ConMom Sewing 101

Desinated sewing tips and tricks from the "con mom" of my group of friends. With the help of the "con child" on occasion.

[bufferingsummers]

I feel like the biggest mischaracterization I see of Steve Rogers is that he is this rule following conservative guy. Like no, did we watch the same movies? This man breaks every rule he can. He hates the government. He also is not a bigot at all. He has his own moral code and does everything based on it.

[conmomsewing101]

So my cosplay for Sidon is coming along nicely every for him is hand made. Besides the shirt, pants and boots. I have a lot to do before con still mainly a lot of painting, so luckily not too difficult.

[sworntovalor]

Here’s a “life-hack” for you. Apparently concentrated Kool-Aid can be used as a pretty effective leather dye. I was making a drink while cutting the snaps off some new straps for my pauldrons and I got curious, so I tried it, thinking, “ok even if this works, it will just wash out.” Nope. It took the “dye” (undiluted) in about 3 seconds. After drying for about an hour and a half, it would not wash off in the hottest tap-water. It would not wash out after soaking for 30 minutes. It did not wash out until I BOILED it, and even then, only by a tiny bit and it gave it a weathered look that was kind of cool. Add some waterproofing and I’d wager it would survive even that. That rich red is only one application too. Plus it smells great, lol. So there you go, cheap, fruity smelling leather dye in all the colors Kool-Aid has to offer.

[hammerhide]

WELL THEN!

[pomegranateandivy-deactivated20]

this may be important to some of my followers *and certainly not just getting reblogged because of my costuming and my boyfriends desire for leather armor*

[armeleia]

When I was in middle school we used to use it to dye our hair.  Potent stuff.

[baedlyweathered]

If you’re dying anything with kool-aid it’s best to use SUGAR-FREE ones otherwise the thing you’re dying might get all sticky

[samthor]

the flavor only packets where you are supposed add sugar are the best.  they will dye any natural fiber: leather, wool, cotton, hair,  flax, jute, silk and so forth.  heat the dye water so it is more potent.  let dry then rinse excess out in cold water.  there’s  a whole system to this. 

[mittensmcgee-deactivated2018033]

Oh my god

[triforceofdoom]

This will prove very useful for any future cosplays I wanna do.

[systlin]

DUDE

[subtract-me-from-your-heart]

And now I’m like “holy shit can i dye alpaca with this?”

[conmomsewing101]

A little run down of how lance came together, it was about a week before Comic Con and I just somehow pulled it together the jacket was from forever 21 the shirt was from Salvation Army and we just cut, hot glued and added velcro to the yellow bands.

[conmomsewing101]

And we have an Alice! This was a recently adopted con child who said “MamaKoco I want o be Alice but make it myself, can I work on it at your place so I can ask questions?” It was her pattern that she picked and I helped her make some alterations to the patterns. It turned out beautifully and I’m super proud of her and her first creation! 

[conmomsewing101]

Meet the Nephew that wanted to be Cat Boy! Before everyone asks I have permission from my Sister to post these pictures!!!

I followed the Simplicity Pattern, it was just the basic kids animal costume. Note to all when planning on painting fleece buy that extra bottle of paint!! I easily went through ten plus bottles of paint. Don't let this be a rush project either at one point had three people painting the stripes and using hairdryers to dry it to give it new coats of paint.

[conmomsewing101]

So Princess Tutu was a fun cosplay I got to work on with a con child. They needed help with the tutu part it was really simple, I followed the following Youtube video. *get the stiffer tule! DO NOT be a fool like me and get the stiffer tule, it might be itchy but it works waaaayyyyy better!*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D-cvWv4kmU

The over lay skirt is just a simple white cotton “circle skirt” with a pink lace trim on the bottom. Instead of using an elastic band to keep the skirt up I used a white ribbon that where it would be tied became a gold ribbon to make the bow!

[angelfruitloop]

ATTENTION COSPLAYERS:

I would like to make the paint brand “Angelus” known. It is a special paint that is for leather, faux leather, rubber, and similar surfaces.

This is literally the best paint you can buy if you love a pair of shoes, but they aren’t in the right color for your character.

This stuff coats VERY well AND the coats of paint bend with your shoes. This means no cracking!!

In the photos above I took black rain boots and painted them with Angelus Turquoise. As you can see, they don’t look black any more! It’s so good!

I managed to paint two boots with a little one ounce bottle of the paint, and I still have a third of the bottle left over!

The paint dries very fast, so you can put layer on top of layer on top of layer without it streaking.

You can get the paint on Amazon and it comes in every color!

