Cosplay In a Day Challenge

I was introduced to this challenge at the end of 2017 by Garnet Runestar when she announced she would be attempting to make Belle's winter dress in a single day. I knew I wanted to try the challenge and I knew exactly what cosplay I wanted to make. Keep reading to find out more!

​I will be attempting to make Pajama Anastasia in a single day! I've been buying material and planning this costume for a while now, and I think the structure is simple enough to complete in a day. Although I've never made a costume in such a short amount of time, my Raven costume took 24 hours to build. While it was over several days and weeks, I think a lot of that time went into experimenting. 

​With Anastasia, I have all my materials prepared, patterns ready, and an action plan to get everything done in a single day. I will be sewing the pajamas, styling the wig, sewing the bow, making the necklace, and making the glam crown.

I plan on using a pair of comfy pajamas as the pattern for the pants. The shirt is a pretty basic layout. While I don't have an actual pattern for it, I think I'll be able to wing it and still have a good show. I hope I bought enough bias tape for the detailing! LOL!

​The wig I may have to start styling first in case I need to curl the hair at the bottom. My method usually entails boiling water, pouring it on, and letting the wig cool and dry. I have a nice burgundy red wig (the exact same I used for my opera dress Anastasia) from Amazon that I'll be styling into the curly, poofy, ponytail.

I happen to have a bow pattern for sailor scout uniforms and I think it will be perfect for her poofy hair bow! I'll be attempting that and attaching it to the wig.

​The necklace still has some loose ends to figure out before then. A lot of reference photos use gems and really bedazzle the front, but I'm really stuck on the idea that this girl spent TEN years in an orphanage with a cranky care taker in Russia, doesn't remember anything from her childhood, and SOMEHOW still has an expensive jeweled, gold necklace.

So I want to take a more simplistic approach with painted gems and lettering. I don't want it to appear cheap, but I want to keep it simple and realistic to her situation at the time. I'll most likely make it out of worbla scraps, prime it a few times, and paint it gold, then attach it to a long gold chain.

​The glam crown will be super fun. I plan on making a craft foam base. I will paint it silver before gluing individual tiny swarovski crystals to it. I have a terrible feeling that I didn't buy enough crystals, so I will fill in any gaps with silver glitter. Also, THIS IS MY PERSONAL REMINDER TO MEASURE THE BASE OF THE CROWN WITH MY WIG ON!!!!!

​This could be super challenging, mostly because I have a short attention span. But I'm really excited, and I really think it's possible. I'm anticipating a lot of time spent on the bias detailing, and gluing gems to the crown. 

As for the day layout, this will be happening Wednesday January 17. Riley will be gone for school from 1045 - 1615. I plan on waking up around 7. That feels really early, but I want to wake up early enough to capitalize on as much of the day as possible without burning out. I'll get ready for the day, make some breakfast and prepare some snacks and then start the clock around 8.

​I'll work around the clock, alternating projects to keep it fun and exciting, and I will try to record the full process. I'll see if I'm able to get a good angle to timelapse my whole craft room, and I'll do live updates via Instagram (and subsequently Facebook and Twitter) with my progress and other details.

I encourage you to try this challenge for yourself sometime this year! Comment below what costume you would attempt in a single day. Wish me tons of luck, and I'll see you guys soon with updates!