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kathgruben

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Posts posted by kathgruben

  1. Very cool! Another Asajj at CV 8) Not sure who all from this detachment is going, but it would be so cool to get a pic of all the Ventresses together, no? :D

     

    Quick question: are you wanting to have your costume approved for 501st membership? If so, be sure to take the time to review (and review some more) the costume standards for this version of Asajj.

     

    For the outer skirt, have you seen any other visual references to give a better idea of the pattern involved? I suppose your options would be to either use a patterned material, or you could paint a custom design on plain fabric.

     

    Did you have specific questions about the obi (the sash)? The obi is mentioned in the standards as an optional item. From the pic it looks to be maybe 10-12 inches wide, the fabric looks loosely gathered (maybe some rouching?), and sits around the hips I think.

     

    Good luck, looking forward to seeing your progress and hopefully we'll meet up at CV. Hmm, maybe at a detachment gathering of some kind ... :wink:

  2. I have found that Kwik Sew has very good patterns for more plain clothing and great "active wear" patterns like for leotards, tights, etc. Here's one for a plain long-sleeved shirt: http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/cat_deta ... sTopBlouse

     

    When I made my top I did just what Sakara mentioned to put princess seams in by using my overlock machine (or serger) and stitching a seam where I wanted it. Worked perfectly.

     

    And thanks ladyb for the template :wink:

  3. This is too funny - I'm presently playing the KOTOR game and was thinking Bastila would be a cool costume too! Having a costume that doesn't require a bald cap or extensive makeup would be a nice alternative :D

     

    To keep this thread on track, I like the bare back version better than the pics with the small crossed over straps. The bare back version could also be better since you'll need to cover your tattoo - no straps to rub the makeup off.

  4. Thank you. :D

     

    I have to say the sash is what drew me to this version of Ventress too, it appeals to my artistic-painter side. I think I'm going to make another belt though, this time out of leather and adding the 2 small black side belts with the silver details. This first one is made out of vinyl that I doubled and hand painted, and turns out it is more delicate than I anticipated. I think using leather will be more durable. I'm also taking a leather carving course soon, so might get some ideas for adding other relief details.

  5. This is all looking really good! The bracers are much improved over the previous versions.

     

    I found the collar to be the most difficult part of the costume to create and make fit properly. And yeah, I think you'll have no choice but to sew it to the shirt in order to make it snug up right without any gaps.

     

    It might be showing this way just for the pictures, but I would suggest applying a layer of foundation makeup to the bald cap before applying the grey to even out the colouring.

     

    Are you debuting your Ventress at a convention this weekend?

  6. This past weekend I once again attended the Fan Expo in Toronto where I debuted another Ventress costume - this time the "sash belt" version, with my main point of inspiration and reference being the GentleGiant statue.

     

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    While I had done the CloneWars Ventress last year, the large amount of time spent getting all of the makeup on right makes that costume somewhat prohibitive. This version requires only half the time in makeup.

     

    My sewing skills have improved over the past year and I was able to construct the majority of the costume myself, excluding only the lightsabers. Still, I learned even more as my work progressed: finding the right grey fabric was tricky; I'd never worked with the black pleather-type material before; and figuring out how to make the collar was the most difficult part to get right - all of those curves around the shoulders and neck area add just a little more challenge! :roll:

     

    Here's some pics of the lightsabers, which are a couple of Ultrasabers customized by a squad-mate (or rather sabersmith) and painted up by my hubby:

     

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    I had a great time at the convention with my fellow legionnaires, and even had the time to beat up some rebel scum:

     

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    Actually, the rebel scum was my hubby in his Obiwan costume as we performed a lightsaber demo for the public. I did have to take the belt off during the demo for fear of either destroying the belt or tripping over it and falling on my face. Thankfully, we stayed accident free :D

     

    The most annoying thing to happen was that at one point I had been staring too long while people were taking pics that my eye started to tear. Left a lovely mark down my face. My friend calls this pic "when Sith Lords cry" :lol:

     

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    I spent the past year researching this project off and on, with much of what I found and needed taken from this forum. The people here are a great resource and I have to thank you for all of the tips and tricks you graciously and freely share.

     

    Can't wait for the next big event to wear this one again!

  7. Actually, I would have to politely disagree with you Sakara. I have been able to get 2 uses out of one cap, but did have to do a little bit of trimming off the edges in a few spots. If one is really careful, you might be able to get 3 uses out of it but probably no more than that.

