Midna - Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess

Why this costume:
Midna....just wow Midna. She has ALWAYS been a favorite Zelda character of mine. From the moment I saw her and fell in love with the character (Imp form) to the ending moment when I got to see her in all her glory. This costume has always been one I knew I wanted to make and wear. I'm happy I finally decided to do it.
Details Construction:
When Twilight Princess first came out it was really difficult to see a lot of Midna's details, especially considering the form I wanted to make was only in the game for all of 5 minutes. Thanks to Zelda Hyrule Warriors and her appearance in that...and then the announced HD remaster of Twilight Princess along with it...higher detailed reference photos were easier to find!
I started on the cape.
I bought a nice weight suiting material and the Casa collection teal fabric for the lining. I wanted materials with a good weight and body so they could not only take her details properly on the back, but also so when I wore it they would drape properly. I used some old fabric as muslin to draft out the pattern for the size and design of her cape and then finally cut it out with my final materials. I made the Hood pattern separate knowing I would have to adjust it to lay properly like hers as it is both loose and tight. The further details of the hood I will include in the "crown" area since it's intertangled with the wig.
Midna has a very unique design on her cape both on the inside and on the outside.
Inside:
I got to learn how to airbrush for this project and airbrushed her Black details on the inside of the cape. I then also airbrushed the darker teal designs on the inside of her coat. Trial, error, mixing colors, and finally just going for it resulted in the inside details coming out just how I wanted.
Outside:
Completely done freehand. I layed on the floor for about 8 hours across two days just painting. I referenced a photo of Midna from the back and went for it. I think I lost a portion of my sanity while I did it. I also painted the front "gears" and traced them in the same teal paint as the skirt's "gears" leading into the snakes on the back.
I used white bias on the edges for the portions Midna's cape is lined with white details.
The Skirt was next.
I cut a rectangle piece of fabric and just shaped it to fit my body and lay properly like hers. Next came the painting details. I started by painting all the silver portions and then tracing them in teal. Finally I added the red details. I tried to stay as close to reference as possible. I had a snap as the closure.
The Belt.
Worbla. Pretty easy. I just rolled Worbla, fit it to my hips, and painted it.
The Bodysuit.
Originally I made and painted a bodysuit. I dyed it the proper color teal and the added all the black details. In the end I wasn't happy with the results verses just bodypainting. So....I trashed it for the first run. I plan to remake it...but for now the costume photos you see are bodypaint.
The arm pieces
I made the arm pieces by draping stretch poplin over my arms and taking it in until it fit properly. I then made the edges come to a peak and sit center over my hands. I used teal fabric to paint the details Midna has on them. I did purchase LED lights to add, but not having a body suit it made it difficult to connect them, so I will be adding them soon. I used photoshop to mirror the designs on Midna's costume so I could have the proper design on each arm while I was painting.
The top:
I made a top for this costume only after I ditched the bodysuit I originally had. It was the same stretch poplin as the arm pieces. It was made like a halter top and went around the neck, but was hidden by my cloak and hair. So, though not as accurate as the body suit would have been it allowed coverage, support, and a fairly good look without the bodysuit. So, over-all I was happy with it and it will work until I get a final bodysuit.
The Wig:
So, where to even begin? I used the Eros - from Epic Cosplay in Autumn Orange as a base. I cut bangs into two layers in the front. This wig is Extremely thick and I love it!!! But I had to hide a lot of hair for Midna in the back. I just tied it in a ponytail and placed it under my cloak to keep it in place. The side hair pieces were made from weft I removed from a clip-in ponytail extension I bought in the same color. I only used the clip-in because it was cheaper and the perfect length. I removed all the wefts from the clip and cut them out in strips. I then glued them to a piece of foam that I shaped for Midna both in length and thickness. With patience they dried and I cut off all the leftover pieces and flyaways.
The crown:
So, there were so many small details to this piece. All I will say...is that it was a mixture of sheer WILL POWER, worbla, 3D printed pieces (Purchased), a headband, gauged wire, and so much more. I honestly don't know how to explain how I made it to you without literally showing you. I'm so sorry.
