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[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Finally a definition post! I’m sorry it’s been so long. I’ve been really busy in real life, and I have three other blogs to run. My computer has also officially died. I’m going to be using a scrap booking program on my mom’s computer until I can get a new computer. The definitions will look a bit different due to the change in programs. I know I’ve teased about a giveaway and not done one, but the giveaway is set to go in January. Sorry for the wait, but good things are coming. I’m also planning to start a side blog for this blog that won’t be just definitions so that this blog can stay just as a dictionary. I’ll post the link soon! To my 1500 and something followers:  thank you for following me and have a good holiday/December!

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Now you finally know the word for those shoulder things! Epaulettes are those weird things on that character’s shoulders! It is pronounced ep-uh-let and sometimes spelled “epaulets.” They are typically found on the uniforms of high ranking military officers. Characters like Saber from Fate Stay Night and Utena from Revolutionary Girl Utena have stylized military outfits that include epaulettes. Epaulettes are worn on the tops of both shoulders with pieces of gold cord hanging from one edge. They can be made from thick cardboard cut into the right shape and painted or covered in fabric the right color. Gold cord is then glued in place. A piece of thick paper or cardboard could be glued underneath to give a finished look and to prevent the cord from fraying. Another option is to serge pieces of cord together and then glue the cord to the piece of cardboard. Yet another option is to use a chenille mop head. It can be cut in half with the halves becoming the epaulettes. The extra cords can be cut, and the remaining cord along the edge can be painted gold or another color with fabric paint. 

Definition from Google dictionary. Other sources:  pronunciation, Utena, Saber, epaulet 1, 2, 3 

Tutorial and where to buy 1, 2, 3. Chenille mops can be found online and in many stores on the cleaning supply aisle.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

I want to make an outfit for a cosplay and I know the fabric I want, but I'm not sure how much to get? I'm 5'4" so if i wanted to make a jumpsuit type outfit how much would you recommend getting?

Okay. This involves a little bit of math but not too much. One thing you should consider is fabric width. Most fabrics are around 44 - 45 inches but there are fabrics that are 60 inches wide. The fuzzy edge called the selvage will take off about 2 inches. To find the width of your fabric, you can of course measure it yourself, but you can also look at the top of the bolt where the price is or look online on your fabric store's website. If you're skinny you might be able to get 2 "you's" aka a front and a back pattern piece laid out on the width of a wider fabric. (The shoulders going across the width to allow a long pattern [like a long dress] the maximum length [however many yards you got].) If you're on the bigger side you might not be able to lay the front and back pattern pieces next to each other. In the case you might need to double your fabric amount. So on to deciding how much you need. You're 64 inches tall. I'm assuming the jumpsuit will go to your ankles. You'll need fabric to cover your front and back, so we're pretty much going to double your height. 128 inches which rounding up is 3.6 yards. I don't know what you weigh, but if you're plus size you'll need more fabric. If you measure the widest part of your upper body (chest, stomach) and divide it in half and include seam allowances, if that number is less than the width of your fabric then 3.6 yards will be enough. If it's a larger number I'd assume you'd need to double the amount of fabric. I've never actually made plus size garments, and I'm not a professional, but I would assume so. Pants take more fabric than skirts, and if your outfit has any embellishments like cuffs or ruffles you'll need extra fabric for them. It's also important with some fabrics to cut all pattern pieces out with the fabric going in the same way. This is especially important with fabrics with patterns (stripes, floral) or fabrics with nap (like velvet). It can be an issue with stretch fabric, also. If you're using a cotton I'd try to cut everything going the same way. It's not essential for solid color cottons, but if you don't you can run into the issue of sewing on the bias which is the stretchiest part of the fabric and hardest to sew. It's not horrible to sew, but it can cause minor problems and just not look as nice when different pieces were cut from different angles. So I'd say at minimum you'd need 4 yards. I would consider buying 4.5 or even 5 if you have the money or if you're worried about making mistakes. You can buy quarters of yards (like 4.25 yards) if your budget is in a pinch but you want extra fabric. I rarely buy extra fabric, and while I normally don't regret sometimes I have. If you go back to the fabric store to buy more sometimes colors change slightly bolt to bolt, and the fabric you want may be a very different color. I hope this helps and makes sense. I'm aware my mind runs a bit differently than others. Good luck and happy cosplaying!

