Cosplay Builds 101 (WIP)

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Section 01: Sewing Machine Basics

 

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Setting Up Your Machine and Manuels

Machine Manuels

Brother Machines
Singer Sewing Machine Manuels
Berina Sewing Machine Manuels  

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Types of Machines

Sewing Machines
Sewing machines are your basic machine for sewing. If you want to do any work it's recommended to have this machine.

Serger
Serger is the recommended second machine you get. Unlike the sewing machine this machine helps to create finished and professional edges on a garment. Finished edges help to prevent fraying.

Embrodiery Machine
Embrodiery machines allow a person to make embrodered designs on fabric instead of having to do it by hand. This is not needed for normal cosplays. Some sewing machines have embrodery options.

Quilting Machine
Quilting machines come in a variety of styles and a sizes. Some are known as longarms and those machines are large. However, most of the smaller machines also double as a sewing machine with an extended tray to help balance projects.  

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Buying a Sewing Machine

Things to Think About When Picking a Machine

1) Do you have brand Loyality?
If you're loyal to a brand then you'll probably want to stick with that brand.

2) What do you want to do with the machine?
Are you looking to sew? What type of sewing? What about serging? What about Quilting? What about embroder?

3) What fabrics are you going to work with?
Do you want to use thick fabrics? What about thinner fabrics?

4) What Projects do you want to do?
Are you looking at quilting? what about embroder? Do you plan on starting small then going big?

5) How long do you plan on using it?
Do you plan on learning and then getting a new machine or are you intermidiate? Are you advance and looking for your lifetime partner?

6) Is this your first machine?
If this is your first machine and you're not sure how you feel about making your costumes or wether you really want to be a cosplayer, then you don't want to invest in an expensive machine. First machines are normally $150 or less.

If this is your second, third, or so on machine, then you want to increase your budget. Normally with a second machine you're looking at $500 or less, while further machines could be in the thousands of dollars.

7) What features would you like?
What stitches does it have? What goodies come with it? How much will be invested to get more items like feet or more features?

What do other cosplayers Say?

 

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Cleaning Your Machine

 

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Feet and Stitches

 

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Seams and Sewing Seams

 

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Doing Buttons/Buttonholes

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Machine Needles

Other Resources

Sew Essential
Treasurie  

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Other Sewing Features

 

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Irons

 

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WIP  

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WIP  

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WIP  

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Resources

Books

Reader's Digest: The Complete Guide to Sewing
Sewing for Dummies
Singer Photo Guide to Sewing
Make, Sew, and Mend By Bernadette Banner

Websites

Sew Essential Magazine
Threads Magazine
The Pattern Pages Magazine
Sewing Report
Peppermint Magazine
Simple Sewing Magazine
Burda Style Magazine
Classic Sewing Magazine

Youtube Channels

Seamwork
Thoughtful Creativity
The Fold Line
Evelyn Wood
Professor Pincushion
Glory Allan