Amy-Lou

Costume :	Dana
Source :	Grandia III
Progress :	In Progress

Worn At :

MinamiCon 12 2006

Photos
Information
Comments (5)
To-Do List
Journal (8)

Costume Photos

Grandia III Group (Dana 1)

Dana Art

Costume Information

General
Cost :	£30 (+£20 for remake)
Awards :	The 'How long did that take to make' Group award
Time Taken :	A few weeks

Description
Dana attempt 2: For Ayacon 2009 I've spruced up the trousers and dangly ornament and completely remade the top and jewellery. Thankfully I bought far too much fabric the first time round, so I only had to buy little bits like the gems. See the journal for the progress of this one :) I love Gypsy/dancer style designs, so I really like this costume. Apparently no one else does, as I can't find another cosplayer who's done this anywhere. I can't believe it, where's the Grandia love? Whilst I did finish this for Ayacon, I was too busy working the Cosplay HQ desk to wear it, so hopefully I'll sort a few home photos soon and maybe a shoot before the next con. ----- Dana attempt 1: I loved the giant harem trousers, but I need to find a solution to the weight pulling on the front of them and I'm not happy with the structure I used for the top. The hanging decoration can't really get much lighter; paper balls and balsa wood, so it might mean changing the waistband. I'd like to change the proportions as it seems very cluttered on me, but there's a lot of space on the artwork. I don't have Dana's crazy long body, but I can fake the effect if I adjust the designs. As far as fabric goes I'm really happy with the effects, the colours were vibrant and the red was a really floaty soft peach effect that caught the light well. I had a purple net fabric for the swathes, but at the last minute I swapped it for an opaque purple with better drapability. I hope to find a softer netting for the next try. The hand jewellery was all funky foam painted gold with varnished half paper balls for gems. It's really hard to walk with something that long hanging between your legs :/ I might be having another go at this some time ^^ Me and the hat don't get along. It is a very silly hat.

Description

Dana attempt 2:

For Ayacon 2009 I've spruced up the trousers and dangly ornament and completely remade the top and jewellery. Thankfully I bought far too much fabric the first time round, so I only had to buy little bits like the gems.
See the journal for the progress of this one :)

I love Gypsy/dancer style designs, so I really like this costume. Apparently no one else does, as I can't find another cosplayer who's done this anywhere. I can't believe it, where's the Grandia love?

Whilst I did finish this for Ayacon, I was too busy working the Cosplay HQ desk to wear it, so hopefully I'll sort a few home photos soon and maybe a shoot before the next con.

-----
Dana attempt 1:

I loved the giant harem trousers, but I need to find a solution to the weight pulling on the front of them and I'm not happy with the structure I used for the top. The hanging decoration can't really get much lighter; paper balls and balsa wood, so it might mean changing the waistband.

I'd like to change the proportions as it seems very cluttered on me, but there's a lot of space on the artwork. I don't have Dana's crazy long body, but I can fake the effect if I adjust the designs.

As far as fabric goes I'm really happy with the effects, the colours were vibrant and the red was a really floaty soft peach effect that caught the light well. I had a purple net fabric for the swathes, but at the last minute I swapped it for an opaque purple with better drapability. I hope to find a softer netting for the next try. The hand jewellery was all funky foam painted gold with varnished half paper balls for gems.

It's really hard to walk with something that long hanging between your legs :/

I might be having another go at this some time ^^

Me and the hat don't get along. It is a very silly hat.

Comments

Amy! I loved this costume on you - it suited you so well (even if you did fight with the hat :P). It would be great to see you do this again ^__^

by on Sunday, 11 November, 2007 - 16:41

wow Dana *.* This cosplay is great!!! I love to see Grandiacosplays ^^

by Feena on Friday, 16 May, 2008 - 15:23

Looking so pretty and blingin'! Looking forward to seeing this! :D

by Silver on Monday, 10 August, 2009 - 10:59

Ooooh! let me know when you'll redo this so I can see if I can do Yuki for then! :D
I was gutted I didn't get to see your Grandia III group in person :(

by Heero Masaki on Monday, 10 August, 2009 - 12:26

VERY beautiful and mesmerising! <3

by Shogunmiyu on Tuesday, 12 January, 2010 - 20:40

To-Do List

Journal

Bling (Posted 7 Months Ago)

Bling done! Two layers of funky foam sprayed gold and weathered with black acrylic. I'm going to put poppers on the arm wraps to hold them closed.

Crafting (Posted 7 Months Ago)

I've finished the belt ornaments. I had a bit of a panic on this as I had no idea how to string it all together. Then I realised on the reference you can see the swathe fabric through the gaps, so I stuck them all to a piece of funky foam covered with the swathe fabric :)
Hearts are resin cast, but the silicone mould had too many imperfections to cast shiny gems, so I nail varnished them. A few brush strokes, but better than dullness.

Dust and paint (Posted 8 Months Ago)

The top itself is finished! I drew the designs on with a gold pen, satin takes it quite well as long as your careful to follow the grain.
Bracelets are sanded down and ready for spraying tomorrow.

Progress (Posted 8 Months Ago)

I've made a new top, this one is lined and feels a lot more sturdy. I also found a nice gold bias which already looks a lot neater than the ribbon I used on version 1.

The bracelets and belt ornaments are primed and waiting; I just need to buy some more gold spray. The hearts are foil backed resin in a funky foam setting.

Ooops (Posted 8 Months Ago)

In true Amy style I'm taking too much time, so Dahna will be comming to Aya instead of AX. So much for a cool wig-free costume in LA.

I managed to finish lining the top the other night. It looks so much nicer than the original, though turning it inside out through the tiny channel at the front was a feat.

Painting (Posted 9 Months Ago)

After painting the design in white acrylic I've used gold pen over the top. The first few weren't as neat as I'd like, but thankfully they're on the back of the trousers and I've picked up a thinner pen now, which is looking a lot better :)

I've sewn the top lining panels together, so now to bite the bullet and cut the curves into the hemline.

Jewellery (Posted 9 Months Ago)

This weekend I've got the basic top sewn sewn, made a stencil and started printing the pattern onto the bottom of the trousers. I've had to resort to painting it in white acrylic before using the gold, as it was soaking into the red fabric making a dull black.

The shop didn't do gold ring bases, so I've painted all my silver findings with gold pen. Rings done and necklace almost done if I can find some metal to put behind the red gems, otherwise I'll leave it green only.
I did make funky foam settings for the gems, but after half a day painting and sanding them, I've decided I don't like them and painting the edges of the gems in gold looks much better. Ah well.

I can sense that hat getting closer...

Remake time! (Posted 9 Months Ago)

As AX is so close and I want to avoid wearing a wig in LA, I decided remaking Dana would be a great idea as I think I can really improve on my first try now.

I want to resin cast all the gems, but due to a lack of molds and not much time left to import a mold/make my own, I've settled on just casting the heart gem and buying the normal shaped gems. I found some lovely ones with flowers set into the resin, they're so pretty I'm sure Dana would want them!