Midna....just wow Midna. She has ALWAYS been a favorite Zelda character of mine. From the moment I saw her and fell in love with the character (Imp form) to the ending moment when I got to see her in all her glory. This costume has always been one I knew I wanted to make and wear. I'm happy I finally decided to do it.
Details Construction:
When Twilight Princess first came out it was really difficult to see a lot of Midna's details, especially considering the form I wanted to make was only in the game for all of 5 minutes. Thanks to Zelda Hyrule Warriors and her appearance in that...and then the announced HD remaster of Twilight Princess along with it...higher detailed reference photos were easier to find!
I started on the cape.
I bought a nice weight suiting material and the Casa collection teal fabric for the lining. I wanted materials with a good weight and body so they could not only take her details properly on the back, but also so when I wore it they would drape properly. I used some old fabric as muslin to draft out the pattern for the size and design of her cape and then finally cut it out with my final materials. I made the Hood pattern separate knowing I would have to adjust it to lay properly like hers as it is both loose and tight. The further details of the hood I will include in the "crown" area since it's intertangled with the wig.
Midna has a very unique design on her cape both on the inside and on the outside.
Inside:
I got to learn how to airbrush for this project and airbrushed her Black details on the inside of the cape. I then also airbrushed the darker teal designs on the inside of her coat. Trial, error, mixing colors, and finally just going for it resulted in the inside details coming out just how I wanted.
Outside:
Completely done freehand. I layed on the floor for about 8 hours across two days just painting. I referenced a photo of Midna from the back and went for it. I think I lost a portion of my sanity while I did it. I also painted the front "gears" and traced them in the same teal paint as the skirt's "gears" leading into the snakes on the back.
I used white bias on the edges for the portions Midna's cape is lined with white details.
The Skirt was next.
I cut a rectangle piece of fabric and just shaped it to fit my body and lay properly like hers. Next came the painting details. I started by painting all the silver portions and then tracing them in teal. Finally I added the red details. I tried to stay as close to reference as possible. I had a snap as the closure.
The Belt.
Worbla. Pretty easy. I just rolled Worbla, fit it to my hips, and painted it.
The Bodysuit.
Originally I made and painted a bodysuit. I dyed it the proper color teal and the added all the black details. In the end I wasn't happy with the results verses just bodypainting. So....I trashed it for the first run. I plan to remake it...but for now the costume photos you see are bodypaint.
The arm pieces
I made the arm pieces by draping stretch poplin over my arms and taking it in until it fit properly. I then made the edges come to a peak and sit center over my hands. I used teal fabric to paint the details Midna has on them. I did purchase LED lights to add, but not having a body suit it made it difficult to connect them, so I will be adding them soon. I used photoshop to mirror the designs on Midna's costume so I could have the proper design on each arm while I was painting.
The top:
I made a top for this costume only after I ditched the bodysuit I originally had. It was the same stretch poplin as the arm pieces. It was made like a halter top and went around the neck, but was hidden by my cloak and hair. So, though not as accurate as the body suit would have been it allowed coverage, support, and a fairly good look without the bodysuit. So, over-all I was happy with it and it will work until I get a final bodysuit.
The Wig:
So, where to even begin? I used the Eros - from Epic Cosplay in Autumn Orange as a base. I cut bangs into two layers in the front. This wig is Extremely thick and I love it!!! But I had to hide a lot of hair for Midna in the back. I just tied it in a ponytail and placed it under my cloak to keep it in place. The side hair pieces were made from weft I removed from a clip-in ponytail extension I bought in the same color. I only used the clip-in because it was cheaper and the perfect length. I removed all the wefts from the clip and cut them out in strips. I then glued them to a piece of foam that I shaped for Midna both in length and thickness. With patience they dried and I cut off all the leftover pieces and flyaways.
The crown:
So, there were so many small details to this piece. All I will say...is that it was a mixture of sheer WILL POWER, worbla, 3D printed pieces (Purchased), a headband, gauged wire, and so much more. I honestly don't know how to explain how I made it to you without literally showing you. I'm so sorry.