Upgrading my Costume Closet

Big news. I've been rather quiet the past few weeks not only because of the holidays but also because most of my projects are stalled...save for knitting and crochet.

All this because...I'm buying my first home! 🏡

It's an incredibly confusing and stressful process. (I'm doing it on my own too...so spooky!)

The effects of the stress are incredible...worse than when I was unemployed. BUT this place will finally give me my own dedicated craft room/guest room.

I am very excited even though the new expenses are going to just completely cut my costume budget for the year. Incredibly...I don't have plans for Halloween or the Dance Showcase so mostly just sewing clothes. Weirdly.

But I do have backburner plans for more kimono, shoe making, and random props. I'm actively working on my crochet haori based on Giyu Tomioka.

Absolutely crazy pattern

Until I move in April. This blog will be in hibernation.

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Costume Design: Guiding Principles

Part of designing costumes is finding a way to pick from many solutions. Limiting these choices can be the art of design. I have some of my own "Guiding Principles" or Design Principles when it comes to costume design. Some of these constraints are based on non-mutable factors. (Or currently difficult to change.) The fun ones are a bit on the arbitrary side. These are self-imposed limitations for the costume that as a designer I decide to apply to any given costume. The point of these principles is to help you make a final decision if you are paralyzed by many choices. I may get hung up on some pretty silly things, so at the very least, this helps me move forward and kind of imply that I had a plan all along. Immutable Design Principles We might run into some touchy subjects here but whatever, here we go! Immutable principles are either constraints your life situation has you in at any given time or core beliefs about what you wear. This can mean things like religious ...

Becoming a Kitsune: Masks and Makeup

One of the most iconic accessories for Kitsune characters (or skilled swordsmen) is the fox mask. To be fair, this likely is mostly associated with Japanese Kitsune, but they do not hold the monopoly on fox fairy creatures. I don't think it'll fit right. LOL! Mask Considerations For your own costume, regardless of the culture of origin, the common features to consider are: Mask Size How much of your face will the mask cover? Will it go over your whole head like fursuit head? Or is it meant to be more of a decoration that sits on your head or off your waist? This will determine how much material you need to use and how to incorporate the mask into the costume. Full Face Mask Half Face Mask Basic Mask Shape This may sound confusing but what I mean here is if the shape of the mask will resemble the features of a fox closely or take on a more human shape with fox features. Leather Fox Masks from Etsy . Basically, will the mask have a snout or look ...

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one. Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon, So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license. Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers. Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors. This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions. Color Like I said earlier, the ...

Modesty's Costume Closet

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