Thank you so much for the input!! And for easing my worries (again!). You all know how stressful this all is :-)
The ab plate sits just above my belly button, the curse of a long waist and short stubble legs (also bad lighting hehe). I'm planning shortening my vest and adding a scarf and belt around my waist so that should help hide that some.
Tonight I'm painting the blue on the shoulders, 2nd collar piece, and my gauntlets. Over the next few days it will adding the design, helmet padding, and then attaching everything. I'm also hoping to have my vibrosword done for D*C since it's part of my character's look so I will probably wait to do black washing after DragonCon. It will be close but I think we will get everything done.