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Pattern #1092 - the body suit

6/17/2015

13 Comments

 
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Many people know that I've wanted to do a pattern like this since 2009 when I attended Costume Con in Baltimore, but ... the powers that be move slowly.

This particular style came about when I asked a group of similarly clad gals at last year's Costume Con in Toronto what kind of patterns people would find useful. They said it was difficult to figure out the body suit part of this costume. So ....
This is my final sketch for the two views that made it into my new pattern of Anime style costumes.
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YES ... this costume is built on a body suit with a snap crotch, so you all can go to the bathroom! This is a photo of my very first mock up ...
and pattern as it evolved.
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This is the sketch I sent up to Simplicity that explained my new plan.
Here we have a version, but certainly not the final one. I can't tell you how many false steps I took on the way to this finished pattern.

First, the view with the puffed sleeve didn't make it into the final pattern.
Second, the separate empire bodice with gathers wasn't working at all. As you can see, the sweetheart neck with the little dip in front DOES NOT work in spandex. Also, gathering spandex to more spandex is very problematic. The spandex is thick and doesn't gather well and then the piece it gets sewn to tends to stretch which totally ruins the shape. So I had to completely rethink things.
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And this is what the body suit looks like under the outfit with the long jacket.
AND, these are my working patterns as I am getting them ready to trace out for the workroom at Simplicity.
Here's another big thing that changed. My first couple mock ups had the waistline dip in the back, but then I looked at more Anime artwork and realized the back waist really went straight across.
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This is what the back ended up looking like.


I plan to talk about sewing the spandex on Friday.

I hope everyone will like this pattern. I have more versions of it I would like to do and other Amine ideas as well.

AND these will only happen if this first pattern sells well ... so ... please buy one and then write in your ideas for Anime pattern shapes you would like to me to work out for you.
13 Comments
Jenice
6/17/2015 08:47:11 am

When is it coming out I want it

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Andrea
6/17/2015 09:55:56 am

It was shipped a week ago and is already in most stores. I'm not sure when it will be on the website. But, soon.

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Erin link
6/18/2015 04:15:50 am

When the pattern is released on Simplicity's website I'll be sure to pick up a copy! I have a friend who is also very excited about this and she can't wait to get her own copy.

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Sarah
6/18/2015 10:00:03 pm

wow, cool! I have friends who do anime cosplay. I love seeing your process, and I agree that princess seams are the best way to go, once you get the hang of it you can adjust them to fit any bust.

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Maura link
6/19/2015 12:20:45 am

Thousands of cosplayers around the world thank you for your hard work! I'll be buying this one, and the steampunk princesses, as soon as they hit stores.

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AJ link
6/19/2015 03:24:58 am

I'm so excited to see this and I will never do this cosplay. I want it just because I know what a PITA it is to pattern this costume! =D Of course, it was completely sold out at my Joann. I'll get it next time it restocks.

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Alice
6/30/2015 10:26:12 pm

I absolutely love your pattern! I'm going to be using it for the Anime expo. ^.^ I really wished the puffed sleeve made it final. Are there any chance will be seeing the puffed sleeves in the future.

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Maria
7/6/2015 01:22:31 pm

A friend of my brought this pattern to my attention and when I laid eyes on it my excitement went through the roof. I bought it immediately. I have been a fan of Anime for as long as I can remember. Thank you for putting this pattern out there. Can't wait to start sewing!

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Holly
8/3/2015 04:31:48 am

Thanks for helping this come to life! Amazing work (without infringing on copyright!). Before this many people used leotard/body suit designs and added skirt/puffed sleeves/etc. Also, I think mccalls had an official Sailor Moon design in the 90's for kids size only. Some smaller people have used that (I've heard it fits up to womens 2-4).

But anyway, thanks for this. And by the way, it's ANIME, not AMINE. :)

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Jarren D
8/14/2015 11:17:59 pm

This pattern is great -- definitely the best "commercial" Sailor Moon pattern that's ever been done! The proportions are perfect and It's very accurate to the design (with the piping on the sleeves and waist and even the seam under the bust, which people often leave out). I especially love that you added touches from the live-action musicals ("Sera Myu") with the trim on the princess lines in front and the double skirt (and a circle skirt was the perfect choice) -- AND, on top of that, the sample uses Sailor Saturn's purple and white color combination! - trust me, "cosplayers" notice details like that and it makes them very happy ^-^

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KARA ANDERSON
8/19/2015 03:34:36 am

Any chance there might be a kids version of this coming? I would LOVE to have one for my little girl, and it would be so much easier to have one pattern instead of hacking a bunch together to get this look. I LOVE this one tho. I've had TONS of clients looking for these outfits, and now I can help them out!

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Airy link
8/23/2015 11:32:55 am

This looks fantastic and I plan to order it soon! I'm so glad there's finally a widely available pattern specifically designed for Sailor Moon. I'm sure you have a lot of projects on the go, but I wondered if you would consider making patterns for the characters' civilian school uniforms. A lot of fans who are less comfortable in the short skirts on the superhero uniforms like to make them, but they're pretty challenging to figure out from scratch.

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Janice link
8/12/2016 02:52:49 pm

Thank you so much for releasing this pattern! I've been sewing for a few years but thought I had to cobble together a figure skating pattern to be Sailor Mars... now I don't have to. I'll post pictures of it when I'm done on my blog, just waiting for the pattern to arrive now.

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    From Andrea 

    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
    The water is fine!!

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