Viki (Suikoden 2)
creation: May 2000worn at: Akon 11, Akon 12
why viki?: I've done so many Suikoden costumes. There are so many characters and so many cute designs. Yet this is where it all started, with Viki. Viki is your teleport girl in both Suikoden games and is therefore very useful. Unfortunately, she is a bit of an airhead and occasionally teleports you to the wrong location. While I have no particular fondness for this character, I thought she was cute. Plus, a friend of mine at the time was really into Viki so I thought it would be a neat idea. This was my second sewing experience EVER. The first was the original Alis costume, but on this one, I actually used a PATTERN for the dress. It's poorly made, held together with safety pins, and accompanied by the ugliest wig in history (the original FUW, for those of you in the know on FUWs).
con notes: I wore this with my friend Andy as Gremio at Akon 11, and we found a McDohl in the dealer's room. On a whim, we entered the masquerade and did a short and relatively improvisational skit about how graphics aren't everything in games and old-school is superior. My sister (as Alis) and her friend Lyndsay (as a FF1 white mage) also participated in the skit. If you're dressed as a Rinoa, you should smack yourself. :P
construction: I don't remember exactly how I constructed this. I know the dress is just a simple plain sleeveless gored skirt dress. There are two large white sashes that cross over it and are then held on by the yellow sashes. The striped piece then ties this on so it stays in place. The sleeves are detached and have an outer ring with the blue/black striped thing on them. I have stretchy silver elastic being used for the rings at the bottom of the sleeves. I also added some simple silver bracelets. I know that Viki has yellow and blue stripes, but at the time, I found this roll of blue and black striped decoration, and it worked pretty well. The best part of this costume, by far, was the staff, which was actually very nice and accurate. I've been able to use it in many other costumes since.
So this is where it all started. Go ahead and laugh. ^_^ It's pretty silly for a first costume.
