I thought I was “fixing” the pants I recently made when I trimmed “excess” fabric – I wasn’t. I thought I could successfully modify the neckline of the vest – I couldn’t. While I have two completely wearable articles of clothing that I *am* proud of, I’m essentially the new owner of a wonky vest, and assless pants.
The world of sewing is this magical, off-limits land where people in the know speak in nonsensical words, using strangely shaped pieces of paper, and apparently through some sort of fabulous ancient sorcery, produce clothing. At least, this is how I see those who can sew.
I’m so late to the sewing party I feel I might as well be dead.
Every single cosplay panel I’ve been to that’s been hosted by individuals who are seamstresses/tailors, have pretty much been sewing since the womb. The sewing community, while filled with sweet, lovely, welcoming people, seems to be comprised of those who were born with a needle and thread in their hand, and…the rest of us. Even the “Sewing For Beginners” and the “Intro To Sewing” panels I attended were waaaaaay to advanced for someone who has only ever sewn curtains, placemats, or hemmed pants (like myself).
I. Was. Terrified.
Figuring that no one would see my sewing fails if I didn’t show them, I went out and bought some sewing patterns, and some fabric. I busted out Hodor, and I just dug in. It’s definitely been a learning experience, and it’s far from over, but at least now I know I can harness the ancient sorcery and produce wearable (if not stunning) clothes.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
5. It’s assumed that you are intimately aware of 100% of sewing jargon.
I have no idea what a “selvage” is. Nor do I understand many of the sewing terms used by the cryptic pattern. The sewing pattern isn’t going to explain these things to you, and neither is the uppity seamstress/tailor at your local fabric shop (least the ones at mine didn’t). Do a light Google. I found the definitions to all of the mysterious sewing terms by typing them right into Google.
4. You will only need to use “one size” of the pattern. Ever.
I’ve bought 8 sewing patterns so far, and every single pattern tells you to find your size, and then cut it out of the pattern paper. This seems like a good idea…for those people who never gain or lose weight
. Or anyone who wants to reuse a pattern. Cosplayers reuse patterns all the time. I’m sure that other individuals who sew reuse patterns. Perhaps even for different people. Who may be different sizes. Tracing pattern pieces onto tissue paper seems to work, but surely there’s a less time consuming and tedious way?
3. You’re expected to cut the fabric pieces using some futuristic laser-eyes-type-maybe-a-higher-power-will-free-them-from-their-excess-fabric-constraints technology.
I just started sewing. I can’t afford a huge self-healing cutting mat so that I can use a rotary cutter to cut my pattern pieces. I’m using some nice, large, heavy-duty fabric scissors. They’re weighty and lovely, and I got them at my local fabric store. Even though I’ve never used them to cut anything other than fabric or thread, I seem incapable of cutting a nice, straight line when I cut out the pattern pieces. They always end up jagged, uneven, and sad looking. This creates problems when I go to pin bits together to sew, or when I want to pin a straight hem.
I pin the tissue to the fabric, then cut – is there a better way? Should I use a rotary cutter (and move my mat to accommodate the piece)? What about weights?
2. Everyone who sews is secretly a multi-armed deity who is able to hold/pin, hold/cut, and hold/move, remove pins/sew all of their fabric, all the time.
Yes.
1. Instructions are written assuming the reader has a studio-esque space, and body forms at their disposal.
I’m short. I’m 5’1¼” – which is smaller than most petite lines. I struggled to get the pattern for the Pandaren Monk pants onto my kitchen table to trace, pin, and cut. I also live in a 609sq. ft. apartment. I don’t have the space for a larger surface than my table, I’ve about 10sq ft. of countertop (in)conveniently divided into three separate parts, and will subsequently need to do the majority of work on iFantastic’s Pennywise cosplay on the floor as he’s 6’1”. Thankfully, my floor is hardwood so other than being a bit awkward, it should be easy enough to work on.
The pants and vest that I’ve made so far are intended to be loose fitting, so I’ve not needed to worry about fitting clothing to my body, and work straight off the pattern. I would like to make an old style nurses uniform dress for a Faceless Nurse (Silent Hill) cosplay, and that will require fitting. Body forms are quite expensive but I’ve seen online tutorials for making your own with an old t-shirt and duct tape.
Has anyone tried this method?
Does it work?
Is there a better way to DIY a body form?
I remain optimistic that I will get the hang of the Fabric Tetris that is sewing, and since I have more extra material left than I thought, I’m going to remake both the pants and the vest for my Pandaren Monk.
New to sewing? What do you wish you’d been told when you started?
Seasoned sewer? What advice do you have for newcomers?
It Takes A Village To Cosplay!
Earla Alara
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