...eventually, I will learn to operate a sewing machine. for now, I mostly do prop and armor fabrication.

I suppose I'll post, given I fall into this category and have nothing better to do at work right now.

Picking up sewing was semi-frustrating, at first I had a hard time even sewing a straight line, let alone a full costume. If you look at the seams and stitching on my first costume, you'll find a handful of holes and places where I curved out of control (mostly on the bias tape). I will admit that picking velour and satin as the mediums for my first self-sewn costume wasn't the best idea either, but the choice fit the character (2006 photo in the picture. Bellione from Okage) so I ran with it.

In terms of improvement, I've seen my work getting better, little by little. From when I started in 06 to now, there's definitely been a jump in my abilities as a seam...ster? -stress? I don't know what the proper term is. I've still got a long way to go though for busting out high grade stuff, mainly learning how to properly read and alter patterns.

Anyways, sewing as a whole is a fun experience for me. Sure there are points where I want to drive a needle through the palm of my hand out of frustration, but that's outweighed by the times where I can just sit around listening to music and piecing together a costume. The end result of the work is all worth it as well. It's such a satisfying feeling making a costume yourself rather than buying a comissioned one (I bought comissions when I first started cosplaying).

Picture is just showing an example of the progress I've made.

Not really frustrating. It was pretty easy to operate after being shown how to.

I did a play for my college...and one of the costume designers needed help, so she randomly picked me to do some really simple sewing stuff.

And from there, it was perfect...since I was getting sick of putting cosplays together with safetypins and ducktape...

Improvement wise, my stuff from 2 years ago is crappy from now. I'm moving on from crappy 80 dollar sewing machine I've been using for the past years because i find that It does not do what i want to do anymore...

I guess that means I've improved, hopefully.

Dude here, I make my own. Thought nothing recently since life is in the way. It wasn't frustrating for me at least, I basically just buckled up and stopped asking for help from my /fa/shion school friend and learned from watching them. I know I have a lot more to learn but that comes along the way.

>>1306695
Go ahead and call yourself a tailor at this point.

>>1306718
For a moment I read that as "Traitor".

Thanks for clearing that up though, I feel a bit stupid for completely forgetting about that term.

>>1306696

Oh, i guess i haven't been sewing my stuff that long. The first one I started in Winter 06 and took me forever because I stupid enough to attempt a Rozen Maiden outfit as my first sewing project evar.


I started out with Bloomers..and i figured, if i couldn't sew those I couldn't sew anything else.

Figured everything else by lurking the internet...and youtube videos. Indispensable tutorials.

Then I found this place and hopefully i'll catch the occasional helpful thread.

Sewing itself isn't that hard, specially after being shown the ropes. I can construct a costume farily well on my own if given the proper procedure. That said i can't make my own patterns on my own. My attempts have failed miserably beyond frustration. From there i decided that i should go more into prop and armor construction than tailoring. Not that i'll never pick up the needle again, but at least i don't have much interest in doing anything beyond the simple.

On that note, i should upgrade my decrepit machine for something that won't jam and eat fabrics constantly. Maybe pick up a class or two on pattern making and sewing in general to polish my skills.

>>1306729

I wanted to say that as well, Tailor is the right term.

MK I can definitely see your skill improving.

>>1306695 It's such a satisfying feeling making a costume yourself rather than buying a comissioned one (I bought comissions when I first started cosplaying).

Here here. I heartily agree. It's such a different feeling walking around in something that was a giant square of fabric just days or weeks before.

>>1306764

>It's such a different feeling walking around in something that was a giant square of fabric just days or weeks before.

Yes, that always amazes me. Its a sense of pride in oneself that can not be beaten.

>>1306760

>On that note, i should upgrade my decrepit machine for something that won't jam and eat fabrics constantly.

After my last costume, Thats also one of the major reasons I want a new machine. Im looking to purchase a Janome Sew perfect or a Husqvarna Viking 118. For 250-300 dollars. I think its worth it...

I'm a guy and didn't think earning to sew was all that hard, i had a home ec. class in 7th grade so i got somewhat familiar with a machine but then didn't start sewing again till last year. Making costumes isn't all that had as long as you can sew a straight line, the sewing can get kind of annoying but the end result is usually worth it and it's something to do rather than just sit around and do nothing.

