Penny Arcade Expo 2011

   It is that time again, PAX East!  Last year I made dresses that were inspired by the two main character from Penny Arcade.  You can see more about those here.  Last year was so much fun.  I got to spend the weekend surrounded by video games, comics, D&D, board games, and more geeky things.  I also gave away a lot of jewelry away for free.  I plan to do the same thing this year.  I will do a post tomorrow about the free goodies.
  This year I am bringing 3 things to wear.  The first is the Mario dress which is coming along quite nicely.  The second is the yellow Pacman dress that I didn't get to wear last year because the zipper broke.  Lastly, I am making an interpretation of the Ezio outfit from Assassins Creed.  PAX starts on Friday the 11th and ends on Sunday the 13th of March.  Tonight I want to take some pictures of what I have so far. 

Tycho Dress Update for PAX

  So, I spent about 4 hours sewing today and the bodice is coming along.  All the pieces are together except the collar.  I think I am going to do some sewing when I get home from work, sew the collar on and drape the skirt.  I know the general idea for the skirt but I have a few ideas and designs that I am tossing back and forth in my head.  What type of lace I am going to use, the color of the ruffles, and tings like that.  Here is what I have so far....

  I really like a dress/jsk with lots of gathering on the back.  That way it can be worn by several people, different sizes, and it can account for layers under it or weight gain and loss.  Fitted dresses are nice and tailored but they are less practical.  I like my Lolita to be easy to wear and friendly. 

  Speaking of other wearing my clothes.  I think I might sell these babies once they are done and once I have gone to the convention.  After all, this blog is about my debt and getting out of debt by selling my designs.  At PAX I might spread that word that I am going to sell them and if I get enough interest.  I also want to start making OP's, JSK's, and skirts to sell.  All one of a kind.  I do not like making things in repeat.  It's not that I think I am doing couture.  I just get bored making things over and over.  I like every project to be new, interesting, and fun.  I think when I am excited about a piece it comes though in my work.

  As a bonus here is a picture of my other kitty, Bella.  She likes to "help" me make my jewelry.

                                    

Gabe Dress for PAX Progress

  PAX is coming around the bend and I have been working on my outfits for it like crazy.  The Gabe dress is about 80% of the way to being done.  I still have to put in the zipper, add the Pac-man decal on the front bottom of the skirt, and clean up the inside a bit.  I still need to make the apron but I have to buy more fabric to do that.  I bought just enough to make the dress and didn't think about the apron at the time.  No big deal though, I will just run to the store some time this week and pink up a couple yards.  Here are a few pictures of the Gabe dress and the progress so far.  Pretty cute if I don't say so myself.  I really like the scallops at the bottom.  Also, the 3 buttons on the bodice have little Pac-men on them.

Gabe Dress in Progress

  Well, it has been quite some time since I have posted about my sewing so I am gonna give you a little peek at what has been going on  in my sewing room.
  My husband and I are going to the Penny Arcade Expo at the end of this month and I am making 2 dresses to wear for the weekend.  Both of them are interpretations of the 2 main characters outfits and made into Lolita dresses.  I am making the Gabe dress first because my huband said he would like to see that one first.  I was equally excited to make both of them so I could not decide. 
  I draped the bodice on my form (I hate to draft patterns.  My mind does not work well when making clothes and wrting it down on paper.)  and cut out the bodice fabric. I bodice is mostly done.  I have to sew cute little buttons down the middle, put in the zipper, and a few tiny details.  I have the skirt pannels draped so all I have to do is cute them out, drape the lining, and them sew, sew, sew.  I am also making an apron to go over the JSK.  The Gabe dress is an underbust JSK and I will wear a black blouse under it.  I have never made an underbust and I think it is coming along pretty well.
   I am soooo excited for them to be done.  I really hope they come out just like I picture them.  If they do then they will come out adorable.  Here are a few pics of what I have so far.

   I just love the way the straps hug the side of the bust and curve around on top of the shoulders.  It is very attractive and gives a very nice fit.  Oooo, I almost can't contain my excitment!

Gabe Dress

  Here is the second of the Penny Arcade dresses.  This one will be a bit more obvious in its inspiration.  The Gabe character wears a yellow shirt with Pac-man eating a dot on it.  The dress will be mostly yellow white black pleats along the bottom.  I will include a small Pac-man on the skirt towards the bottom.  Along with the dress I will be making an apron with the large Pac-man logo.  The dress will be an under bust with embellishment on the torso. 

   I am really excited for this dress.  It will be really fun to wear to the convention.

Penny Arcade Expo Dresses

  In March my husband, his sister, her boyfriend, and I are going to the Penny Arcade Expo that is taking place in Boston.  It is a convention that will last for a whole weekend that involves video games, comics, D&D  (Dungeons & Dragons), comic books, cartoons, and all other geekery.  I really want to make a showing so I am making 2 dresses that are themed to the two main characters of the comic.  I will be making a dress inspired by Tycho and one by Gabe.
  I have drawn up a rough sketch of the "Tycho" dress.  It will be a JSK (jumper skirt)  with a rounded lapel and several cute bows.  

  This dress is not all that out there so I might be able to wear this after the con.  I will be posting the "Gabe" dress soon so hold on to your knickers.