Not a Cosplay Outfit (honest)

[dragonimp]

The coat's been done for a while, some of you have even seen it, I just haven't gotten around to taking pictures of it until now. It was nice out on Sunday, so Mom and I decided to finally take some. Click on the pictures to get a larger size.



In total I used or referenced four different patterns, plus made some modifications of my own. I split the sleeves, which you can see in this picture if you look closely, and added 2 inches to their width. I could barely raise my arms when I tried on the mock-up. Keep in mind that this pattern was designed for men, who, one would assume, would tend to be broader in the shoulders than I. Obviously the designer wasn't thinking of ease of movement.

I also shortened the coat by several inches. The pattern is intended to make a floor-length, and I didn't feel like tripping over it quite that much. (I trip over it enough as it is, believe me.) Also, because what I was making wasn't an actual cosplay garment, I felt free to include details that Ed's coat doesn't have, such as a buttoned front and cuffs.


The base pattern was for a Matrix-style costume coat (IOW, we-can't-call-it-Matrix-because-we-don't-have-the-license), which is evident when the coat is buttoned. It fits closely, but I like that; it keeps me dry. I only button it up if it's raining hard.


The top button holes are rather stiff, however, thanks to the layers of fabric.



I chose the not-Matrix pattern primarily for the flair of the coat skirt, which also had a split back. The pattern didn't include a lining, though, so I had to refer to another pattern for a coat with a split back to see how to tack down the lining.


You can't see them too clearly, but I also included a total of four inner pockets, two patch pockets and two bag pockets.





The Flamel: I scanned the design from a page in the manga, then fiddled around in Illustrator until it turned into a vector image. (I've figured it out since, but that was the first time I'd used Illustrator and at the time I couldn't have told you what I'd done. I hit something, and then, boom! vector drawing!) I then enlarged it until it filled a standard sheet of printer paper, printed it out, and used that for my pattern. The fabric is the same sort of water-resistant fabric I used for the shell of the coat. I tacked it down with a fabric glue stick and then satin stitched around the edges.


That about covers it. The fabric for the shell is a nylon water resistant fabric from Seattle Fabrics, while the lining is a polyester fabric from my local JoAnn's. The hood—which is a mite too big, truth be told—was taken from an old cloak pattern.

By the way, I made the blouse, too. Simplicity pattern 5343, modified for a zippered front and a high collar, with added piping.

Comments

[actionranger.livejournal.com]

Lookin' good.

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

:)

[shawk.livejournal.com]

That looks and sounds like an insane amount of work. And I was just whining this weekend about having to make another one of those damn Ren Faire shirts (although I can't figure out which fabric is what I got for it... at least four years ago; oops!).

Congrats!

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

It was an insane amount of work - I must have made at least 3 mock-ups for the sleaves before I was able to get them to fit. But it was fun, though.

I've decided that I need to label my fabric as I buy it. Of course, I always think I'm going to use it right away, so I won't need to, so I don't.

[shawk.livejournal.com]

I've come to the point where a straightforward pattern is boring. Which isn't always a good thing. ;)

I should start doing that. But of course no one thinks it will take them over four years to make something... I think I may just break into the fabric I bought for the Irish dress, which has been sitting there for even longer than that. I'm pretty sure that was the hemp summercloth, which is what I want to use.

Do I know where you are in those pictures? It's not looking familiar.

[rainjoyous.livejournal.com]

Omg the coat. *jealous*

*really jealous*

But whee, honey, so cool ^^ It's like a more feminine version of the Ed classic. And now you are officially a model, too ;)

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

Hee hee, model *^_^*.

It's like a more feminine version of the Ed classic
Which is ironic, since the base pattern was intended for men. But I agree, the cut definily has a feminine look to it. The model on the front of the pattern envelope almost looks like he's wearing a dress ^^;.

[darkshifter.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! Quite the talent you got there chica!

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

^_^ thanks!

[sky-dark.livejournal.com]

Wow, all the modifications and the pockets, such talent! It is a fabulous coat <3

[dragonimp.livejournal.com]

^_^ thanks! (I love that coat, it makes me wish for rain ^^)