Are you trying it again because you think you messed up on this one? You certainly did NOT mess up on this one. It's gorgeous! I wish I had the skills to do it. Maybe I'll try that tutorial you linked. In any case, it's definitely a job well done on your part :)!
My grandma on my dad's side was full Japanese and told me about this style of bodice and mentioned Tomoko Nakamichi's (the creator of this style of bodice) book called Pattern Magic way back in 2010 when the book came out. She bought the book but I have no clue where it went after she died. My grandma wasn't a seamstress by trade but she did enjoy sewing and would always support Japanese designers lol. I don't know how she heard about Tomoko Nakamichi's book but I'm glad she did so I could share it with you years later lol.
Picture 1 is the costume I made and picture 2 is the actual costume from the film.
I made this costume from a self drafted patterns. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1) For this costume I drafted a historical frock coat, trousers waistcoat and shirt. I drafted basic blocks from this book and adapted them to what I needed.
The jacket is made from a checked wool and the trousers are made from a striped wool. The waistcoat is made from a black and silver floral brocade and the shirt is made from turquoise cotton. All these fabrics came from Minerva crafts. The neck tie is a black Liquorice allsorts pattern cotton that came from Etsy.
The trousers feature embroidery on one of the legs and the coat and waistcoat feature pockets.
This costume was made for my final major project at university and it turned out really well and I am sooo proud of what I accomplished with this costume!
I made these from a self drafted patterns. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)
The shirt is made from white satin from fabric land and features a collar and button stand.
The grey top is made from a ribbed jersey from fabric land and features a collar and centre front zip.
The waistcoat is made from black and silver floral brocade and polyester lining from Minerva Crafts and features 4 pockets in the front.
I am a fairly experienced sewer so these was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. My boyfriend absolutely loves them!!
The main fabric came from Minerva and is from the "Spooky and Sweet" collection by Art Gallery Fabrics, insert fabric on bodice from eBay
Pattern is partially self drafted and partially using elements from the books Gertie Sews Vintage Casual and Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book
It shouldn't be too hard, start with a pattern that is close and tweak it as needed. Something like this should be close:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01LZBNRTP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_z6N8FbPFPC1F3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Youtube, but hand stitching should give neater results (apart from for top stitching maybe). You also have a lot more options available when hand stitching than on a machine.
This is a good book to learn better hand sewing
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Couture-Sewing-Techniques-Revised-Updated/dp/1600853358
i used tomoko nakamichi's book pattern magic volume 1 for the instructions Pattern Magic on Amazon The fabric is some kind of iridescent taffeta, I bought the fabric at a flea market where they sell the remains I'm small so I don't need much fabric For the pattern: the book comes with a basic bodice pattern with darts, I used because it matched my measures, then I drafted the skirt to match, then followed the book instructions to alter the pattern The end result is a fitted dress with no darts and the cut out at the side
1st ever crochet project - I like a challenge! Decided to make this for Halloween back in Sept but it took me so long I've just finished it this evening. Ah well, still brings me great joy!
Whimsical Stitches: A Modern... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1944515631?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share.
I used a variety of patterns from the linked book to make the shape (an aubergine, pot bottom and part of a cactus!) and had to figure out how to do it as I went.
metric pattern cutting for menswear
The womenswear version is great. If the mens version is anything like it, I’d recommend it as a staple.
Sarah's dress fits that way, because it is an extremely structured dress. It is heavily boned, and likely she's wearing an additional structured garment underneath it that sleeve stays are tucked into. If you can't let the dress out enough to add boning and a waist stay, your other option would be an underbust stay--or attaching a strapless bra-- you would anchor a piece of elastic in the middle of your underbust, through basically belt loops all the way around your underbust, and add a hook and eye closure to the back. From there you can add small rods of boning to the under arm to tuck into your undergarment to keep them in place or adding basically a harness of ribbon or elastic across the back from the end point of the sleeve ending at the opposite side waist/hip seam, on both sides.
You might find Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B. Shaeffer to be very helpful. She has detailed instructions on how to add all kinds of shape-perfecting stays.
The top is basically this pattern, although your inspiration is a deeper sweetheart neckline. The neckline in your inspiration would have a stiffener added or you'll just fall out of it. In both case, the bodice must fit tight as that is the only support you get.
https://www.amazon.com/McCalls-Pattern-Misses-Costumes-Variations/dp/B072K2DC24
But, the skirt would be made of softer fabric, unlike the tulle they suggest in the pattern.
Here’s one with an almost identical top, but the skirt is not the same, and it has long sleeves. I was looking for a similar pattern yesterday, and this is the closest I’ve found so far.
Simplicity 8013 1970's Vintage Fashion Dress Sewing Patterns, Sizes 14-22 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OVEI9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_E87TXWXKZPPXPAFSDMZE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Definitely look into vintage patterns then. They usually have much nicer details than what's currently available. You may still have to alter the pattern to fit you since many vintage patterns are smaller than current ones are. Plus size women's patterns are just as blocky and potato sack as plus size men's patterns. Do they think that plus sized people don't require professional clothing, have jobs or attend events they need to dress for?
Winifred Aldrich's Metric Pattern Cutting was suggested in this thread, but she has also written a book for menswear. I think that would be more appropriate for you. It uses metric measurements, but really, it's just a unit of measure. I'm American, but prefer metric because it's more accurate. Here's the Amazon link. I hope that helps you find something that fits you well.
Oh don't worry, a decent amount of professional pattern cutting is copying some vintage (or sometimes not vintage) garment anyways. I think copying clothes is a great way to start learning.
