Creating Stories through Clothing

Rowan (Ro) He/Him A little blog to show my processes and inspiration. Fuck AI, create real art <3

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

LARP Costume Checklist

I'm just going to pin a checklist for my current LARP costume project so I can keep track of my progress. When each section is done, I'll add a link to the post showing the finished piece.

Adakai von Willowdeer

White Shirt

Red Shirt

Jacket

Apron

Tool Bag

Stripped Trousers

Brown Trousers

Wilhelm von Rootbear

White Shirt x2

Cape

Jacket

Shorts

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Cloak Update (It's a lot of ribbon)

I finally managed to make some headway with this cloak. It's all lined now so I'm just bordering it with ribbon and some more of the lining material.

Okay so it looks way too big but it's for my partner so I promise it is the right size. I will be stealing it if it get's cold though it's very cosy.

I am once again torturing myself with hours of potentially unnecessary hand sewing. Thirteen meters of ribbon twice over is starting to feel like a daunting task but I am technically over half way there now.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

ugh

My last post was tagged as 'mature content'. It was just another update post about my costume with no explicit material whatsoever. I've sent a review request but I'm just putting this here in case anyone was nervous I'd been hacked or started posting explicit material or something.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Leather Apron

The cloak is on hold until Saturday when I can go buy some more fabric so I've been working on my apron in the meantime. It's based on Doctor Frankenstein's apron in the Netflix 'Frankenstein'. I found some beautiful leather at 'Whats Your Game' which I was so happy to discover was discarded from a car manufacturer which makes me feel much better about using real leather.

(I was keen to try and source my materials ethically, esspesially since the production team for my main inspiration went out of there way to do the same.)

I've not worked with leather for a long time but I'm enjoying re-learning techniques. My fingers are pretty sore now though.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

On having a bad sewing day... (advice welcome)

I made a silly mistake this morning in my cape construction that has completely derailed my plans. I've spent all day making something that I've basically dismantled and wasted a bunch of fabric. I now have to wait until next week to buy more lining fabric and fusible interfacing in order to make any progress at all on this piece.

I am distinctly bad at failing. I beat myself up and then over extend myself and make more mistakes and, before I know it, my house is a mess and I feel like throwing in the towel all together. There was a point at university when I hated failing so much that I missed a full studio day because just the sight of the corset I was working on would cause me to have a panic attack.

I've not really fixed this problem as I've gotten older- I've just sort of ignored it? I can't stand the idea of producing something bellow my own standards and I can't conceive of time spent doing something wrong as anything other than a waste. The worst thing is, I truly have no idea how I'm supposed to fix this mindset. No amount of platitudes about 'learning from mistakes' or 'just having fun' can prevent the overwhelming feeling of frustration and despair I get when the things I make are anything less than perfect.

If there's anyone reading this having a similar issue I'd love to hear how you deal with it. Or even how you don't deal with it so I feel a bit less alone. I'm still continuing with the project (I've got a deadline so the show must go on) but I'd like to stop feeling like this so I don't give up sewing for another two years once this is done.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Design notes- Cape

Next, i'm getting to work on a section of my partners costume. I was unsure if I wanted to go for a more practical/ historically accurate design or a use a more flamboyant look which might get annoying on the battlefield. Ultimately my partner preferred the more dramatic design so that's what we're going with.

Here's just a look at my design notes if anyone was interested. There's for sure some spelling mistakes in there but pages like this are mostly just me working out my thoughts. The material is already purchased so I can get started asap^^

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Adakai's Jacket!

A closer look at the finished jacket, I'm really proud of this project :)

The back is a little too long which has made it wrinkly buuuut that's fine. Frankly the back of my outfit is really none of my business.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Big Update! Finished Jacket!

The jacket is finally finished! I've had a busy few weeks but I've clawed together enough free time to not only finish the jacket but also add some much needed detailing.

I think the felt on the cuffs and chest gives the whole thing a really rich, sturdy feeling which was important to me. I worked out that I sewed around 170ish individual beads/sequins on which doesn't sound like a lot but it sure felt like it. Still, very worth it.