Bump for truth.
I sew my own stuff and it's so much better now that I don't have to rely on my friends.

>>1306793
I also suck at typing and spell checking.......

The only thing i know is pretty much hand sewing but I feel so much more involved with what i'm working on when I do. Most of my costumes i've worked on with a seamstress but as i progress i've been working on it more on my own. Hatsune Mikuo is hopefully gunna be the first made by me, entirely from scratch.

I'm a guy sewing n00b. I still suck at sewing and even getting patterns copied right.


Goddamn and kill to have a girlfriend that cosplays, and is good at it to help tutor/teach/help me with it. D:

>>1306687
This is me at the moment, too. I learned how to sew in Home Ec. ages ago and enjoyed making plushies for friends, but I fell out of the habit and have forgotten how to use a machine.

I recently bought a machine for myself and am trying to get back into the saddle. Thankfully, I have friends and family who sew and can give me pointers. I want to re-learn for real-life just as much as cosplay -- I have clothes I need to modify because I'm such a skinny fuck, gear bags I need to make for work, and a niece who could use some new stuffed animals.

Well, basicaly I asked my mother for help at the start, and picked up how to hand sew from her initialy, then I bought a sewing machine and improvised. It was no more frustrating than many other things to pick up, the problems I have are the same ones my female friends who cosplay come across.

My first costume was terrible and I'm ashamed I ever made it, my newer things I'm a bit more comfortable wearing but I have a long long way to go before I'm happy with my work.

In general, I enjoy it a lot, or else I wouldn't cosplay.

My aunt taught me how to sew years and years ago. I've gotten really rusty, but I still know a little.

Doesn't stop me from having other people work on my costumes, though.

>>1306825
>and a niece who could use some new stuffed animals.

D'awwww...You get my seal of awesome approval for that. Best of luck on re-igniting your sewing flame.

My boyfriend makes all of his own costumes and has cosplayed far longer than I have. He's come a long way. He and his brother are both perfectionists and will refuse to wear a costume unless it's more or less completely accurate.

They do get some sexism from masq judges, though. Sometimes female judges will refuse to believe they made their own costumes, and insist that a female friend or relative must've made them instead. Any guys here get this, too?

Lolz, never thought I post on 4chan but this post is good.

I've been exposed to sewing for a while thanks to my mom being asian and sewing for factories. But started sewing after AX2005 with my first Asuma costume which was epic fail now I that I look back. Learned from friend's mom and sewed that vest by myself, and went from there. But sewing was hard at first, not knowing how to use patterns and constantly making irreversable mistakes but after a while I got the hang of things.

Improvement wise, I say I've made little progress since the inside of my costumes are disasters and I still can't sew pants. But I do it anyways cuz it's pretty fun hobby, since that's the only way I meet other otakus.

>>1306852
I can't attest for Masquerades, but be a guy buying a sewing machine in JoAnn's and suddenly you're surrounded by every employee staring at you in bemused shock.

>>1306870
You're so cool~~

>>1306870
>Asuma costume
>epic fail
>epic fail
>EPIC FAIL

WHAT?!

>>1306912
You smell. Why is a smelly girl in a MAN'S thread? Smelly.

I made my own Miku Hatsune cosplay, well done and exactly the same as the original.

>>1306920

Lolz, it's was pretty shitty until I busted out a new set of everything, and got a beard.

And to add...the disgust of fail motivated me to make less failing costumes.

I'm male and sew all my costumes. I taught myself and picked it up pretty quickly. My costumes started out pretty good and have definitely gotten better as I've become more experienced. Would post some pics, but I live in a drama whore state where bitches get a hair up their ass about self-posters.

>>1306930
Oh, okay. I thought your first was your only one and I was about to beat you with a pipe for saying it was fail. That makes more sense now.

>>1306925
I don't believe it, could you post a pic of your Miku cosplay?
Bonus points if you are inside.

>>1306956

Lolz. Your Stein cosplay is EPIC, you look so much like him! And dude, we pretty much started cosplaying at the same time. You win.

>>1306870
You are one awesome dude.

>>1306870

I really admire the progress you've made over the years. Very well done.

I made this topic just for inspiration and know what the males think about this. I just don't want to make or be fail in my costumes.

