Advice?

Hey, everyone!

I will be going to my first con since the start of my blog (although it will be my 13th con ever) in a few weeks.  I was wondering what kind of stuff you maybe wanted to see posted here afterwards?  Other than pictures of cosplayers...

I would like to do some sort of coverage that could cater to con-goers and could be enjoyed by people that don't cosplay, too.

Thanks for suggestions!  And I will try to have the "making of the panda hat" soon.  :P

Panda Hood Hat - Making the Pattern

Necessary Measurements:

~ Circumference of head

                ~ Length of face (top of forehead to bottom of chin)

                 Start with a large piece of scrap paper (I’m using wrapping paper).  I suggest something a little less than a yard long.

  1)  Place a dot near one edge of your pattern paper, then you will need to measure half of your head’s circumference (round up if you get a fraction) + 2 inches back to the other side of your pattern paper.  Place a dot there.  For example, a 23” head would be 14” (23/2=11.5, round up to 12 + 2 = 14).

2)  Measure how far back you want your ears to be from your forehead.  Add 2 inches.  Draw a line from Dot 1 that is as long as you need.  In my case, 6 inches.

3)  Draw a slightly curved line, starting at Dot 1 again, this time on the other side.  It will be the length of your face (forehead to chin).

4)  Make a curved, dotted line continuing from the “forehead to ear” line.  It’s dotted because you won’t be cutting on this line when you’re done drawing the pattern.  It’s curved because heads are round, so just make it slightly sloped, like the hood of a jacket.  To determine the length, subtract 1 inch from your “forehead to ear” measurement.

5)  Continue the gentle slope with a solid line that connects the dotted line to Dot 2, which you drew in the beginning.

6)   Draw a V-shape, using the dotted line as the “open” ends.  The “closed” end of the V should meet almost perfectly between and level with Dots 1 and 2.  This is a very important step, so make sure the V is level or else your panda ears may not fit/sit properly.

7)  This step lengthens the “face” line and straightens it out to make the collar part of the hat.  If you aren’t trying to make the 1, 2 Fanclub hat, then simply draw a 2 inch straight line from the end of your “face” line.  Otherwise, add 2 to your face measurement and make a straight line (in my case, 11 inches). 

8)  Finish connecting the remaining lines in a rectangle-shape to finish the pattern! 

9)  The ears are simple.  Measure one of the V lines of the ear seam on the hat.  Draw a line equal to that length as the base of the ear.  Then draw a big C connected to the line.  Or, if you are making a different animal, simply change the C to whatever shape you need.

When you cut out the pattern, you should have:  4 ear pieces, 2 hood pieces in lining (fleece), and 2 hood pieces in the outer part (fur).

Make sure the pieces are folded, right sides together, so that the fur pieces are not identical (you want them to have the right side (fur side) on opposite sides).  Make sure the fur is running in the same direction on both pieces!!

And now you’re one step closer to having a panda hat of your own!  Yay!  :D

Please message me with any questions and such!  Also, this will take ~1.5 yards of white fur, ~1.5 yards of white fleece, and ~1 yard of black fur (we still need to make the eyes).

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE:  I highly recommend picking up Simplicity 1795, a pattern for animal hats, and just modifying the bottom slightly to make the collar instead of arms!

Good luck!

Panda Hood Hat - Fabric Selection

General

1)  Really, you could make this out of anything you want, especially if you are just making an animal hat for fun.  However, I would say the best fabrics to use are synthetic furs and fleece.

2)  Furs look nice and give the “fluffy panda” look, while fleece is still soft and fluffy, and a cheap alternative that will look cute and awesome.

3)  Broadcloth may be too thin, but if that is your budget, or you want to make a mock-up, go ahead.

4)  I will discuss two kinds of fur and two kinds of fleece in detail.  Keep in mind, there are more options for fur types, but I prefer to buy from the store in person, rather than ordering fabric online.

  Bunny Fur

1)  This stuff is so soft!  And, don’t worry, it’s not real rabbit.  :P  It’s acrylic.

2)  The fur is kind of long and it’s quite thick; really nice stuff, but maybe too long for a panda

3)  It’s about $22 per yard

4)  Easy to find natural colors, but finding blue, pink, etc. will be hard; good thing pandas are black and white!

5)  It takes some effort (rub your fingers along it roughly) to make the furs come out, and when they do, they come out as single hairs; not clumps, making creating a bald spot unlikely.

6)  A nice amount of stretch

7)  The underside is not fur.  It’s not super soft, but it’s not nearly as scratchy as the underside as some other fabrics.  Different from what’s under upholstery vinyl, if you are familiar with that.

8)  Things tend to stick to the furs

  Cuddle Fur

1)  Not as soft as bunny fur, but still soft and comfortable.

