Note: A lot of cosplay fabrics, especially leather look, latex, and vinyl fabrics do not take well to pinning as the pins will leave permanent holes in the finished surface of the fabric. In these cases small office supply binder clips are a decent stand in.
I love how well you phrased this - I'm someone who's afraid of wasting time and material creating something ugly, but the only way to get any good at sewing is to just do it and make that ugly thing or failed project. I've learned a lot through my sewing failures but I've also had sewing successes in which I've learned a lot. Thanks for passing on this wisdom to future sewists!
I’m a seamstress as my day job and this is the best beginner sewing guide I’ve ever seen. Going to recommend this video to everyone who asks me “how do I start doing what you do?”
Seam ripper is an absolute MUST, not least because there's a lot of good cosplay/larp stuff to be found in thrift stores. Being able to carefully take parts off of clothes is super helpful.
on commercial patterns dont worry if you manage to mess up along the way!! the steps are really confusing!! im at university for costume making, it is literally my job and ive been sewing for more than half my life and i still look at the instructions on commercial patterns and have to figure out how to translate them into english.
@@dandadamo4299 yo! sorry for the delay youtubes shit. im in the uk so imagine itll be different depending on where you are but here you pick one subject and thats all you learn and some of our unis (tho not many) offer costume design and some (like mine) allow an option to focus more specifically on the making side of things
@@dandadamo4299 this is late af, but just in case someone else with a similar question stumbles on this thread, yes you can definitely go and study sewing/fashion/costume design at uni/college! either through community college, specialized art schools, or occasionally even regular old universities!
Something to add as someone who just sews clothes: if you plan to work with heavy fabrics often get a vintage machine. I found a 1930 singer model 66 machine for $50 a few years ago that will go through anything assuming I use the right needle, my one year old Brother machine can do lots of interesting things and even useful ones, like buttonholes, but only in a max of 4 layers of quilting cotton... quick note though make sure it's been rewired or go get it rewired, 60 to 90 year old wiring isn't necessarily safe... table machines can even double as end tables :)
lkmcclellan 124 this!!! i’ve got a reasonably new brother too - i love it dearly and it works beautifully for all sorts of things, but if i have to sew something thick i always turn to my 70-ish year old elna machine that i bought for £10 from a lady at a craft fair because she desperately wanted to be rid of it! it’s cast iron and ridiculously heavy so it’s basically indestructible!
Me: absolutely took an entire semester of Costuming so have a great handle on sewing clothes. Also me: clicks on the video anyway bc Ginny deserves the views/support.
I love this video! I've been sewing almost 20 years, but still watched the entire thing :) I get questions often on my channel for tips for ultra beginners and I'll definitely be sharing this video with them!
Every day I thank the universe that I have a sister who is a professional costumer and was able to teach me the basics of sewing. Super awesome of you to make a video to help people with basics to get started.
for sewing machines my favs are the second hand school ones, they are very easy to use, near on indestructible and if they do break then you can fix them quite easy. Mine came from an old teacher who taught me so I don't know how easy they are able to get a hold on in real life.
What brand is stamped on them? If it's not worn off. There may also be a metal panel on the inside with model numbers, part numbers bran names, years dates, etc.
Having just stared sewing for cosplay I literally spent 1 hour reading one step of the first commercial pattern I sewed (a school blazer for an Umbrella Academy cosplay). It took me that long to figure out that the collar band they were talking about was in fact the collar stand and yes it is possible to see two very different lengths of material together to make something that seriously looked impossible to me. So much to learn haha. Great tips!
I had four sisters growing up, and while I did learn to work doing things like construction, ditch digging, pipe laying and that suck, I also learned the more 'feminine' skills, which often people teased me about, like learning to cook and sew. Now those same people say. "Damn, I wish learned to cook or sew, I wouldn't be eating ramen noodles or have to get new pants every time they rip." 😂 I would suggest embroidering to new sewers, you can get iron-on patterns that you simply put the thread through a flat single piece of fabric, this will help you learn to control the needle better. After your fairly good at that, pillowcases and drawstring pouches are a good thing to follow up with. Once you're comfortable with those it's really your choice where to go. Of course, this is all hand stitching that I do, using a machine may be different.