If you decide to learn, I've heard good things about the books by Winifred Aldrich. I use the Muller and Sohn books, but they're quite a bit more expensive.
If you ever need any help with patterns or making stuff feel free to DM me, I always like seeing other peoples work!
I used the pattern in this book I often do make my own patterns, but I didn’t have the time or energy. I did get the book through Amazon used in good condition, and it looked new when I got it. But if you go that route be careful because I got a different book used and there were none of the pattern paper inserts anymore. But this is a fun book and I will definitely use other projects.
I also lengthened the capes for my kids.
Pattern is from Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy
Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1944515631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_RFVKHBZHKPM760KJQJTH
Pattern is from Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy
Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1944515631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_RFVKHBZHKPM760KJQJTH
Did you happen to read about it in "Couture Sewing Techniques" by Claire Schaeffer? It had great tips for shrinking wool plaid or patterned fabric, so that there wasn't any interruption of the design. That's where I got the idea to steam-shrink wool in both knitted and sewn clothing.
I have the older edition of this book, but it's an amazing resource nonetheless:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1600853358/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_2D8E2M36AX9B7XHSAJ6V
This book is considered a classic in how to sew. You can usually find cheaper editions elsewhere. It will go over most things a beginning sewist needs to know!
When she bought her machine I sent her a very old book that I've had since 1993 but it's such a great resource for a new sewist: The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. If anyone else is browsing this thread, trying to figure out what to give the sewist in their life, I would strongly recommend it. I know youtube has so many great resources as well, but my sister would avoid that if she could.
I'm certain Wirt's cape is meant to be a circa WWII nurse's cape, but I can't find patterns for that anywhere. This Simplicity 8263 https://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Creative-Patterns-Pattern-Capelets/dp/B01LZBNRTP looks closest. Maybe pattern C without the arm slits? Or mash up the body of D with the collar from A?
OMG SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
I've been dying to make myself a ballerina outfit for a couple years now, but it would be as a creepy/fancy Halloween costume, not because I can dance. So it's been on the backburner for awhile. I have all the velvet and tulle, and had been planning to use view D of McCalls 7615 as the pattern.
What's the deal with tutusthatdance charging $18 for a pattern, and then $20 for the instructions separately?! That seems a bit ridiculous. I mean - I get them wanting $38 for all the information needed to make an authentic gravity-defying skirt, but why be shady like that?
it can be hard trying to recreate clothes from a drawing like this. Because the cartoonist can make that fabric do anything he/she wants!
First, you can't make that cape and that top be one piece, or you won't be able to get it on. I'd make the cape separate, and then have it simply lie on top of a unitard with a center white stripe.
For the cape itself, I would consider using an invisible zipper that's installed in the center back going down from the neck just enough to make the opening wide enough for your head.
I'd use white ribbon or some other white material to sew on all the trim. And then at the center front, I'd use a snap to make sure the cape's center stripe lines up with the unitard's. (But remember that you can also position, then baste a few stitches to hold it there, if you don't like the bulkiness of the snap(s) .)
​
This cape has a stand-up collar, which you could make taller. And you could cut away the front part of the cape to make that curve to the shoulder (start with it shorter, and then draw your line for that bottom hem once you've assembled it and can try it on)
This dress pattern could be adapted--just make the yoke part for the front, and draw the funnel neck higher. Then make the back part longer by joining it with your cape pattern.
Or see if you can find a turtleneck blouse pattern that is made for woven (not knit), and use the neck part. You can just make the top part of the bodice, and then fuse on your cape pattern for the back.
The Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing, any edition, is good. You can buy an older edition for very little money. They are encyclopedic. I own a lot of sewing books because I enjoy buying them, but so many times I've realized that all the information is in the Reader's Digest Guide. I have an older edition from 1990. A newer edition I leafed through in the bookstore was a bit more project-oriented, but still seemed to contain the same basic information.
Alison Smith's The Sewing Book is good and looks attractive. It's published by DK. I own another sewing book from them and their books tend to be well done with lots of clear photographs.
The pattern is called Saguaro Cactus from the book Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy. I used a 4.00mm Susan Bates Soft Ergonomic hook and Craft Smart yarn.
This pattern specifically is from the Whimsical stitches book https://www.amazon.com/Whimsical-Stitches-Amigurumi-Crochet-Patterns/dp/1944515631
I've seen similar free patterns floating around like this one though
This one looks a bit like it Simplicity 8013 1970's Vintage Fashion Dress Sewing Patterns, Sizes 14-22 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OVEI9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2VA26F8Y916MQ01RQ5Y4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I made this jacket from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)
For this jacket I used dark blue denim with a light blue stripe in it. I also used light blue denim. Both fabrics came from Minerva Crafts.
The fronts and the bottom of the back is made from the dark blue striped denim and the top of the back and the sleeves are made from the light blue denim.
This jacket includes a stand collar and two slit pockets on the inside of the front and two pockets in the side seams.
I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. I hope my boyfriend loves it when I can eventually give it to him!!
This jacket was made from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich to make the pattern (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617651525&sprefix=winifr&sr=8-2) This jacket was made from a green and brown dog tooth check wool from Minerva Crafts
It features a lapel collar, green buttons and pockets in the inside.
I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make!
I made this jacket from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)
For this jacket I used green cord and black denim for the outside of it. Both of these came from Minerva Crafts. The inside of the jacket is lined with more of the green cord and black fleece to make it nice and warm. The fleece also came from Minerva Crafts.
The buttons are black with a crown design on them and I got them from Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07HDGJP64?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
This jacket includes a collar and two patch pockets.
I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. I hope my boyfriend loves it when I can eventually give it to him!!