So, I shared a status on my Facebook about how I can't effectively do "Throwback Thursdays" since I don't have enough costumes to do it every Thursday- I'd be done in about 2 or 3 months!
Instead, I was going to do some Nerd Talk articles about past costumes I've done: how they were made; their significance (be it- the point in my cosplay life, the character itself etc); and all other points that may pertain to them!
I'm going from 2011 to now and posting as many pictures as I can so bare with me for some may have more photos than others.
First up- my first ever competition costume- Miku Hatsune, the Vocaloid
Miku Hatsune
STATS
Character: Miku Hatsune
Series: Vocaloid
Made: Summer 2011
First Worn: Ikasucon 2011
Worn Again: never
Estimated Cost: ~$80-$100
In 2011, I graduated high school. I had only been to 1 convention previously and that was Matsuricon in 2010. I had cosplayed 2 closet cosplays and my third was a menagerie of fabric thrown together.
That year, I wanted to make something mostly from scratch or at least with better materials.
I had been taking about 5 months of "clothing and textiles" in high school but I didn't acquire my own sewing machine until Christmas of 2011. I had a neighbor who could sew very well and she took me under her wing- sewing my costumes while having me sit there and watch, occasionally even helping. So, this costume was made 90% by my neighbor. I did very little work at this time aside from serving as the mannequin.
Materials:
Grey men's dress shirt
Black cotton sheets
Black leggings
Blue costume satin
White elastic (in varying sizes)
PC microphone/headset
Black and red duct tape
Black suede ankle boots
Iron on appliques
The shirt was just a grey men's dress shirt that had the sleeves cut off and was tailored in to curve with my waist. The bottom was cut in the triangular shapes and blue satin was sewn around the bottom, collar, and sleeve openings for trim- there is even a little yellow tab on the left-side breast that reads "VOCALOID". The tie was made straight from the blue satin by using another tie as a pattern. The "boots" were black suede ankle boots that had black leggings sewn to the top and elastic at the top so it stayed above my knee, with blue satin for detail. The armwarmers also had elastic and blue satin at the tops (and blue satin at the bottom) and were patterned out by hand. I did the iron on "digital paneling" applique as well as all little digital panels on the skirt. The skirt was made from scratch with a basic circle skirt pattern and was pleated. It too has blue satin as trim for the bottom and is on a button-up waistband. The headphones and hair-ties were all done by me- there was a PC microphone/headset we had around the house that I put cardboard on to create the oval shape headphones and the entire thing is covered in duct-tape. The detailing was even done with red duct-tape. The hair-ties are straight duct-tape wrapped around more duct-tape- they just pin on with bobbi pins.
Awards: Ikasucon 2011 Judge's Award
And I wasn't alone. I had a Gumi Megpoid, Meiko, and Miki with me in our small Vocaloid group. I thought this was a neat idea because we have the 1st Japanese Vocaloid (Meiko), the "poster child" for Crypton (Miku), "poster child" for Internet Co (Gumi), and the "poster child" for AH Software (Miki).
My neighbor and myself were not only responsible for Miku's costume- but Meiko's as well. The vest was made from scratch and the skirt was modified for her.
Now, the Gumi has been my cosplay partner ever since... while the Meiko has moved away (occasionally keeping touch) and we grew apart from the Miki.
Miku's Significance: Around this point in my life, I had JUST got into Vocaloid. And, when I say "got into Vocaloid", I meant "became obsessed." I was also still really new to cosplay. I used my graduation money to get to Ikasucon; I used it to open up a savings account, get my PayPal- you know, all that growing up stuff! I wanted to do something that was more "cosplay" like- which, to me at that time, meant making something mostly from scratch and something that was more known in conventions. So, yes, admittedly I picked Miku cause she was popular. But, I also picked her because she was simple and my first Vocaloid I was exposed to in the community. I do like her still and don't ever regret cosplaying her. She was my first competition costume, my first "winning" costume, my first wig, and- just my first of almost everything. My first Vocaloid song was "Melody" by Miku Hatsune and it just exploded from then on. I learned some dances and even brought some speakers to play music off of. I met so many awesome people within that convention and many I still talk to.
Where is Miku now?
I had contemplated selling Miku for some time but... Miku still exists... for the most part. Her armwarmers and headphones have been thrown out and her boots were salvaged for another costume (Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne). Her skirt and top still remain in hopes to use as the start for Bacterial Contamination Miku (or Calne Ca). Her wig had about a foot of hair cut off from each pigtail and is still used for cosplays- both Miku and (hopefully) soon Clair from Pokemon: Gold/Silver.
I haven't worn Miku since 2011. She may not be my favourite Vocaloid anymore but she is still within my top 6 favourite Vocaloid ladies. She does have costumes that I will do in the future but don't ever expect to see the full 1st default ever again.
And that's all for this article on Past Cosplays!!
My next past cosplay I'll be talking about? Sailor Moon- the /first/ attempt!!
Thanks for reading guys and, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to send them my way!
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