, if people are confused. Noel and Lightning haven't gotten love XD

[TheCosplayFox]

Hi I'll start of with your serah costume. The top of it seems to be a bit to loose while the ribbons on the side seem to be a to tight the one's in the stomach area just the lower one. your leg warmers seem to be falling down in the picture's I'd reccomend adding in some elastic at the top. What I like to do is take some elastic and sew it in about a half an inch down but only on the sides so that it doesn't squish your leg and make it appear to puff out and be larger at the top. I hope that makes sense I'm bad at explaining things. Also the white strip on the bottom of the dress seems like it's way to thick and possibly crooked it kind of looks like it's a separate layer? you might want to sew them together so it doesn't keep rolling up.

For the knoel costume it looks pretty good but the top of the pants look kind of awkward. That's really the thing that stood out to me. I'm not sure what you put inside of them I believe interfacing I think a lighter weight interfacing would have probably been better it looks a little to stiff and sticking out to straight it needs to go more outwards. The only other thing I really noticed was the shoulder straps seem a bit to large and the design on the short is separate and pops off in some photo's. If you could sew it down I think it would like nicer or maybe even velcro it to the shirt?

For lightning the big thing that stood out to me was the leather like parts seem to be to purple but that's just my opinion. I think it would better suited if you scuffed up some pleather or vinyl like material in a more appropriate color. As for the armor I don't really have a comment on that since you said you remade certain parts and I don't want to critique the older armor.

[LakuriSyaoran]

Originally Posted by TheCosplayFox

Hi I'll start of with your serah costume. The top of it seems to be a bit to loose while the ribbons on the side seem to be a to tight the one's in the stomach area just the lower one. your leg warmers seem to be falling down in the picture's I'd reccomend adding in some elastic at the top. What I like to do is take some elastic and sew it in about a half an inch down but only on the sides so that it doesn't squish your leg and make it appear to puff out and be larger at the top. I hope that makes sense I'm bad at explaining things. Also the white strip on the bottom of the dress seems like it's way to thick and possibly crooked it kind of looks like it's a separate layer? you might want to sew them together so it doesn't keep rolling up.

For the knoel costume it looks pretty good but the top of the pants look kind of awkward. That's really the thing that stood out to me. I'm not sure what you put inside of them I believe interfacing I think a lighter weight interfacing would have probably been better it looks a little to stiff and sticking out to straight it needs to go more outwards. The only other thing I really noticed was the shoulder straps seem a bit to large and the design on the short is separate and pops off in some photo's. If you could sew it down I think it would like nicer or maybe even velcro it to the shirt?

For lightning the big thing that stood out to me was the leather like parts seem to be to purple but that's just my opinion. I think it would better suited if you scuffed up some pleather or vinyl like material in a more appropriate color. As for the armor I don't really have a comment on that since you said you remade certain parts and I don't want to critique the older armor.

Ooo~ I really like your idea about the elastic on my leg things, I haddn't thought to put it farther down 8O
The white part of the skirt is actually sewn on lol, but I do need to fix the rolling up problem, its really annoying.

hehe I don't know how to do interfaceing with my sewing machine, otherwise I would. The top of noel's pants have craft foam in them XD

As for lightning, Those 2 pictures are updated, I was just making that comment in case people where confused as to why the pictures where from mine, and our Hope's account, hers: ( http://www.cosplay.com/costume/409810/ ) hasn't been updated since Febuary, and I remade pieces in may lol

[ichigo_m.]

I agree with everyone that the fit of the costumes is just a little bit off. They seem a tad bulky.

But another thing I noticed is that they seemed a bit cluttered, which made them also look less clean (line wise) than FF is. Fitting the costumes will for sure make them seem a bit more clean. They are really nice costumes though! Your bow prop is amazing! (:

Also to use interfacing you actually iron it onto the place where you need it and it will stick and stiffen your fabric. (:

[MythicalsMarina]

detailing is great, Lightnings' cosplay looks off somehow.