Sunday Creature

I recently designed these collar pins, based on the skull of a Harris hawk, one of my favorite species to work with. Get them here! -> https://animus-sollertiae.square.site/product/hawk-skull-collar-pins/68

(Bonus: Toby the Harris hawk looking dramatic)

(Plus photos when available!)

I have worn over 30 different costumes and made or helped make about 50 costumes over the years!! That's an average of almost 4 costumes a year, wow!

2020:

I continued my once-a-month photo shoots right up until about when the pandemic started (I sorta lost motivation after that...)

In January I did a Valentine’s Day shoot as Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knights Rayearth) with a costume I bought from L-email Wig:

In February I did ANOTHER Valentine’s shoot (it’s my birthday, so I’m pretty fond of Valentine’s day!) as Kate Bishop (Marvel Comic Universe, Hawkeye):

In March I did TWO shoots, one as a modern-AU closet cosplay of my D&D character, Rhona, with photography by my friend AJ:

And a shoot for the annual April Fool’s cosplay group. This year was BREADCON, with special appearance by Isabel the dog and photography by Isabel’s mom (and professional dog trainer), my friend Jessa Sterling. I was wearing my Arisa Uotani (Fruits Basket) costume from Moon Costumes again.

I also did a slightly rushed Pidge shoot in April, since I didn’t have any non-holiday, non-selfie photos of Pidge. The lighting is a little off, but they’re cute.

These are from the same shoot, but first I did some photos I took for an Instagram contest by Arda -

Then some actually generic sorta shots:

Complete with space snacks! (Actually frosting and shortbread haha)

- - -

(I’ve also done a few other closet cosplays over the years, but that covers everything major!)

- - -

COSTUMES WHAT I HAVE MADE FOR OTHER PEOPLE

(No photos, sorry!)

I stopped making costumes for friends and taking commissions sometime in 2012 (with the exception of a coat I made for KikukaChan in 2014). I just don't have as much fun making clothes for other people, especially if they're not close enough for me to do fittings!

2007: Satomi Hakase (Negima! Magister Negi Magi) Mana Tatsumiya (Negima! Magister Negi Magi)

2008: Sakura (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles) Kisuke Urahara (Bleach), coat only

2009: Chi (Chobits) Kisuke Urahara (Bleach), coat only, remade for the same friend Vest for school uniform cosplay (Negima! Magister Negi Magi), commission

2010: Mystique (X-Men) Okita Souji (Kaze Hikaru) OC - Ryuji Kimura (personal character belonging to commissioner), fursuit head Bender (Futurama). I just helped/only did part of it

2011: Saya Otonashi (Blood+), coat only Hagi (Blood+), coat only, commission Harley Quinn (Batman)

2012: Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler), Ciel in Wonderland variant, commission Angel (X-Men), bodysuit only Dr. Weird (Aqua Teen Hunger Force/Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1) This was also the year we did the Magic Knight Rayearth cover art costumes as a group. I was mostly in charge of the sewing.

(Plus photos when available!)

I have worn over 30 different costumes and made or helped make about 50 costumes over the years!! That's an average of almost 4 costumes a year, wow!

2019:

Yasha (Critical Role, season 2), updated plus casual/modern outfit

I updated my Yasha costume to wear to ECCC and meet (most) of the Critrole cast! (Perhaps ironically, Ashley was the only one not there.) I plan on updating it a bit further but it looks GOOD. I also did a casual/modern look for Yasha, which was fun. Photo with Marisha (!) taken by her assistant (sorry I do not know your name!) and casual photo taken by a Ruth Vader Ginsberg cosplayer (whose name I do not know but who became a bit of an internet sensation later lol)

Pidge (Voltron: Legendary Defender), basic outfit

I started Pidge years ago and finally finished it in 2019. Go me!

Zelda (Legend of Zelda), personal casual/modern design

My friend Eliot calls this my "hipster Zelda" look lol. Very comfortable! I made the jewelry, painted the fanny pack, and hemmed the crop top.

Kate Bishop/Hawkeye (Marvel comic book universe/Matt Fraction run)

This was the first time one of my self-photography shoots went well! I did these photos for a magazine - I did not get in, sadly - but  I'm soooo happy with how they turned out. One of these days I'm going to  finish getting this costume together (it's mostly bought) and wear it  to a con somewhere. It's veeeery comfy!

