Underworld Sonja Costume

[flyaway]

Hey Everyone, total rookie here as this is my first build but I've been wanting to do it for ages!
I'm hoping to tackle the Sonja costume from Underworld: Rise of the Lycans for a convention in April 2013... so hopefully plenty of time to get it right!
I only have one part settled and completed, I have a replica necklace from The Riddick Archive (Underworld Rise of the Lycans – Sonja (Rhona Mitra) Hero Pendant | riddickarchive)
I'll be commissioning the corset so that removes one of the complicated parts.
The skirt I'll be sewing as a dress, I haven't found enough references to know if that's how it was done for the actual costume. I haven't gone looking for fabric yet so any suggestions would be welcome.

That's where my planning starts to run out

I think I can cheat on the chainmail by not making it as a full shirt, as long as it hangs low enough to be held in place by the corset I think I'll get away with it. As to what I'll use I think that will largely come down to cost, I'd love to use butchers mail but I think that will be the most costly option.
The pants have me stumped. The best picture I have of them shows that they include the boot and don't cover the whole leg, they are stitched onto a black under layer and then clip onto the corset. They also match the corset so material wise I might just be able to order some extra when my corset gets started.
Outside of that I have no idea how I'm going to tackle them.

 

[flyaway]

Overdue for an update :facepalm

Corset has been started! I can't move ahead with a few things until I get it but I think I've worked out how I'll do everything else now.

Thanks to some good resolution screen shots I got to check some things out in greater detail.

The skirt is also chainmail, it's just so light I didn't pick it before. To keep expenses in check this aspect will go on hold so i can add it in later, I still intend to get the shirt just long enough to be held into place by the corset so the skirt will have to be a separate piece.

My corset maker suggested I try and find a stretch knit fabric in the same colour as my corset, avoiding the expense of leather and the difficulty of using it as a newbie. At this point I'm hoping to find a pair of inexpensive but comfortable boots and work out how to attach the fabric to them so I can get them as screen accurate as possible.
For the black part of the pants I'll be repurposing an old pair of black jazz pants. They're light weight and comfortable, plus I tore the knee on one leg open and haven't worn them in ages so they'll go to good use.

Until my corset arrives (likely in January) I'm still stuck in planning so I'm looking forward to starting the practical stuff.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I just saw this, but I seem to remember on the Stargate tv show they used some heavy cotton fabric painted to look like metal. Here's a site that has some info: Jaffa Legions Gallery :: Screen Used (Woven) Jaffa Chainmail That would definitely be cheaper, it's just how crazy accurate you want to go. I think there are a couple of people who make real chain mail on here too.

 

[flyaway]

Awesome thanks for the link, I'll have a good look at that.

In my head I always want to go all out full accurate... I have to keep reminding myself of reality where things have to be comfortable and affordable! Damn that pesky reality :behave

 

[tinabelle]

I don't know who is more of a bada**. Sonja or Selene :lol I am working on a Selene build myself and your Sonja is going to rock! I found some reference shots (you may already have these).
The embroidery on Sonja's corset is similar to Selene's, but looks to be not quite as ornate. Good call on commissioning that out..I did the same.
Good luck and I am looking forward to seeing the progress!!

 

[flyaway]

Thanks! I'll certainly be keeping everyone posted

 

[Anubis]

Hi there, Looking forward to seeing more on your planned costume and wish you the best of luck.

Here's the link to the replica pendant you asked for, hope it helps?
Underworld LUCIAN 's NECKLACE Lycan Replica Props Pendant | eBay

 

[Sakara]

Heya! Love that someone is doing a Sonja Build! I know the maile used was Shark maile used by divers swimming with sharks.
It's a really really fine maile that has a flow like fabric.

 

[flyaway]

Thanks!
I keep hearing mixed comments on the chain, some say butchers and some say shark. Either way, both are very fine rings and light, I love the flow of it and I'm really hoping to stretch the budget to that sort of option. Especially since I've heard they are quite comfortable to wear, certainly a bonus for an all day con!

 

[deserthunter]

It in fact is a shark suite. Butcher maile although smaller has a more coarse feel.

 

[flyaway]

Awesome, I'll have to do a dig around.... maybe see if that money tree has started to grow yet :lol

 

[flyaway]

My rather exceptional (I may be utterly biased ) corset has been completed by the amazingly talented Forge Fashion.
Once it arrives I'll be material matching to make the boots and pants.

Unfortunately the chain component has been a total nightmare. Most people I have enquired with can't help or never email back, I have a few more enquiries out there right now but meeting my April convention date is looking unlikely at this point.

 

[Sakara]

OOh yeah, that is stunning!

 

[flyaway]

I'm so very impressed with the work she put into it, can't wait to see it in person!
Would recommend her to anyone wanting a corset done but without the skills to work on it themselves, she was wonderful to work with.

 

[tinabelle]

I used her for my Selene corset and bracers and they are a-MA-zing!!! She is brilliant and I know you will be happy with your Sonja corset.

 

[flyaway]

Update time!

Tinabelle: No wonder I thought your corset was awesome! :lol

Mine has arrived. It's even better in person! Beautifully made and so comfortable to wear. Unfortunately I had the wrong settings on the camera so when my helper took some shots none of them came up well.

I'm now in convention time crunch zone! At least as far as a rookie is concerned. Still aiming for Melbourne Supanova on the 13/14th of April.

I have someone working on my chain, we all have fingers crossed that it will make it here in time!

I'm spending today looking for a decent wig online. I'll be skipping the contacts and teeth this time around.

I'll be making the pants/boots really simple. I have the boots I intended to mangle but for now I'll just make pants and see how they look/feel. If I like the material I'll fix it up more permanently for the next con. If I don't like it then I haven't killed my boots and can try something else.

 

[flyaway]

Very long time between updates and I'm still being slack with the photos. Sorry!

I made it to my convention but none of the photos we quickly snapped came out well, shame! Guess I'll just have to find an excuse to put all the gear on again

My wonderful chain arrived just in time and a huge thanks to the guys at Welcome | MailleTec for their hard work.

I'm still struggling with the pants, the material seems to be resisting any efforts to get the dark brown I need to match the corset. I'm getting tempted to scrap them and order some leather instead but that will be much harder to work with. But it would look a lot better. Thankfully I have some time to weigh up either option as our next con isn't until October.