McCall’s and Simplicity to Offer Cosplay Patterns

Elements of Cosplay Style gown

For those new to cosplay and costuming, the challenge of sewing an outfit can seem daunting. Help is on the way as two of the biggest pattern makers make a splash in the cosplay market.

Cosplay by McCalls logoOf the two companies, McCall’s appears to be making the biggest investment with the April launch of a special mini-site focused solely on cosplay. The pattern menu highlights corsets, capes, skirts, bustles and tunics and includes patterns from the famous cosplayer, Yaya Han. Most of the patterns will help build generic costume elements that can then be styled to a particular character. The mini site also includes a book section where you can easily purchase books for those all-important reference photos, a very inclusive convention list, and a helpful cosplayer blog with tips, photos and tutorials.

Simplicity pattern 1091For those who would like a little more guidance to a specific character design, Simplicity has teamed up with LoriAnn Costume Designs to create Dr. Who and DC villain styled costume patterns that are due out later this summer. The fun in these patterns is that they take interesting costume concepts, like hoods and bustles, and add touches of a character to help you envision the final piece.

Growing up, I remember passing time in the fabric store perusing the giant McCall’s catalog book, dreaming of the costumes I wanted to make. That no doubt lent itself to my current love of cosplay. Nowadays, I personally make most of my patterns, but in the beginning having patterns is a great place to start. Even if patterns aren’t your dish, these two sites offer lots of great sewing tips and tricks to help your project along. Happy sewing!

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Brenda Noiseux

Brenda Noiseux

Community builder, artist, convention organizer, gamer, geek writer @womenoncomics, @Sidequest_BHP. Owner, Bittenby Studios

One thought on “McCall’s and Simplicity to Offer Cosplay Patterns

  1. I know Simplicity in particular has been making costuming/cosplay patterns for a long time. Pattern designer Andrea Schewe (http://www.andreaschewedesign.com) has done several that are both historical and cosplay-oriented (GoT, PotC), and her blog is awesome for tips of how she did it, as well as insights into the pattern biz.

    As for using patterns for your cosplay, sometimes you have to be adaptable. When I made my Bitch Planet coveralls (http://sewyourcosplay.com/cosplay-bitch-planet-prison-coveralls/), I started with pajama pants because there weren’t any coverall patterns. If you can sew, you’re already there, you just have to look at the patterns in the book and see how they can be adapted. If you’re starting out, seek advice from the ladies (usually they’re women, not always) at the fabric store — can I use X fabric in this pattern? Personally, I’ve found the folks at Hancock Fabrics to be more knowledgeable and helpful than those at Joann’s, but YMMV.

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