After the Kate shoot went so well I started trying to do monthly self-photography shoots. Kate was in August, in September I did Yasha (Critical Role season 2):

In October I did some slightly silly photos with my cat as Sabrina the teenage witch (the only thing I made was the spellbook prop):

In November I did a closet cosplay of Adora (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) with a green screen. I’ve never actually done anything with those photos so they’re still just unedited greenscreen pics haha:

In December I did Christmas shoot as Pidge (Voltron: Legendary Defender):

(Plus photos when available!)

I have worn over 30 different costumes and made or helped make about 50 costumes over the years!! That's an average of almost 4 costumes a year, wow!

2017:

REMADE: Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), sailor suit variant

I remade this outfit for Colossalcon East (a con I no longer support). KikukaChan wore here original and RoseOfBattle made one to match. They are very comfortable and easy! Photo is by ParaPara Productions.

REMADE: Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), Chizeta variant

Done properly this time, and someday I'll finally have my shoot with the matching ones for Fuu and Hikaru. This photo is by RoseOfBattle Cosplay.

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), swimsuit variant, personal design

There ARE canon designs for swimsuits for the Magic Knights, but we decided to go with our own versions of what the girls would wear. I made my own, which was a learning experience (it looked OK but was NOT comfortable). Someday I'll try again with a different design. Photo is by Joseph Fox Photography.

Arisa Uotani (Fruits Basket), PURCHASED from Moon Cosplay

The first costume I ever purchased. I highly recommend it - it's fun and easy! I've since purchased another costume, though I have not had the opportunity to wear it anywhere or take photos yet. This photo is by Joseph Fox Photography.

Hadi (Red River/Anatolia Story)

This is peak Arras Does Obscure Cosplay right here - my costume makes very little sense without the context of KikukaChan's, and even then it's confusing if you've never heard of Red River! I made my outfit plus the jewelry for KikukaChan's Yuri (in the middle). Our friend Kasperl (PockyFlowers) made a gorgeous evil queen haha. Photo by Joe Fox Photography.

Sailor Pluto (Sailor Moon), fan art variant by Popoalu

I'd love to remake this coat someday to correct some errors - it was made in a hurry so I could wear it to a local con and so some mistakes were made. Even so, I think it turned out pretty well! Photo by Joseph Fox Photography.

- - -

2018:

Sister Rosette Christopher (Chrno Crusade)

A DREAM cosplay of mine! Done with a little urging from Kasperl, who was my Chrono <3 I can't wait to wear this again!! This was also my sixth competition piece (I did not win). Photo by Joseph Fox Photography.

Pidge (Voltron: Legendary Defender), swimsuit variant, personal design

I also want to make a matching rash guard for this (and I need to fix the trunks and maybe fix/redo the top), but I absolutely adore this swimsuit I designed for Pidge. I feel so comfortable and confident in it! Photo by Joseph Fox Photography.

Yasha (Critical Role, season 2)

(Plus photos when available!)

I have worn over 30 different costumes and made or helped make about 50 costumes over the years!! That's an average of almost 4 costumes a year, wow!

2012:

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayeart), cover art variant

My fourth competition piece. It mostly doesn't exist anymore (I still have a handful of pieces but most of it has not survived), but I'd LOVE to remake it someday. Such good outfits. We competed as a group with this trio (we made all three) but did not win. Photo from the Otakon photo booth.

- - -

2014:

Michelle Jocasta (Skin Deep)

This is from a webcomic I love called Skin Deep! I totally want to fix/remake this some day - even if it is probably THE least comfortable costume I've ever made. But Michelle now has a canon bipedal design and some great new outfits sooooo... Photo is by my friend SEM!

- - -

2013:

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), sailor suit variant

This photo features KikukaChan Cosplay as Fuu and our friend Sarah as Hikaru! KikukaChan made these for the competition (I helped out and wore one but she made all three!). Sadly they didn't win but it was still a lot of fun haha. Photo by PotatoKraken.

Skybax Rider cadet (Dinotopia)

My dear friend SEM and I wore matching Skybax rider outfits! Absolutely no one knew what we were supposed to be but it was SO FUN. Another one I'd love to remake someday. I also still have my Skybax that I made - his name is Arcus and his brother Altostratus was a gift for SEM. Photo is probably by SEM's aunt haha.

Empress Boa Hancock (One Piece)

My fifth competition piece! I did not win but I received very high praises from the judges and a judge's award from one of them who thought I deserved a win <3 Salome lives in my closet now haha. Photo from the Otakon photo suite - but one day I want to do a real photo shoot with this costume!!

