Costume & Crafting Help

[deutlich]

Found this earlier! Kind of stoked there's a free sewing guide to fur coverings for legs/shoes. I plan to use it for my Santarchy DC costume. Already have a mid-November trip to a local fabric store planned (with a fellow ePlayan, no less!!), so the timing should be spot on.




http://www.simplicity.com/t-how-to-make ... overs.aspx

[Drawingablank]

Found this earlier! Kind of stoked there's a free sewing guide to fur coverings for legs/shoes. I plan to use it for my Santarchy DC costume. Already have a mid-November trip to a local fabric store planned (with a fellow ePlayan, no less!!), so the timing should be spot on.




http://www.simplicity.com/t-how-to-make ... overs.aspx

There are several videos on youtube about making fur boot covers too, some of which look better than those so you may want to check those out before starting this project.

[deutlich]

For Santarchy I just need something simple (altho I don't plan to use that shabby fur, something more short-haired)

For OTHER stuff, though...these aren't quite "right"

I'll check out those vids!

[AntiM]

Oh, the joys of the interwebz..

Those $.99 patterns she's talking about are in-store only.

Don't worry tattoogodess, I'm sure there'll be more sales!

Hancock Fabrics does the .99 sales too; although I don't know if there's one in your area. The trick with JoAnns is to sign up online to get their coupon/sales flyers in the mail. They show up about every other week or so, well in advance of the big sales, so you can plan. A 40% off coupon is always in there.

I've quit buying patterns until I actually use a few more of mine, I swear I have every adult McCall's costume pattern worth having.

[Timezone LaFontaine]

Well folks, after getting a bit of novice experience under my belt with the sewing machine by modifying pants and coats I've picked up at Goodwill etc., I went and got a couple of those Simplicity patterns that were on sale recently, for some fancy coats and vests. I thought I might try one of the vests first before trying to tackle a coat. I'm looking over these patterns and trying to absorb all the symbols and terminology. Ulp!

By the way, my brother recently hipped me to this online service that lets you design your own custom fabric patterns for something like $7/yard. With that and 3D printing becoming more affordable, there's going to be so much more opportunity for mass weirdness...!

[deutlich]

I'll likely be dealing w/some of the same issues regarding terminology. Thank goodness for Google. And PMs. I will probably hit up some of the more versed ePlayans if I come across something particularly confusing.

edit: fer grammar

[Drawingablank]

Google is a great resource for sewing terminology and usually has links to how to videos on the subject.

[theCryptofishist]

By the way, my brother recently hipped me to this online service that lets you design your own custom fabric patterns for something like $7/yard. With that and 3D printing becoming more affordable, there's going to be so much more opportunity for mass weirdness...!

The only one I know is $17 a yard. Can you link yours?

[Timezone LaFontaine]

The only one I know is $17 a yard. Can you link yours?

Sorry, when I looked at again it's much closer to your price... it's called Spoonflower and it says it's $16.20 per yard. Sorry to get your hopes up, my brain is a bit mushy recently, with a newborn babe and all.

[Drawingablank]

Ack, just picked up another 60 yards of fabric because it was on sale. Mostly flannels for linings at 60% off, but also a bunch of colorful confetti dot shiny stuff that was half price. And some cheap cotton for making mockups / lightweight linings.

Hopefully I'll be able to start moving my stuff into the newly created sewing room later today as my dining room is starting to look like a fabric store.

[Savannah]

I'm loving the fabric store sprees.

[AntiM]

Google is a great resource for sewing terminology and usually has links to how to videos on the subject.

I have my mother's "Vogue Sewing Book". Very technical, but easy to follow. The 70s era illustrations are a hoot.

[Drawingablank]

For those just getting started sewing playa wear, heres a few tips I've found helpful:

Always sew a mockup - especially on elaborate patterns like coats. It is heartbreaking to spend all that time and money making something only to have it not fit. I find more often than not patterns seem too small for the size they claim to be (on men's patterns at least, I'm not sure about women's patterns).

