Hi! I have boobs and I make...

[CelticRuins]

Well alright, I'll add pics as well.

I've been costuming/sewing since 2002/2003. My weapons of choice are my Brother sewing machines, fun foam, eva foam and sculpey.

I've made guns from foam and cardboard...

As well as chest plates and belts...

Helmets/armor out of vinyl and foam...

And shields...

I do FX makeup sometimes....

Sometimes I'm crazy enough to make a whole suit out of foam...(my bf's program):

Sometimes I wear wigs...

Is that enough pics now?? -_-. LOL

 

[Gizka]

It might be a good idea to find/take a sewing class and get the "feel" of what sewing SHOULD be like... learn what adjusting all those knobs really do... and then pick up an inexpensive machine. At least you won't think it's something you are doing vs what the machine is doing.

This is an excellent idea! Take a class or let a friend/family member with a sewing machine show her the basics to get the feel for how it should function. My mother showed me on her machine. And the ancient Kenmore was hers, so when I had issues I call my mom and she'd walk me through how to tweak it until I got the feel for it myself.

And now I very much want a new Janome machine and serger. Definitely going to have to try making a deal!

 

[charades]

I had a crappy Singer that I had purchased for under $100 for about two years, and I was under the impression I loathed sewing because all I used was that machine. And then I was at a friend's house and needed to hem something really quickly.

I bought a better machine the next week. Holy cripes, the difference a good machine makes is incredible. I own a Pfaff.

It's sad, I see this happening all the time. I'm active in the craft and DIY community as well as costuming, and so many people get frustrated and give up on sewing because of the initial cost and learning curve. I always try to push people to find a proper sewing machine dealer in their area. Even if you have to travel a little bit. It makes a big difference, being able to sit down and try out different machines before you make a decision.

 

[charades]

This is an excellent idea! Take a class or let a friend/family member with a sewing machine show her the basics to get the feel for how it should function. My mother showed me on her machine. And the ancient Kenmore was hers, so when I had issues I call my mom and she'd walk me through how to tweak it until I got the feel for it myself.

And now I very much want a new Janome machine and serger. Definitely going to have to try making a deal!

Also, after that first class about how to operate/maintain your machine, one of these 2 books is an invaluable resource:

Amazon.com: The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition (0635517096583): DK Publishing: Books

or

Amazon.com: The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories Updated Edition with All-New Projects and Simplicity Patterns (Reader's Digest) (9781606522080): Reader's Digest: Books

I have the first, which is out of print nowadays, but have heard the second one is an equal replacement that is easier to find as it's still in print. These are large, hardcover books with color photo step-by-step instructions for various sewing techniques.

Basically, with one of these two books, you don't really need any further practical sewing classes. You can teach yourself at home by doing.

 

[booksandcorsets]

It's sad, I see this happening all the time. I'm active in the craft and DIY community as well as costuming, and so many people get frustrated and give up on sewing because of the initial cost and learning curve. I always try to push people to find a proper sewing machine dealer in their area. Even if you have to travel a little bit. It makes a big difference, being able to sit down and try out different machines before you make a decision.

I agree--I am stubborn enough that I cranked out a corset on what I sincerely believe was the crappiest machine ever made, but anyone less stubborn would have given up after the first month. I can't even call it a good learning experience in anything other than sheer bullheadedness, and frankly I have lots of practice with that already.

 

[TheLadyNerd]

Also, post pics, don't post pics... I like it when people add photos. I find seeing the many different levels and skills of people introducing themselves makes it less intimidating. If everyone's avatar was a professionally shot, high grade costume, I'd probably be hiding under a rock and too intimidated to ever post. :| I do show my work elsewhere on the internet, and I love it here, however the fact that I, an existing member, even still feel nervous about posting some things on this particular forum is part of why this thread exists and the subject of appreciating women in the art came up in the first place.

I'm so with you on that one. I feel intimidated by so many here that I feel shy about even calling myself a costumer. I usually just participate in these forums by helping out with research or costume drawings as that's about all I can do. :unsure

Sorry, no recommendation from me. I apparently am the grim reaper to sewing machines! If I find one that can survive me, then I'll recommend it! :lol

 

[charades]

I'm so with you on that one. I feel intimidated by so many here that I feel shy about even calling myself a costumer. I usually just participate in these forums by helping out with research or costume drawings as that's about all I can do. :unsure

Sorry, no recommendation from me. I apparently am the grim reaper to sewing machines! If I find one that can survive me, then I'll recommend it! :lol

But your Coscom gallery is awesome! (Mine is stupid and has not been updated since high school because I feel I'd be ~*judged*~)

 

[Gizka]

Most of my costumes are on my facebook or other forums. Right now I could take the time to formulate a long post full of pics...OR I could work on the 5 costumes I need to finish by D*con. I choose to spend my time on the costumes. :lol

 

[FANGS]

Abby - thanks, love. That's sweet of you to say.

