2015 How It Went: AnimeNext

Madame Red (my mom), Ciel (me), and The Undertaker (my brother) :D

Hello! I had a lot of fun at AnimeNext, it was by far the best in the "social" aspect of conventions. Well, since there's not much to say, let's get to the review!

Recognition: 10/10

I am REALLY happy about this. We were getting stopped about every two minutes to have our picture taken, and we spotted many other Black Butler cosplayers as well. It was super fun taking pictures with them all, and it was also fun looking for Sebastians to complete our Madame Red, Undertaker, and Ciel. I hope next year I can choose a cosplay that will also lead to such interesting interactions.

Strength: 7/10

Aside from a few buttons coming loose (my bad sewing job), the ribbon on one of my boots coming undone (I'll fix it for Halloween), and the pants sort of ripping at the crotch after a while (the result of stiff fabric and not building in room for crouching), nothing broke at all, and in general it held up to the stress of walking around for a long time.

Comfort: 5/10

The costume itself is pretty comfortable, the problem really lied in the heat, which was devastating. I had to change halfway through the first day, and though I made it through the second, it was still pretty torturous. I guess that's what happens when you wear velvet in 90 degree weather. Aside from that, the shoes were a bit uncomfortable after a while, but that's something that can't really be fixed.

Con Rating: 8/10

Enjoyment of the con is 9/10, but I must deduct a point for the poor programming. For one, they never keep their website updated, which is a major problem for people who don't have Twitter. Also, the paper schedule was rendered somewhat meaningless after a while due to scheduling conflicts, so if you didn't have the app (which we couldn't get due to iTunes problems,) you couldn't be updated on the goings on. This lead to us going to a panel that was very falsely advertised for nothing.

Even though it had a few problems, though, I really, really enjoyed myself, even if it was just to hang around with other Black Butler people (which, by the way, is very rewarding.)

Till the next time!


(P.S. If you took pictures with us at the con, comment here or on my DeviantArt page and I'll follow you! :D)

Ciel: Photos Are Up!

It's done! Woohoo!

Check more of them out on my DeviantArt page (link in welcome bar)!

Happy AnimeNext!

Ciel: The Hat

Me wearing the finished hat. Looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

Hi!

So I'm finally getting around to doing something on this costume. Me and my father worked a bit on the pattern for the coat but still need to fix some things, so I'll post about that later. We'll be going to AnimeNext this year, so I'm super excited that it's sooner!
Anyway, I made the hat.

The Hat

What you'll need:

The felt coverings pattern.

• 3 sheets of black felt, I used one I got at Michael's that had a stamped pattern.
• 1 cheap foam kids top hat, I also got this at Michael's.
• Lining fabric, preferably in a bright color
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Colored Feathers
• Ribbon

Okay, so first you take the top hat and the lining, which should be cut like the brim in the picture above, and glue the lining onto the top hat. Make sure the fabric doesn't pucker, mine unfortunately did! There should be a bit of fabric sticking out past the edges of the hat, fold that up over the brim and glue it there.

After you have the lining in, take the fabric for the brim and slide it over the cylinder part of the foam hat. It should fit snugly and cover the brim. Glue down the edges of the brim over the lining and then cut the excess fabric away from the hem. You should have a nice border of lining showing on the edges.

Next, take the "top" fabric and glue it on the top of the foam top hat. These edges should also overlap the actual top of the hat. Fold the edges down and glue them.

Now for the sides. A mistake I made was that I started with the front, when I didn't know how to glue it on properly, and now I have a big wrinkle in the front! Ah, well. 

I recommend slowly gluing the top edge over the "top" fabric, then gluing the side down. Do th same with the other side. My sides overlapped, and that is fine. In fact, it looks better.

Take the feathers and arrange them in a lovely fashion!
Then, measure around the hat and cut a piece of ribbon to that length. Glue the piece of ribbon to the hat and line the cut ends up with the feather (the bow will cover it later.)
Take another piece of ribbon (about 5 or 6 inches long,)fold it in half and glue it like that. It should look like a big loop. Glue that vertically over the severed ends of the hat ribbon. Then, take a 12-inch piece of ribbon, tie a small bow with it, cut the non-loop ends off, and then glue THAT horizontally on top of the loop on top of the ribbon on the hat (confusing, I know, but the picture helps a little hopefully.)

All together, my hat cost me $11.95, for those people out there wondering if just buying a hat is better :)

There you go! Your very own Ciel top hat!

Happy Halloween, and AnimeNext!