A Year of Costumes | 2024

Arwen – Blood Red Gown | Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King

My first project of 2024. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to make a proper costume from Lord of the Rings. This isn’t my favorites of Arwens wardrobe, but it used a lot of left over fabrics from the Padme I had built the year prior. I love how it turned out, it was surprisingly quick and easy to put together.

I would love to make her green coronation gown one day. Now that’s my favorite.

Sakura Kinomoto – Opening Dress | Cardcaptor Sakura

Still sticking to my list, the next costume I made was a remake of the first costume I ever made in 2008. I first tried to remake this in 2018 for the 10 year anniversary of the first one, but due to life events it never got finished.

I pulled it out of storage, took one look at the abysmal sewing I’d done and remade the whole thing from scratch.

I love how it turned out. Especially how poofy I got that petticoat.

Sailor Scouts | Sailor Moon

I wanted something a lot easier to maneuver around the halls at Overload for on the non-competition day and because it’s an anime event, I thought a Sailor Scout would be a good fit. Sailor Jupiter isn’t my favorite scout, I just love her color combination of pink and green.

Initially I brought a wig too but the day of wearing her, I had a manic episode in the hotel bathroom and decided to cut a fringe and use my own hair.

I also made a matching Neptune and Chibi Moon for my friend and her daughter.

Princess Leia | Star Wars, A New Hope

My friend Anna who organizes Sandbox Fan Fest asked me two days before May 4th if I would be keen to advertise the convention on Saturday with her. She also asked if I would wear my Padme Amidala costume for the day to which I replied absolutely not, it’s far too bulky and hot and annoying. I then said that I could maybe make a Princess Leia gown in a day. And I did.

Nurse Joy | Pokémon

Made for a friends Pokemon themed 30th birthday party. I also made costumes for the birthday boy, my husband and one of his friends.

Rey | Star Wars, The Force Awakens

I wasn’t so keen on making a Rey this year, but I was really keen on building a functional BB-8. Obviously only one of these things ended up happening.

I wore her to the Winter Armageddon expo and was even able to borrow the staff and blaster from my 2015 version from my friend – zubkitty – who now owned them.

So also owns this entire version now too.

Mirabel Madrigal | Encanto

Made for Sandbox Fan Fest. This was probably one of my favorite makes of the year. I love how it turned out, how comfortable it was and how I looked in it.

I completely underestimated how long the skirt embroidery would take though and sadly it’s still not finished. I will finish it one day I swear.

Alice Kingsleigh | Alice in Wonderland (2010)

The first costume that drastically changed my plans for the rest of the year. My mum asked if I’d accompany her and my cousins on a trip to Disneyland with them. We’d be attending Oogie Boogie’s Bash so I wanted to make a Disney themed costume to wear.

This Alice had been on my to-do list since the film came out in 2010 and it felt sooooo good to finally cross it off.

Note to self: I don’t suit light blonde eyebrows.

Queenie Goldstein | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Speaking of costumes for America trip, I had had the fabric to make Queenie for at least 4 years just sitting in a box. I finally took them out and made this so I could wear it to The Wizarding World at Universal Studios.

I was happy I finally made the dress but it did have some fit issues I wasn’t super pleased with. Loved the wig styling I did though.

Daenerys Targaryen – Wedding Gown | Game of Thrones

My final costume of the year was actually a commission for my friend – Aleena.

I designed a version of Daenery’s wedding gown that suited Aleena’s cultural needs. I adore how it tuned out and she looks absolutely regal.