This tip I discovered by accident. I bought some cheap black cotton for making mockups (sheets work too, but are a bit more flimsy and harder to work with than yard goods). After scaling a pattern up and sewing the mockup for a light jacket, I realized that it will be perfect for the jacket lining. So when doing mock ups in cotton fabric, using a suitable color will allow you to use it as the lining if the size is good.

Pocket Tips - For those making their first Playa coat, there is no such thing as too many pockets. Sew these in before installing the lining so you don't have to hand sew them.

Gauzy Fabrics / Lining Material - Some of the most unique and interesting fabrics out there are see through, loosely knit, or gauzy types which will not be very warm without a backing. Although I prefer prints for most linings, they are usually only printed on one side while solid colors are usually colored throughout. When working with see through or gauzy fabrics using a solid color lining will provide a suitable backing color as well as looking good on the inside.

[Milayna]

For those just getting started sewing playa wear, heres a few tips I've found helpful:

Always sew a mockup - especially on elaborate patterns like coats. It is heartbreaking to spend all that time and money making something only to have it not fit. I find more often than not patterns seem too small for the size they claim to be (on men's patterns at least, I'm not sure about women's patterns).

This tip I discovered by accident. I bought some cheap black cotton for making mockups (sheets work too, but are a bit more flimsy and harder to work with than yard goods). After scaling a pattern up and sewing the mockup for a light jacket, I realized that it will be perfect for the jacket lining. So when doing mock ups in cotton fabric, using a suitable color will allow you to use it as the lining if the size is good.

Pocket Tips - For those making their first Playa coat, there is no such thing as too many pockets. Sew these in before installing the lining so you don't have to hand sew them.

Gauzy Fabrics / Lining Material - Some of the most unique and interesting fabrics out there are see through, loosely knit, or gauzy types which will not be very warm without a backing. Although I prefer prints for most linings, they are usually only printed on one side while solid colors are usually colored throughout. When working with see through or gauzy fabrics using a solid color lining will provide a suitable backing color as well as looking good on the inside.

Thanks for the tips, all us sewing newbies really appreciate the help!

[Drawingablank]

Thanks for the tips, all us sewing newbies really appreciate the help!

Well being a sewing newbie myself things like this stand out in my mind, while experienced people may take them for granted. I can't stress pockets enough though.

Working on my 5th garment now, will try to post pics of #4 tomorrow - I just finished a bolero jacket with fur bodice and cuffs and shiny purple confetti dot sleeves.

[Drawingablank]

I just took pics of the bolero. Super soft fur, confetti dot sleeves, cotton lining for early evening playa wear. Unfortunately it is a bit more snug in the upper arms than I like so this will either be going to my son or etsy and I'll scale the pattern up a bit more. The sleeves are a lot more reflective and shiny than the pic shows. Pattern is a heavily modified women's historical pattern scaled to a mens large.


Working on a reversible sleeveless version of this in leopard print now.

[lazerfox]

what's your etsy store!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Drawingablank]

what's your etsy store!?!?!?!?!?!?!

LOL, I don't have one yet - seems silly to set one up for one product. I am working on several other designs and once I have a few will set one up.

[lazerfox]

what's your etsy store!?!?!?!?!?!?!

LOL, I don't have one yet - seems silly to set one up for one product. I am working on several other designs and once I have a few will set one up.

That is awesome! I always see all these etsy stores selling "playa" or "Burning Man" items but honestly most of the items just have a jungle theme and don't look very functional or durable. It would be nice to see items from someone who is actually thinking about those things

[theCryptofishist]

You could always go elizabethan and have slashed sleeves.

[Drawingablank]

That is awesome! I always see all these etsy stores selling "playa" or "Burning Man" items but honestly most of the items just have a jungle theme and don't look very functional or durable. It would be nice to see items from someone who is actually thinking about those things

Well, I wasn't actually planning to turn it into a business, but after a year of thrifting the women's sections I found that most interesting clothes are too small. Stuff that fits my bulk tends to be too frumpy (I guess most 2x women don't go for extravagant looking clothing as I have found few items that both fit and look good). The mens section is generally just boring browns, blacks, and blues with the occasional green. So I am making my own and in the process will have some that I'll need to sell off. I have several aims for the clothing:

1. Comfort, functionality, and durability.
2. Making stuff that suits my taste in playa wear. Although I spend the other 51 weeks a year in jeans, tees, and flannel shirts - my wife says much of my taste in playa clothing would be too over the top even for Liberace.
3. Making stuff for men - or to be more specific XL to 2X men. Although I aim at the 2x for myself, scaling a patttern doesn't always produce the expected size and sometimes comes out smaller than expected.
4. Fur as trim mostly, I don't want to look like everyone else that wears the "playa uniform". Although I am warming up to fur a bit, I am trying to do things with it that are more unique.

