Hobbies

[Aldethar]

Hi everyone,

So my partner did her first cosplay this year at comic con this year and loved it so much that I am currently making a new costume for her for next year.

I would like to share the story just for the sharing part, but also to stay motivated and get feedback.

I went for some sewing lessons and bought a sewing machine.

Next I needed some space as I live in a single room. I build a cupboard whose door comes completely off and slides in to create a work surface.

I am still in the very beginning of the project, so there will be few photos to start of with that I will be posting later on.

Also, seeing as this IS a exercise site, whoever can guess what the cosplay is, as it comes along can send me a message along with a workout that I need to do if they got it right (level 1-3 only pretty please)

 

[Aldethar]

And as promised the first few pics.

Sadly some of the work will take a bit longer and comic con will only be in May, so it will be a longer running thing.

 

[Henry (thinman)]

I'm guessing NieR: Automata

 

[Aldethar]

Hi @Henry (thinman) That is not it. But actually a good guess. I can tell you that it is from a game and that some people on here ARE indeed playing it

 

[NightWolf714]

It's really coming along! I've only done a tiny bit of sew (I sometimes make stuff animals) but I really admire people who can make clothing and such! That's such a long and complicated process!

 

[Henry (thinman)]

@NightWolf714 My mum would make her own dresses from patterns back in the 60's, she also worked as a machinist at a handbag factory. Today we have her sawing machine, comes in handy.

 

[NightWolf714]

@NightWolf714 My mum would make her own dresses from patterns back in the 60's, she also worked as a machinist at a handbag factory. Today we have her sawing machine, comes in handy.

That's incredible! You have to be pretty skilled to go from just using patterns to making your own, I think.

 

[Aldethar]

@NightWolf714 Sadly I am still a LONG way away. Every time I think I make headaway I either run out of material or I need to learn a new technique... luckily I still have some time.

I am thinking of doing another part of the costume to give myself a break, but that mght give away to much. But we will see.

@Henry (thinman) That is really amazing,, and yes.. after learning so much I can see that a sewing machine at home really helps.

 

[Aldethar]

So I realized that there are a lot of learning curves when it comes to sewing. And I mean a LOT.

As I mentioned I tried making another part of the cosplay, but when it came to the stitching I failed horribly. I did manage to make a much simpler pouch in the end just to get the gist of it.

As you can see it is a lot of preparation with all the patterns. The materials are 2 different colors of fake leather as well as jeans material to make it more rigid.

Once I started the sewing the end of it kind of... well... messed up and clumped together.

I was also thinking of the challenge and I am thinking if anyone does guess it they can choose any of the workouts (even level 5) and I have month to get to the point where I can do it. Would be a great motivator

 

[Aldethar]

So I had another interesting day with my sewing machine today trying to get better. Ran into a few issues, managed to sort it after a lot of colorful words and a string mess. I managed to make one pouch nicely but it was listening to the song "Lets twist again"... so all in all I made a few pouches already to try to get to the skill level I need. But I think I am there so tomorrow I will try once again at the proper one.

Oh.. and that string mess is around 12-15 times I had to cut it, so it isnt just one string but more like 50

 

[NightWolf714]

String messes with sewing machines are the worst! Good job conquering it!

 

[Aldethar]

@NightWolf714 I think I actually did manage it

As I was trying to figure out the issue I somehow managed to create a second one without realizing it.
It took me 50 minutes of re-attempting different methods of getting issue 1 solved, even though it already was, that I learned a lot about the machine... I found the second mistake by accident

 

[NightWolf714]

@Aldethar - See, this is why I like hand sewing. So straight forward. Though limiting ... and time consuming ... and hand aching .... Ya know, maybe machine sewing is better. XD

 

[Aldethar]

@NightWolf714 I started with hand sewing dog collars and leashes when I trained them. I stopped at one stage and my tools were gathering dust till my partner asked me for a collar and since then I have done a few projects. Here are some of them

 

[Saffity]

Those are fantastic!

 

[VLogan]

I've sewn on and off for years. My last big costuming project was for my daughter for MomoCon years ago. We made a Zelda. Yep, even with years of sewing experience, there are always learning curves. She needed a pouch as well. Plus, figuring out how to do the armor, which didn't involve sewing.
I had sewn baby clothes for her, made belly dance costumes for me, sewn various other Halloween costumes, but nothing to the extent of what is needed for a Con. Those are a whole different level of sewing and constructing.
Great job learning new things and sticking with it!! Best advice I got from a friend (who sews ALOT of her daughters costumes)....step away after 2 hours. If it's going great, still step away. If you're fighting with it, definitely step away. Works wonders for getting through a sewing project unscathed.

 

[Aldethar]

@VLogan great advice... and yes it is a learning curve,

I did learn how to sew in a perfectly straight line now exactly there where I want it and I am glad about that.
Sadly the most recent snag I hit is that sewing the jeans to the fake leather to make it more rigid doesnt work as nice as I was hoping. The machine pulls one material and not the other, and that is with a foot designed for leather... so I might have to bite the bullet and actually sew the pouches together by hand

 

[VLogan]

@VLogan great advice... and yes it is a learning curve,

I did learn how to sew in a perfectly straight line now exactly there where I want it and I am glad about that.
Sadly the most recent snag I hit is that sewing the jeans to the fake leather to make it more rigid doesnt work as nice as I was hoping. The machine pulls one material and not the other, and that is with a foot designed for leather... so I might have to bite the bullet and actually sew the pouches together by hand

Congrats on the straight line accomplishment! It's a basic skill that definitely takes times and patience to perfect. It's been so long since I've sewn regularly that I'll be needing alot of practice again.
Sewing different types of material together can be frustrating. There are probably some hacks out there about it. I don't remember any at the moment. I know I've had the same issues bc with costuming that comes up occasionally.
Can't wait to see your finished project!

 

[Aldethar]

Sadly that will still take a while @VLogan ... at the moment I am already stressing if I will be done by May.

 

[VLogan]

Sadly that will still take a while @VLogan ... at the moment I am already stressing if I will be done by May.

I know that feeling well. You got this!!!!

 

[Aldethar]

So the string that I want to use finally arrived and the colors are almost perfect .

And at the risk of getting caught out to what the cosplay is, here is part of the reference and what I have.