Random Encounter

It's me. I'm the dummy.  Okay, last time you were promised some sewing and now...I get to disappoint you. WAIT, NO! IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT. Let me back up and explain.  Originally the plan was to ditto an old pair of pants. Still in good shape, they fit me really well and if you're at all familiar with pants you know that's something of an uncommon thing. One might even go so far as to say it might even be prudent to make a master pattern of these pants, so as to make adjustments on any and all future slacks, jeans, capri pants, shorts, and so on.  But notice I said "still in good shape." As in, totally not ripping up a perfectly good piece of clothing for the sake of cosplay. That's a stupid waste of money (--and time. Seam ripping is the worst.) Which is totally do-able, as this video shows:   How to Copy a Pair of Pants (Get yourself a sandwich and buckle up, folks. This video is nearly two hours long.)  Sssssoooo...I've cloned things like shir...

     Against my better judgement, got a new sword. Forgive me, I have certain weaknesses. Pointy weaknesses. This one won't be awkward to keep on my right side at least. Yes, yes that's it! This was a thuroughly practical purchase that was in no way motivated by unfettered otakuism. Manderville rapier and focus. Because the Antiquated Murgleis somehow felt like too much honkin' sword to drag around all day.      Sword is noticeably longer than Talekeeper (by a solid 7 inches/17.78 cm). That officially makes it longer than my luggage case. Which is sort of a problem since we're flying down. There was a trick I pulled with Talekeeper, where the hilt could detach and that made it noticeably easier to transport. Might be able to pull off something similar here.        No clue how to attach the focus to the belt or anything. Not all of us can just magick it in place. Maybe invisible thread? ...Although that would be hard to detach. Generic l...

      So last time there was a laundry list of things to do and start gathering. At this juncture that means bookmarking a thousand things and then waiting like an ambush predator for it to go on sale.       What? Did you really think I was going to pay full price? For any of this? I'm flattered. But you saw that sketch. I have a job, sure, but it doesn't pay sword-pimp levels of money.      This go-around the fabric order included some red corduroy, gold belt buckles, and ostrich feathers. Also included, for no additional charge, was a month long shipping ordeal as everybody's packages got snarled, lost, and then found again. Love ordering stuff in December. Never a dull moment. Everyone should try it at least once. Oh wait. They did. Eeesh. Only been worn once and it already looks worse for wear. So embarrassing.        The feathers do fluff up the hat a bit. They're...not bad. Just one would think  eight...

    Honestly, I've wanted to cosplay a red mage for an eternity, but circumstances never lined up. Not that it was particularly hard, especially back then. Red hat, sweatsuit, and bed sheet. White feather. Done. ( Don't recommend re-enacting the hair bleaching bit though unless you know what you're doing. Saw sooo many dudes back in the day burn their scalp trying for a Red Mage (or over-shooting a Char Aznable blond).) There he is. There's our special little guy.     "Circumstances never lined up." That's a polite way of saying the attitude towards cosplay was much harsher back in the early '10s in a lot of stupid ways that are better discussed elsewhere. Point being in many regards things seem way more chill now. Or maybe I've just found chiller cons to go to, IDK.     However, nowadays if you want to make your own outfit it can quickly get a bit more complicated than running over to Goodwill to find a red bed sheet and matching cowboy...