I've always believed what my grandpa said: "everyone should be more self sufficient" XD I loved home ec as a kid, but sadly that class seems to have gone away in most areas in the US (not sure where you're from) I've fixed all my holes in the pants, and enjoy cooking--often experimentally, to my friends delight or chagrin--and take it as a compliment when people come to me to fix tears in their clothes.
@@DerJagerlord I'm from America as well. I never learned any of that in school. It was all learned from family and self-taught, trial and error. The more you can do for yourself the better. My family abandoned me every time I needed them and came to me running when they needed something. I learned fairly early on that you can't rely on others. You never know when they'll let you sink because they think it's easier.
I've been sewing for 6 years but this is a great refresher and a great introduction for anyone new to jumping in! Simply presented and you were thorough without being overwhelming. Lovely job, Ginny!
Thank you so much for making this! I’ve been wanting to make cosplays for years and I’ve always been so scared because it seems too difficult. Last year I panic made a Katara costume for Halloween completely by eye and guesswork in three days with absolutely no clue what I was doing on my granny’s vintage sewing machine that I managed to break in the process 😅 and I’ve been too scared (and also lacking an operational sewing machine..) to do anything since, but starting is always the scariest part and you’ve just made it sound a whole lot better! I think I might try find some sewing patterns and see if I can properly learn some of the basics and see where it takes me!
Ginny, you're an amazing and helpful person. We all have down days, but when you do, remember how many people you've helped with stuff like this. Myself included.
My mom sews and has a sewing machine and most of these supplies. Actually when I was like 7 I wanted to be a fashion designer 😂 I'm not into that stuff anymore and I'm now a huge weeb and I wanna be a cosplayer.. My mom is kind of lazy Tbh and got frustrated trying to help me learn to crochet and that never worked out... But maybe she'll help me or even my grandma could try and help me. Thanks for making this vid it was really helpful to me too 😀
My grandmother taught me a lot about sewing and embroidery as a wee little lamb, and almost all of the threads and pins and needles that I have come from her, still. I haven't sewn anything in quite a few years, but its always in the back of my mind that I want to pick it up again.
I've been meaning to learn to sew for a while now, not just for cosplay, but to teach myself a new skill and maybe make myself a couple of custom pieces here and there as well. Admittedly I've always found it really daunting, but this video makes me feel a lot better about it. Thanks Ginny!
I studied fashion design and am still terrible at sewing. Sometimes it's a blow to my self esteem (you'd think four years would make you good right?) but as I relearn techniques I remember that future me will be so happy I took the time. Thank you so much for this video, I don't know why I clicked on it given that I own all the tools you mentioned and much more... but I think I needed the reassurance. Love your videos!
holy, this video really puts into perspective how lucky i am to have learned all that in school and that my mom has a sewing and a seam sewing machine just standing around
I started sewing years ago on a cheap 100 dollar Brother machine from Walmart and it worked so well. It was sturdy and simple and easy to use. I later got a fancier brother model from costco that does embroidery as well. It's definitely a reliable brand and you can get needles and stuff f or it cheap at places like walmart.
As someone who only has a little bit of sewing knowledge, this vid has been very helpful in keeping me going! Material knowledge is such a tricky thing. 900th like :O
I also learnt the basics from my mom (and grandma) but also at school. So I never thought much about it. So it was easy to start doing cosplay. Mom, grandma I'm so thankfull🙏
Another tip for anyone starting out: Don't try to make something complicated (like a shirt...) in one day... did that once and was up until 4am and needed to be at work for 9am that day... It's better to take your time if you can.
Ur the most encouraging utuber I have ever seen......you actually say the truth with alot of encouraging so that nobody is hurt or get discouraged.....I hope u keep posting videos like this.....I'm your new subscriber 🥰😇😁😁
For my 11th birthday my parents bought me a sewing machine. I started making my own clothes out of drapes and bedsheets right away. I've never really used commercial patterns because they are very confusing. I always draft my own patterns. I got into cosplay about 5 years ago with 6 years of sewing under my belt so it really did give me a jump start that a lot of new cosplayers don't have.
