A Little Queen of the Sea: Mera

March 14, 2019 notadamselindistressmegLeave a comment

Today, I’m doing something a little different. I’m doing an in-progress post. I think it’s important to know that doing all of this on a budget isn’t an overnight, or even in a week sort of thing. It actually takes quite a bit of time, and planning. Usually because you need to buy pieces in batches with paychecks rather than all at once. Almost everything I’ve done is completed over a long period of time, or purchasing over a long period of time. Bonus? You get to take the time to do research while to acquire your pieces.

I come to this in-progress post: Mera. While Captain Marvel (which I will post about in May when I debut her) is my “big” cosplay for the season, I wanted to add another for a con later in the year. I toyed with Black Widow, Supergirl, and Mera. Mera won… mainly because I love how they didn’t shy away from her power in the film, and because Mera is sass all rolled up in a red-haired package.

What’s even better? This suit was only $43 with prime shipping! Now, I know that seems like a lot. And it is! However, after going through my options to buy fabric and sew my own (which is usually how I do this hobby super cheap), I realized that to get fabric that would work, I would be paying A LOT more than that, and still have to go through the process I’m about to embark on.

It’s not perfect. The neckline isn’t exactly right, and the color isn’t as blue as the screen (though whether that’s color correction or not is hard to say after looking at BTS pics and screen pics). For half, even a third, of the price to sew it, I’m gonna work with it.

There’s some work to be done, that’s for sure.

First: the hands. They are ridiculously small. Granted, I have large palms, but still. And given how is pulls at my shoulders still (I’m long limbed, and tall), I may just rip the seam open at the hands, put some elastic and give myself some more room. I think that’ll solve the wide neckline issue.

I have texturing to do as well. I did this with Hela (which I should post about sometime). I added fabric paint to get the look of the film. It may take some of the stretch away, so I’m a bit nervous about it since I need all I can get (did I mention I’m tall?).

There are gauntlets, leg guards, boots, the belt buckle, and a new wig to acquire in order to finish her. BUT, I have until September. For now, I’m happy with the suit… and happy to do the research to get it done.

Low-Key Cosplay

A Marvel-ous beginning

January 30, 2019 notadamselindistressmegLeave a comment

It’s the first weekly post for BudgetBounding! How exciting! For my first one, I’m going to keep it simple, and 100% doable but just about anyone, and I mean anyone. It’s Carol Danvers from the much anticipated new film (who’s counting down the days? I am!). While it is not her Captain Marvel look (I have her comic version in the pipeline, and thoughts about doing her Kree version WAY down the line), it’s a completely achievable look, and for cheap. Let me show you.

Cost and Materials
White T-shirt: $3 (I got mine at Walmart, but you can find them at craft stores)
Grey Baseball cap: $3 (again, from Walmart)
Patch: $6 (found on eBay but my local comic store has this patch for the same price)
Fabric paint: $0 (technically for this project. I bought a bunch for Hela a year ago. But a new one is about $3)
Jacket: $5-7 (thrifted)
Jeans: $0 (already owned)
Boots: $0 (I own a LOT of them)
Wig: Optional (I didn’t wear one for this)
Total: approx. $20. Not bad.

You’ll probably end up getting a lot of bathroom selfies…

This a pretty basic cosplay. You take a NIN (Nine Inch Nails, in case you are not a fan like myself) shirt, a SHIELD hat, a leather jacket, jeans and you’re off. However basic it is, because it’s Captain Marvel, it’s going to be pretty recognizable. It’s also great if you want to do something low-key, or want to do go the premiere but are not allowed to cosplay in costume like many of the theaters around me.

The Shirt. I took a basic white t-shirt and used silver fabric paint to “stamp” the design on. I’ve had great experience doing this for a number of t-shirts. The trick is finding the right amount of paint to stamp correctly. It’s all trial and error, unfortunately. I will say: stay way from the “puff” version. “Slick” keeps it from looking like that 90s fabric paint of my childhood. It also holds up well in the wash. Of course, if that’s daunting, which I completely understand, you can purchase a NIN shirt or find some on eBay. They’ll be more money, but so far, I haven’t seen any outrageously priced. I’m sure closer to the premier we’ll see some, just like the Star Lord t-shirt (I also made mine this way as well).

The Hat. Another signifier is the hat. There are so many patches on eBay or Etsy, that you can take your pick. Mine is bigger, and lighter than the film version, but that’s okay with me. You can also take fabric paint to paint your design or fabric markers if you’d like. I made a TuneSquad hat this way.

The Coat. I love coats. Jackets, more accurately, so I’m always thrifting for jackets. If you keep your eyes open, you can find little leather ones like this one in thrift stores. Mine was only about $5-7, though I have paid up to $15 for a nice one. Also, watch the sale racks at stores. Sometimes you can find little gems. If you’re willing to take the time, and search, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on one.

The Pants and Boots. Now, I already own a lot of jeans, though I may go thrifting for a pair I can distress, and that have a more 90s look. It wouldn’t be hard, or expensive. Boots are the same way for me as jackets. I have a lot of them. Now is the time to buy them on sale though. Granted, any dark shoe would work in a pinch.

The Wig. I’m not blonde, so I’d need to do a wig to get the full effect. I didn’t put one on for these pics to show that anyone with any hair color can pull this one off. I, do, however, spend a bit more on wigs. I need a larger wig cap for all my hair and tend to favor Arda Wigs. I have purchased some nice ones on Amazon, and I’ll work on a post for that down the line, you have to do your research to get ones that don’t like like Halloween versions.

So you see… for very little money, and only a little time, you can throw together a cosplay that’s very “of the moment,” low-key, and fun. You can look fabulous, and not break the bank. Bonus if you add a little stuffed cat, Goose, to your look. Even more so if you have your own to pose with… my own furbabies were too busy sleeping for me to snag them.

Til next time!

Uncategorized

The Manifesto

January 22, 2019 notadamselindistressmegLeave a comment

That’s right… the first post. The Manifesto! I could be cheeky and pull a Plays-With-Squirrels moment (if you get that, I love you), but I won’t.

Basically, this is the mission statement post. All blogs have them. It’s just part of nature. Who am I to shake that up? I’m not, that’s who.

So, I was sitting one night, frustrated with the various communities (cosplay, retro, reenacting) that were basically making it seem like you have to have money in the bank to do these hobbies. You have to have the $20/yard period correct fabric. False. I buy at Joann, and have been regularly complimented on the historical accuracy. You have to have such-and-such prop that’s 100% screen accurate. False. I rarely do, yet people get who I’m cosplaying. You have to purchase from insert-expensive-retro-site-here. False. I buy from Amazon, or big-box stores and STILL look “accurate.” My point being: stop telling people they have to be rich to play, and start helping them look for ways to play that’s in their budget.

Therefore BudgetBounding begins. An open book of what I spend, how I do my research to get the historical accuracy so that I don’t spend $20/yard, and how I throw together looks for cheap. It’s simultaneously easy and hard, and I’m all about it. Everyone can do these things. Everyone. And I want to help show you how you can.

Stay turned for some Captain Marvel. Some 18th century. Some retro. All of the things.