Very limited observations from Indy
Nov. 21st, 2005 12:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mellymellI don't want to talk about the trip at all. Let's just say, all plans fell through with exception to the visits with my family. Long story short, I'm planning to try to go back up there for the overnight on Dec. 26th. I didn't go in costume, had some last minute problems with it and no one else was showing up (Janice got the stomach flu at the last minute and I didn't know anyone else was showing up so I didn't bother, good thing too, my train would be destroyed by now). So yeah, no pics to share. Yeah, an hour of sleep on Thursday night for no reason.
I only spent maybe an hour in the exhibit on Saturday instead of Friday. We couldn't get in until the 11:30 spot because it was so crowded (some children's choir thing going on that day). I felt bad spending much time in front of any one piece, so I really didn't get to ponder over anything like I wanted to. That combined with the fact that I really needed to be headed to Richmond totally screwed any chance of much observation.
We did go to the IMAX showing of The Two Towers Friday night though. Janice is right. Projected on a larger screen like that does take some things away from the resolution, but you can see so many details that I've never noticed before while watching the movies.
I watched some of the scenes intently looking at costumes. I'm thinking the Dream gown printing might be something like a sari under layer or something. The printed pattern on it really only looks to be on the edges. Maybe it's a sari they found or maybe its something they printed themselves. It's white and very faint.
Chris was fascinated by how much they did with scale models instead of CG. He was convinced most if not all of those things were CG (like the towers, Treebeard, etc.). He was also impressed with the detail that went into the Haradrim armor that we never ever see (like tiny skulls and such, really amazing work, and we only ever see them from afar).
I, of course focused, on the handful of weapons, costumes and jewelry that I was really interested in and made the best of the short time we were there.
The Requiem gown was not hemmed at the bottom. Big surprise there. Just a raw edge, and looked like it was starting to ravel a bit. Looks like the sketches of the trim that have been available for so long are dead on. However, it doesn't look completely silver, but has a slight blue cast to it (another surprise). I didn't pull out the flashlight at the time to confirm this, but the lighting on it was yellowish, so I don't think that would make silver appear blue. It's very faint, but definitely there. The color was comparable to the metallic blue embroidery on the shoes I got to go with it (which makes me happy). Overdyed perhaps? The lower sleeves of the Requiem gown are most definitely a lightweight brocade and are finished with a narrow rolled hem and straight stitch. I didn't really get a look at the overall shape of the lower sleeves though or the pattern on the brocade. Also, the sketches of the upper sleeve embroidery are dead on. I could also almost see the undergown fabric at the neckline (my height paid off, had to stand on tip toes, but still). Seemed like a habotai, maybe about 8mm or slightly thicker dyed the same exact color as the upper sleeves. It had a more slippery texture than what the embroidery on the upper sleeves was done on (which looks more soft, like a chiffon).
The piece of the cloak fabric kind of surprised, me too. The pattern that's printed on it has either completely crushed the pile on the velvet so that it doesn't look like it's there at all, or it was first etched and then printed into the etched space. Definitely not just painted on though, it's printed for sure. The pattern was so clear too. I so wish I could have sketched it out! You just don't see it as well in pictures.
As for other swatches that were in with the Requiem gown, they were the Hope gown swatches and Chase swatches. Jess, your hope gown embroidery is dead on perfect! And your colors look pretty much right on as well. The velvet was a little more red/burgundy than I was expecting. Definitely a burgundy color though. The Chase swatches, kind of strange that they were there given that the chase outfit was right next to it, but something very interesting about the crinkle fabric. It looks gold/white, not silver. This could have been the lighting, again I didn't pull out the flashlight to confirm. Will do that if I go back.
On to the Chase outfit, looks like they finished the crinkle edges with just a zigzag stitch, there's really no hem there. The underskirts are definitely habotai, about 8mm weight and they appear to be a light grey/silver color (I'm thinking the silver acid dye from Dharma would be perfect). The sashes appeared to be the same weight of habotai, but more of a purplish (like maybe they took some scraps of the skirt fabric and overdyed them with a lavender kind of color). If I go back, I'm taking paint chips to match colors. The hems of all the habotai on the costume were very narrow rolled hems, looked like a straight stitch.
