NAME OF CHARACTER: Little Miss Santa's Helper ANIME SERIES: N/A (original creation) COSTUME STATUS: 100% made by Claudine Roselle Puente COSTUME DEBUT: Puente Family Christmas Eve 2002 DETAILS: I've always dreamed that probably the So Desu Ne Cosplay gals and I would get together during the holidays and we would each have a costume like this one.  It would make a great group photo.  Unfortunately, it never happened. :(  What made me make this costume, you ask?  Well, I was taking a costume/ makeup class at San Francisco's City College and my final exam, or should I say, "critique" for the intermediate students was to make a costume.  This was the first costume that came to mind. :) This costume originated from a McCall's French maid pattern.  From the picture it looks like a one-piece costume.  In reality, it isn't.  You have a top, and a skirt.  The fabric I used for this costume is red velveteen.  It's makes the costume look fuller, but it is a pain to cut the pattern out.  When you cut velveteen, the bits go all over the place; it's worse than dust particles. :p  Instead of using white lace, I used white fur.  Whoever heard of a Santa costume with lace? *laughs*  For the shoulder lining, the sleeves, and the skirt's waist, I used elastic.  I know, what you're asking.  "How can you use elastic for the shoulder lining when you have fur?  Won't it look bad?"  It's not easy, however, it's not bad.  It's still a nice look. :)  The only things that I didn't make are the hat and the belt.  Otherwise, the costume itself was made by me.  Last, but not least are the black boots.  Had them since 1995, but barely wore them. :(  It's a good thing I decided to keep them.  I had a hunch they would come in handy someday. :)