- - -

2015:

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), casual outfit

My MKR group (which from this point on has included RoseOfBattle Cosplay as our Hikaru) did this comfortable and casual cosplay. My pattern alignment on that shirt is on POINT (but it's on the back so you'll have to take my word for it). Photo by Joseph Fox Photography.

Tomoyo Daidouji (Cardcaptor Sakura)

This was part of a Cardcaptor Sakura group I did with KikukaChan and another friend. I love this dress and someday I will spend the time to properly cover it in sparkly beads! This photo is by Lady Killmoves Cosplay and Photography.

- - -

2016:

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), CLAMP in 3DLand variant

These are so comfy that we sometimes affectionately refer to them as pajama CLAMP. We even did a sleepover shoot in these! Yellow+blue is such a weird color combo but oh well!! Someday I want to redo this in a fabric that is NOT peach skin - I chose peach skin to match the jacket I made for KikukaChan but sometime in the intervening years JoAnn's peach skin changed and the new stuff is a horrible nightmare to work with. Photo by Shardae Photography.

Umi Ryuuzaki (Magic Knight Rayearth), Chizeta variant.

Like an idiot, I made this costume AT the con. It pretty much ruined my con experience that year. Never again. (Also that shirt LITERALLY had to be glued on (with sock glue - body safe, no worries) to stay up.)

Tomoyou Daidouji (Cardcaptor Sakura), graduation hakama variant

(Plus photos when available!)

I have worn over 30 different costumes and made or helped make about 50 costumes over the years!! That's an average of almost 4 costumes a year, wow!

2006: Winry Rockbell (Fullmetal Alchemist). Closet cosplay, no pictures

- - -

2007: Kaede Nagase (Negima! Magister Negi Magi). This one very grainy photo survives -

Hilariously, this was part of a collage I made for some class??? High school was a weird time lol. I did not have a wig or any props but this was my first foray into patterning clothing!

- - -

2008: I feel reasonably certain I must have cosplayed SOMETHING in 2008 but alas, I have no record anywhere of what it might have been and I don't remember...

[EDIT: I HAVE RECALLED I literally still own it haha, no idea how I forgot. Anyways I made a lolita dress that year that was very loosely based off of a splash page from a manga called Kitchen Princess, of all things. Not exactly a cosplay per-se, but I did pattern and make it myself!]

- - -

2009: Miranda Lotto (D.Gray-Man)

This was back in the days before anyone had taught me how to pattern clothing (I had taken sewing lessons but we had always worked with store bought patterns) and I was still pretty much just figuring out things on my own. Also the first costume I competed in! I definitely did not win anything lol. These photos were taken at my home, I'm pretty sure by a friend.

- - -

2010:

Kitty Pryde (X-Men)

I had never worked with stretch fabric before this costume and this was the WRONG fabric but I've always sort of liked this particular X-Men costume - I sort of want to remake it (sort of). This was also before I learned anything about wig styling so I just wore my Miranda wig which, predictably, got me people complaining on the internet about the fact that my hair should have been in a ponytail :/ I am reasonably certain this photo was taken by my friend Terren!

Personal characters: Elizabeth "Eli" Marie Worthington, Wysera Vounderbille

Eli was actually a project for one of my art classes! This photo was taken by a friend - I'm thinking it was probably Morgan.

And Wysera was a costume I made for SteamCon (which is, sadly, now defunct). I was a part of a friend's airship pirates crew. We had a whole storyline! It was a lot of fun. This photo is from the con photo booth.

Maka Albarn (Soul Eater), Spartoi variant

At this point I'd already started working in the university's costume shop and was starting to really learn what I was doing. The director, Tessa, was a great teacher and mentor! This was my second competition piece (I did not win). This photo was taken by my friend KikukaChan Cosplay.

- - -

2011:

Chrome Dokuro (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)

I wore this costume once and only once because I never liked how it turned out. This is, I think, only the second time I've ever posted a picture of it - and it's the same one, since this is the only one that I even sort of like. I started but never finished the prop for this costume. This photo was taken by a friend of mine - I can't quite remember, but it was either Terren or Eli, I think.

Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4)

I made this costume at the request of some friends who wanted to do a group - ironically, the two people who had never played the game were the only ones who finished the costumes! This costume is also the reason I won't cosplay things I don't know anything about. It really sucked when people would get excited about the game and then disappointed when I told them I knew nothing about it! This photo was taken by my friend Morgan.

