#cosplay patternmaking

[fabrickind]

Hello there!

Unfortunately, the answer is going to be online shops. You might get lucky and find some irl, but the bulk of your shopping will be online.

That said, Michael's does carry some patterns in person at the stores that carry fabric. It isn't as extensive of a selection as Joann's had, but if you need to have it that day or want to take advantage of sales and coupons, see if you can get it at your local store.

Direct from the pattern companies is your next option. This only works if you want from the big name companies (err...company, they're all arms of the same company now), and you would likely have to pay full price unless they had a sale, as well as get the pattern shipped if it's a physical pattern. A lot of the patterns these days come in a digital format, though, so if you don't mind printing yourself or sending it to a print shop, that's a more immediate option.

Next line of attack would be known online sellers. There are a few companies that make sewing patterns specifically for cosplay, and several cosplayers who make sewing patterns, typically for specific outfits but sometimes more general patterns. There's also various indie (non-cosplay) clothing pattern sellers out there.

I would warn you against Etsy or similar as a general search unless you know who the seller is/they are vetted, since there are a LOT of AI generated patterns out there these days. These, for obvious reasons, will not work. Unless you're good at spotting AI, I'd stay away or ask around if a particular seller seems good before buying. (A tip: usually real sellers are more expensive because they put actual work into drafting, grading, and testing, and AI patterns tend to be dirt cheap for what they promise.) A lot of AI patterns are also directly stolen from real creators, so be careful! (I know Aranea Black's corsets are out there with bad gen AI images, for example, even though her patterns were always free and you can still get them if you know where to look)

Not a comprehensive list of pattern sellers, but ones that I know are legit and come to mind:

Dr-Cos Japanese site with a whole bunch of free and some paid patterns. Prints in A4 size only, so Americans, beware (or just buy A4 paper).

Maridah Cosplayer with some basics and some cosplay specific patterns. I highly recommend the modular patterns like the sleeve parts.

Indigo Patterns Cosplayer who sells mostly specific character patterns but has some great blocks (the bodice blocks are supposed to be fantastic)

First Stop Cosplay Cosplay focused shop with both licensed characters and general patterns. Sells both digital and physical patterns.

Cut/Sew Patterns Shop with both physical and digital patterns for both cosplay and J fashion

Katkow Pattern company focused on drag queen wear

Charm Patterns Largely vintage-inspired clothing

Corsets by Caroline Corsets and only corsets, but about the only corset seller you will need

Redthreaded Historical costuming but can still be useful for cosplay, depending on the character

Of course, if you are looking for something specific, you can always search for that and then work backwards to find out if they're a reputable seller.

Also, if you want to learn how to make your own patterns, I recommend Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Jo Armstrong (any edition from the 00s and newer should be fine, and I think Archive.org might have it?)

I hope that helps! Good luck :]

Where the hell do I purchase sewing patterns now

[hrlequinsblogofinterests]

Book Review Comparison Chart

(click image for better quality)

Below the break is a complete list of reviews for all of the books included in this list, with links.

Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing:

Review

Rating: 10/10

Not Your Grandma’s Sewing Guide, by Kaitlyn Dornbier:

Review

Rating: 10/10

Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Sewing, by Donna Kooler:

Review

Rating: 9/10

Elementary Sewing Skills, by Merchant & Mills:

Review

Rating: 9/10

Make Your Own Patterns, by René Bergh:

Review

Rating: 9/10

Couture Sewing Techniques, by Claire Shaeffer:

Review

Rating: 9/10

The Dressmaking Technique Bible, by Lorna Knight:

Review

Rating: 8/10

Building Patterns, by Suzy Furrer

Review

Rating: 8/10

The Pattern Making Primer, Barnfield & Richards:

Review

Rating: 7/10

Book of Cosplay Sewing, by Svetlana Quindt

Review

Rating: 6/10

Patternmaking for Fashion Design, by Helen Joseph Armstrong

Review

Rating: 6/10

Sewing for Beginners, by Naraku Brock:

Review 

Rating: 3/10

[extra-standard-deviation]

AND NOW PRESENTING SERRIT!!

The Kingslayer family is now complete. I chipped a tooth sewing these costumes, I’ll have you know. And the yarn on Serrit’s headband is wool I actually spun myself.

[followthefae]

“Scr*w this”, she said.

“I can make my own patterns”, she said.

With the help of several YouTube tutorials she could, in fact, make her own patterns. It only took her 4 FREAKING HOURS.

