Mad Alice is in the House....

The Teen and I attended our local Comiccon  and I decided to attend as Mad Alice. The Teen introduced me to American McGee's Alice and Madness Returns a couple of years ago. I have always loved Alice in Wonderland and have to admit I was mildly disturbed when he first showed me the game shots online. 

I did discover there was something about the game that I loved. Maybe that it contained a darker element to it. It wasn't a typical flowery version of Alice. It was darker and more intense and I was drawn to that. So when tossing out ideas for costumes I fell on Mad Alice. 

This is my first foray into the world of cosplay, not counting Halloween. I wanted to make as much of the costume as possible. I am funny like that. So I started collecting pieces over the last few months, some of which I have posted already as teasers. I have been very fortunate to find awesome deals on things. I scoured the net looking for things to bring this costume together. Buying what I wasn't able to, or didn't have time to make myself. 

I made the dress myself, not using a pattern because I am risky like that. I had purchased a pattern for an Alice in Wonderland costume but I didn't have the time or patience to sit there and work out math to enlarge the pattern. So I decided to wing it using my sewing know-how and muddling through. I have always been told I tend to do things the hard way and this probably is a good example of this. 

It was an interesting experience, to say the least. My sewing machine died a couple of weeks before the con so I thankfully was able to borrow a machine from my co-worker. 

I basically traced a tank top I had (of course not calculating that the tank top was jersey, which stretches, and my dress material was not) and then made a full circle skirt from what I have learned making a 50s dress years ago. The sleeves I did use a pattern for since no alterations were required for those. The apron I pretty much whipped up. 

I had made stencils for the pocket symbols and used fabric medium with black acrylic paint to apply to the pockets. Sewed them on, reaching back to high school sewing class in pocket making, I might add. 

I had a bunch of fun splattering the red paint all over the pristine, white apron in my living room. Normally I cringe at messy clothing but how can you have a Mad Alice without a little blood splatter. So I laid out a drop cloth and got to work splashing droplets of red paint all over. By the end I was giggling like a little girl. It was fun to get messy. I had lost touch with that childlike wonder many moons ago. It was good to get back in touch. 

I also got back in touch with my childlike state of playing with clay. A statement piece of Alice's dress has to be her skull bow in the back. She also wears an Omega necklace around her neck. I knew I could make both so I set to work. It was good working with my hands and shaping things. 

The Teen would regularly check in on my progress and nod his approval. He seemed impressed and I got a few "that will work" as I went along. 

All in all it was an amazing experience. There was some blood, sweat and tears along the way but totally worth it and I am looking forward to next year and seeing what I can come up with. I do think I might give the steampunk outfit a stab *pun totally intended* 

I will be posting about the actual con in a day or two. Until then, Hugs and Smoochies from Mad Alice in the Madhouse 

<3 Arawynn <3

The Countdown is on...

....for Comic Con. 

I purchased tickets for "the teen" and I for our local Comic Con, coming up in a couple of months. 

Both of us are so excited. He actually said he wants to start working on a cosplay idea because last year he was taken unaware, with all the cosplayers. He keeps teetering back and forth on that though. He thinks the ideas he has are too difficult. I told him anything is possible. I have been trying to convince him to go as one of the doctor's since it is fairly easy to acquire costume pieces. He thinks it is overdone. My little hipster :)

As for myself, I have a costume in the works. I have started brainstorming. When I ran the idea by "the teen" he was like "No" but he has warmed up to the idea and has helped me tweak my costume by researching the character online. 

I found an awesome replica of one of the dresses for this character but it is way out of the price range in which I am comfortable with. So I am going with the DIY route. I am handy with a sewing machine so I got this. I am going to "Make it Work" so to speak. Using the words of the awesome Tim Gunn. What can I say I love Project Runway. ^.^ 

Here is a little sneak peek. Any guesses?

 

I need to tweek the boots a bit to make them more like the actually character. Totally doable. 

I have been totally getting my geek on this weekend. Watched all Six seasons of The Guild. I love Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day. I got my picture taken at last year's con and I squeed when Felicia Day said I was so cute. I seriously had a Rudolph moment when Clarice tells him she thinks he is cute. I totally bolted away from her and Wil Wheaton saying "She thinks I am CUTE! OMG OMG" I remember Wil looking at me as a ran away saying "Nice to meet you" with a completely confused look on his face. Awesome times were had last year. 

Yesterday I spent many hours on my feet attempting to track down black and white striped stockings for my costume and finding none. Even tried online and there is a serious shortage online as well and in efforts to keep expenses low on this endeavour I refuse to pay $20+ for a pair of tights. So I am improvising slightly. Making it work is my mantra, as of late :)

I also signed up for my first painting class yesterday. Should be an interesting activity. I am broadening my horizons and I am actually, very much, looking forward to it. Looking at all the choices in the art supply section of my local craft store is pretty overwhelming but I know I can figure it out. Future big artist maybe? You never know in the Madhouse. 

Live long and...you know the rest. ^.~

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse. 

<3 Arawynn <3