Construction Details:

Goggles
The goggles were made using a tutorial found online, with a few modifications to make it cheaper! The lenses are Plexiglas, the lens frames are plumbing accessories painted gold, and the gaskets are made from craft foam and faux suede. The straps are also made from faux suede and they attach via a hidden elastic band.

Wig
The wig is a New Look Naomi and I cut/styled bangs and did some minor stying work to the front. This wig was originally used for Takarazuka Oscar (Hurrah! I saved some money!)

Waist Sashes
I cut long half-moon pieces, serged the edges and added trim to the bottoms. I attached the two pieces together by folding them under and beaded a “waistband” onto the top. An additional line of beads was added on fishing wire. A pleated “dangly bit” was added to the end of the sashes and the entire thing fastens with a bar pin.

Shorts
As I didn’t have a shorts pattern, I used a pants pattern with the bottom chopped off to create these shorts. I wanted a bit of stretch in the unforgiving faux microfiber suede so I cut the fabric on the bias. The shorts zip and hook in the back. Machine embroidery was added to the front hems and I embellished the embroidery with hand beading and sequining

Bodice
Pattern:
Simplicity 2172 (modified)
The pattern was modified to open in the back instead of the front, and a mockup was made with the lining fabric to adjust the fit before the interlining and fashion layers were cut. It is made of a polyester gradient brocade, interlined in a very stiff mystery $1/yd fabric and lined in a flocked cotton. Clear sequins were added to the front for extra sparkle. The back closes with laces (a modesty panel was added to the pattern) and I used embroidery floss to bind and strengthen the metal eyelets.

Boots
The boots came out of the box solid black and I painted them metallic burgundy and gold with Jacquard Lumiere textile paints. This involved a large amount of detail work with a very fine brush as the piping is all painted gold. Rhinestones were added to the buttons as a last sparkly touch.

Duster
Pattern:
Simplicity 2172 (modified) with sleeves from Butterick 3072
The body of the duster is made of an upholstery fabric lined in a strangely patterned mystery fabric I found in Joann’s Red Tag fabrics. The front panel of the pattern was left off because I didn’t want the duster to close. For the most part the pattern was followed very closely (it’s not often I can say that!) except when it came to the sleeves. I wanted full, voluminous sleeves so I used a sleeve piece from a Colonial shirt pattern. I found a lavender drapery fabric with pretty gold scroll embroidery to use for the sleeves, but I wanted to embellish it further so I added many small purple sequins. I attached the fashion layer of the sleeve to an inner fitted sleeve and attached this to the jacket. I then found I didn’t like the puffy sleeve as much as I thought I would so I made straps out of the same fabric I used for my bodice and snapped those around the sleeves. I was now satisfied with the sleeves!
Since Daryl is known for piloting her airship called the Falcon, I decided to use a falcon motif in the machine embroidery I added all over the duster. All embroidery was digitized myself, including the very large falcon on the back of the duster. Not content with “just” adding embroidery, I further accented the duster with beads and sequins.

Personal Thoughts:

FFVI has been my favorite game since I unwrapped the cart of "FFIII" for the SNES under the Christmas tree when I was 13 years old. I can't tell you how many times I've played through that game. It was the strategy guide that inspired me to go into the arts as a profession too, because that guide was chock full of Amano's wonderful concept designs. To say this game is dear to my heart is an understatement. So I was very pleased when my boyfriend decided he wanted to make an Amano-inspired Setzer costume. Daryl may only have a handful of lines but her personality still shines through, so I'm glad I chose to interpret her sprite in an Amano-inspired manner. This was a joy to make.

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