[gridcosplay]

Ballerina Enterprise part 3.  // 1. // 2. // 

For the bodysuit I started by sketching out the details and seamlines on paper, referencing @janey-jane‘s artwork. Next I sewed a basic legless bodysuit with a standing collar so that I had a base to start with and begun making my modifications. First I made sure the bodysuit fit me well, and this meant adding more length to the waist area and crotch. Then I sketched on the details with a marker, checking things in a mirror and referencing both my own sketches and the original artwork as well. I went from lighter to darker marker color so that the final lines were drawn in black. 

The easiest way to transfer my work into a pattern was to cut the prototype to pieces following the lines I’d drawn and tracing the pieces onto pattern paper. The bodysuit had so many small pieces that had to sewn together carefully that I drew a plan for the order of construction and worked in several stages over the next couple of days to ensure I’d have enough energy to properly focus on getting the seams line up perfectly etc.

For easy bathroom access the bodysuit opens at the crotch. That way I could make the cut out detail in the back without a zipper getting in the way. Plus I have learned that the worst part of bodysuits comes apparent in bathrooms when you have to remove accessories and armor and peel basically the whole thing off just to get to pee xD

[vivacioussalmon]

PSA/TLDR: Joanns Fabrics and Crafts is in the middle of an unprecedented backlog of buy online pick up in store orders.

Right now my store alone has over 400 orders that we need to fill and that’s only the total from Saturday afternoon.

When you buy online, pick up in store please know that unless you get a legit confirmation email or text, your order is not ready yet. Not a receipt but a genuine text/email saying to come pick it up. We’re trying to fill as many as we can as quickly/safely as we can.

Does it take forever? Is it frustrating to contact your local store for answers and not hear anything back?

Absolutely. I know that’s a pain in the side but please know we’re trying to balance fabric, framing, tie dye kits, yarn, and freaking Diamond Dots orders along with managing our store as it is open to the public.

I know it’s tempting to buy online and pick up in store for the convenience but please deliver to your home or go to the store yourself. You can cancel your order at any time online/in person and yes you can get a refund.

Be patient. These last few months are frustrating and we know y’all love to make stuff. But please don’t take it out on the employees. We’re trying our best.

[lunarlyn]

💜🔥Happy to announce I finished my Spyro the Dragoness for the @ultimatecosplaychampionship submissions, finally true to my original design! I worked really hard on this for a long time, against my autoimmune diseases trying to drag me down. I don’t advocate for pushing your body too much for a hobby (or most anything for that matter) but my slow and steady pace is what I’m proud of, though the last three weeks were A LOT. Some fun techniques I used are: custom patterning, silk painting, fabric manipulation, smocking, beading, foam work, airbrushing, chain and scale maille making, and lots of sculpting! Special thank you to my brother who helped me out with resin printing the gem and mini dragon statue this month for my props. • There’s still one more fancy thing I’m adding later, that wasn’t a part of the original vision but more for my own self satisfaction, and I’ll be doing my official shoot when that’s done. • This entire thing has been THE definition of passion project for me. I really am very proud. It’s a crazy thing to make something out of nothing and this project was a beast undertaking. Who doesn’t love Spyro the dragon?? Thanks for all the support over the last year. I’m ready to finish my myriad of other projects now ✨ • Photo by @deeganmariephoto at the @az_irish_center_and_library Used supplies from @silkbaron @joann_stores @jacquardproducts @theringlord @tntcosplaysupply @liquitexofficial @mehronmakeup • #spyro #spyrothedragon #spyrothedragoncosplay #dragon #dragoncosplay #ultimateonlinecosplaychampionship #ultimatecosplaychampionship #sewist #patternmaking #foamarmor #corsetmaking #silk #medieval #medievalfantasy #medievalcostume #cosplay #originaldesign https://www.instagram.com/p/COTmB7yDKLS/?igshid=15z12exf9fdlk

[edenanarchy]

Working on #emiliarezero #cosplay today. I got both sleeves ready & the eagle design cut out. Up next- satin stitching for DAYS... #cosplaydiy #cosplaysewing #patternmaking #cosplaypatterning #cosplaydiy https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDNEzYD8Me/?igshid=14mxhvsmiji9p

[leafnincosplay]

Tear-away transformation dress for short dresses

Want to transform a short dress into an equally short dress for an amazing magical girl transformation? Why not a breakaway shirt! Let's talk transformation magic: how to pattern, how to attach velcro, and even how to tuck it all up. #cosplay #tutorial

When I set out to make a transformation dress, I wanted it to not be obvious it was a transformation dress. There aren’t a lot of tutorials floating around, and none for making a short transformation dress that transforms into an equally short dress. Transformation dresses work by concealing the inside dress completely inside the outer dress (and sometimes cloaks!). The shirt is torn away either…

[evilweasel-cosplay]

Googly eyes made and worm has been taped!

