Astrid Progress 2

I've been really getting on with Astrid this week.  Not as much as I would like to because of gardening and worrying and all that usual stuff building up when what you ought to be doing is fun, mind healing things.

Like making axes and the like.

Pictures 1. Armour patterning 2. Skulls drying on the windowsill 3. Axe sketching and enlarging 4. Axe waiting for a layer of expandable foam :)

Astrid Progress 1

I only saw How to Train Your Dragon a few weeks ago after being introduced to it by a friend. Choosing to watch it was the BEST decision - I loved it.  Such a cute movie, great animation and like hello... dragons!

As soon as I saw it, I loved Astrid, strong and cute but also, obviously, gets a great guy (boy really!).  I had to cosplay as her.  Cue the usual Pinterest planning.

Follow Lauren's board Astrid Cosplay on Pinterest.

Then... Disaster struck and I started getting excited about HTTYD2.  I much prefer her outfit in the sequel, particularly the extra fur and updated colours.  So I started having a scribble and working a few things out.

After a searching around the town centre for some suitable pleather (and failing) I thought about upholstery fabric; I managed to find some perfect stuff in Dunelm Mill.  I spent an evening cutting strips and distressing them with sandpaper and black acrylic paint... Lots of fun.

And then today.... Stretch fabric! Slightly scary, but actually after cutting a rough vest shape and then pinning it around my dress form, I now have a pretty good base for Astrid's top.

I can't believe how much fun I am having at the moment with sewing and costuming, especially making something from nothing.  Just wish I had an overlocker... One day.