I've picked up sewing in 2006 and I had a really hard time learning how to sew. I asked my mom how to use the sewing machine and basically did the rest. I asked my friends (though I don't ask enough for help) for advice on what to do if I'm stuck. I made only 4 costumes and everytime I look at my pictures, I'm always complaining on how bad they are. I'm very slow getting costumes together, I've been working on my Ouran Jacket for like... 6 months? (despite the college work and conventions hitting me most of the time) I can't figure out how to get that jacket down. Wigs are also a problem for me because I'm totally not sure how to spike/style wigs.

Alot of the things I want to do only leads me not knowing where to start.

I learned at a young age from my mother because I had a fascination with making puppets.

Soon my mother taught me how to sew clothes, so I sew all of my cosplay. Its frustrating at times, but its all fun.

>>1306825
>Juego
>Stuffed animals

I died. So fucking moe.

Wow. Notice how polite and helpful this thread is? I ain't sayin' nothin' but.. yeah.

I'm a maleanon who's never been to a con. I was wondering if it's better to have tried and failed or just don't show up.

>>1307155
It depends on how bad you fail. Seriously, just go for it. If you've lurked here for a while, you should realize how bad some of the stuff at cons are. Just stay a decent margin above that (which isn't that hard).

Male using a sewing machine = homo


Don't even bother trying to deny it.

Ah, the old faithful. Where would my cosplays be without it?

Long story short, it wasn't frustrating to learn sewing. I watched my mom do it couple times and from there it's all self-teaching through experience. The more advanced cosplay sewings I learned from my friends. I started sewing since Fanime05 and since then I'd like to think I improved.

As for cosplay pics, nope.

>>1307155
If you try and fail, then try again. It's completely up to your though whether you want to wear it to a con or not. Personally I'd go the route of not revealing something until I'm satisfied with it, rather than do it poorly and then upgrade it later. I know there are plenty of people who feel differently though.

It all comes down to personal preference really. Just don't let the fear of being ridiculed on the net steer you away from wearing something you want to.

>>1307164
0/10. Please try again.

>>1307152
God, I love men. I wish /cgl/ was mostly guys like you guys.

>>1307164
What if I have a sewing machine, but I just look at it and tell myself I'll learn how to use it someday?

>>1307179
You're basically just saying "I wish I could be gay."

>>1306870
waa~ the last one! <3<3<3

>>1307175
you mean mostly gay men.

>>1306852
>Sometimes female judges will refuse to believe they made their own costumes, and insist that a female friend or relative must've made them instead.

I get this shit all the time from girls, especially with my first costume; i got a bunch of "No you didn'ts". Im like, i freaking have photos of my progress, bitch.

>guy buying a sewing machine in JoAnn's

Yes. I was at one in Plano, I could tell the lady I asked about an Viking Emerald didn't offer me it to me because it was too hard for her to believe that a 20 something year guy was actually trying to buy something.

The plano sewing center was friendlier and told me to sit down and try all the features. That was pretty bad ass; I sat with a 40 yr old Viking Turrisa machine that sewed through 9 layers of denim. It was exactly what i was looking for...They were asking 200 for it though :/

>>1307191
It would be an improvement, at any rate.

>>1307203
You think the sewing machine was invented by a woman? No. Men invented that shit. Then the women STOLE it.

>>1307217
That's because men are good at building and engineering. A man also invented the stove but that's still where the woman should be.

>>1307221
But sewing is just building and engineering with cloth. I mean, you wouldn't call a paratrooper gay for sewing their own chute would you?

.>>1307221
Truth. You'll also note that all the best cosplay props are made by men.

>>1307221
women should be in the stove.

>>1307224
Only woman or a faggot would call sewing "engineering".

This thread is hot.

>>1307221

Hence why I'll stick to props and armor...clothing can be commissioned if I can't do it myself...which usually comes from me being lazy and having too much money laying around :/

>>1307272 which usually comes from me being lazy and having too much money laying around :/


This makes me want to hate you,but i can't bring myself to do so...

>>1307228
If you can explain to me the difference between a pattern and a blueprint (besides the fact that one gets cut up), you might gain creditability.

BTW, it doesn't count as successful trolling if I'm aware of you and just happen to be bored.

