Part of successfully using premade patterns for cosplay is picking patterns that can be modified to suit your design easily. I prefer to search sewingpatterns.com.
After you have found your pattern and cut out the pieces you need, lay out the pieces that only need slight alteration. For heavy changes to shape, you will want to redraft the pattern. I won’t be covering that in this tutorial, but look for info on pattern making, redrafting, and advanced modification in my intermediate cosplay tutorials coming up.
If you are uncomfortable with deviating from patterns, it’s not a bad idea to buy cheap muslin to make a mock up. Mock-ups keep you from making mistakes with your nice fabric, and let you know where you need to rethink measurements. I use them whenever I am making a pattern from scratch, or heavily modifying existing patterns, and am not quite sure if everything will look right. In the case of this project, so little changing to the shape is needed, I’m not using muslin.
My example here isn’t necessarily anything like what you are hoping to make, but I’m including my process here to show how easy stuff is to modify, and the general way you can go about doing so.
Trace the outline of the pattern piece you are working on with a washable marker or pencil. This gives you a base shape to look at and make decisions on what needs alteration.
On this project, I need to extend the front so that one piece of the garment overlaps to look like this:
To do this I need to extend the neckline as well as add a few inches to the width. Here I have flipped the pattern over and traced the shape of the neck curve. If I had not extended this curve and instead continued with a strait line, the fabric would not wrap around the neck properly. Remember to keep in mind how these alterations will fit together when on a 3-D object. Just adding more material isn’t enough.
After marking the neck, I use my clear plastic ruler to add 2 inches to the front piece. I highly recommend using this type of ruler when you are modifying anything. I am just eyeballing how much to add. With simple modifications, it’s mostly just judgment calls based on sight.
After marking out the extension, I add seam allowance (5/8ths”) to the new section. My project calls for trim to be added there, but yours might not. You still want to add seam allowance to your modifications. Forgetting to add it may result in not enough material to finish an edge.
After you are satisfied with the lines you’ve drawn, cut out your pattern, and take a break! Easy, right? Here’s what mine looks like so far:
Yours will look different, but it’s something anyone can do. Just don’t be afraid to try. Use muslin- make a mock up- give it a shot- and have fun.