The UC Hadhafang is a perfect match! The gold leaves on the handle are most definitely painted/printed on, not inlaid or raised like the NC sword. The scabbard was there, it's molded plastic, painted a maroon (same color as the handle of the sword) and the paint was cracked and chipping in some areas (revealing black plastic underneath). There were some raised gold designs on it, probably an apoxie sculpt type stuff. Brass rings connected it in two places to the rigging I'm guessing. Unfortunately, no rigging or accompanying dagger was on display, just sword and scabbard.
On to Galadriel, I was so mesmerized by this gown, I didn't get a whole lot of detail out of it. This thing sparkles like crazy! Far more than we see in any pics. I couldn't see much of the hem, but it appeared it was zigzagged just like the chase sleeves (the crinkle fabric). The stuff exclusive silks is carrying is perfect! The belt design is a lot more elaborate than I thought, but the sketches of it that are out there are dead on. Definitely two tails, looks to be on a shantung fabric, an off white or ivory. The brooch was amazing, and it seems the mother of pearl disc I have is the correct size. The cape was attached at either side by matching little leaf clasps that looked like the "branches" on the brooch. When looking at the back and how the cape draped, that's the first and only time I pulled out the flashlight. It inexplicably curves and gathers at the shoulders so that the cape doesn't fall over the shoulders, but did not appear to be pined back or gathered by anything there. I never did figure it out, but I only stood there for about 5 minutes. I'm wondering if there might be some hidden elastic or something there. Very strange. But very beautiful. The gathering at the shoulders gave it this beautiful drape in the center back. The sleeves of her gown came to what looked like about knee level.
I took a look at her crown and ring as well. The ring has a double band that I never noticed before. I can't say much about the crown. It's so intricate, I just get lost trying to look at it analytically. At least it was displayed right side up in this exhibit (a lot of the pics I've seen were upside down and backwards).
Celeborn's belt and collar were in the same case, and they were just incredible. His belt looks to be one wider piece of fabric (didn't notice what) with a twist of some cording and some kind of silk, maybe habotai, along the upper and lower edges that come together in the buckle and those are what dangle below. There are some metallic threads in some of the cording.
I only really glanced at Saruman, just beautiful embroidery and detail on his outfit. I think the frog closures were the most intriguing, a pattern I've never seen on a frog before, kind of a square shape, looked almost like kanji. His belt was mostly hidden by his robe though.
I took a look at Elrond's crown, very oval, either it's been bent out of shape or Hugo has an oddly shaped head. I did notice little pieces of what looked like cording or fabric glued to the back parts of the crown though. I thought maybe there were clips or combs there to hold it into his wig, but they've removed them for the exhibit.
I also took a look at the Ring of Barahir, they had it displayed upside down *grumble*. Honestly, the NC version doesn't really do it justice at all. Quite a different design than what I was expecting. The Evenstar was right next to it, and much more curved than I expected. Looking at it and thinking of pics I've seen, I think the shots where it's on Eldarion make the shape the most clear. It's much larger than I expected as well, mostly in thickness, not so much in length or width.
And, I decided to get a good look at Aragorn's Strider boots. I'm scratching all my muslin attempts at boot wraps and I think making them more accurate will make them easier to put together. They've got tons of seams all over the place, one small piece across the toe, then a piece around the ankle with a seam in center front, and a couple more pieces split here and there up the leg (will pay more attention if I go back, but there are probably pics somewhere that show this fairly well). Each seam looks to have that baseball stitching. They have grommets and laces from about the ankle bone to about 9" up or so on the outer side of each boot and the laces are what's wrapped around them and tied somewhere I'm assuming (didn't notice where). The leather duster, most definitely looks how it's been described, licorice green (looks black, but at the seems you can see hints of olive). I didn't look too much at the rest of his costume. Lucky thing though, they had a sketch of his Council Velvet on display, so I could finally show Chris what it is I've been fitting him for. The Council Velvet is definitely a different belt than the Ranger one, but I'm fairly certain they're the same boots.
Other than that, I'm terribly disappointed by the jewelry Noble Collection has put out now that I've seen it in person at their gift shop. The pics on the website appear much nicer. I don't think I'll buy any pieces from them, even though I had several planned at first. But good to have seen them and made that decision rather than spending $100+ and finding out they're not worth it. Just so you all know, the Mirror brooch they sell is about 1/3rd of the size of the original, if not a little smaller. I've found other jewelers making much nicer pieces for much cheaper, granted they're unlicensed, but I'm more concerned with a quality piece than an official piece.
