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Libjumper In reply to Athuair [2016-09-14 10:38:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! It was a LOT of work.
The stance is altered from 'retreating stance' in kung-fu, normally done with a staff. And the bow is actually made from craft wood (MDF) and sprayed with a grey enamel then silver car paint, with extra highlighting done on the edges to get the steel look. The ends where the wheels are is padded with foam and sprayed silver (so it wouldn't get confiscated at the convention), but it's metal underneath.

You can see some of the step of making it in my progress album here: www.facebook.com/LibjumperCosplay/photos/a.1498328807102919.1073741835.1491901934412273/1648477658754699

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Athuair In reply to Libjumper [2016-09-14 12:25:35 +0000 UTC]

I've read trough your process on FB, and it's stunning how much work you've put into this costume! It must've taken forever to make it all!
I also love the tips you share with us when going along with your making of costumes. I find the one for weathering/darkening metal especially useful. The parts that you had to stitch by hand are looking even better so because they add that authentic touch that most of the costumes are missing. And you have made so much afterthought for every piece, kudos to you for thinking ahead like that! I wish I had a costume like that even to just run around the house in it
I've noticed that Garett's outfit is heavily based on Japanese ninja outfits, especially shoes. Is it comfortable to move in it?

I was happy to hear none of your pieces got confiscated on airports, I always dread to go trough the whole process even though the worst thing I carry is a mutitool.

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Libjumper In reply to Athuair [2016-09-14 14:21:57 +0000 UTC]

The costume design is absurdly impractical for sneaking or climbing, but very pretty with lots of details. Leather creaks a lot moving around, is very stiff (even the thin leather of the hood is basically a cowl that holds my head in place) And because I used hard leather for a lot of the armour (which it would be) it's very restrictive, especially from the corset.
The outfit has more in common with a D&D Rogue than the pop-culture idea of what a Ninja is. The boots aren't split-toed or supple, everything is leather, there's armour on the knees, elbows, hands, shoulder, forearm and torso, with a belt and a tri-harness over the top, rope connecting through the armour, a quiver, compound bow, blackjack, and other thief tools.
It's a lot of kit to be wearing, mobility definitely isn't my friend.
That said the only really bad part are the boots being too tight on my toes, the rest is very livable, your body even adjusts to a corset after a short while.

If I made it again I would use a type of leather called Nubuck for all the armour, it's halfway between smooth leather and suede and a lot more flexible.

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Athuair In reply to Libjumper [2016-09-14 15:30:55 +0000 UTC]

Hahahah XD I expected nothing less! It looks comfy, but thick leather is too stiff and constricting.
The reason why I said his outfit design has derived from ninja outfit is because ninja shozoku outfit was worn in 15th century , and D&D was published in 1974, meaning it also was based on ninja outfit, and if Thief's armour was based on D&D it makes them both derive from same source. I like to think I know how a character designer's mindset works because I'm a Fashion designer and I'd love to start designing characters as well. Even though his shoes are not split-toed they follow the same shape around the foot, both outfits have the same sort of face covering, thief has a tighter pants area than ninja's because ninja had to have more space around groin area to be able to fight easily and in the Hakama style of pants to hide the movement of their legs, while thief doesn't need to fight most of the time. Thief's outfit is more modern, especially with shapes and materials, creaking of leather can be minimized by wearing it as much as possible, folding and straightening it repeatedly. The sound's the result of friction when it comes in contact with itself or similar material, or merely folds in on itself with pressure. As I've found on the internet if you want it to weather a little: ''If your dryer has a non-heated tumble function, you can toss it in with a few tennis balls for awhile. The non-heat is important here.''
Is Nubuck as expensive as the whole piece of leather you bought to make the Thief outfit?

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Libjumper In reply to Athuair [2016-09-15 14:08:43 +0000 UTC]

D&D is originally based from medieval and dark ages Europe. I also don't remember ninjas having capes and coat tails, on top of everything else Garrett has they don't and vice versa.
The leather I bought is a very high quality saddle leather. Nubuck would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need to buy nearly as much if I was getting it for this. I have the templates so I can know how much leather I need before purchasing. The hide I bought for Garrett i've used for other projects as well, and is one of over 10 different hides used in the outfit.

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