New McCall's Cosplay: Becoming Emelie, Red Reign, and Foot Fetish: Gilded
Wow, have I been busy! That's the life of a full time writer, though. Lately, it's all been about getting my latest novel, the one I've been working on for the last four years, into the world. Bodacious Creed: a Steampunk Zombie Western will be released on August 18! Right now, you can pre-order the it in paperback or for Kindle. The Kindle edition is just $1.49 during the pre-order period and will go up to $3.99 on August 18.
I'll share more about the book shortly. Right now, it's time for three new Cosplay by McCall's patterns! This time, it's all about accessories, and these patterns can help add new aspects to your cosplay.
Becoming Emelie
One thing I love about this pattern is just how Wild West it is. In fact, the outfit reminds me of what one important character in my upcoming novel would wear. Clearly, then, these accessories would work well in a western steampunk cosplay.
Becoming Emelie includes patterns for the hat, the capelet, the flowers on the capelet, and the handbag. Fabrics suggested include cotton, cotton blends, organza, and chiffon for the hat, cotton, cotton blends, linen, and synthetic leather for the flowers, synthetic leather or synthetic suede for the bag, and tapestry, brocade, and satin for the caplet.
Inside the pattern flap, you'll find tips for embellishing, which includes using flowers, jewelry, and bows, buttons, and pearls. This is also a great area to add your steampunk flare. Of course, you could go with gears, but many charms, for charm bracelets, such as various animals, could also lend the accessories a steampunk feel. Add a model Deringer at the hip and a pair of goggles, and the look is complete.
The skill level for this pattern is listed as easy, and it sells for just $13.95
Red Reign
Next, we have Red Reign, a pattern for eye patches, gloves, bracers, and claws. Is she a pirate captain, or a half-blind queen? Perhaps she's a spy with specialized gloves, and the patch actually acts as a sort of Google glass. Using your imagination, you're sure to come up with some great ideas for how to use this pattern.
The pattern allows for three eyepatch styles, two glove styles (short or long), and two bracer styles (tied or not tied), plus claws that slip over your fingers. Suggested fabrics and parts include buckles and eyelets, eye patches, elastic straps, chains, beads, synthetic leather, suede, satin, novelty woven, and stretch knits.
This pattern looks great for women or men adding some fun accessories to a period cosplay. Which historical period? Good question, because actually, this would work great for all sorts of times and worlds. I would even say that these may be some of the steampunk accessories you're looking for, if you want to deviate from the goggles and gears look. Take a Victorian era cosplay from any part of the world and add Red Reign.
The tips section covers ways to customize accessories, like using blanket stitching and painting on elastic.
If you're just getting started sewing, this pattern won't give yo too hard a time. The skill level is grated at very easy. It's available for $13.95.
Foot Fetish: Gilded
Want to add something to your boots, including that steampunk flare I'm always talking about? You can do it with Foot Fetish: Gilded. Options A and B in this boot cover pattern are decidedly feminine, but C provides a sort of unisex Roman Centurion look. The trim and embellishments you use can push this right into steampunk territory.
McCall's suggests using synthetic leather or synesthetic suede, plus chiffon, satin, charmeuse, and crepe as the main fabrics. In the tips section, you'll learn techniques for topstitching, beaded trims, and painting synthetic leather.
The skill level for this pattern is listed as very easy, and it sells for $13.95.
Book News
Bodacious Creed is the story of a U.S. Marshal who is murdered and brought back to life. He then goes after the outlaw who killed him and uncovers a criminal conspiracy to use the same sort of technology that raised him to create more undead. One of the fun things about it, for me, is that I set it in my home town of Santa Cruz, California, but in an alternate timeline where steam-powered technology is advancing, automatons (robots) serve those who can afford them, and resurrection is possible.
Seriously, pre-order it. You won't be sorry!
I've already written some about the process of getting Bodacious Creed ready for publication. In fact, if you'd like to know how to prepare a book for publication through CreateSpace, check out my latest WriteTip video, where I demonstrate the process.