And that's about all I could look at while I was there. I tried not to repeat things I've already heard a million times about this stuff, but I'm sure I did. I'm surprised I still remembered that much without taking any notes at any point. Really there were just a few key things I wanted to remember, and I fell asleep Saturday night envisioning the exhibit, so I guess it all really stuck in my mind.
I think I've pretty much decided to go back up for the overnight on Dec. 26th. It's $50 which is cheaper than a hotel room AND includes entry into the exhibit ($14 otherwise), the IMAX showing of FOTR ($7 otherwise) and breakfast. I'm off on the 26th anyway, so no vacation needed, or at least if I do need vacation it'll just be one day instead of two. If I can find a fair price on rental car for Chris to drive in town for two days, then I'm going. I'm looking for them today but a lot of the local places are closed on the 26th (unless we want to drive all the way out to the airport, which wouldn't be that bad, I pass it to leave town anyway, it would just be a pain for Chris since he's not going to work that day to drive to the other side of the county and back for a car). But looks like it'll cost anywhere from $45 to $70 for a rental for two days.
I only spent maybe an hour in the exhibit on Saturday instead of Friday. We couldn't get in until the 11:30 spot because it was so crowded (some children's choir thing going on that day). I felt bad spending much time in front of any one piece, so I really didn't get to ponder over anything like I wanted to. That combined with the fact that I really needed to be headed to Richmond totally screwed any chance of much observation.
We did go to the IMAX showing of The Two Towers Friday night though. Janice is right. Projected on a larger screen like that does take some things away from the resolution, but you can see so many details that I've never noticed before while watching the movies.
I watched some of the scenes intently looking at costumes. I'm thinking the Dream gown printing might be something like a sari under layer or something. The printed pattern on it really only looks to be on the edges. Maybe it's a sari they found or maybe its something they printed themselves. It's white and very faint.
Chris was fascinated by how much they did with scale models instead of CG. He was convinced most if not all of those things were CG (like the towers, Treebeard, etc.). He was also impressed with the detail that went into the Haradrim armor that we never ever see (like tiny skulls and such, really amazing work, and we only ever see them from afar).
I, of course focused, on the handful of weapons, costumes and jewelry that I was really interested in and made the best of the short time we were there.
The Requiem gown was not hemmed at the bottom. Big surprise there. Just a raw edge, and looked like it was starting to ravel a bit. Looks like the sketches of the trim that have been available for so long are dead on. However, it doesn't look completely silver, but has a slight blue cast to it (another surprise). I didn't pull out the flashlight at the time to confirm this, but the lighting on it was yellowish, so I don't think that would make silver appear blue. It's very faint, but definitely there. The color was comparable to the metallic blue embroidery on the shoes I got to go with it (which makes me happy). Overdyed perhaps? The lower sleeves of the Requiem gown are most definitely a lightweight brocade and are finished with a narrow rolled hem and straight stitch. I didn't really get a look at the overall shape of the lower sleeves though or the pattern on the brocade. Also, the sketches of the upper sleeve embroidery are dead on. I could also almost see the undergown fabric at the neckline (my height paid off, had to stand on tip toes, but still). Seemed like a habotai, maybe about 8mm or slightly thicker dyed the same exact color as the upper sleeves. It had a more slippery texture than what the embroidery on the upper sleeves was done on (which looks more soft, like a chiffon).
The piece of the cloak fabric kind of surprised, me too. The pattern that's printed on it has either completely crushed the pile on the velvet so that it doesn't look like it's there at all, or it was first etched and then printed into the etched space. Definitely not just painted on though, it's printed for sure. The pattern was so clear too. I so wish I could have sketched it out! You just don't see it as well in pictures.
As for other swatches that were in with the Requiem gown, they were the Hope gown swatches and Chase swatches. Jess, your hope gown embroidery is dead on perfect! And your colors look pretty much right on as well. The velvet was a little more red/burgundy than I was expecting. Definitely a burgundy color though. The Chase swatches, kind of strange that they were there given that the chase outfit was right next to it, but something very interesting about the crinkle fabric. It looks gold/white, not silver. This could have been the lighting, again I didn't pull out the flashlight to confirm. Will do that if I go back.
On to the Chase outfit, looks like they finished the crinkle edges with just a zigzag stitch, there's really no hem there. The underskirts are definitely habotai, about 8mm weight and they appear to be a light grey/silver color (I'm thinking the silver acid dye from Dharma would be perfect). The sashes appeared to be the same weight of habotai, but more of a purplish (like maybe they took some scraps of the skirt fabric and overdyed them with a lavender kind of color). If I go back, I'm taking paint chips to match colors. The hems of all the habotai on the costume were very narrow rolled hems, looked like a straight stitch.
