Sabriel cosplay: progress post #1
Jun. 2nd, 2013 02:41 pmWhat began as an idle twitter conversation has turned into my cosplay project this summer. I offhandedly mentioned that since I was 12 years old, long before I knew what cosplay was, I'd wanted to make a Sabriel costume but always felt too daunted by lack of funds and know-how. A few hours later, I was neck-deep in making my 12-year-old self's dream a reality. While I have cosplayed in the past, it has always been with a group and I did barely any work on my own costumes. This will be my first solo cosplay project. I'll be documenting my progress and also keeping tabs on how much money I spend on this cosplay here.
First off, I am heavily referencing the 1996 Leo & Diane Dillon cover illustration that has more or less become Old Kingdom cosplay canon:
( Sabriel book cover )
What I have so far
The black belt that will be worn around my waist as well as the broader brown belt that will serve as the principal piece in my bandolier were both purchased secondhand for a total of $5. The seven tiny silver maracas also cost a total of $5. The maracas will eventually be affixed to the bandolier pouches so that only the black handles and top silver hemispheres are visible. I will not be making them removable; instead, I have ordered separately a large bell that is also silver and black handled which I'll paint with charter marks and carry as a prop ($6).
( Belts and bells )
Next, for the mail shirt that Sabriel wears under her surcoat, I bought a metallic silver turtleneck sweater for $10. It has a really good texture and shape, and although it's a good fit, it's also very warm for a summer cosplay. (It should be perfect for October though.)
( ''Armor'' )
I ordered these ankle boots for $10.
( Boots )
While I haven't gone fabric shopping yet for the surcoat, I've got the rubber stamp ($14) and fabric paint ($7) that I will be using to create the silver key insignia pattern.
( Stamping material )
I also bought some dark gray nylon tights for $5 but they haven't come in yet so I don't know if they look the way I like or if they even fit...
But that is technically* a total of $60 spent on this cosplay so far (all the prices included shipping), and that's half my budget. I have all the thread in the colors I need thanks to previous cosplays.
What I still need
- ~4 yards of dark blue fabric to make the surcoat
- white/gray fabric for the surcoat's edges
- however much brown fabric the bell pouches will end up requiring
- white ruffles for throat and sleeves
* I used an Amazon gift card, so I ended up spending more like $30
PS. Check out what did with my twitter banner/icon:
( Keep Your Dead Down )
First off, I am heavily referencing the 1996 Leo & Diane Dillon cover illustration that has more or less become Old Kingdom cosplay canon:
( Sabriel book cover )
What I have so far
The black belt that will be worn around my waist as well as the broader brown belt that will serve as the principal piece in my bandolier were both purchased secondhand for a total of $5. The seven tiny silver maracas also cost a total of $5. The maracas will eventually be affixed to the bandolier pouches so that only the black handles and top silver hemispheres are visible. I will not be making them removable; instead, I have ordered separately a large bell that is also silver and black handled which I'll paint with charter marks and carry as a prop ($6).
( Belts and bells )
Next, for the mail shirt that Sabriel wears under her surcoat, I bought a metallic silver turtleneck sweater for $10. It has a really good texture and shape, and although it's a good fit, it's also very warm for a summer cosplay. (It should be perfect for October though.)
( ''Armor'' )
I ordered these ankle boots for $10.
( Boots )
While I haven't gone fabric shopping yet for the surcoat, I've got the rubber stamp ($14) and fabric paint ($7) that I will be using to create the silver key insignia pattern.
( Stamping material )
I also bought some dark gray nylon tights for $5 but they haven't come in yet so I don't know if they look the way I like or if they even fit...
But that is technically* a total of $60 spent on this cosplay so far (all the prices included shipping), and that's half my budget. I have all the thread in the colors I need thanks to previous cosplays.
What I still need
- ~4 yards of dark blue fabric to make the surcoat
- white/gray fabric for the surcoat's edges
- however much brown fabric the bell pouches will end up requiring
- white ruffles for throat and sleeves
* I used an Amazon gift card, so I ended up spending more like $30
PS. Check out what did with my twitter banner/icon:
( Keep Your Dead Down )