I'm actually embroidering a baby blanket for a friend right now, and it's incredible to see it go from a traced blue pattern to a colored, filled design. I don't have an embroidery machine, far too expensive for me currently, but I prefer the hand-sewn look for a couple reasons. 1. It's a gift, it should look handmade. And 2. I just think that hand-sewing, or embroidering in my case, something is a way to show that little bit extra how much you care for someone.
As far as patterns go, Hey Cut/Sew is an indie pattern company that offers cosplay and j-fashion inspired patterns printed on 30 lb bond paper (which is thick and sturdy compared to regular pattern tissue) and the online instructions are fairly easy to follow.
Thanks Ginny. You’re awesome. Thank you for being open and honest with your sharing about cosplay and your life. FYI it’s Thursday so enjoy EP77 if you watch live.
halloween is a great opportunity! or show them some very popular cosplayers to show how it's not a waste of money. i've been cosplaying for around a year and i convinced them after going to a con or two!
If you ever get a chance I think it'd be really neat if you could do even a short video explaining how to sew some of the basic stitches. I find the way you explain things really easy to follow so it might be nice to have that basic understanding before I try to sew anything complex. Really loving your videos :)))
I learned how to handsew in primary school and then got better at it to be able to repair my clothes so I don't have to buy new ones so often... when I started Cosplay about a year ago, I wanted to learn how to sew with a sewing machine, and my parents kindly gifted me one for christmas. Sadly, because of my gratuation coming up etc. I only now get to practice regularly with it so I'm still quite new to machine-sewing... so even though I have some basic knowlede about sewing, I am so glad and so thankful about this video! 🥰🙈😊
Oh man. I remember my first garment, couldn't even wear it Haha... Today I just made a pattern by draping it. In my experience sewing has just been a bunch of trial and error. This video definitely rings true to my experience learning to sew, its uncanny. Definitely wish I saw this when I was first learning,its very motivating.
I was taught how to sew(With a sewing machine I still own and is still in almost good as new condition) around 7 years ago, and I haven’t touched the machine since, so as you can see, I clearly need a huge refresher-
A great alternative to pins is sewing clips! They're sold under the brand name wonder clips sometimes, but you can buy them off-brand for cheaper. They're great for people like me who got jabbed one too many times when trying to do fittings, or got tired of dropping pins on the floor and playing the "let's see if I can find this pin before I get stabbed in the foot" game, or people with pets who might be paranoid that your pet will find a dropped pin before you do and seriously injure themselves. Personally, I've also had instances where the clips actually held my fabric together better than a pin did--pins would just slide right out, but clips held it in place. (This could very well be a case of using the wrong type of pin, or something, but...that's a whole other discussion haha.) Downsides: They're larger, which means they're harder to store than pins, but it also means they're easier to find if you drop them, and to me that more than makes up for it. Some people also say they're harder to sew with since you can't sew over them like you can with pins, but I always heard it was bad to sew over your pins since you can snap your needle, so that wasn't a concern for me either way!
I like sewing clips for very specific things (like securing two knits or another fiddly fabric) but they're not a complete replacement for pins, because you can't use them when, for example, cutting out pattern pieces. I think pins are the staple, and sewing clips are a potential later addition if they become useful.
Thanks for this! It helped alot! (Wholesome warning!!) My dad saw me sewing a Kokichi Ouma cosplay and decided to help me and bought me the fabric! He now helps me make cosplays ❤❤
This video actually couldn't have come at a better time. I've been struggling with the motivation to start what is undoubtedly my most sewing-intensive cosplay yet because the pattern SCARES me (I have to do a coat and waistcoat and the most I've done before is a really simple tunic) but this, weirdly, has eased my fears.
Definitely suggest Wonder Clips along with pins. You can get 100+ for less than $10 on Amazon. They don't poke you, are super fast to apply, and hold firmly. I also suggest looking at online PDF patterns. I have found them MUCH better than paper patterns. For learning basics, there are a lot of free patterns out there.
@@redrenegade13 oh, and each of the companies mentioned usually have a few free patterns, and run sales. Their facebook groups usually have codes for the free patterns.
