Leather Shopping for my Jedi Cosplay

Today I went leather shopping, I need to find a small amount of leather for my Lekku headband. First place I stopped by was JoAnn's fabrics. I found a few pieces of faux leather but I didn't like the plasticy look they had. So I decided to go to a leather shop in North Hollywood called Tandy's Leather. There were no prices on things so that should have been my first sign. I checked out the various hides they had and they had a ton. Both sales people were busy with other customers so I just perused around and grabbed a few pieces that I really liked. One was more of a brown suede while the other was more of your typical brown leather. I asked the prices and she said $99 for the Suede and $205 for the brown leather. I told here that I only needed a small section of each but she then informed me that they do not cut the hide.  You have to buy the entire thing. There was no way I was going to do that as the headpiece would be the most expensive part of my cosplay. So I thanked her and quickly put down the hides and made my way out of the store. That plasticy faux leather was looking better and better... not really. I decided to not buy anything today and would go out again at a later date and see if I could find something more to my liking and less expensive.

New MASH Podcast & More Jedi Cosplay

Geekyfanboy Productions released a new episode of the MASH 4077 Podcast. This is episode 132, covering Season 6 Episode 10, "Images"

Corporal Hendrix, a GI covered in tattoos, shows up on the 4077 operating table; he gives Radar the idea of getting a tattoo so he can be the object of respect, fear and sex. A scrawny stray dog shows up at the 4077; although it is against all regulations, Klinger is feeding him; and even Margaret sneaks table scraps and food to the mutt. A new nurse, young Lt. Sandra Cooper, is having problems getting used to the place. Cooper falls apart in OR and Margaret is convinced Cooper is not 4077 material. She tries to get Cooper transferred but Col. Potter tells Margaret to ease up and allow Cooper to adjust. Surprised at not being given the immediate boot, Cooper promises to become as cold and unfeeling as Margaret. But is the Major really cold and unfeeling or is that just what she tells herself to make it through another day? A senseless death sheds some answers for Margaret and, in turn, for Sandra Cooper.

You can Download from itunes tinyurl.com/MASH4077itunes , listen on Stitcher Radio ow.ly/iZJIz or listen and get direct download from our main website MASH4077Podcast.com

I spent some time today painting more of my Lekku, I am using the same paint that I'm using on my face (so it matches) but I don't that's the best paint for them as when the latex stretches it's causes crack and wrinkles so it's going to need constant touch ups. To late to come up with a plan B so I'll just have to deal with the touch ups.

I also got my Jedi boots in the mail today. I found them on Ebay and they look pretty good. I did remove this weird piece of faux leather that ran along the front of them. My calves are fairly large so it was a tight squeeze to get the zipper up but I managed and I have to say along with my Jedi pants the look pretty good. 

Finishing Up My Jedi Robes

After three days of sewing for a total of about 10 hours my Jedi Robe is complete.. well almost I still have to hem all the edges but I will be doing that at home over the next few days. It's an amazing feeling taking fabric and actually making something that is functional and looks pretty good. I'm really surprised how well I took to sewing. Yes it can be frustrating and my lines are perfectly straight but it's also extremely rewarding. I'm really looking forward to completing my Jedi tunic, armor and belts next. I want to thank Kimi and Shannon for without their assistance I would still have a pile of brown fabric sitting on my dining table. I see alot more sewing in my future.

My Ilvermonry (Harry Potter) House

So Pottermore opened up their sorting hat for the American Magic School "Ilvermorny" (you can go 
to Pottermore or HERE for more info about this school). Of course I had to take the test to see which house I belonged to. Like with Hogwarts there are four houses in Ilvermorny;

Horned Serpent -  Sometimes considered to represent the mind of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Horned Serpent favors scholars.

Wampus - Sometimes considered to represent the body of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Wampus favors warriors.

Thunderbird - Sometimes considered to represent the soul of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Thunderbird favors adventurers.

Pukwudgie - Sometimes considered to represent the heart of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Pukwudgie favors healers.

So if you don't know I was sorted into Hufflepuff at Hogwarts and for Ilvermorny I was sorted into Thunderbird. I can say that I'm 100% Hufflepuff but there really isn't enough known about the new houses to say if this is correct or not. I like the idea that my house represents the soul of the wizard but I'm not to sure about being an adventurer, I feel more like a healer. But will learn more as we get closer to the release of the new Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them.

Labyrinth 30th & Real Life Super Mario Maker

30 years ago today creative genius Jim Henson released one of my all time favorite fantasy movies.. Labyrinth. It wasn't a box office success but became a cult classic. I remember being dropped off at the movie theater by myself and sitting in a fairly empty theater on opening weekend and just falling in love with this fantasy world. From the music (David Bowie) who also was the "bad guy" Goblin King to the amazing puppetry, this movie was an escape from the real world. I can't believe it's been 30 years already.. where has the time gone. But I'm happy to saw that 90% of the effects really hold up in this film and it's a pretty timeless story.

And on their 30th anniversary they announced a brand new book called Labyrinth Tales,  it follows a day in the life of guardsman Sir Didymus, along with his pals Ludo and Hoggle. You can read more about it HERE. It's set to be released September 27th and I'm sure I'll be getting my copy soon after. I can't wait to escape back into the amazing world.

So I posted a video about a real life Donkey Kong, I loved the video, the effects, the look of the entire thing.. you can read my review and watch the video as well as the BTS video HERE. Well they made a sort of sequel set in the Super Mario Maker world. Same actor who played Mario in the Donkey Kong video, same cool music but it's done a little differently. This one is more of a trailer instead of the just game play. I felt like Donkey Kong was a story this one is just snippets of game play. But none the less it's pretty awesome. Check out the video below.

Learning to Sew My Jedi Robes

Today I got to visit my friend Kimi who was teaching me how to sew, she's a big time cosplayer and an amazing sempstress. I haven't sewn since collage for a Costuming course I took. And even then there wasn't much actual sewing so this is all new to me. My friend Lauren showed me how to thread a bobble (didn't have a clue what that even was). I had purchased my own sewing machine a few months back so I grabbed it and the material for me Jedi robe and headed over to Kimi's place. Once there was set up everything and Kimi and I started to look over everything.

Of course things would have gone alot fast if Kimi would have done things but she purposely made me do it all so I would learn and I'm so grateful. She showed me how to pin the pieces of fabric together. She gave me ideas on how to keep a straight line and various other sewing tips.

I have to say I took to it pretty quickly, once you get the concept down things move right along. Now I'm not going to say I was perfect. There were many times that I have to learn how to use a thread puller and pull out thread the entire length of the robe. Or when I would finish and then look at it and realize that my thread unraveled so there was no stitches at all. I had to go back and re-pin the entire thing and start over again, but it was a fun process. I think the worse thing I did at the end of the night was cut the robe. I went to cut a stray thread and didn't realize that there was folded fabric between the scissors and snip.. a hole in my robe right by the neckline. Of course Kimi was prepared and quickly pulled out her fabric glow and repaired it.. but that pretty much ended my night of sewing. I managed to get the two back pieces and hood connected. I think I have a few more days before this piece is done.. but I have to say for my very first sewing job it's going pretty well.. Thanks Kimi.