>>1307282

LOL...well I always buy the fabric and sewing pieces I need...but I just prefer to keep myself busy with building, glassing, and bondo'ing/sanding...just a preference of mine I guess...

>>1307315
God I wish I didn't suck at prop making, the only decent thing I ever made some fat 15 year old bitch stepped on and snapped the wood. I honestly teared up.

I would make my own - but I have not the time to do it, as I work relatively long hours and on days off...I like to just relax, rather than 'work'.

>>1307359
This is my problem lately. In such a slump too.

I enjoy it, I was taught by a friends mom who makes costumes for plays and I love doing it

I'll do the majority of my own costumes, but I still have to drop by my mom's for help with the sewing. She usually has damn good ideas for how to make these things, too.

>>1307406
nice to know, gaywad.

>>1307164
>>1307188
>>1307191
>>1307221
>>1307228
>>1307432

Same sewing-impaired mananon

It feels so good to make my own costumes.
I'm the only guy in all my school who is taking sewing,
and I'm above their level. I use a singer machine, very standard XD.

I'm in the same boat as some other guys here. I took sewing back 6 year ago and forget nearly everything. I would love to pick it up again for my cosplay and also so I'd know how to modify my current clothing if the need be.

For now, Cosplay wise, I'm good with my money at the moment so I must stay with commissions.

>>1307432
gaywad

>>1306870
MARRY ME

>>1306870

Holy fucking shit. You're so hot. Forget that other Anon. Marry me.

>>1307600
>>1307601

NO, MARRY ME!

My parents were sweatshop workers when I was in school, so I picked it up pretty easily when I was younger. They had our double garage converted to hold a dozen sewing machines, button machines, you name it, which I still use today for my costumes.

Working with patterns was a lot harder to pick up, a few years of trial and error with costumes, making them the wrong size and having to modify them after the cutting. But it's gradually gotten easier with time, even my tailor friend asks for my help from time to time.

>>1307603
THIS I'D WANT TO SEE :D

>>1307603
If you marry him... that frees up Moogie... right?

>>1307620
You know...On second though...I think I'll stick with Moogs.

>>1307600
>>1307601
>>1307603

I WANT!
MIIINNNNEE!

>>1307622
I want both of you.....

I want all of you.

Trust me you dont want me

>>1307631
Woooooo, orgy!

>>1307600
Lol. If you like the gay.
>>1307601
Lolz. Just alot of photoshop. I'm no better than Kipi.
>>1307603
Takes them aways, plz. lol

>>1307637
doesn't matter, you still look awesome. still got your mihawk cosplay? ;D

>>1307647
Yep. I still gots it. Never retiring that baby till he shows up again.

Real men have their costumes bought, commissioned, or made by their girlfriends. You might think youre being cool by saying "I did the sewing myself" but all you're really saying is "I am a gigantic faggot."

Don't let any airheaded woman fool you into thinking a man sewing is a virtue. They're the same braindead morons that think a guy dressing in drag is "cute".

>>1307650
sweet~ I can't remember, did you ever make the necklace knife function like it did in the show?

>>1307659

I'll be in the kitchen baking you a murder cake...

>>1307659

Real men stand for what they believe in, not what others have dictated to them.

>>1307650

This...is delicious. <3

>>1307659
QFT.
I'm a dude. Can't sew. I have my girlfriend make my costumes.

>>1307683
Amen.

I don't care if he was gay, if I found a guy who sewed his own costume and was good looking, I would take him home and marry him.

...and then keep him in my spare room as a cosplaying sewing slave for all eternity.

>>1307701
Except that he probably wouldn't go home with you, because you're an awkward and desperate geekgirl. A brand of woman that is simultaneously the most annoying and unattractive on the planet.

I'll post. I'm pretty new to this cosplay thing actually, this was my first costume, and that zebra shirt and bandana is pretty what taught me how to sew. I didn't have a pattern, but I didnt want to spray paint crappy stripes on, so I found two different kinds of material and layered them. It sounded like a great idea in my head...until I did it. So much sewing of stripes. All curves and bends too, no straight lines. And the shirt was jersey! And if that wasnt enough, I wanted to make it pro and hem everything and make a formal boatneck, which with the help of a sewing website I did. It was ridiculous and even though the shirt is finished, Im afraid to wash it. Made all the bandanas, all simple seams. After that, I'm pretty decent with a machine. Everything else is pieced, but I did sew the gloves and bead together the banana chain. Now I'm just waiting to finish the patches and some frill before I show it in the next con. The thing that startled me the most, is how much the machine DOESNT do for you. I dont know why, but I was under this notion it would sew straight lines for me lol. Wrong. I am eagerly waiting to sew with a suit jacket pattern. fo sho.