I'm so glad this is the first video I watched to start getting into sewing! I was really nervous going into this but you went through everything so calmy and made sure to emphazie it's okay to make mistakes.
Wow, I feel better equipped than I thought I was with most of materials, RUclips tutorials, and a high school home ed class. Just need to practice more regularly! Love your shirt btw :)
Thanks for this video! I just got back from Dragon Con and have started thinking about cosplays for next year, and I realized I have never sewed more than a patch or button. P.S. I only saw you once at Dragon Con across the room when I was going down an elevator, so I didn't get to say hi.
Also if you need hands on help, look out for a sewing cafe (not sure how common they are, but there is one reasonably close to me) where you can go in, have a go at a sewing machine where a few ladies are around to help while you get sorted. Or just talk needles while eating cake.
I found your channel at the perfect time. Just got into cosplay this year and sewing is next as a building skill. I’m relieved that I’ve already gathered all the tools you recommend so I can proceed with more confidence while I learn!
the mindset of "the only way future you will know a skill is if you take the time to learn it" is honestly the most encouraging and liberating thing for any craft. there are so many projects I want to make but I'm intimidated by one or two parts of it, but then I'm like "well you want to be able to make clothing with invisible zippers (or whatever) at some point, might as well start now."
You did such a wonderful job of making this beginner friendly in the sense that you broke down the simplest aspects without making it seem like I’m stupid for not knowing😂❤ I appreciate this video so much!
Hi! Im new to this channel but i really love the tips and tricks you list in your videos! I want to get into cosplay and the way you word everything is so easy to understand and I really appriciate that you make these for bigginers and maybe experts as well.
My mom and grandma both sewed and I always had an interest in it but never pursued it because I never saw the need for it. But now, I've been cosplaying for a while and I don't want to wear any more Amazon costumes. I want to make my own that fits my body perfectly and that I can be proud of wearing. I know I will probably fail 100 times before I feel good enough to wear anything out, but I know in the end I'll be able to create something beautiful.
I can't currently buy a machine (I'm living back with my parents and there physically isn't enough space) but I still managed to do a bunch of cosplay without it! It is absolutely quicker to learn on a machine, but don't let a lack of access to one stop you from getting started, either! If nothing else, when you do get a machine, sewing a seam in less than an hour will feel like total magic ;)
This is such good and helpful video Ginny! I've sewed on and off for the last couple of years, and I'm just picking it up more seriously again as I prepare for a LARP I'll be attending early next year! It's scary and exciting taking on crazy projects, but seeing your amazing work I am filled with inspiration! Can't wait for the next video :)) x
Great video! I've been learning to sew for a year now with the intention of cosplay... eventually 😅 From experience I would highly recommend not using sheets bought at a thrift/op shop. The fabric is generally not straight and the results for me varied. As you recommended just buying a cheap test fabric is really the best option. I found calico worked very well as it held it's a bit firmer and holds its shape well. Just my 2 cents! Cheers
My sewing machine is a miniature £20 thing from Tesco’s, it’s temperamental but it certainly does its job. Good quality machinery doesn’t always mean good quality costumes. Though it can help.
Thank you for this! I’m starting to learn so I can hand make my own corsets with synthetic whalebone. (And then cosplay after that!) Videos like these are super useful! ❤️
Sewing machine repair shops typically know local sewing groups. Plus they can clean and service a second-hand machine that you picked up from the thrift store. Also local libraries will have connections to at least one sewing group that are open to beginners.
I think showing the process of creating a garment would be really helpful. I'm still a bit confused on how to measure for myself once I get to that point, and you phrase it really well. ❤👌
It's gonna be different for every garment, but you can definitely look up instructions on how to measure yourself - there are plenty of videos like that!!
I love this video it's going to be my first time sewing thank you for these tips and for the things I need some of this I did not know anyway have a good day/night. :D
First, sorry for the kratos vibe comment Second, i LOVE the way you express on your videos, fluid and really smooth 3 im not a cosplayer, but i know many i many who maybe will start for you or your videos, so... im sharing and hoping help you to grow on youtube at least, because as human you are huge! Thanks and cheers!
