Ariel - Crossplay 2018

**Keiris** · 03-15-2018, 07:14 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have been a very busy lad!!! That's a lot of work and you look GREAT in all those guises.

**Arking** · 03-15-2018, 07:48 PM

Thanks I wish I had my wigs for all these looks but

I'm happy I did this today it was actually on my to-do list this week.

**Keiris** · 03-16-2018, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by Arking

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You remind me of the guy playing Romeo in the original Romeo & Juliet in that first group of pics.

**Mermaid Whisper** · 03-16-2018, 01:23 AM

And that actor reminds me of Zac Efron's teenage years

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**Arking** · 03-16-2018, 01:28 AM

Oh he's pretty I'll take that compliment!

I should really praise my ancestors more for good genetics. That and photoshop filters. :P

**Mermaid Whisper** · 03-16-2018, 02:46 AM

You do look fantastic! I'm jealous of your costuming skills tbh.

I was awful looking as a child and turned out to be somewhat decent

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**Arking** · 03-16-2018, 02:53 AM

Same, I oddly look younger than I did when I was in my early 20's now that I'm nearing my mid my 30's. It probably has to do with my oily skin growing up but it took 15 years for me to finally grow out of acne so I'm conflicted if that has anything to do with it.

Edit: Yes I'm a grown man running around in superhero costumes...it keeps me young.

**Mermaid Whisper** · 03-16-2018, 03:01 AM

I'd rather see grown men in superhero costumes having fun than men spending their lives in an office wishing they could do so.

If it keeps the passion alive, by all means!

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**Arking** · 03-16-2018, 11:11 AM

I should mention I only really learned to sew two years ago. I got my first sewing machine in 2014 but the TSA broke it in transit rendering it unusable. Thankfully I saved up enough money to buy a new machine which can do embroidery as well as automatic stitching (which I never use). This newer machine has been a gift from the gods and with it I've slowly built up confidence to work on larger projects. Truth be told this doublet is really the first costume I have completed, the Link and Robin costumes were done years back (almost 10 years ago now) and all I did was cut out the pattern the actual sewing was done by someone else. I did learn through watching though and the most important thing I've picked up is that pattern making and modification is key to pulling off convincing costumes.

With the brown doublet I tried following instructions to complete the task, but quickly found myself unable to understand the directions. It took me three months to finally pull myself together and just finish it without caring for how the lining came together (the lining is by far the hardest portion). That said I completed the second doublet in two days from cut to completion it was much faster because I got more confident in my ability and had learned where I'd gone wrong with the first (so many bloody mistakes). My strength is in accessories though and that's how I really taught myself to manage my machine to the best of my abilities by making small bags, embroidery patches, belts, harnesses, swimsuits etc.

In my cosplay experience you can never have enough accessories on hand to mix and match with your costumes. On my Tumblr I frequently talk about how key this is and one such accessories has been in use since 2005, that belt you see in the doublet and Link photos. Granted I'm replacing it for both of those costumes, but for getting started something small like that can go a long way.

**Keiris** · 03-18-2018, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Arking

Same, I oddly look younger than I did when I was in my early 20's now that I'm nearing my mid my 30's. It probably has to do with my oily skin growing up but it took 15 years for me to finally grow out of acne so I'm conflicted if that has anything to do with it.

Edit: Yes I'm a grown man running around in superhero costumes...it keeps me young.

Thank goodness! Wish more did.

**Arking** · 03-18-2018, 11:32 AM

Love that Mermaid handbook you posted to FB the other day.

I'm very interested in the recipe portion!

**Arking** · 03-18-2018, 12:41 PM

Did some research this morning on pattern making and getting down the correct terminology for the future costume I want to do.

Basically in order to make a Georgian mens formal wear costume I'm going to need to make the following:
Breeches 18th Century (1750's+) - Satin
Shirt Rococo 18th Century - Silk
Frock Coat 18th Century (1760-1770) - Satin
Waistcoat 18th Century (1740-1760) - Satin

Which thankfully is fairly narrow and puts me at around the early 1760's for the fashion and patterning.

To remake my Legend of Zelda costume I'm going to need to look at the Medieval Period
Long Braies - 15th Century - Linen
Hosiery - 14th Century - Wool
Renaissance Shirt - 14th-17th Century - Linen

The Tunic and hat are somewhat unique but the style is similar to early 14th Century designs and will be made in either Moleskin, Cotton, Velveteen, or Velvet. The current iteration is heavy weight Moleskin.

**Keiris** · 03-18-2018, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Arking

Love that Mermaid handbook you posted to FB the other day.

I'm very interested in the recipe portion!

Thanks! The book comes out May 15th through HarperCollins to the public. It's packed with gorgeous pics and illustrations too!

**Arking** · 03-21-2018, 12:08 AM

Love it, I'm a bit of a cook so I enjoy entertaining and that'd be a fun theme to do if I get a better look at it.

This week's been rough seas so far, no costume developments as some personal complications arose with my family (I'm estranged from them) reentered my life in a grand fashion. I've a long list of goals this week though so hopefully by Thursday I'm able to recover some lost ground and get going on practicing some sculpt and finishing some more sewing.

On a happier note I'm getting smaller with little to no effort, I'm officially at 138lbs just 3lbs from my goal! Wasting away am I, but I'm happy for it my tummy is looking leaner and less like a grouper

**Arking** · 03-24-2018, 07:26 PM

i am so not meeting my goals this week. just got home from the er . feeling properly sick thanks to a rogue kidney stone, on the upside ive lost a ton of weight