>>1307715
That's pretty damn impressive. Kudos.

Also good luck with a suit jacket, you'll have LOADS of "fun".

awesome thread! i learned sewing just watching my mom and hand sewing to fix tears in random bits of clothing. i've really fallen in love with it, and for crossplays, making your own costumes is best way to go in order to get the right fit. my earliest costumes had a lot of internal mistakes, but over the last couple of years i've been able to do a much better job and am almost ready to do more than the random hall cosplay competition. the way i improved was to keep tweaking and working on a given costume over a period of two or three cons.

>>1307715
You look like a gay latino biker.

>>1307734
Lets see what you look like then a'ight brah? And don't try to justify not posting yourself with "I'm not a self-posting faggot" or "I don't need to post myself here to know I'm better than you all."

C'mon you horrible excuse of a troll, man up and put your dick into the electrical socket. Show us what a real man that isn't a "Sewing faggot" is like.

I make my own, I was recently dismayed to learn that almost all of the semi famous cosplayer guys I was knew about did not in fact make their own costumes.

javascript:quote('1307711')

How do you know I'm a girl? Oh, who cares about trying to hide it. That hurt.

I'm going to BAWWWWW.

>>1307734
Useless Prattle.

Check it. Layer of the patterns.

BTW Nice jacket Kittan. That looks like it took some work to put together.

>>1307774

>>1307715

Very Nice. I attempted a Sabin (Mash) cosplay for Fanime, but made it in one day. But very convincing work man!

>>1307748
Well said.

I agree with >>1307683

However....
>>1307715
>>1307774
Real men don't dress like ass pirates

I just want to say, guys who sew are sexy. Attention to detail, geeky interests, and good with the hands = very yes.

Sage for no y-chromosome.

>>1308076
"I’m a monster. Or so my father would have me believe. I’m imprisoned in a world I hate and fear. As heir to my father’s title, I’m expected to marry, but my secret desires may keep me from fulfilling those expectations.

One night a stranger kisses me. In his touch, I see the possibility of a life beyond my prison. My name? Just call me Angel and this is my evolution."

Content: M/M sex, some graphic violence.

>>1308092
WTF

>>1307650

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS YOU, OH FUCK

>>1308076
God you are so lonely.

One of my ex-boyfriends sewed all his costumes. I actually met him at my first con and it was actually one thing that really attracted me to him, haha. I'm not sure if he gave it up or what, but this past week he gave me a giant bag of stuff he said he wasn't using anymore with tons of fabric remnants and notions in it. :3

In short, guys who sew = awesome. I really wish my current boyfriend was more into it. :/

Real men don't need other people to tell them what makes a real man. A real man would ignore this post.


Ohoho, paradox.

>>1308526

You made me sad inside...

>>1308526
Someone is wasting their time.

>>1308526
Not much of a paradox since I can respond to this and then ignore it :3

>>1307637
SWOON~ Lets be happy sewfags together~

I learned to sew because I could cosplay as some bish at a convention and get attention from girls.

because of cosplay, I was able to get laid. thanks japan!

i hate it so much

I sew my own cosplays, unless I outright buy a costume like my Gryffindor. Then I just let everyone know I didn't make that one. I make my own patterns too just because I find commercial ones to be a pain to modify. Then again I haven't had to sew anything really difficult yet, so we'll see if I use them in the future lol

>>1306630
If you want to feel more manly about it, consider sewing as just another form of machining.

Fuck, they actually make CNC sewing machines for home use. They're pretty badass.

I am a guy and yes I know how to sew, it's not that difficult to learn, but it takes a long time to master.

maybe I'm just paranoid but do you ever not want to do a costume because no one will get the reference? I want to do the shootan guy from read or die but I'll probably just look like an army guy #883

how about some links to guides to sewing? i want to learn so i can make whatever i want.