Iycis - My sister from another mister. You made me day when I read what you said. I enjoy our chats and I find it so amusing that we often are working on the same dang costume without even knowing it. I'm happy to help out any time, but I know that there isn't a whole lot of help that you need from anyone. In fact, I ask you questions all the time as well. That's what I love most about my costuming friends - the shared knowledge. Even just being able to talk out what is in your head to confirm that you're on the right track. Can't wait to see you soooooooon!!!!

Re: Sewing Machines - I'm a HUGE fan of Juki machines. Both my sewing machine and serger are Juki's and I love everything about them. I made a mistake earlier by buying a Singer sewing machine and serger. Not so much that they were Singer (although at the time I didn't realize that Singer doesn't actually make them anymore, it's whoever has the contact to make them at the time), but that I didn't give enough information to the sales person about just what I need a machine to do. Sewing machines typically are designed for the average home sewer. Haul it out every once in awhile and do some hemming or make some pillow covers etc. They don't expect people to do high volume with lots of varied materials.

That's not saying that an inexpensive machine won't work for you. But you really have to give them a full picture of what you want to do so they can best direct you. A good shop will help you find a machine that fits, even if it is the lowest end.

For example, when I went to buy my serger, they showed me the higher end Babylocks etc. that had air threading and all kinds of other fancy stuff. But in the end, I went with the Juki that is a big seller with the Hutterite Colonies local to our city. Why? Because they use those machines day in and day out and make everything. And if they keep going back to that make and model, that tells me that it's a workhorse. Granted, I spent $800 on it....but it wasn't the $2200+ that the other machines were worth. So do your research and get the machine that is best suited to your needs for the price you can afford. Don't let fancy tricks and gadgets sway you away from what you really need. Ask lots of questions and even walk away to think about it. Look up on line to see if that model is known for some particular issues and talk to friends or people here about experiences they've had with customer service if they've needed to use it.

 

[charades]

For example, when I went to buy my serger, they showed me the higher end Babylocks etc. that had air threading and all kinds of other fancy stuff. But in the end, I went with the Juki that is a big seller with the Hutterite Colonies local to our city. Why? Because they use those machines day in and day out and make everything. And if they keep going back to that make and model, that tells me that it's a workhorse. Granted, I spent $800 on it....but it wasn't the $2200+ that the other machines were worth. So do your research and get the machine that is best suited to your needs for the price you can afford. Don't let fancy tricks and gadgets sway you away from what you really need. Ask lots of questions and even walk away to think about it. Look up on line to see if that model is known for some particular issues and talk to friends or people here about experiences they've had with customer service if they've needed to use it.

YES. IMO, those air threading Babylocks are a RIP OFF. I thought I wanted one, then actually looked at one in person, tried it out, and it's such a waste of money I decided against it. That stupid air threading system costs you an extra $1000!

Lots of people are scared by the multiple threads and complicated looking threading diagrams of sergers, but actually, if you thread it once you never have to do it again. Most of them come threaded out of the box anyway. Just don't pull the threads out - if you want to change colors, snip the top of the old thread near the spool/cone, and knot it to the new one, then just run the machine til it only pulls the new color. I consider the sacrifice worth it just so I don't have to fiddle with tweezers.

 

[Eveningarwen]

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! So I wrote all this stuff and on posting the last comment for some reason everything was highlighted and erased when I started typing again. SIGHHHHH....

So long story short. I highly recommend the PFAFF select 1538. It's what I have and what I've always worked on and it's a beast. I've worked on Juki and singer before and I dunno....PFAFF just always did me well. Mine was $700 because we bought a floor model but it's the best money we ever spent. I have a business sewing so that machine takes quite a beating. It's sewn silk chiffon, cotton, padded canvas, leather and latex covered neoprene. I rarely service it (bad on me) and it still runs pretty strong. There is no computer screen or anything which I love because it just makes it easier to work. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to get it going and it goes for ever. I don't see any need to replace this machine any time soon and I've had it for 5 years now. But I do not recommend the PFAFF serger. Don't know why but they were always a pain to deal with. Now I do like Babylock sergers. Especially the self threading ones....but those are $1500 lol! So I stick with my given to me 1970 Babylock serger hahaha!

