Uhura – blueZhift Blog

Over the last week or so, I’ve had no less than two convention related dreams. So there’s no doubt myÂ subconscious is pretty excited about going to Otakon as I am when I’m awake! A few months ago, I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to go, but it appears that the Lord has blessed me with that much, and more this year.

I always seem to have a few more dream cosplays to do and again thankfully, it looks like one of those is going to debut at Otakon in a few days. My Star Trek: Original Series Uhura is going very well! I was really worried last night after making a number of mistakes and things just not looking right. But this is usually the case because I intentionally make my costumes slightly too big first and then refit them after trying them on.

Finally, around 2am or so this morning, I put everything on after the refit and got that “OMFG this is cute!” moment that comes when the costume has really come together. It was quite a relief after having so many doubts and flubs. But it all works! I just have some wig work to do and makeup related things I hope to improve on, but I think I’m going to love this!

After making this costume, I have new respect and awe for Bill Theiss, the costume designer for Star Trek. On standard definition TV, Uhura’s minidress uniform, beyond being sexy, is not all that interesting visually. But when you put it together from the official pattern found in the Star Trek Technical Manual, you can see the fine details that make it a work of art. The front and back of the dress are formed from 3 segments whose seams converge on the insignia. It’s truly a work of futuristic beauty that I’m honored to have the opportunity to wear!

With Otakon little over a month away, I’ve kicked off one of my dream cosplay projects. After every cosplay project I wonder if it’s going to be the last one. Is it time to retire from cosplay? Is it time to “grow up”? Well one advantage I had, having started cosplay in earnest at a later age, is that I’m already grown up. Grown up plenty! So to paraphrase one of my lolita friends, as long as my body and looks hold up, I’ll likely keep doing cosplay!

This hobby is just too much fun to me right now and all of the angst and drama that younger people have to contend with is mostly behind me now. It’s kind of funny that so many parents encourage various hobbies and pursuits for their kids as they are growing up, but then seemingly want them to abandon them once they pass some arbitrary age.

Okay, enough of that! The new cosplay project in question is Uhura from Star Trek: The Original Series, which to me is just plain ol’ Star Trek. While stuck in bad traffic and rain, I decided to detour to a JoAnn’s on route and when I came out I had most of what I’d need for Uhura’s red minidress uniform. They even had the perfect ribbon for the gold braid!

Today I ordered gogo boots and a uniform insignia. I know you can buy this costume, but it’s more fun for me to make my own. I’m going to use the pattern in my old Star Trek Technical Manual. I’m thinking of making a tricorder prop that I can combine with my iPhone and a custom app I can write to complete the image. I still need to buy a wig and earrings and the right makeup too.

I’m not really planning for this to be done in time for Otakon, but if it is I’ll take it. I’d really like to take this cosplay to Dragon*Con. But it’s not likely I can do that this year, who knows? In any case, Star Trek was my first fandom and oddly enough, Uhura will be the first character I’ve cosplayed where my skin tone actually matched! Not that that is a concern of mine, but it does mark an interesting milestone for me. So cosplay continues. Hailing frequencies are still open sugah!