For those of you not familiar with steampunk, it is, in short, Victorian science-fiction. The longer explanation is this: Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and science-fiction with a strong Victorian base and some old West influences in which the majority of technology, including modern and futuristic, is run on steam. “Steampunk” originated from the term cyberpunk, which focuses more on computer hackers in dystopian societies where people really are punks, but for all practical purposes, the “punk” in “steampunk” is just meant to sound cute and has nothing to do with punks. There are punks in steampunk like there are punks in Wal-Mart. Examples of steampunk literature are the works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, and there are steampunk movies like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. For more information you can read this Wikipedia article.

What got me interested in steampunk was seeing some of the many, nifty costumes people have made. A friend and I are planning to attend MomoCon this coming March in steampunk attire, so my current costume priority is putting a steampunk outfit together. I’ve designed it and bought about half the supplies.

Yesterday I found a pair of boots to go with it. They originally cost $70 +, but I got them at Ross for $20.

I plan on updating the blog as the costume progresses.

God bless!

P. S. I’m almost done with my Kahlan-inspired costume (dress, skirt, and bodice). I just have to finish the bodice. I’ll post pictures eventually.

I made this vest/bodice for my younger sister using the same pattern I did for the gray dress, which is now out-of-print. Here she is modeling it.

God bless!
-Manwariel

This dress was inspired by the ones Eowyn wears in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. It’s made of a medium-weight, midnight-blue cotton. I used Simplicity 4940 as a base but altered it significantly. The buttons and trim are from JoAnn and the belt is from Kohl’s. I originally planned to make a replica of Eowyn’s dark blue, funeral gown but I decided to go with a combination of a couple of her dresses with my own spin.

God bless!
- Manwariel

I made this Renaissance-inspired dress from a bodice pattern and a circle skirt pattern (most any will do. Again, I altered the bodice quite a bit). The bodice ended up being a little too long. I might add some boning to improve the way it laces closed. I made it to match the noble knight at the Georgia Renaissance Festival this past spring. It’s cotton. The buttons are from JoAnn and the charm is from Michael’s. I made a matching pouch to go with it. The hat is black cotton and I used McCall’s 4805.

God bless!
- Manwariel

This costume was inspired by the rangers of Ithilien in The Lord of the Rings (except for the hat).

The hat is brown microsuede. I used McCall’s 4805. The bodice is the same fabric. I don’t remember which bodice pattern I used – I altered it quite a bit. The skirt is the homespun cotton circle skirt I have a separate entry for. I drafted the shirt myself. It’s also cotton. The pouch is felt – I made it ages ago. The bracers used to be leather-look glasses cases. I ripped some of the seams out, removed the belt clips, and added eyelets and lacing. The gorget I also have a separate entry for.

God bless!
- Manwariel

Yes, I’m finally updating.

A friend and I made this tiered skirt out of poly-cotton broadcloth. We used an out-of-print McCall’s pattern.

My apologies for the lack of updates. I have many new items (bodices, a dress, a skirt, etc.) to blog about, but I have yet to take good pictures of most of them, so it will be a little while until they are revealed here. In the meantime, enjoy this picture.

God bless!
- Manwariel

Pattern: McCall’s 4805
Fabric: Microsuede outside, cotton lining for the top, and canvas lining for the brim

I bought the feather at JoAnn or Hobby Lobby. I think JoAnn, though Hobby Lobby has some too. I wanted it to be removable so I put a small safety pin on the hat and stuck the end of the feather through the middle.

God bless!
- Manwariel

I used McCall’s 5499 for this dress. I didn’t want to do the princess seams so I cut some of the pieces out as one instead of two. I also left the sleeve open below the elbow and laced it closed with eyelets the way I did my friend’s blue dress. This is made of 100% cotton.

God bless!
- Manwariel

I made this holder for my younger sister’s dagger out of leather-look scraps, eyelets, and cord.

God bless!
- Manwariel