I actual got the red sequins off of a second hand dress I found. I've only taken the beads off of a very small section so for £4 is gonna give me a lot of beads and sequins to use on other parts of this outfit.

I've yet to take a photo of my wearing the finished jacket so I'll do that tomorrow. Next up is my partners cloak!

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

SWORD POSTING!

I went to my first ever Larp market. My partner and I attended What's Your Game and I grabbed some props and weapons.

I gasped when I saw the dagger since it is literally the weapon I drew Adakai holding. It's so absolutely perfect! I was also really excited to Larp safe surgical tools for all of my weird surgical needs, I honestly wasn't expecting anything like that to be there. This beautiful sword feels amazing to hold- I've been sparing with my partner and I really underestimated how great having a sword would feel.

I also intend on drinking copious amounts of wine from my little goblet :)

I also grabbed these little trinkets! Everyone at the market was so friendly and talkative, it made me feel really welcome and a bit less nervous to get started.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Maybe I'm actually okay at sewing and it's all fine :)

I've had a good week! I solved the sleeve problem I was having and now the jacket fit's nicely. I don't have a photo on me to show since my binder was in the wash so you will just have to believe me.

I've done a lot of hand stitching on the slashing and seams so it's been slow progress. So, naturally, I've decided to go for an even more involved design on the back...

The idea is to have it symbolize a spine to add to my death/bone motif. This is going to take a very long time- I'm glad I started now and didn't try to put this project off. Really happy with the progress though! This is exciting!

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Larp Outfit Update

I am a little reluctant to post this since I'm not totally happy with how my jacket looks so far. But I think it's important to show that art takes time and that almost nothing is perfect on a first try. With that in mind... some progress pictures.

The camera doesn't show how bright and beautiful this fabric is I'm honestly in love! I need to add a gusset to the sleeves because right now is sUPER weird and wrinkly. We'll make it work.

I am super happy about this detail though! Once the slashing is done it's going to reveal this gorgeous felt. The added padding makes the whole garment feel really sturdy which I love.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

I hate pattern drafting...

So, after a not small amount of time and a few re-designs, I've finally drafted a jacket for Adakai that I'm happy with. Honestly the whole process was really frustrating and I almost gave up several times. I've never been a fan of drafting but I also don't like using pre-made patterns. Perhaps it's because I'm too much of a control freak about my work but I like doing everything myself, even if it ends up a bit wonky. I'm slightly dreading having to draft my partners jacket too...

I do think I have a better understanding of what I want now so that's a positive. Tomorrow I'll be cutting from my actual fabric so that is pretty exciting. Wish me luck :)

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Finished undershirt + some button/ ribbon details.

Nobody is going to notice all the tiny beads but they make me happy :)

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

Moodboard and Sketches for my LARP character- Adakai von Willowdeer

I recently watched Del Toro's Frankenstein and got the opportunity to attend an exhibition showing the incredible costuming, puppets and practical effects. I adored Victor Frankenstein's styling, especially his leather apron so it's become a main inspiration for my character. Combining this with the Tudor-ish aesthetic of my chosen faction, I've got Adakai- the fantasy plastic surgeon.

[oh-dear-ro-deer]

An Introduction

My name is Rowan. I'm a twenty-something year old who's currently re-discovering their love for sewing.

I did a degree in costuming and then proceeded to not touch a sewing machine for almost two years afterwards. My faith in my ability to create was completely destroyed by the internal politics of university. However, I will be attending my first LARP in May and, through all the excitement of starting a new hobby, I have once again begun sewing.

Even in those two years when I was sure I would never sew again- clothing remained something very important to me. The way we use it to express ourselves, whether or not we intend to, I have always found so compelling. I am sure you'll hear more about this in the future since it is my favorite thing to talk about.

I will try to write at least a few times a week and post as many updates as I possibly can on my current project. Though I'm sure I am just typing into the ether... I feel more motivated already.

Yours,

Ro x