The UC Hadhafang is a perfect match! The gold leaves on the handle are most definitely painted/printed on, not inlaid or raised like the NC sword. The scabbard was there, it's molded plastic, painted a maroon (same color as the handle of the sword) and the paint was cracked and chipping in some areas (revealing black plastic underneath). There were some raised gold designs on it, probably an apoxie sculpt type stuff. Brass rings connected it in two places to the rigging I'm guessing. Unfortunately, no rigging or accompanying dagger was on display, just sword and scabbard.
On to Galadriel, I was so mesmerized by this gown, I didn't get a whole lot of detail out of it. This thing sparkles like crazy! Far more than we see in any pics. I couldn't see much of the hem, but it appeared it was zigzagged just like the chase sleeves (the crinkle fabric). The stuff exclusive silks is carrying is perfect! The belt design is a lot more elaborate than I thought, but the sketches of it that are out there are dead on. Definitely two tails, looks to be on a shantung fabric, an off white or ivory. The brooch was amazing, and it seems the mother of pearl disc I have is the correct size. The cape was attached at either side by matching little leaf clasps that looked like the "branches" on the brooch. When looking at the back and how the cape draped, that's the first and only time I pulled out the flashlight. It inexplicably curves and gathers at the shoulders so that the cape doesn't fall over the shoulders, but did not appear to be pined back or gathered by anything there. I never did figure it out, but I only stood there for about 5 minutes. I'm wondering if there might be some hidden elastic or something there. Very strange. But very beautiful. The gathering at the shoulders gave it this beautiful drape in the center back. The sleeves of her gown came to what looked like about knee level.
I took a look at her crown and ring as well. The ring has a double band that I never noticed before. I can't say much about the crown. It's so intricate, I just get lost trying to look at it analytically. At least it was displayed right side up in this exhibit (a lot of the pics I've seen were upside down and backwards).
Celeborn's belt and collar were in the same case, and they were just incredible. His belt looks to be one wider piece of fabric (didn't notice what) with a twist of some cording and some kind of silk, maybe habotai, along the upper and lower edges that come together in the buckle and those are what dangle below. There are some metallic threads in some of the cording.
I only really glanced at Saruman, just beautiful embroidery and detail on his outfit. I think the frog closures were the most intriguing, a pattern I've never seen on a frog before, kind of a square shape, looked almost like kanji. His belt was mostly hidden by his robe though.
I took a look at Elrond's crown, very oval, either it's been bent out of shape or Hugo has an oddly shaped head. I did notice little pieces of what looked like cording or fabric glued to the back parts of the crown though. I thought maybe there were clips or combs there to hold it into his wig, but they've removed them for the exhibit.
I also took a look at the Ring of Barahir, they had it displayed upside down *grumble*. Honestly, the NC version doesn't really do it justice at all. Quite a different design than what I was expecting. The Evenstar was right next to it, and much more curved than I expected. Looking at it and thinking of pics I've seen, I think the shots where it's on Eldarion make the shape the most clear. It's much larger than I expected as well, mostly in thickness, not so much in length or width.
And, I decided to get a good look at Aragorn's Strider boots. I'm scratching all my muslin attempts at boot wraps and I think making them more accurate will make them easier to put together. They've got tons of seams all over the place, one small piece across the toe, then a piece around the ankle with a seam in center front, and a couple more pieces split here and there up the leg (will pay more attention if I go back, but there are probably pics somewhere that show this fairly well). Each seam looks to have that baseball stitching. They have grommets and laces from about the ankle bone to about 9" up or so on the outer side of each boot and the laces are what's wrapped around them and tied somewhere I'm assuming (didn't notice where). The leather duster, most definitely looks how it's been described, licorice green (looks black, but at the seems you can see hints of olive). I didn't look too much at the rest of his costume. Lucky thing though, they had a sketch of his Council Velvet on display, so I could finally show Chris what it is I've been fitting him for. The Council Velvet is definitely a different belt than the Ranger one, but I'm fairly certain they're the same boots.
