Construction Details:

The first thing I did once again was just draw all the things out. Afterwards I made paper patterns for the top because it was so intricate and strange. I think I have it figured out, so I transferred it all to scrap fabric.

After creating a mock-up, I'm going to do it all again on the real fabric. Alot of the patterns have all been based around the idea of a cone shape.

Top: I'm using left over v-13 fabric, which happens to be bridal gown fabrics. I sewed all the mock up pieces together for the front, and with black suiting fabric (same material as skirt) I made a princess seam front panel. I folded down the edges of the white heart section and pinned it to the black all on the mannequin. Afterwards I carefully appliqued the corners down. I sewed in white cord over the stitch so it doesn't bother me much. I then zig-zag appliqued the weird tiny scallops on top and used white puff paint to even everything out; however, I decided to also sew cord over this section as well.. I then serged around the extra black sections of the "heart" shape inside.
I measured the place where I wanted the frills and multiplied it by 3 to get my fabric length. I ruffled the edges and sewed them onto the sleeve area. I added in an extra piece because Chaika's shoulders are shown to be slightly visible under the frills (aka the frills are not directly connected to the start of the sleeve but more like the end of the collar bone).
The sleeve pattern is based off a cone shape, because her sleeves poof out in a way where there are no ruffled bunches?? It's strange. I sewed in a button with craft foam to cover the holes and carefully glued/sewed cord onto the sleeve.
All frayed edges have been gone over with bias tape and ribbon, so that means 100% no frayed edges~! even inside!!
I also made the arm covers in the same idea as the sleeves. They are first sewn onto a brown and black sleeve that is connected to the top puff, then cord was sewn/glued over the edges.
The whole thing was pinned down and a zipper was added to the back. The zipper extends all the way down to the dress section.
The bottom section is 6 triangle type things carefully pinned, basted, and sewn onto the top. It is lined in order for it to be flipped up (like it does in the show) without showing any frayed edges. The diamonds are made from craft foam, string, and duct tape for the back.
The rose pin is made from looping ribbon under 5 pieces of string in the shape of a star on felt. The pendant thing is clay with acrylic and nail polish, connected to the rose ribbon with string. I also "bedazzled" two gem settings that I also painted onto the area around the rose pin.

Cage: I'm making a temporary cage with aluminum wire with marine vinyl hot glued to the outside. It closes together with a hook and eye. At the bottom I attached another clay pendant.

Belt + bag: The belt is made in a similar fashion to the cage. Since I'm paranoid I also decided to stick the weird hexagonal thing to the belt as well. It also clasps in the back and for once it is backed because the top bar sticks out a tiny bit. The hexagon is craft foam covered in fabric, cord, and a button.
Bag is made from marine vinyl with a cardboard base covered in duct tape. After attaching everything to the base, I glued cord around the edges. It closes with velcro.The detailing is from vinyl, craft foam, and a painted brad as a button. It hooks onto the belt with two clasps and cord.

Skirt: simple, 3/4 circle pattern with hidden zipper and snap button for waist. I took ribbon and box pleated it using a business card to keep it consistent before ironing and sewing it around the edge of the skirt. (and the pleats fit around the dress perfectly! no extra/smaller pleats!)
The underskirt is made from left over white lining and lots and lots of tulle. Making this was an interesting experience. It is two tiered with two layers on each tier.

Headband: Took a basic black headband and ruffled some ribbon. I hand stitched and glued the ruffles onto the band and then put a black ribbon over it. Snap buttons were sewn into the black ribbon before putting it on the headband. Added velcro for extra support. These will hold the butterfly clips. Sewed on two black ribbons on the bottom to stay accurate and for extra support.
The butterfly clips are made from craft foam, clay, paper, puff paint, and acrylic gems. I painted the gems with acrylic paint and nail polish. The clip is two layers of craft foam for dimension and paper cut-outs on the back. The line designs are puff paint. The body of the clip was made by layering clay over one another for a ridged effect. Glued onto the craft foam after stitching on the snap button to the back. The gems were then glued on, along with a long piece of ribbon that I cut and painted black.

Shoes: Started with base block-y shoes. I painted the heels white and the soles black. Touched up on some craftsmanship issues with the elastic on the show. The "boot" look is accomplished by a pair of tights. I glued on craft cord for the white detailing. The "buttons" are two layers of craft foam. The top cord was only glued onto the button, and piece of velcro was added to one button so that it can snap on and off for easier access~! There are also two layers of pleather(?) at the top with a ribbon to simulate her stocking & zipper(?) look, without having to actually sew into the cute thigh highs~!

Personal Thoughts:

Argh! I need to finish this ASAP! I can feel the other Chaika cosplayers scrambling to make her too! GOTTA BE FIRST LOL (jk but still).
Patterning this was strange. I think it's the hardest thing I had to actually pattern in awhile.

Wig Review

Recycled v-13 wig that has been tangled beyond belief and cut down to about 28".
(has been used as a casual wig since then (fem jack frost, fem hope estheim)

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