Construction Details:

This costume was my first attempt at constructing this kind of extensive hard armor, and it was a real learning experience for me. Because I was worried about durability and wanted something that would keep its shape through a packing process, I decided to use sintra for this project. I flat patterned most of the armor, and was able to give the pieces the slight curves they needed with just a heat gun. The chest pieces and the skirt panels both snap onto a sort of undergarment/gambeson thing that keeps them in place. Because this costume was meant for stage, I took some liberties with the designs of the gloves and the boots in order to keep as much mobility as possible.

Excalibur was my first big wood-working project. It's build around a single piece of wood that creats the blade and continues full tang into the grip. I used a grinder to create the blade edges, and a combination of my dremel attachments and good old fashioned hand held wood carving tools to do the detailing. The handle is a section of a pre-fab bannister post that I salvaged for this project.

I took liberties with the design of Saber's cape, because I wanted the costume to be interesting from every side. The dragon on the back is about 50 hours worth of applique, couching, wire and bead work.

The dress is sewn as one piece, and has an optional bodice that can tie over the front to make it into the normal, non-armored Saber dress. All of the bias tape is handmade from dupioni silk, with couched cord embellishment added down the front section. I chose to line the dress in bamboo, because bamboo is apparently naturally antibacterial and anti-microbial, and I wanted to be able to sweat in this thing and not worry too much about it.

For the hem of the skirt I wanted to add something that would give her dress a more royal, ceremonial feel, and also look great on stage. The cross and fleur-de-lis designs are all done in 1.5 mm gold French wire. I had to hand cut each piece to the length I wanted, and then each section of wire is sewn onto the skirt like a bead. It was many, many hours of work, but I love the finished result! If you're interested in playing with French wire, we're giving away a package on our tumblr. You can enter that giveaway here until April 2nd:

http://foxglovescosplay.tumblr.com/post/44013398087/were-doing-our-first-materials-giveaway-we-are

Personal Thoughts:

Saber!

You can also check out my partner's amazingly detailed Irisviel costume here:
http://www.acparadise.com/acp/display.php?c=67372

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