It’s story time friends! Thanks for making it over to this post.

Last I left off, I was giving directions on how to make the Emma Frost Fortnite skin as a wearable costume. I decided to separate the story from the creation due to its length out of respect for my readers. The reason is because when I’m personally looking for directions to do something, I really just want the directions.

Having the option to read the story on in another space allows you to have an interest to instead of forcing it throughout the post.

Since you’re still here, let’s get into it!

Decisions, decisions…

Last year my daughter was a box of Cocoa Puffs for Halloween. She sort of decided on this last minute, too. The idea of it gained the “art takes time” conversation… and it must have stuck because by the end of September of this year, she already knew who she wanted to be: Emma Frost from X-Men.

Not just any Emma Frost either. Since Chapter 5: Season 4 of Fortnite came out, my daughter had blown through the battle pass and obtained the skin for this character and then some. She made it known that this was the character for her and stayed with it.

Let me translate what I processed as an artist and a mom that has no working sewing machine. I heard, “It’s going to take all month to do this by hand.”

…The Sewing Machine

Now, this issue isn’t new with my Baby Lock A-line Series (Anna) sewing machine.

I have gone through countless articles and videos to trouble shoot with my machine. At one point I was begging for it to simply be an operator error. This is basically the outcome of not doing threading the bobbin right, or the tension is too loose, etc. I could live with that. It’s an easy fix.

However, this is not the case with the sewing machine as I have it now. It’s jamming where the needle dips in to catch the bobbin’s thread immediately. I’ve broken needles over it too. No matter how often I clean it, I can’t seem to fix the condition of this machine. Any help would be amazing, but at this point it sits on my desk with me as a distant possibility.

While asking around for someone that might know how to fix them, a friend of mine offered her sewing machine. She said it was used once and then never again. It is a cool, all metal machine. The Kennmore Ultra-Stitch 8 is amazing. I mean it took me a solid three days to learn parts of it, which made for a good story, but alas, I couldn’t get it to load the bobbin.

This stopped my hopes for using a sewing machine for this costume and I became the sewing machine instead.

Accepting That I Had to Sew It By Hand

Basically, I did just that. There was no other way to sew this project and where there’s a will, there’s a way. Especially so when my kid is counting on me.

Around this time, I was collecting images and doing my research. While I am figuring out a project, I generally really see into the basic needs of the design. It had to be simplified so that my daughter could wear it and move with the garment. She needed to be able to maneuver it to do normal activities which included the using the bathroom or running around to play with her friends on the playground. It all mattered. Therefore the engineering behind the blueprinting really mattered.

It also mattered because I would need to have the ability to create it by hand. And… it had to have the strength to hold up while she moved.

Sewing projects haven’t stopped me before this, knowing that the machine was out or I needed to just suck it up and do it. Why should this be any different?

Choosing Tools…

This was the first time that I accepted that I couldn’t pull this off the same way that I made Sabine Wren’s costume two years ago. I knew that I needed help, so I ordered a form from Bonnlo. The form, or mannequin, was a cloth covered chest and torso piece that included a neck and stand. It was fairly easy to put together and came in three pieces.

Given the fact that this was my first time using a tool like this, I really appreciated the fact that it was only $35.00 at the time for a kids size form for sizes 7-8. Like I mentioned in my last post, I can’t seem to locate the exact one on Amazon through the link I purchased, but if you’re interested, they have a pretty decent selection.

Using the form was a game changer. It helped me see the design as it came together by pinning recycled paper to it. Making stencils was an actual success, because of the form. I was able to get the right measurements for my daughter using this thing. I mean, every thing was coming out right with the addition of this tool.

… Which is relieving considering the fact that I was very on the fence about going through with this purchase. I mean, I never had one before. What would I do with it afterward? Would I attempt more?

I can tell you that I am considering doing more after this project, based entirely on the fact that each piece came out well.

Choosing Fabrics…

Picking out fabrics can be daunting. Especially when I have only really worked with fleece, cotton, felt, plushy material, and a few others like silk, canvas, and heavy faux leather. Other than that, I really had no experience with high quality fabric. So, imagine my surprise when I doubled down and bought the good stuff from Yaya Han. For those of you that know what high quality fabric feels like, you understand the utter joy I felt when cutting into it for the first time.

I have never, and I mean, never, squealed in delight when cutting fabric ever before… This was kind of like an out of body experience. I know that sounds really weird, but imagine you’re ready for a sewing battle as the only working sewing machine and you’ve just found out you have amazing cloth at your fingertips. Why is it amazing? It held it’s own when I cut it. The cloth didn’t sass me or put up a fight with my very capable, sharp scissors. The fabric just cut. It didn’t fray or give me an aptitude of problems… It. Just. Cut.