     

    And I totally agree, always have a spare because they can rip when you least expect it :roll:

  8. AsajjStrikes.jpg

     

    Um...am I reading that right ladyb?! The "before I shaved" statement?

     

    Yes, and I don't want to hijack this thread. Had my makeup go horribly wrong before a Relay for Life event and didn't want to let them down, so I did shave...Michael posted a picture on page 5 of my thread.

     

    Now THAT'S dedication! 8)8)8)

  9. I have a for the cap before I shaved, it helped it quite a bit to look more like real skin.

     

    Um...am I reading that right ladyb?! The "before I shaved" statement?

     

    My hubby is an airbrush artist, so he does the makeup for me, except around my eyes. He'll airbrush on both the foundation (thinned with water) and the liquid makeup. No idea if it stays on longer, but airbrushing allows for more subtle effects like shading. Pricing for a decent airbrush and compressor are comparable in Canada to what they are in the US.

  10. Great pics! Very scary and yet sexy at the same time :wink:

     

    I'm curious, since you've 'become' Ventress a couple of times now, are you finding it quicker and easier to put on the bald cap and makeup every time you do it?

  11. I can't seem to find the pics from your previous version, but if I remember correctly this looks like an improvement over that. I like the look of the top (should the black side panels continue in the back as well?), the skirt, bracers and belt look good too, though I'm not sure if the picture makes the belt look brown.

     

    What kind of makeup are you using? Water based or oil based? In areas where your skin comes in to direct contact with part of your costume, it's hard to get the make up to stay. Personally, I've used water based makeup and then used a fixing spray over top to keep the makeup from rubbing off. Sorry, I've no experience using oil based makeup.

     

    A couple of suggestions I would offer: make sure to paint your hands if not wearing gloves, and for the bald cap I would recommend either using the Pax product Sakara refers to in her bald cap tutorial, or cover the bald cap (and your face) with a good quality foundation before applying the grey makeup.

     

    Nicely done :)

  12. How do I sew in the black side panels on the shirt?

    I just sewed them over the top of the shirt but it didn't look very professional.

     

    Also can the top be white?

     

    Assuming you are working on the AOTC Concept version of Ventress, the colour standards for the shirt are:

    * The center front of the shirt, the shoulders, the back, and the sleeves are pale gray.

    * The side panels beneath the arms should be darker gray or black in color.

     

    My guess would be that the top (centre front) cannot be white.

     

    As for sewing the side panels on the shirt, you would probably get a better look if you used princess seams, so that you are actually sewing together the side panels to the front panel. (McCall's pattern M8107 would be a good example of this on a dress, you would have to modify it for a shirt.) It would probably also be a good if the two fabrics you're using are similar in weight and stretch.

  13. Ooooooo.... can't wait to see the pics!! :D:D:D

     

    From my own experience with the makeup, I highly recommend highlights and lowlights on the bald head to make it look more realistic. But you probably knew that already :wink:

    • Like 1
  14. Having done CW Ventress at a con in Aug'08, I've had a little bit of experience putting on a bald cap and body makeup. This subject has been on my brain lately as I'm preparing a new Ventress costume for this year's con and I've been trying to remember what we'd done with some success last year. I used makeup and appliances that are available at my local costuming stores. Sadly, they don't tend to carry the really high quality stuff, which I know will always give you the best result. I'm considering ordering some Ben Nye products for this year, so any reputable internet store suggestions (preferrably in Canada) would be welcome.

     

    Anyways, last year I used a Woochie latex bald cap and several Graftobian products to apply it, including their pro adhesive, their flesh-toned liquid latex and castor seal. My makeup was applied by my hubby primarily by airbrush. We used a good quality liquid foundation to cover my head and face evenly, followed by Mehron liquid makeup for the light grey base. The supply of liquid makeup colours at the store was extremely limited, but I wanted to add low- and highlights to help achieve a more realistic look. Hubby is an avid plastic modeller and airbrusher, so he suggested using acrylic modelling paint of all things - it's non-toxic and waterbased. This worked perfectly. I used good quality every-day makeup for the eyes and lips. And lastly, we used Graftobian setting spray in between coats of airbrushed makeup to try to make it last as long as possible. I was able to attend the con for about 5 hours before the sweat from my head started making the back of the bald cap come loose.

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