Captain Mary Spencer (Trinity Blood)

My third competition piece. I asked my followers on dA what their dream cosplay was and someone asked me what mine was - and why I hadn't done it yet. I said, "good question!" and then I made it!! I got Runner Up in the Novice category! Technically not a "major" award but I was pretty pleased with myself. I really want to fix this thing up someday and maybe compete in it again. This photo is also by KikukaChan Cosplay.

Shiemi Moriyama (Ao no Exorcist)

I made these cute little cherub wings for my Valentine's Kate Bishop photo shoot - so as a Valentine's gift to you all, here is the pattern and a quick tutorial! I'm going to make one for a slightly more complicated/realistic version someday in the future, so keep an eye out for that!

- - -

You can download the printable pattern here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yp2V_hKq9XDOkavdTQioSNURoq9795ch

Print on a standard 8.5x11 inch piece of paper to get wings the same size as pictured.

- - -

Step 1: cut your fabric

I used felt for mine. You don't technically need 4 of the wing base but I think doubling up that layer makes these a little sturdier. If you're using a fabric that has a "wrong" side - like a sparkle felt - make sure you mirror your wings when you cut them!

I would recommend steering away from woven fabrics (i.e. fabrics that can fray). (Unless, of course, you want the frayed-edge look, in which case go for it.)

Step 2: glue on coverts

If you're using felt, I recommend hot glue. Felt soaks most other glues right up! But be careful, if you use hot glue you need to get the placement right the first time (it's a little unforgiving on felt). Also, I actually find it easiest to glue with the smaller piece on the table, and the larger piece on top - that makes it a little easier to get glue all the way to the edges without getting any on YOU!

Repeat for the second wing - make sure to mirror them!

Step 3: get your wire ready

You'll want to use a wire sturdy enough to support the wings. This is aluminum sculpture wire. Pro: easy to bend. Con: it bent whenever I ran into things! Also, try not to bend and unbend your wire too much - this will make it break!

Using your wings as a guide, cut and bend your wire so that it will fit within your wings. Depending on how you plan to rig these wings, you might have to modify the middle bit, but this is how I bent mine (I was able to put that middle part into part of my costume, and the two additional bendy bits just helped to stabilize it a little more).

Step 4: Glue the wire into the wings

I glued just the top edge of each pair of wing bases (only where the coverts are - if you go all the way down you'll have a hard time gluing the rest!), then placed the wire, glued just below the wire, then glued the rest of the wings. But really you can do whatever works best for you!

Step 5: bend the wire and test!

Follow along with me to make this super cute backpack:

You can download the pattern and tutorial for free here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yp2V_hKq9XDOkavdTQioSNURoq9795ch

It measures 10 inches tall with a bottom diameter of approximately 7 inches across.

The pattern  can be printed on any standard printer on standard letter (8.5x11 inch) paper.

(*Note: when printing, set print size to custom scale  -> 100% and check the 1 inch test square to ensure it has printed at full size.)

If you have any issues just let me know!

Kate's taking aim... at your heart!

I did this shoot last minute kind of on a whim but I'm very pleased how it turned out! I even made a fully functional tiny toy archery set haha.

And, if you are thusly inclined, I even released a pattern and tutorial for my cherub wings! Like everything on my Patreon, it's free for anyone!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/34017460

Costume made, worn, and photographed by me!

It's Valentine's Day, which also happens to be my birthday! Happy birthday to ME! I actually ended up doing two photo shoots for Valentine's, so - please enjoy!

(I actually did bake in costume - I made the cake and the mousse the night before, but I baked brownies from scratch, piped mousse, made icing, and decorated the cake all dressed as Umi!)

Here's the first - Umi wants to know, did you make something special for the special people in your life today? She did!

Costume is from L-email Wig

Worn and photographed by me!

The world’s awkwardest family photos...!

By request (and also because I realized I never really posted like... most of this photo shoot anywhere!) here is the Red River cosplay group I was in! Everyone made their own costumes, although I made the jewelry for both myself and Kikuka-chan as Yuri. Bonus picture of Yuri’s jewelry:

The costumes in Red River are AMAZING and I’d love to make more some day :> Also it’s a really good manga, you should check it out!

I can’t believe I forgot to post this here! Despite being crazy ridiculous busy leading up to Christmas, I actually managed to do a seasonal shoot! Huzzah!

I almost forgot! In case you prefer your Yasha a little quiet and sad instead of vaguely threatening!

If you wanna reblog on Twitter! –> https://twitter.com/AnimusPanthera/status/1190056096511266816

Costume and photos by me! Model is also me!

Special thanks to my friend @jfoxphoto for helping me to light this shoot, and to my friend Eliot for lending me that sword haha