Trance Kuja - Final Fantasy IX
Worn:
May 2020
Status: Hiatus to remake some pieces
Why Trance Kuja?
This has been a dream costume for years, especially after I made the first Kuja costume in 2012. 2020 is the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX, so this was being made in honour of this. I also was happy to teach myself some new things with making this costume and I'm proud of how it turned out.
Construction:
Note: There will be a more in-depth making of blog post in time, but basics will be here.
Wig: I ordered a Jareth Long in Apple Red from Arda Wigs Canada. To add extra volume into the base of the wig, I teased some of the under layers near the netting, and also hand sewed in some gathered tulle. I'm very pleased with the outcome of this. Before styling the bangs, I did the feathers, taking three from the box that arrived for me to use on the rest of the costume. I took the three most "tattered looking" feathers, clipped the end of the quill, and added thick wire (leftover from Fancy Alastor) into them and put it through the wig net, and sewed and glued them in place. Bangs were styled using Got2b Glued and a hair dryer.
May 2020
Status: Hiatus to remake some pieces
Why Trance Kuja?
This has been a dream costume for years, especially after I made the first Kuja costume in 2012. 2020 is the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX, so this was being made in honour of this. I also was happy to teach myself some new things with making this costume and I'm proud of how it turned out.
Construction:
Note: There will be a more in-depth making of blog post in time, but basics will be here.
Wig: I ordered a Jareth Long in Apple Red from Arda Wigs Canada. To add extra volume into the base of the wig, I teased some of the under layers near the netting, and also hand sewed in some gathered tulle. I'm very pleased with the outcome of this. Before styling the bangs, I did the feathers, taking three from the box that arrived for me to use on the rest of the costume. I took the three most "tattered looking" feathers, clipped the end of the quill, and added thick wire (leftover from Fancy Alastor) into them and put it through the wig net, and sewed and glued them in place. Bangs were styled using Got2b Glued and a hair dryer.
Leotard: I used the pattern for Yaya Han's Ultimate Bodysuit pattern available through McCalls as a base and modified it into what I needed for Kuja. The pattern called for 4 way stretch fabrics, I made it using satin and fur for the outer layers, and poplin and suiting for the linings. None of which stretch. But it worked out. The sleeves are custom patterned, the poof having interfacing and tulle for structural support, and there is buckram in the bottoms of the bell part to maintain shape. The feathers are all hand sewn in place, some of which having 2mm Czech seed beads going over them. The leotard closes in the back using a zipper and snap fastener.
Skirt: I used the same gauze from the bell part of the sleeves of the leotard to make the skirt. I bought this fabric years ago for this costume. I used cotton for the lining. To make the skirt "float" a bit and allow for hem control, I took a thin wire from my stash, encased it in bias tape, and carefully put it into the very edges of the skirt. To ensure this wouldn't move, I did an extremely close top-stitch in the skirt beside the wire. The feathers on the top are hand sewn using 100% cotton thread, and then lace sewn on over top with a few beads. The skirt was then hand sewn onto the leotard.
Leggings: I used my normal pants pattern for the base, and took in as needed. I chose to make leggings for a couple of reasons. The main reason being I had to have leg fur and a piece of gauze on my leg. The leg fur was made after the leggings were done, and I hand sewed the fur onto the leggings.
Self-Shoot
Skirt: I used the same gauze from the bell part of the sleeves of the leotard to make the skirt. I bought this fabric years ago for this costume. I used cotton for the lining. To make the skirt "float" a bit and allow for hem control, I took a thin wire from my stash, encased it in bias tape, and carefully put it into the very edges of the skirt. To ensure this wouldn't move, I did an extremely close top-stitch in the skirt beside the wire. The feathers on the top are hand sewn using 100% cotton thread, and then lace sewn on over top with a few beads. The skirt was then hand sewn onto the leotard.
Leggings: I used my normal pants pattern for the base, and took in as needed. I chose to make leggings for a couple of reasons. The main reason being I had to have leg fur and a piece of gauze on my leg. The leg fur was made after the leggings were done, and I hand sewed the fur onto the leggings.
Self-Shoot