Other than that, I'm terribly disappointed by the jewelry Noble Collection has put out now that I've seen it in person at their gift shop. The pics on the website appear much nicer. I don't think I'll buy any pieces from them, even though I had several planned at first. But good to have seen them and made that decision rather than spending $100+ and finding out they're not worth it. Just so you all know, the Mirror brooch they sell is about 1/3rd of the size of the original, if not a little smaller. I've found other jewelers making much nicer pieces for much cheaper, granted they're unlicensed, but I'm more concerned with a quality piece than an official piece.
And that's about all I could look at while I was there. I tried not to repeat things I've already heard a million times about this stuff, but I'm sure I did. I'm surprised I still remembered that much without taking any notes at any point. Really there were just a few key things I wanted to remember, and I fell asleep Saturday night envisioning the exhibit, so I guess it all really stuck in my mind.
I think I've pretty much decided to go back up for the overnight on Dec. 26th. It's $50 which is cheaper than a hotel room AND includes entry into the exhibit ($14 otherwise), the IMAX showing of FOTR ($7 otherwise) and breakfast. I'm off on the 26th anyway, so no vacation needed, or at least if I do need vacation it'll just be one day instead of two. If I can find a fair price on rental car for Chris to drive in town for two days, then I'm going. I'm looking for them today but a lot of the local places are closed on the 26th (unless we want to drive all the way out to the airport, which wouldn't be that bad, I pass it to leave town anyway, it would just be a pain for Chris since he's not going to work that day to drive to the other side of the county and back for a car). But looks like it'll cost anywhere from $45 to $70 for a rental for two days.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Oh stupid bird, I never should have left you in charge!
on 2005-11-21 06:34 pm (UTC)Glad you go to see the costumes though!
For the Requiem - the sign at the exhibit said the "underfrock" is silk satin. I had a flash light with me in Boston and you could see that the underdress fabric was slightly shinier than the uppersleeve fabric - but it's a very close dye match! I wasn't able to get my underdress to completely match my uppersleeve fabric, which I thought remarkable purply. I think it's a silk georgette or chiffon overlayed on something else. It was so lovely in person that I came home wanting to make that one!
The Galadrial dress - I was underwhelmed by her costumes in the movie - but in person - WOW! That dress was stunning!
I agree on the Chase costume too - that the sash is more purple than the underskirts..
Re: Oh stupid bird, I never should have left you in charge!
on 2005-11-22 05:03 pm (UTC)satin, really? I'll have to look again. I didn't notice the sign at all on that one.
I totally agree with the Galadriel gown. I did like it a lot in the movie but when I saw it in person I was just blown away! And come to think of it, I looked at the exclusive silks stuff and it is slightly different. The overall pattern is right, but the placement of the beads is off. ES has the beads on the stems of the clusters, but the original has a tiny bugle bead in each bud/leaf instead.
Definitely getting a collection of paint chips before I go back.
Re: Oh stupid bird, I never should have left you in charge!
on 2005-11-22 09:01 pm (UTC)My favorite answering machine is the police RESC-U-FONE!
Voice: Hello, and welcome to the Springfield Police Department Resc-u-
Fone[tm]. If you know the name of the felony being committed,
PRESS ONE! To choose from a list of felonies, press two. If you
are being murdered or calling from a rotary phone, please stay on
the line.
Bart: [growls, punches some numbers]
Voice: You have selected regicide. If you know the name of the king or
queen being murdered, PRESS ONE!
:-)
no subject
on 2005-11-21 06:58 pm (UTC)I'm going to see if we can't also get up there once... but it does look doubtfull :(
Do you know, is the 26th of December the last day? Just wondering...
y
no subject
on 2005-11-21 09:38 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2005-11-21 09:01 pm (UTC)sorry your trip didn't go as planed though, but it sounds marvolouse nontheless, Oh I wish I could go!
also thanks for the requiem and Gladdy observations!
no subject
on 2005-11-22 05:06 pm (UTC)You're quite welcome on the observations. I'll try to get a LOT more on the second trip. I've got a laptop now (Chris got one with his new job so he's letting me use his old one), so I can take that to make notes after we leave the exihibit for the night (I can type quite a bit faster than I can write).
no subject
on 2005-12-12 09:35 pm (UTC)and yay that you have a laptop!
no subject
on 2005-11-22 03:02 am (UTC)no subject
on 2005-11-22 04:46 pm (UTC)I am thinking about hitting up Dragon*Con next year, and possibly the Georgia Ren Faire and maybe some other local Ren Faires as well, but those are rather far south for you I'd think. I might try to do GenCon next August as well and then in 2007 I want to try to go to Costume Con in St. Louis.