I just really wanted to make this known!! :D This stuff is amazing!

[conmomsewing101]

Voltron Keith Kigurumi

This is what happens when your con child asks you THREE WEEKS BEFORE CON if we can make this.

For starters you need a pattern similar to the one above. I prefer using Simplicity patterns but due to the short notice I used what I could.

After reading the pattern I only cut out the pieces we needed. *I did not use the hood from the pattern but made my own. Due to the length of the body of a kigurumi and of the pattern I cut the body down the middle and  used a kigurumi I had available to use as a reference. I mostly sewed to the pattern. For the hood I used the kigurumi as an example and made it double thick. My con child drew a picture on how she wanted the face to look. Due to the thickness of the of the fabric I had to hand sew the face pieces on.

I used a pill fleece for this but you can use anything.

[conmomsewing101]

On our way to youmacon! Everything is packed and we have a full trunk!

[conmomsewing101]

Two of the costumes done! To be delivered today!

[conmomsewing101]

As you know Youmacon is quickly approaching all I need is conmoms help sewing. Progress on cosplay.

[conmomsewing101]

Going on a Murder Spree

It’s one week till con I’m almost done with the 3.5 costumes I’m making (I’ve recruited my own mom’s help)... Now if the con children will survive....

[conmomsewing101]

So as many of you know its Halloween for some and con season for me. My basement is currently a disaster zone and I blame two of my con children! I’ve got some new things I will post after Halloween and my con. I’ve got Halloween costumes, cosplay, and plushies!!!

[conmomsewing101]

Sorry for not being around

So I have been planning some new cosplays for myself and my con children but  between my internship and school I lost track of everything. I also found out around Colossalcon I had an extra bone in my foot I got it removed sooner then expected so I’m off my foot for a while. It also means that I wont be going to Matsuricon. My next time I dress up will be the local Renfest, next con will be Youmacon. I am not planning on amy new cosplay for myself but I will be helping my conchildren with theirs! 

For anyone who wants help or wants to be directed to a hint or just wants advice feel free to ask!

[conmomsewing101]

Probably one of the most hardest things I have ever done...

Back round first I use to work at Davids Bridal’s alterations, thanks to the amazing alterations manager there I was able to do this.

So the weekend before the con I get the top two pictures (make note I already knew I was going to be doing some minor altering to this dress to begin with.) I was expecting to do some minor nips and tucks but did not expect this dress to be at least two sizes to big. this then turned into a are you willing to come over for a visit and we will fix it. So what did I do? I added a a corset.

I used these websites as a slight reference (it has been two years since I have added a corset...)

http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/11/remake-dress-that-fits-with-corset-back.html

http://thegildedthimble.com/corset-backs/

In most cases I have had a already premade loops available. On a 4 days before the con issue I had to do something different. Using biased tape and ribbon I hand made loops. 

I cut out three-four inches of fabric on each side of the zipper. and started to sew in the loops. Lesson learned, beading and sewing machines do not mix (I broke 8 needless) I got about 80% done and said some colorful language and started hand sewing. 

I am so proud of how this came out, I love it almost as much as I love my Cinderella Dress.

[conmomsewing101]

As promised, here is the first thing I worked on. A water friendly mermaid tail. how I made it under the cut.

 I based about 60% of the design off of this youtube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk17hWW9uGY

I had my con child come out and visit so we could do some shopping. I had him pick out some swimsuit like material (NOT Yaya Hans’ material I will not work with that fabric after what I have heard about it) I deviated from the video’s fin design but I feel like this is the safer option then plexiglass. 

I took some plywood of my desired thickness and had my con child map out their desired fin design. I had my dad help me cut it out (I tried myself first but was not ok with how it was cutting. I can handle power tool pretty well but in situation where you feel uncomfortable you can always ask for help) I coated the edge with duct tape (it fixes everything) I then bought some rubber sealant and used the entire can and coated the wood. I got some water shoes and attached them. I used hot glue due to a time crunch but a shoe fell off so they will be getting attached again with a better glue. You can use a monofin if you don't want to make your own

To help the fin keep its shape in the fabric I used pieces of Velcro to keep it shut along the seam.

Now this is a cosplay you do not walk around in, so we borrowed my Godson’s wagon and luckily my con child has loving boyfriend that was willing to pull him around all day, and cary lots of carrying. DO NOT ever hop around in this tail YOU WILL rip the fabric (I know from experience).

Don’t feel bad if you don’t have a serger I don’t either. I did a zigzag seam down the side then traced over it with a straight seam down the middle.