2)  The fur is shorter and very similar to the stuff most stuffed animals are made from; great for this project

3)  It’s about $13 per yard

4)  Easy to find both natural colors and fun colors

5)  When the fur comes out, it’s often in clumps, making the creation of a bald spot more likely, but it would take lots of time and rough wear before that would happen.  Any single furs that come out are so light-weight that they float around in the air for a while and land on your other garments

6)  A nice amount of stretch, but a little less than bunny fur

7)  The back is not fur, and it is scratchier than bunny fur, but not intolerable

8)  Things stick to the short furs, but not as often, and they are easy to wipe off

  Regular Fleece

1)  Soft and can work for the inside or outside of a hat

2)  Cheaper than synthetic furs; $8 per yard

3)  If you’ve been to a con, this is what most animal hats you’ve seen in the artist alley are made of

4)  Over time and after numerous washings, it will make little fluff balls, which are unattractive

  Anti-Pill Fleece

1)  Fantastic for lining your hat and/or using for the outer part

2)  Just a little more than regular fleece; $9 per yard

3)  Lasts longer than regular fleece because it won’t make the fluff balls

4)  Visually appealing and feels better against your face, and it won’t catch on wig hairs too badly

Panda Hood Hat - Source Material

Here is a bit of info about the panda hats I will be teaching you guys how to make~!

~ Background ~

1)  From いーあるふぁんくらぶ (1, 2 Fanclub) by Mikito-P.  It can work for Rin or Gumi cosplays, or even cosplays of Len or Miku from Giga’s remix. 

2)  The costumes from the song will be featured in the upcoming 3DS game “Project Mirai 2!”

3)  Even non-cosplay related, animal hats are an adorable accessory, and often sold in the Artists’ Alley of conventions (usually made of fleece) and worn by many con-goers.  So why not have one?

  ~ Reference/Shape ~

1)  It’s a panda-shape and color scheme (obviously).

2)  Notice that the hat goes down beyond the neck to create a collar, secured by a ribbon.

3)  There is a line around the face, which means there is a seam there.  It could be interpreted as an extra circle around the hood, but I think it shows the lining; these kinds of hats are often lined, and the seam often shows when you wear it.

4)  It looks thick and warm and has a nice shape, while still being loose and comfortable.

A collection of reference pictures for the panda hats worn in 1, 2 Fanclub by Mikito-P.  Notice the front seam; it is evidence that the hood/hat is lined.

First Tutorial Coming Soon!

Okay, so the first thing I will be showing you guys how to make is... *drumroll* ...

A Panda Hat!

This particular hat is inspired by the popular Vocaloid song "1, 2, Fanclub" (AKA Iaru Fanclub, Yi Er Fanclub, or just いーあるふぁんくらぶ), sung by Gumi and Rin, and produced by Mikito-P.

I think this will be a great first tutorial because the idea is very versatile; it can be applied to making hats for any animal you want, really, just by changing the colors and ear shape.

I will organize this (and future tutorials) by:

1) Posting references and a little about the source material in one post

2) Another post about material/fabric selection

3) A post on making the pattern

4) A two- or three-step (posts) tutorial on making the actual hat

5) Wrapping everything up

Random things might happen over the time period that make me deviate a little, but that's my basic plan. Good luck to anyone that follows along, and good luck to those who find this in the future and find my tutorial helpful! ^^

Hello!

Welcome to my cosblog!  This is a huge work in progress, but I think I should post something for the time being.  

First, a small introduction.  You can call me Gnomie.  I have been cosplaying for approximately 7 years and attending anime conventions for at least 5 years.  I have experience in many fields of costume construction: making garments from scratch, altering pre-existing clothes, work with lighting, wigs, small accessories, prop weapons, and armor.  When I first got into this hobby, finding tutorials/help was difficult; nowadays, quite a few cosplayers are more than happy to share tips, which is great.  Well, basically, I plan to create tutorials as well.

Cosplay is an amazing hobby and I would love to make some sort of mark in the community, even if it is small.  My "master plan" is to have sewing/crafting tutorials, but I would like them to be multi-formatted.  Different people learn differently.  Some people do better with written descriptions and/or pictures.  Other people need to be shown the entire process, not a simple snapshot.  I want to accommodate all learning styles-- picture and written tutorials on my tumblr, plus a video tutorial on my YouTube channel (video will also be posted here).  Plus, feel free to ask questions.  I will write/say all the steps in the most basic way possible, to benefit beginners or those that don't really know sewing terminology. 

Another feature I would enjoy would be a "sew-along" for full costumes, small crafts (for example, fleece hats), or other things.  I still have to plan how to accomplish that, plus I will need a few subscribers, first.  ^^

But I would also like to please con-goers and non-cosplayers by writing a bit about cons.  I have traveled all over the United States to attending anime conventions, from Sakura-Con in Washington, to IkkiCon in Texas, and the differences and unity between two far-away places amuses me.  :P

I have big dreams for this, I know.  But, it's worth a shot!

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy my future posts!