I used styrofoam glue and reinforced it with pins and wrapped it it gray tulle. I built the foam structure using a hollow half sphere and two large cones attached together. I kept cliff bars and fruit snacks handy, as well as super glue and extra batteries. I was able to machine sew some of the groups to the pack, but most were hand stitched. I used a hot knife to cut long strips of a sheer white fabric and sewed them together in groups to cover the faces of the pack. This velcro is sewed onto the dress and pack, so there was no glue to fail. I used a white fanny pack with the strap removed, and velcroed it to the back of the dress. Little gold studs, ribbon, worbla globs, and paint decorate the top. I used eyelets to connect the collar to the vest and used the ribbon as part of the pattern. The feathers are craft foam with the bases painted black using PlastiDip. The collar is made from trovicel plastic. I painted it black and did all the details in gold paint. Automotive filler primer evened out the surface. The details are additional layers of worbla.

I created the Madonna cones out of worbla, styrofoam and craft foam. I plan on replacing the vest with one thermoplastic piece with the cones permanently attached for next year. However, my body heat caused the glue to fail. I created a pleather vest and velcroed the chest piece onto it. The vest is what still needs the most work. I watched and re-watched hours of the show trying to get the pattern just right, and laying it out on the fabric. The most difficult part was adding the sequin design to the front of the dress and sleeves. I traced the pattern onto tracing paper and extended the length and cut long strips in order to fan out the shape. The main change to the pattern was creating long bishop sleeves with a cuff. I adjusted the pattern for the skirt to be one piece without layers and to have a train. I used a ball gown pattern for the basic shape with a lot of tweaks to the pattern. I started with what I knew and created the dress. After wearing it at Dragon*con, I have some adjustments I’d like to make, and then I think it will be perfect. The total process took me about 9 months to construct all the pieces, and I had to learn a lot of new techniques to complete it. TSA will sometimes check your sewing machine and foam heads, But you can take your sewing machine as a carry-on, if you’re wondering. I did most of the work in hotel rooms at night while traveling for work.

Mariah carey rita repulsa