So here we are: 7 evenings and 6 full days to complete the costumes. I put the buttons on Keats' vest and closed the sideseams, so that is 100% complete. (Though admittedly I put the wrong buttons on... sigh) My mockup for Ellen's cloak and skirt are done for the most part, so now it's on to the real deal! I still need to figure a couple of things out with the capelet thinger (storm flap? I dunno.), but I intend to wing it on those pieces. Oftentimes those are the things that work out easier for me - things for which I have no pattern or plan. I just eyeball it and it works out one way or another.

I also made a quick mockup for Ellen's buttons last night and I think it came out pretty good considering I didn't spend more than 10 minutes on it. I know people will think I'm crazy for hand-making buttons for this costume, but I feel that the character artist went to the effort to put a specific design on them - and I want to honor their work by following suit.

Otherwise, not much to say on the matter of progress. I did futz with Ellen's wig... I've never done a French braid before, so I had to practice a little. I think it will turn out well enough. :)

Still to be done:

• Doctor Keats' boots once they arrive
• Finish Keats' coat (buttons, epaulets, hem)
• Do mockup for Ellen's top
• Make Ellen's coat
• Make Ellen's skirt
• Make Ellen's top
• Boot covers for Ellen
• Style Ellen's wig
• Super style Keats' wig
• Make buttons for Ellen's costume (10 total)
• Make Ellen's headpiece and hair tie
• Make Ellen's "collar"
• Make Ellen's belt buckle
• Doll up Ellen's gloves

The heat is on... bring it, Otakon!!! D:<

Progress updates have been delayed because I spend every possible minute working on the costumes... sorry for that! I made a lot of progress Friday and the first half of Saturday (or so I thought), but Sunday was a complete bust as far as I'm concerned. Woke up feeling tired, depressed and just plain not in the mood to put in my third long day in a row. And of course, it showed in the work I got done.

Keats' coat is together, for the most part. Shell and lining are done and joined. However, I apparently am an idiot and the lining is a bit longer than the shell, so now has to be ripped out and re-hemmed, then tacked to the shell. It still needs the decorative leather bits, epaulets and buttons. Sigh.

I managed to get a mockup done for Ellen's skirt. Once I had it on and looked again at the OC art, I realized just how bloody short the thing is! D:

Still on the list:

• Doctor Keats' boots once they arrive
• Finish Keats' coat (buttons, epaulets, hem)
• Finish Keats' vest (buttons, close side seam)
• Do mockups for Ellen's coat, skirt and top
• Make Ellen's coat
• Make Ellen's skirt
• Make Ellen's top
• Boot covers for Ellen
• Style Ellen's wig
• Super style Keats' wig
• Make buttons for both costumes (17 total)
• Make Ellen's headpiece and hair tie
• Make Ellen's "collar"
• Make Ellen's belt buckle
• Doll up Ellen's gloves

... 18 working days to go before Otakon - which breaks down to 6 full days and 12 evenings. My back hurts, my wrists are inflamed and I'm already tired of looking at Keats' coat. But I shall prevail! The Cosplay Demons will not win this battle if I can help it...

Ugh. Progress is not going so well. I hit a speed bump with Keats' pockets, as I have never done inset double-welt pockets. And the more I read about putting them in, the more confused I get! I did find a video on YouTube about sewing in the welts, but nobody seems to discuss how to put the pocket in after that is done. I managed to do a mockup that came out passable, but it's definitely not the quality I wanted. But with only 22 days to go, I have to make it work. At this point, the only thing done is Keats' vest - sans the buttons.

Still on the list:

• Find boots/boot base for Keats
• Doctor Keats' boots or do boot covers
• Make Keats' coat
• Finish Keats' vest
• Do mockups for Ellen's coat, skirt and top
• Make Ellen's coat
• Make Ellen's skirt
• Make Ellen's top
• Boot covers for Ellen
• Style Ellen's wig
• Super style Keats' wig
• Make buttons for both costumes (17 total)
• Make Ellen's headpiece and hair tie
• Make Ellen's "collar"
• Make Ellen's belt buckle
• Doll up Ellen's gloves

Yes, crazy me decided to make buttons for these costumes. Ellen's buttons have a very specific design, so I will be casting them from an original I will be making later this week (I hope...). As usual, my timeline and the timeline that life hands me do not correspond. It will truly be a miracle if these get done in time for Otakon, since I have been feeling like hell for the past 3 weeks (and still have to wait another 10 days to see a doctor). Sigh.