[roboticforest]

I was asked to sign into the game, and put on the Link costume I had made, then when I called my wife into the game she was wearing an Anju costume!! Now I definitely need to get to work on an Ocarina of Time version.

[hrlequinsblogofinterests]

Review: Make Your Own Patterns, by René Bergh

René Bergh’s step-by-step patternmaking book gives relatively easy-to-follow instructions for each of the most important aspects of pattern drafting. Her tutorials are designed to help people of all skill levels to create custom fitted clothing patterns for their unique specifications.

The instructions look kind of like high school geometry problems, and a few of the steps aren’t well worded so they can be confusing, but so far this book is the most useful pattern making book I’ve tried to use. 

It was recommended to me by a professional costumer and Cosplayer I met recently. She uses it for all of her custom costuming projects, for everything from off-broadway theatrical costumes, to cosplay commissions, to personal projects.

I’ve gone through a bit of the book myself, and from what I’ve seen it’s pretty thorough. It has the basics, like drafting a fitted shell for a sloper template (the foundation of all your patterns, fitted to your specific measurements), and includes chapters covering everything from sleeves, to necklines, to pockets. It even has a section of quarter-scale basic patterns, which can be copied out, scaled up, and used to create the fitted shells if you don’t want to do all the drafting by hand (drafting can be a time-consuming pain in the ass).

As for the instructionals themselves, they’re pretty straightforward, as far as I can tell. I tried the basic bodice block tutorial, and didn’t have too much trouble with it, although there are a couple places where it says “place X point” but doesn’t say specifically where, which caused a bit of confusion. The tutorial comes with diagrams though, so I could guess.

The basic bodice draft I ended up with seems to be approximately the right size for the mannequin I based it on, so I’d say this book would be pretty useful for people who want to learn to draft their own custom Cosplay patterns, and really for anyone who wants to learn how to make fitted patterns of their own.

The book is also relatively inexpensive, if you get it used. I think I got mine for maybe $30?

Tl;dr: All in all, I’d say this book would be pretty handy for Cosplayers, whether you’re new blood looking to dip your toes into the world of custom Cosplay, or a seasoned veteran looking to spruce up your Cosplay game.

I’d give it a 9/10.

[patterncospatterns]

I’ve made a new pattern pack for men! This pack is perfect to do your own patternmaking projects.

Pattern: https://etsy.me/2HJa6T2

Remember! Girl pattern pack is available too :D

Girl pattern: https://etsy.me/2wo21g4

[emilydevoursstories]

When you've been cosplaying for ten plus years and you're trying to make a pattern and nothing is working the way it should

[adaria-designs]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Caitlin Jackson | Triangle NC Real Estate (@thatcosplayingrealtor)

Test fitting the final before lunch! Very pleased with the results so far! #ahsokatano #ahsoka #ahsokacosplay #starwars #starwarsclonewars #rebellegion #501stlegion #starwarscosplay #suede #patterns #patternmaking #pattern #draping #cosplay #cosplaygirl #cosplayer #cosplaycommission #cosplaycostume #costume #costumecommission #commissionsopen #commission #adariadesignscostumereplicas #sewing #sewingproject https://www.instagram.com/p/BsvpUM4DO1t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t7r9pl492nm2

[cf-cosplayfactory]

*Cita Today: Patternmaking for beginners. Because I am super stubborn and refuse to use any pre-made patterns xD So I re-arranged Mononoke and some older, selfmade patterns for Nausicaäs dress. Eventually I made a mock-up dress to test the the pattern. It looks great around the waist but needs more fabric at the butt 😅 Also something between the bust and the shoulders is off. I blame the sleeves! #sewing #progress #pattern #patternmaking #cosplay #diy #nausicaaofthevalleyofthewind #nausicaa #studioghibli #ghiblicosplay #ghibligirls #wcs #wcsgermany #wcs2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/BugxCdYnrNZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xy9udhk90sj2