[Savannah]

I think making playa wear for men XL and over is fantastic. It kinda hurts my heart to see how narrow the parameters are for men (and anyone who doesn't fit an "expected" range of sizes), and I love the glee on the face of a person who is wearing something they really love.

[Elliot]

You guys have even gotten me thinking about making my own outfit! I do have a sewing machine

[Savannah]

You guys have even gotten me thinking about making my own outfit! I do have a sewing machine

Do it! I'll be taking the leap myself.

I'll be testing fabric patterns on old sheets first, as DrawingaBlank recommends.

The part I am not looking forward to is threading the machine. For some reason, I was always really bad at not missing 1 or 2 of the 17 steps the machines seemed to have.

[Drawingablank]

You guys have even gotten me thinking about making my own outfit! I do have a sewing machine

I found the sewing part easy although I'm not fond of working with stretchy fabrics. It's scaling patterns to fit me in the shoulders thats the hard part. Even men's XL patterns tend to be too small and there aren't much in the way of plus size men's patterns either. It seems like every men's pattern I have checked so far is also way undersized. Apparently my shoulders are broad relative to my chest size. I suppose those with a more typical build would have less trouble.

That bolero was scaled from a women's size 20 which in theory should almost fit. The reality was I scaled it up 3" in chest size, 3" in arm opening diameter, 1/2" at the wrist, 1" in sleeve length, and 3/4" in height and it is still only a borderline L / XL.

[lazerfox]

DAB-have you tried making a list of your true measurements (+seam allowances) or a body form? This may allow you to dummy test the fabrics to see how the will fit/stretch around your shoulders prior to cutting.

(I have always wanted to make a body form using the t-shirt and duct tape trick but I have no room for my projects now much less an entire half-lazerfox )

[Drawingablank]

The part I am not looking forward to is threading the machine. For some reason, I was always really bad at not missing 1 or 2 of the 17 steps the machines seemed to have.

Actually aside from a merrow stitch machine (6 threads iirc), most machines I've seen or worked with only have about 5 or 6 places to thread not counting the bobbin which should only take a second. They look more complicated than they are and the trick is that after you do it a few times it's easy to remember so just take it step by step the first couple times.

[Drawingablank]

DAB-have you tried making a list of your true measurements (+seam allowances) or a body form? This may allow you to dummy test the fabrics to see how the will fit/stretch around your shoulders prior to cutting.

(I have always wanted to make a body form using the t-shirt and duct tape trick but I have no room for my projects now much less an entire half-lazerfox )

I thought about making a body form, but I don't really see how it is helpful to someone with my skill set (or to be more precise lack of skill). I see shows where they drape and pin fabric to a form then sew it right up, but I don't have the skills for that. I would still need to cut the parts out to pin on first, and it really isn't much more effort at that point to sew them up and try them on.

Since I have some drafting experience, I've gotten fairly proficient at scaling paper patterns and even at calculating the finished size from paper patterns, it's just that some patterns don't quite scale as I expected due to compound curves or hard to measure areas like arm openings. But I guess that's just part of the learning curve. My son takes a size smaller and as much as he talks shit about my designs, he wags his tail like a puppy every time something is too small for me but fits him lol.

[theCryptofishist]

(I guess most 2x women don't go for extravagant looking clothing as I have found few items that both fit and look good).

Although, I cannot speak for all 2x women, in my own case this si a big pile of bullsiht. I would love interesting clothes, rather than "I'm trying to make my fat dissapear by fading into the wallpaper or looking like your grandma's sofa."

[MyDearFriend]

DAB, your bolero is awesome.

And Fishy, I am so with you on the whole "grandma's sofa" thing, sheesh.