Ayane c.4 - Dead or Alive 4

Worn by: Lilacwire Complete: October 2006 Status: Active Photos: Usagichan Search & Rescue, just-a-dream.net

This costume was difficult to make on several fronts.  The top of the dress is stretch vinyl covered in fish net, which had to be sewn together before any pieces of the costume could be effectively worked with or the fish net would slide around.  All pieces of the dress top were sewn using jean seams to keep the vinyl from puckering.

Most of the fabric was bought on clearance at a cloth store that was reducing its inventory, allowing many yards of otherwise odd-colored, expensive fabric to come home as a costume. 

The seam binding is hand done because of the odd color, which is mimicked throughout the dress. 

To achieve the bow, Lilacwire used a combination of fun foam, hot glue, and the cloth so the bow would stand up correctly as in the reference photos.

One of the hardest parts of the dress were the tights/leg bindings combination.  They consist of thigh-high socks with fish net stockings over them and the purple leg straps around that.  They are attached at the top through safety pins.