>>1310731
Fucking do it. I really want to do the blonde lady from R.O.D, but I know no-one would get it without a group. :(

The one on the right.

>>1310731
>>1310754
At the very least you could do such cosplays for your personal cosplay galleries. People will appreciate it more with some planned situation poses and picture titling.

My boyfriend made his own Wallmarktet Tifa dress. XD

>>1310854
Yup. Guys who sew aren't gay at all. Thanks for proving this.

>>1310854
there are no words. only loling

>>1310858
I hope one of 'em sews your fucking mouth shut. Goddamn closet cases.

>>1310679

I'm still having a difficult time learning it. Some of you guys who have their own handmade cosplays and able to make it look well are lucky to get it down that quick. I'm jealous.

I'm always on cosplay.com and /cgl/ to take a look at everyone's work and get inspirations on how to be better.

The other night, I was talking to my friends about my costume work and they said they like it. But in my stand point, I view my costumes as fail compared to the details I see here and cosplay.com.

Should I believe my friends that my costumes are good or the judgement of "better cosplayers" who are experienced because they make great costumes themselves?

>>1310901
Why don't you post what you've made so far so you can have an objective opinion? If you just flat-out ask someone who knows you, they'll be more likely to resort to flattery, either thinking that's what you want to hear or not wanting to sound mean.

>>1310858
He's playing with boobs. How does that make him gay?

>>1310913
The fact that someone has to tell you why shows how clueless you are.

>>1310920
I dunno, I thought men being fixated with/playing with boobs was generally a sign of being straight?

>>1310901
You just have to dedicate some time to learning how to sew if you really want it. You can't just poop out a costume. It takes time and a lot of patience. :(

My boyfriend tried sewing a simple shirt and pants for his Hotsuma costume and he got so frustrated that we just bought him the clothes. But he's trying to patient.

>>1310913
And no he's not, cause he's dating me. On the left. XD

Sewing is for faggots and is only a very gay means to an end...that end being pRANCING AROUND IN A COSTUME OF YOUR FAVORITE JAPANESE CARTOON CHARACTER! ^_^

Ahem...

But like I said sewing is for fags.

>>1310922
aren't boobs fun for everyone!^__^

>>1310925
I've never seen a guy actually prance in costume. But if I did I would agree that they are gay.

>>1310922
Yes, men who dress up like women and wear fake breasts are perfectly straight. You are a true genius.

>>1310922
God you are a fucking moron.

>>1310936
They were HEAVY ass water balloons. Thankfully, they never popped. XD

>>1310944
we care.

>>1310931
Boobs...??

>>1310938
Hey fuck you man! She was just trying to be funny. It's not her fault girl's aren't funny (except to other girls). They should still get to make their failed attempts at being clever without jerks like you calling them out.

(hehehe now she'll sleep with me for sure, I just have to get her emai...fuck am I still typing? I hope I didn't hit s

>>1310936
>>1310938
I think you guys need to close the browser and go get a breath of fresh air or something, you're taking the internets too seriously again.

>>1310968
Yeah, cause I'm going to keep putting up moob pics.

>>1310972
Holy shit, those nipples are terrifying.

>>1310972
I want to unsee! I want to unnnnseeeeee!

I'm gay and fucking love tits and playing with them.

>>1310994


do you love man tits

>>1310936
Actually the majority of male crossdressers ARE straight.

>>1310735
that should help you out.
http://vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-toc-long.html
http://www.burdastyle.com/

>>1311006
I always jokingly say Im a lesbian trapped in a man's body. Its my only way of explaining why I like to wear female cosplay.

>>1306630

I make all of my own stuff, but I usually have my friends help with wig/hair and makeup. (and apparently girls love putting makeup on a guy, who would have known...)

I don't use patterns so most of the time it's me sketching out my design on some newspaper, using it as my pattern with some cheap fabric, and then adjusting. (it usually takes 2-3 tries to get a completely new design right) So I think I waste a bit of extra fabric, but as gain more experience making different things you get to the point where you can start recycling some ideas :-P. If you search around online there are many examples of how people have put things together and you can usually piece together a pretty decent design. (oh wait... cgl :-P)

Also, my gf isn't really into anime at all XD