The Morrigan Project (Intermediate Cosplaying Project)

McChubbin

Can anyone recommend a good supplier of faux leather or leather-effect fabrics in Dublin? I've tried Hickeys and I find their selection is both overpriced and a bit limited. My budget is €50-60. I'm trying to get the fabric to make a medievil style "belt skirt" but
I don't really want to go down the road of buying cheap belts in Pennys and sticking them to a mini-skirt.

I'm looking to craft something with a bit more "old" and "weater-beaten" feel to it but light enough to comfortably wear all day inside a badly air conditioned convention centre.

The skirt part is no problem as a basic black mini-skirt can be procured from Pennys and be used as a base on which I intend to sew the faux leather but my main concern is to do with the trailing belts, tassles and buckles.
As I've said before, I'm apprehensive about using the "cheap belt" option as I'd rather craft the details myself.

If anyone can offer advice on how to tackle this subject, I'd be most helpful.
I am planning on buying a small sewing machine tomorrow so ideally, the sort of leather-effect fabric I have in mind would be thin enough for a conventional sewing machine to handle.

The hair is no problem as I tend to wear it very similar to that in the picture. Just a spot of purply-black dye and voila. Same for make-up: Simple enough.

The hood I could easily create by cutting out the front of an old waistcoat and replacing it with a "snood/hoop scarf"
fashioned by myself before dyeing and stonewashing to give a more "weathered effect".

For now, my main priority is the skirt as I estimate it will be the most difficult part of this project.
Even so, I'm excited at the prospect of potentially wearing something purpose made by my own hand rather than a cheap
and tacky looking pre-made costume bought last minute on the internet!

For anyone wondering, this is the look I'm trying to create:
EDIT:Linked due to large picture size

As for the reason why I've decided to take on such a potentially difficult craft project:
Only 9 months to go until Eirtakon 2010 rolls around so what better way to while away the long, impatient weeks than to busy myself making a truely epic costume?

Yes, I'm a nerd. And I have no shame.

Any helpful imput would be greatly appreciated. I hope to use this thread as something of a creator diary to chart the costume's progress and also seek advice from the more seasoned craftpeople on the forum.

Happy crafting!

-Chubsy-

kwalsh000

Firstly..best of luck with the costume!

I was looking for faux leather or even vinyl to use on a Jaffa costume at one stage. The best I could find is from sites in the UK like http://fabricaz.co.uk/acatalog/Faux_leather_fabric.html
or even ebay. The prices here are very over priced. Other than that you could try real leather and maybe even find people over here who do medieval re enactment as they could have scraps or know suppliers at good prices.

Also wander on over to www.therpf.com and you might find something of use.

McChubbin

Result!! I found a fabulous bargin in Hickeys the other day: some gorgeous soon-to-be-discountinued brown leatherette, marked down from €20 a yard to €5 a yard. Naturally, I bought €30 worth of the stuff along with some knotted rope cording and a few sew on buckles.

Once I get a hole of some fleece lining for the edging, I can get to work on creating the basic body of the skirt. only thing is- I'll nodoubt end up with miles of left over leaterrette...

Must resist urge to make Xena costume...

Dutchess

I see you got it sorted. The costume plan looks very nice.

I was going to suggest ebay if you're willing to shop online: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=leather+hide&_sacat=See-All-Categories My boyfriend get a lot of leather from there as we do a good bit of costume making ourselves.