I couldn’t believe it. If you’re just learning about Yaya Han, she’s a cosplayer who would make her own elaborate costumes based off of video game characters. I’m no Yaya, but I was absolutely floored when I first worked with her fabrics last month. Not only did the fabric cut well, but it also had it’s own character. The 4 way stretch faux leather made this swish sound when it moved, making it sound like it was professional grade. I’m still floored by this and it’s been weeks since finishing.

Remaining fabric that was picked for this, like the fleece, was to provide warmth in an otherwise really cold environment by Halloween. I also picked through remnants of cloth that I’ve been holding onto like the cotton to help divide the color of her cape. That came as another saving surprise as I was pretty much maxing my resources with other elements.

Flexible Purchases

Now, believe it or not, flexible purchases saved me from having to do the whole outfit. Letting my daughter down because of that was not in the cards. Call it what you need to, but my devotion to my kids through art makes me feel like they can really see how much I care about them. Usually this happens when they look back on their lives and see their mom trying her best to help them see and feel like they’re loved.

Being their guiding light is not always easy. Especially not when money is tight. However, making sure I could get use out of the body of her costume made those decisions worth while.

Silver Glitter – Josmo Girls Cowboy Western Boots, BlackButterfly Kids Tailored 3/4 Sleeve Bolero, a pink shirt my daughter had, size 7-8, and black leggins, size 7-8 all helped in their own right. Her clothes were items we saved on. Since she already had them, we didn’t have to buy them, obviously. The bolero was a huge save. While it really isn’t her style to wear such things, I’m sure it will get use if she wants to wear holiday dresses for concerts next month.

If not she’ll have Emma Frost’s jacket at the ready for any time she wants to play dress up. That’s good enough for me. What really sold me though were the boots. My daughter has a love of shoes and these did not disappoint. Reviews for the boots were correct on the other hand. They do lose glitter here and there but I would be more surprised if they didn’t, especially with how rough she is on shoes. Still, I’d recommend them to any fashionista looking to glam up their feet going forward.

It’s All About The Hair Products

I say this with a tight-lipped grin. After all the stitches had been done, it was time to go find her makeup and hair coloring spray.

I tell you, it was the most frustrating hour and a half to go find this product right before Trunk or Treat. Not only did we wait until the last minute, but my daughter was so jazzed up about getting it that she couldn’t contain herself. Usually she’s great at the store. She likes to be helpful and listens.

However, combining having to rush, with trying to find an item that might not be at our store, and trying to get back before the lot filled up, is kind of like creating a combustible witches brew.

She was all over the place.

No attention span, and managed to push the cart into me… but I got the message. Eventually it turned out that all she cared about was the hair spray. No makeup? No problem.

For those that do use the spray-on temporary hair dying solution it does a good enough job. I’m not super thrilled with the dye, however it made my daughter feel like her costume was complete. Overall, that’s what mattered.

Costume Making Dash

As I mentioned, this took me two and a half solid weeks to complete. Being a working mom, my after school hours are usually booked with trying to help with homework and sibling rivalry missions I did not assign. If we simplify the days it took to create this, I’d say I was working on her costume from 4pm until their bedtime. So, about five hours a day. It was basically like working another part time job. Some nights were longer, after they went to sleep. Even still, I’d be pressed for entertainment, as if magic was the component that would be putting this costume together.

Making the costume stayed in the front of my mind for most of the month. So much so that I’m not sure I remember a lot of what else went on.

I can say that I’ve never accidentally stabbed myself with a needle more times during one project as I have with this one. Oops!

Still it was well worth my diligence… Especially when my kid finally acknowledged that these things take time. Furthermore, the appreciation as well as comments of pride and love really cheered me on.

By the time I had gotten through her costume and the checkout line with her hair spray, I made a near fatal mistake. I forgot my wallet at home. Time was running out and so were my kid’s patience. What was I to do though? No money, no purchase. Needless to say, I had to take that step back, regroup, explain to my kids why we were leaving without the goods, and try again. Sure, they couldn’t quite get it, being hyped up on adrenaline probably didn’t help either. However, I was able to make it back with minutes to spare, on my own no less. I purchased the hair spray and made it back in time for dinner too.

Would I Do It Again?

At the moment I swore I wouldn’t do it again. Two weeks later? By now, I’m sure you know I won’t say no. I’m a trier. I want them to see me try even though I don’t know if I can do it. I find that it sends a good message about love, patience, and empowerment.

That empowerment encouraged my son to chime in a week before Trunk or Treat adding to the fun with a solid five days to go. “Do you think you can make me a Dr. Doom costume, Mom?”

Of course, I did it again… I’ll have to post that story separate from this one but I’ll add it soon.

Until then, I hope you find your empowerment.