Hello!! breakdown of Choir Cosplay!! This is not really gonna be a step by step but a general vibe of what I did to make this cosplay :)
To note: I haven’t sewn anything since I was in highschool which was 8 years ago, so a lot of this is like a ‘ya that works’ - make improvements where I could not :p
Overall I wanted the cosplay to not be an exact copy of what is in game, personally I prefer more fitted clothing so I went close to my size with the pattern.
Fabric: I used an ivory polycotton, ivory satin and black cotton.
1. I started hunting for a pattern that at least captured the vibe of the choir garb. I had split up the garment in my head into 3 separate parts: The base, the capelet, all the extra fancy bits.
The big concern when picking fabric is I didn’t want the garment to be translucent, which is a problem for lighter coloured fabric. BUT!! I found that I didn’t have to make a lining and could instead flatline the fabric - where you cut double the piece and stitch them flat against each other - making it both thicker and opaque!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-qdP9tcc4&pp=ygUSZmxhdCBsaW5pbmcgc2V3aW5n
I found this pattern by Gunnar Deatherage on Etsy (as a beginner I loved this pattern, it’s very in depth and easy to follow)
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1270370974/maxi-duster-wrap-pattern-instant?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=gunnar+deatherage&ref=sr_gallery-1-14&pro=1&sts=1&dd=1&content_source=95a164c411331c5aaff8fee029dee1e6377d3f92%253A1270370974&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1
I did not use the sleeve pattern from it, instead I made my own to have the right fall and size.
Use the sleeve cap from the pattern so it can attach correctly to the bodice/back pieces - then where the sleeve starts to become longer draw out diagonally on both sides. For length I used the original pattern and went slightly longer! :)
I used the same pattern for the peplum sorta top section and again for the skirt on the bottom. It creates a stitch line along the front but it’ll be covered by the belt!
I bought this embroidered ribbon and attached it around the edges of the garment!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/840215852/35-mm-golden-victorian-jade-jacquard?click_key=2c042e9416627d9bf9d2f1e85385ba93e48ca464%3A840215852&click_sum=1fe453a7&ref=shop_home_active_1&sts=1
Corset/rolled sleeves: I did this last
Corset pieces: Cut out 4 pieces (twice) - and attach them together leaving the end open to turn them inside out.
Use a grommet tool and punch some holes through your fabric - make sure they line up.
Roll the sleeves to roughly where your inner elbow is and attach another piece of fabric around the width of the roll - pin it in place.
Hand sew the corset pieces on and the other piece of fabric so it is all secure :)
Thread some similar coloured lacing to the fabric through the holes.
2. The belt! (My mum helped me a lot on this and was my voice of reason)
Originally I had bought an elasticated belt with a clasp, but it didn't work at all and ruined the fall of the garment.
I chopped off the end of the belt, leaving me with some elasticated ‘fabric’ and the clasp.
Measured my waist and cut out a thick piece of fabric twice and one piece of iron on interfacing. The measurement I did with the base on and added slightly more for both seam allowance and so there was breathing room for myself.
Put the clasp piece on either end of the fabric and sew it all together! :)
(marks are from the paint of the chain rubbing off onto the fabric :P)
3. The caplet!
For the capelet I used this tutorial
Easy DIY Capelets | For Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas🎃🍂🎄
(The only issue with this is I couldn’t get my head around how to attach a non circle collar)
Ivory polycotton + Ivory satin used.
Doing the base of this is pretty straightforward with the tutorial - it’s just a circle skirt but for your neck.
If you want to be evil to yourself, you can do what I did and hand sew bridal applique all around the garment. If you can machine sew it please do :p
I went for a big swooping shaped applique in ivory - any gaps I had were filled with more applique
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/628065500/beaded-sequinned-lace-flower-wedding?click_key=d8b4937d8079ab34b301cf2d4dc7fbd0d6ede960%3A628065500&click_sum=81fb49a9&ref=shop_home_recs_1
I used poppers on the base and the cape to attach them together - it kept choking me if i didn’t
4. The collar - made me want to cry ngl
I could not figure out for the life of me how to attach a non circle collar to the capelet (which is how I wanted it). Instead we have a removable collar!!
I copied the size of collar from one of my own shirts and followed these tutorials
TWO PIECE COLLAR TUTORIAL | KIM DAVE
How to Sew a Collar and Collar Stand Easily by Sew Sew Live
5. Graduation hood????
For some reason you can’t just buy these in the UK without paying £30, so I made my own
Cut out double for the pieces around your neck and one for the ‘hood’ part
Gather the ends of the rectangular piece and attach them to the other pieces!
6. The Fancy back panel piece
Measure from mid shoulder blade to the bottom of the garment for the main rectangular piece. Cut out two other rectangles of the same width coming into an arrow shape.
Sew them all together and start sketching on the design.
The great thing here is you can make it up, because it’s too complicated and nobody is gonna look at it and be like ‘u did it wrong’
I used a fabric medium and gold metallic acrylic
Once it’s all done, I machine sewed it to the back of the base garment because it’s hidden by the cape.
7. THE REST
Chain: Me and the chain belt had a fight - Originally I used metal chain,, but I’m allergic to some metal and can’t deal with the smell,, I switched to a plastic chain with 2 D Ring clasps - had to sand it down but the gold spray paint loves to flake off.
If I knew about it before, I’d use EVA foam chain :)
Black pieces underneath: I bought a turtle neck and a long black skirt :P but you could make it as a dress or smth!
Purchased long black velvet gloves, a pocket watch and a key necklace (I didn’t want to use a censer - and they are v expensive/idk how to make one)
Ribbon + brooch: I bought chunky soft blue ribbon and found a vintage brooch on vinted
The mask: If you have contacts you’d probably be fine, but I don’t and this mask messed with my depth perception and balance so I had to take it off so I could wear my glasses :(
Use buckram plastic mesh - the thicker kind, used for fursuit eyes and in black! You can see out but nobody can see in.
I made a mock up with paper but sorta looks like this shape :)
Eva foam pieces cut out into swirls and filigree like shapes, glue it onto the buckram
I did a base coat in grey over the entire thing and painted it with black, gold and bronze acrylic! I hole punched and put the ribbon through it so the mask could be tied around my head.
If you’re making the mask and hat - I’d attach the mask to the hat so it’s one piece :)
Where I went wrong/what I’d improve
I wish I had been able to attach the collar to the rest of the garment. There is a gap that appears between the collar and the caplet/base at the back (mainly due to gravity and it moving) that can be annoying, since my hair is on the longer side it was covered but still I wish it wasn’t there. I’d also want a bigger collar!
I’d not use satin as a lining for the skirt and capelet - it’s so annoying to use and it’s so slippery
Maybe would not hand sew all that applique because it took me over a week :P
BUT
OVERALL for a first cosplay, it’s pretty good! I’m mostly happy with the outcome and it was one of my dream ones to do! :)
I hope this helps, I didn’t take photos of all the steps unfortunately but hopefully it makes sense :)
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