As for issues with sewing or crafting....Oh there are so many! So many things I suck at lol!

-Drawing
-Hand sewing, the bane of my existence
-Hems
-Patter drafting
-armor and sculpting

There's so much more but alas it may just depress me hahaha! So here are some photos!

My latest costume for my fiance, Rumpelstiltskin:

A ren faire fantasy gown for me:

A commissioned Wonder Woman:

Alice in Wonderland Movie coat:

And another fiance costume to finish, Castor from Tron:

His costumes are all my favs. My sig also has the link to my FB page with loads of all the other costumes I do and I have a build thread for our Tron costumes, Rumpelstiltskin and Wonder Woman should anyone want to see how I make stuff. Oh and for the Alice Coat as well I believe.

 

[Eveningarwen]

Lol that's so funny. After I posted I just noticed that no one loves the air threading Baby Locks....

I guess it really all boils down to experience with whatever you work with. Like I mentioned, I loved the air threading because it saved me so much time when working on them. (I don't own one but have worked on them)

I hate having to do the tie off method because it never fails that at least one thread breaks on me. Nothing is worse then having to take 20 minutes just to thread a machine. Especially when you may need 3 different colors of serger thread in one day.

But yeah, is the machine worth $1500?? Probably not. Once the machines are older and the self threading is a common thing they'll probably drop down in price anyways and then I'll get one.

The PFAFF serger I mentioned was notorious for constantly snapping threads or not being threaded easily. It was so frustrating I never used them and just did a zig zag on everything.

 

[Jathoris]

Hellos. I tend to like things that are bulky and hard to wear and tend to like things in the armor portion of costuming. Yep, have the boobs and curves part down... Probably too many curves which is why I tend to shy away from sewing and superhero sorts because lets face it. This gal is not going to be a sportin' a slave bikini here anytime soon!:lol Anyway, have been doing this for about 8 years now and really dove into this not knowing anything, just what I liked and how I wanted things to come out. A mojority of what I have learned has been trial and error by my lonesome until people began posting incredible things on youtube and related forums. Been a lurker on here for ages, but always had seemed to miss the signup times here and there and when the format changed, joined and have loved the creative world that is the RPF. I personally have met and learned so many things from being here and from many of you and look forward to meeting other creative and talented folks out there.

 

[Star Wars Chick]

Sorry, I am super late to this game, esp considering I was on Skype with Miss Abby when we were talking about how we can help build a good support for the women we KNOW are in this community and are afraid to come out and post. (And guys- for those of you arguing- this is part of why many girls don't).

I'm Star Wars Chick-I have boobs and some of you may know me formerly as Mirax H. I've been around here forever! LOL (yeah back in the days of SWFans.net!). Wanted to build a Luke saber and went looking on the internet for how to do that! Went to Celebration I in Denver and saw people in costume, specifically Princess Alderaan in her Slave Leia. I was hooked!

Not an artistic person. To quote Bones- "I'm a doctor, not a seamstress Jim!" I'm a veterinarian and a math/science person by nature, not an artist. So I can't draw, sketch, sculpt, etc. I taught myself to read patterns and sew when I realized that sewing a Lady Maul cape by hand was going to take me a year. Went to Walmart and bought a $100 sewing machine that I still have 10+ years later! I do as much as I possibly can on my suits and what I can't do, I find those who can. I really enjoy making armor, painting, I've recently sculpted my Fem Fett armor, I sewed my entire Trinity suit (I'm really proud of that one !), did all the paint on my Colonial Marine, have made lightsabers, etc.

I've been part of this community for so long, it is nice to finally have some girls around to share ideas and get help from and give help to!

p.s- I have mad dremel and sanding skills LOL!

 

[faille]

I'm Amanda, and I am a semi-vocal lurker The builds on RPF are so inspiring, which leads me to constantly planning but never actually executing on my costume ideas! I really want to make Cheetara from the 2011 cartoon and the TDKR Catwoman. Keep telling myself I'll do it after reaching my fitness goals, but there are pieces I can start on that don't require exact measurements so I think I will start on those.

I tend to procrastinate, which leads to very quickly made costumes like a Cheerio's Bee or Batgirl that have a lot of.... character..... eventually I will put up a web page where these can be shared. They certainly are NOT RPF quality, although Batgirl's cowl was inspired by a member's duct tape batman build.

My main activity I do every year is for SDCC. I make dresses out of the Comic-Con/Warner Bros. swag bags. Doing this every year has me slowly branching out and getting more creative. I'm learning so much about pattern drafting and construction and my confidence is increasing. Who knew that practice would do that!

