Construction Details:

The very first thing I made on this costume was actually the corset that is worn underneath the bodice! It was my final project in Advanced Costuming, and it is pretty fly. The bodice is a heavily modified corset pattern. The front has princess seams, but also a V-inset in the center bodice, which was draped and pinched and sewn into the seams. It was way more difficult than I thought it would be... Next, I created pleated... straps, I guess? They start from the center of the bodice but go over my shoulders and hold up my bodice back. I don't think that's what Maggi intended, but I love functionality, so that's what I did!

The skirt is comprised of 2 parts: upper and lower. The lower skirt is a 5-tiered chiffon black trumpet skirt that in hindsight, I wish I'd done differently because the chiffon sits so closely to the satin underneath it, you almost can't tell it's chiffon and that each layer is separate. ;_; I also will be making a mini hoopskirt to go under it, because the petticoat gets ALL caught up in my legs and my heels. The upper skirt is made of satin shantung (same as the bodice and bolero) with a raw satin applique. I added eyelets to the front of the design because I could think of no better way to attach the beads that drape between the front opening. I really would love to take this skirt in and make it more fitted. I may not be able to walk in it anymore, but my silhouette will be bangin'! XD
The bolero jacket is a modified wedding lace bolero pattern. All the style lines were done with cotton bias tape because I didn't have the time or $$$ to make my own bias tape, and I wasn't psychotic enough to make the style lines also seam lines and do piping (as I think it should be). XD All chiffon on the jacket is gathered and then edged with a scalloped stitch, then trimmed away. It was the best way I could think to capture Maggi's artwork, although in game, the trim looks like it was a standard rolled hem! XD
The jewelry and accessories were all my first time ever doing serious jewelry for a costume. It was probably one of my favorite parts, though! I put off making the headpiece for the longest time because I didn't know how to do it, then after a felt-inspired epiphany, I sat down with a hot glue gun and whipped that bad boy out! The best part is how sturdy it is, despite looking rather delicate. *_*

Personal Thoughts:

2 years in the making! I don't think I've ever taken that long to finish a costume in my life... Or spent so much money on beads, jewelry, various fabrics, etc. I fell in love with this design when I first came upon it in 2008, but didn't feel ready to tackle its complexity until after graduating college 2 years later... then it took all of 2010 and 2011 to finally get her (and my boyfriend's male Wizard Le Blanc costume, which I made simultaneously) finished! There are still a ton of things I'd love to update, so hopefully, that won't take another 2 years. XD

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