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

tbh most people just do it on tumblr w/ reblogs and likes anyways, it just means they cant help you if something goes wrong

I know. I see giveaways all the time that use reblogs, but there are actually federal and state laws regarding sweepstakes (which giveaways are), and I'd like to be as legal as possible. I'm doing some research on various laws so everything can be legit.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Giveaway Problems

Exciting news! I’m going to host a giveaway when this blog reaches 1000 followers! We’re pretty close, so I’m bringing it up now. Tumblr’s giveaway rules state that giveaway participants must be 18+, that the giveaway only be open to people in my country (the US), and that reblogging and liking can’t be used as means of entry. So, I’m not really sure how to set up the giveaway since I had been planning on using reblogs as entries. I can host the giveaway on another site like Facebook and advertise it on tumblr. I don’t have a Facebook page for this blog, but I could make one. Would anyone be interested in a cosplay and sewing dictionary Facebook page? Or does anyone have any ideas on how everyone could enter that would follow the guidelines. Maybe commenting? They didn’t say commenting was against the rules. I’d like to hear everyone’s opinions! As for what the giveaway will be, I’ll be giving away an anime themed sewing kit, a very cute pin cushion and some basic sewing supplies. The supplies would be great for a beginner that’s just getting started but would also be good for someone who has been sewing for years. I’ll post updates as I figure out what I’m doing with the giveaway. I’ll be tagging them with giveaway news.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Did you know there are different kinds of elastic? I didn’t, so I’m sharing my new found knowledge. Elastic can be used for many different kinds of garments, not just the ones listed (I’m sure you could even add it to cosplay armor if you wanted). Make sure to check the washing instructions on your package of elastic before you throw the package away, but most elastics can be washed and dried up to 200 º F and can be dry cleaned. The information about these elastics came from Hobby Lobby’s elastics’ packages and the pictures from their website. Definition from here. Other types of elastic include clear elastic, cord elastic and elastic thread (which is used in hand wound bobbins to make shirring and really nothing else). Tips for putting elastic into casing 1, 2 and sewing elastic into a swimsuit/leotard leg hole. Also check out this elastics guide from Joann’s.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

This blog will unfortunately be on a hiatus as I deal with some health issues. I’ll hopefully be able to come back with new definitions in about a month. Also, to the person who sent me a wonderful message, I’m not ignoring you. I really will get to it.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Thank you soooo much for this blog ! It's super useful for non english speaker like me, keep up the good work !

I’m so happy to hear this! I’ve considered trying to make all the definitions in other languages (mainly Spanish or Japanese since I sort of speak these), but it’s hard to figure out sewing terms in a language you don’t know very well. I’m glad this blog can help non English speakers!

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

I wanna cosplay Okitegami Kyõko but using the outif of the book ilustration/manga but her blouse I'm not really sure how I'm suppose to make it :x can u help me? I don't even know what the hell that type of blouse is!

I don’t really think that type of blouse has a specific name, but I’d call it a gathered spaghetti strap blouse/top or gathered strapless blouse/top.

I assume this is the character and outfit to which you were referring. If not, feel free to shoot me another ask. I hope you find this both helpful and easy to understand.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

There’s a word for that thing?! Yes! Pronounced jăb′ō, these cascades will give you the perfect Victorian collar, Super Sailor Moon back bow, or maybe even a fabulous jellyfish dress and much much more! Definition, collar reference and tutorial, skirt reference, and pattern for curtains that can be used for a general jabot for a bow tail or the like. Buying a curtain pattern is not necessary. You can use one of the shapes below “JABOT PATTERNS” to create a jabot tail. What shape, what type of fabric and whether or not you iron the pleats will change what the jabot looks like, so it would be a good idea to test it on scrap fabric first.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

When you see a character with a simple T-shirt like shirt that you need to make for your cosplay, and you’re not quite sure what fabric to use or you just want to use something cheap; hold it! Don’t let your hand reach for the cotton broadcloth, however cheap it is. Go for the knits. Your end result will be a perfect shirt with no extra seams or darts that you can put on without a zipper. Here are some tips for sewing with knit fabrics. It can also be helpful to sew knits on a serger. Here is a great description of knit fabric, and here are some athletic knit fabrics. Note some have different percentages of ingredients.

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

If you want to finish the seams on your cosplay, but you don’t have a serger, and you don’t know what to do try FRENCH SEAMS! Skirts, dresses, petticoats, capes, coats and more can now have seams that won’t ravel without having to buy an expensive serger. Definition sources 1, 2, picture source, fabric information source that has a great tutorial

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Here’s your one stop spot for everything pleats. General pleat source, rolled pleat source and crystal pleat source

[thecosplayandsewingdictionary]

Definition source

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Definition source, jacket picture source

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Definition source

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How to use the tags/search function

All the definition posts on this blog will be tagged with the term itself, the first letter of the term, the category in which the term falls (a sewing technique would be tagged with sewing, a type of wig with wigs, etc). A term might be tagged with multiple categories (a type of garment might be tagged with both clothing and sewing since it’s clothing but it also involves a particular sewing technique). A term (if applicable) will also be tagged with what type of clothing it is or can make (dress, shirt). As I post more definitions, I will post a list of tags.