My sewing machine is a White Jeans Machine I got for Christmas in college. It has served me well, but I need to start looking for a "real" machine. Would love one that is heavy duty but will also let me design my own embroidery. I do love my Brother 1034D serger that I bought last year.

Anyway, nice to see all the ladies come out of the woodwork!

 

[glasscannon]

Hi, I'm Samantha, I have boobs, and my boobs are the reason I sew. I wear a 28J bra size and nothing has fit me off the rack since puberty, lol. My mom taught me sewing basics when I was 8, but I started seriously sewing around age 15, starting with prom dresses (again, nothing fit) and Halloween costumes and SCA gear. 16 years later and I'm still going strong, mostly costumes for DragonCon (of which I have pictures in my profile here and over on DeviantArt) and everyday clothing to accommodate both my bust and my chronic illness joint issues (of which I have posted a bit over on my blog, though I've been too busy sewing lately to post much). Sewing is definitely my homebase and I knit as well (including occasionally for costumes), and have recently developed a love of dyeing fabric given even half an excuse. I've dabbled in corsetry, vinyl wing making, leatherworking, fabric paints, and one very interesting excursion into edible jello props. I would like to get into foam prop making soon, LEDs and other lights in the near-ish future, and maybe foam armor some day.

A couple of years ago my old White sewing machine broke down just before DragonCon, so I bit the bullet and bought a Viking Emerald 116, which I absolutely love. Two years in and I've never had a single problem with it that didn't turn out to be my fault for threading it weird. It's handled suede, pleather, coutil, chiffon, etc, without missing a beat. I wish the foot raised a bit higher (why such tiny fiddly spaces, Viking?), but that's my one and only complaint. Well that and the disapproving looks it gives me from across the room when I should be sewing but am instead posting here. And with that I suppose I should get back to it. ;D (27 days until DragonCon!)

 

[Shylaah]

Oh, wow, this is a GREAT thread. Nice to see a revealing of the Lovely Ladies of the RPF!

I'm a refugee from a couple of niche forums and finding the RPF has been both a blessing and a curse because of all the fabulous stuff that gets created here and because of all the fabulous stuff that gets created here!

My background and strongest skill set is in garment design and construction, but I've never been too much into costuming except for Halloween and I don't otherwise dress-up or cosplay. But I do enjoying sewing for myself and my home.

I've always been a "fiddler", a tinker and maker of stuff since I was wee and I find that more enjoyable and relaxing these "grown up" days than tackling bigger projects that lately I seem to have less and less time (and patients) for--something I can "fiddle" with now and then while working at the computer or in between other tasks I don't want to do!

I wish I had an iota of sculpting skills! I'd really like to learn to sculpt and mold and cast, but I have absolutely NO talent there and it really frustrates me. There are some extremely talented sculptor on here--I hate all of you! :cry

I often find myself enjoying the chase--the research and the finds--more than the actual "doing". I MUST get over this!!

I love all the fabulous costumes that you ladies create, but we need more proper ladies...uh......lady prop-ers--yeah, that's it...........lady prop-ers!

Shylaah

 

[TheLadyNerd]

Charades - Thank you! I just don't feel like a true costumer because I don't actually sew or make props. I just team up with ladies who've been sewing for 40+ years and help them with the small tasks (like cutting out fabric or pinning patterns). I'm just an artist/model who likes wearing costumes when I can get the chance.

Gizka - *applauds*

Evening Arwen - Ah, another one of my favourite costumers. Beautiful work on the Rumpelstilskin costume. That coat looks like it probably took forever! I love the flow of the Ren Faire fantasy gown too. You look like a dream. And that Alice coat looks darn near perfect!

faille - Oh you and me both! I feel like I could've written the first part of your post. I've started a number of threads on here, with good intention to finish the costume...only never have. :/ Good luck with your Cheetara and Catwoman! One of these days I really want to do Pumyra.

 

[Gizka]

I often find myself enjoying the chase--the research and the finds--more than the actual "doing". I MUST get over this!

^THIS! I have such issues with this! I think it has to do with my science and research background. I'll decide I love a costume, either for myself for my hubby, then spend hours researching the heck out of it, tracking down where to get parts, planning in my head how to do it, etc. Then I'll look at my current project list and decide I don't have time to do it. Meanwhile I've wasted so many hours that could have been used to be productive! :facepalm

 

[dr whodat]

I'm in awe of all the amazingly talented ladies on here. I'm really good at the hunting, tracking and research parts of costuming, while my husband does most of our prop/armor building AND sewing, but I'm learning both. I'm inspired by the depth of talents in this thread alone