Pattern Recommendations

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  • I'm planning on making Cardcaptor Sakura's outfit from episode 7 of the new Clear Card series. (This one here:[URL="http://ccsakura.wikia.com/wiki/Stars_Dress"]http://ccsakura.wikia.com/wiki/Stars_Dress[/URL] [URL="http://ccsakura.wikia.com/wiki/File:Stars_Dress_Concept_Art.png"]http://ccsakura.wikia.com/wiki/File:Stars_Dress_Concept_Art.png[/URL])

    Looking for recommendations on patterns for her dress. I'm not the best at sewing, but have followed patterns in the (distant) past and even deconstructed an old jacket of mine to turn it into a pattern before. That said, I'm honestly pretty bad at sewing so the easier the pattern, the better! The sleeves look a bit tricky since they are poof sleeves at the top, then tight, then bell sleeves at the bottom and I'm thinking I might need to mix and match patterns for the dress since the sleeves are so unusual.

    Besides pattern recommendations, was curious about zipper placement...thinking one in the back won't work so well since it'd be pretty visible as it's like the only spot on the dress not covered in stars! Thinking a hidden side zipper might be smarter. Thoughts?

  • Your link is broken, and reference is absolutely crucial to recommending a pattern.

  • this might be it?
    [url]https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.CCJ4blS67GeA0EKMWx9EhAHaEK&pid=Api[/url]
    [url]https://samehadaku.id/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Cardcaptor-Sakura-Clear-Card-hen-Episode-07-Subtitle-Indonesia.jpg[/url]

    it seems though that dress change is heavy in this series
    so youll need to make sure and post which one it exactly is

    also remember that manga or anime, depending on the artist, the same outfit will change a few times at least

  • If the links DA offered are it/ very close, you will NOT get a sleeve like that from one pattern piece. That's Creative License in action, artists are not bound by the laws of physics in what they draw.

    You will need a seam between the puff and the lower bell portion. OR Use a Bell sleeve pattern and put several wedge shaped gussets in the top to create the pouf but frankly that's a lot harder than just marrying the two pattern types together. Either way, there will be seams on the sleeve.
    If your reasoning for hiding the zipper is the same 'my costume must look exactly like the artist has drawn it' philosophy, toss that idea out. It leads to poor fitting costumes because they don't have to draw in any seams or closures.

  • [QUOTE=CapsuleCorp;5065577]Your link is broken, and reference is absolutely crucial to recommending a pattern.[/QUOTE]

    Sorry! Just fixed it.

  • [QUOTE=Penlowe;5065584]If the links DA offered are it/ very close, you will NOT get a sleeve like that from one pattern piece. That's Creative License in action, artists are not bound by the laws of physics in what they draw.

    You will need a seam between the puff and the lower bell portion. OR Use a Bell sleeve pattern and put several wedge shaped gussets in the top to create the pouf but frankly that's a lot harder than just marrying the two pattern types together. Either way, there will be seams on the sleeve.
    If your reasoning for hiding the zipper is the same 'my costume must look exactly like the artist has drawn it' philosophy, toss that idea out. It leads to poor fitting costumes because they don't have to draw in any seams or closures.[/QUOTE]

    Thanks for the advice about the sleeves! Yes, that was the correct outfit that Dictamnus Albus linked.

    Yeah, I think I might actually use a little of my own creative license and cut down on the number of stars by her collar...I think it's just a bit of overkill there and it really bothers me!

    Sigh, yeah I usually like to try and make my costumes as accurate as possible, so I guess I just need to suck it up and put a zipper where it would be most needed. I'm REALLY inexperienced with zippers though...only used them once or twice so I guess it depends on what type of material and how much stretch it has whether or not I need one? Haven't started fabric shopping yet, but going to start this weekend. Guessing I'll probably just go with some kind of cotton if I can find it in the right color...

  • I would use an invisible zipper on the side seam. If you have an invisible zipper foot, they're not too difficult to put in. Look up a million tutorials on youtube first.

  • For this costume, non-stretch fabrics are the way to go. Stretchy stuff will droop and generally not have the 'hand feel' you want in a costume like this. Odd as it may sound, this is one I would do in plain ol' broadcloth. It is light, easy to sew, and comes in a million colors.
    That said, I would also fully underline the bodice and skirt to: make it not see through, give it structural integrity, generally improve the finished appearance. Underlining is when the lining material is attached* to each panel before assembling the garment. In this specific case, I'd use more broadcloth in a crisp white as the lining.
    As to this advice: "I would use an invisible zipper on the side seam. If you have an invisible zipper foot", it's really better suited after you've practiced a lot more sewing. Everything you've described as your skill set right now, tells me this would be tremendously frustrating. Do more plain ordinary zippers in the easy places first, then move on to side zips and invisible zippers.

    *either with heat fusible webbing or sewn a scant 1/4" around all the edges

  • [QUOTE=Penlowe;5065597]For this costume, non-stretch fabrics are the way to go. Stretchy stuff will droop and generally not have the 'hand feel' you want in a costume like this. Odd as it may sound, this is one I would do in plain ol' broadcloth. It is light, easy to sew, and comes in a million colors.
    That said, I would also fully underline the bodice and skirt to: make it not see through, give it structural integrity, generally improve the finished appearance. Underlining is when the lining material is attached* to each panel before assembling the garment. In this specific case, I'd use more broadcloth in a crisp white as the lining.
    As to this advice: "I would use an invisible zipper on the side seam. If you have an invisible zipper foot", it's really better suited after you've practiced a lot more sewing. Everything you've described as your skill set right now, tells me this would be tremendously frustrating. Do more plain ordinary zippers in the easy places first, then move on to side zips and invisible zippers.

    *either with heat fusible webbing or sewn a scant 1/4" around all the edges[/QUOTE]

    Thanks! I'm heading out to the fabric store right now, so will see if I can find some pale yellow and white broadcloth.

    Still worried about what patterns to use though...I looked through several hundred Simplicity patterns online and couldn't find any I thought would be super useful for the dress shape or sleeve shape. :/ Hoping I can find something in the store that might be helpful.

  • McCall M7373 might be a good starting point for the body of the dress, but the sleeves will still need working over.

  • [QUOTE=Lost Cause;5065608]McCall M7373 might be a good starting point for the body of the dress, but the sleeves will still need working over.[/QUOTE]

    YES! haha I thought so too and after flipping through a couple pattern books and that's what I actually ended up buying today! They were having a crazy good sale on McCall patterns so I grabbed another one that had more similar bell sleeves.

    BUT when I got home I realized the M7373 I bought was the wrong size...I didn't realize there are 2 different versions of most patterns (just made sure my size was on the back) so now I have to go back and see if I can exchange it tomorrow for the right one and not have to pay $20 since the awesome sale ended tonight and I saved $20 just on that one pattern alone!