I would recomend going for a second-hand machine, perferably pre-1975 for ease of use and low maintenance. There are lot of good brands out there, but the ones I have experience with, and have found to be very good, are Singer and Bernina.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Note: A lot of cosplay fabrics, especially leather look, latex, and vinyl fabrics do not take well to pinning as the pins will leave permanent holes in the finished surface of the fabric. In these cases small office supply binder clips are a decent stand in.
THANK YOU, saved me from future mistakes
I love how well you phrased this - I'm someone who's afraid of wasting time and material creating something ugly, but the only way to get any good at sewing is to just do it and make that ugly thing or failed project. I've learned a lot through my sewing failures but I've also had sewing successes in which I've learned a lot. Thanks for passing on this wisdom to future sewists!
I’m a seamstress as my day job and this is the best beginner sewing guide I’ve ever seen. Going to recommend this video to everyone who asks me “how do I start doing what you do?”
Seam ripper is an absolute MUST, not least because there's a lot of good cosplay/larp stuff to be found in thrift stores. Being able to carefully take parts off of clothes is super helpful.
Especially when you have such little materials to work with
True! I'm on a budget and tiny nail scissors do a good job too though.
@@notnanni in a lot of sewing places you can sometimes find them for as little as 20p!
Oh no, I'm a mom sewing matching Easter clothes for my kids 😂
Bless you haha it's one of the cutest things I've ever heard (and never seen sadly) 😂
julie why
Bravo x
Hahaha, that whould be considered cosplay aswell.
Hahaha, that whould be considered cosplay aswell.
on commercial patterns dont worry if you manage to mess up along the way!! the steps are really confusing!! im at university for costume making, it is literally my job and ive been sewing for more than half my life and i still look at the instructions on commercial patterns and have to figure out how to translate them into english.
Wait, you said university for costume making? I'm in high school and I've been high key wondering if that's even possible. Could you elaborate?
that is very encouraging...thank you for that
@@dandadamo4299 yo! sorry for the delay youtubes shit. im in the uk so imagine itll be different depending on where you are but here you pick one subject and thats all you learn and some of our unis (tho not many) offer costume design and some (like mine) allow an option to focus more specifically on the making side of things
@@dandadamo4299 this is late af, but just in case someone else with a similar question stumbles on this thread, yes you can definitely go and study sewing/fashion/costume design at uni/college! either through community college, specialized art schools, or occasionally even regular old universities!
I love that mentality! Put in the time now so that future you already knows how. Never heard it worded that way, but it’s great:)
Something to add as someone who just sews clothes: if you plan to work with heavy fabrics often get a vintage machine. I found a 1930 singer model 66 machine for $50 a few years ago that will go through anything assuming I use the right needle, my one year old Brother machine can do lots of interesting things and even useful ones, like buttonholes, but only in a max of 4 layers of quilting cotton... quick note though make sure it's been rewired or go get it rewired, 60 to 90 year old wiring isn't necessarily safe... table machines can even double as end tables :)
lkmcclellan 124 this!!! i’ve got a reasonably new brother too - i love it dearly and it works beautifully for all sorts of things, but if i have to sew something thick i always turn to my 70-ish year old elna machine that i bought for £10 from a lady at a craft fair because she desperately wanted to be rid of it! it’s cast iron and ridiculously heavy so it’s basically indestructible!
Ginny Di: Needles have a hole and pins have balls.
Me (taking notes): "Pins are male needles."
😂😅
Medieval Terrence omg 😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 this made me laugh
Brilliant.
🤣🤣
Me: absolutely took an entire semester of Costuming so have a great handle on sewing clothes.
Also me: clicks on the video anyway bc Ginny deserves the views/support.
I love this video! I've been sewing almost 20 years, but still watched the entire thing :) I get questions often on my channel for tips for ultra beginners and I'll definitely be sharing this video with them!
Every day I thank the universe that I have a sister who is a professional costumer and was able to teach me the basics of sewing. Super awesome of you to make a video to help people with basics to get started.
YOUR SEAM RIPPER HAS A GORGEOUS HANDLE OMG I'M SO JEALOUS!
IT'S MY MOM'S, it's really heavy, too!! Mine is boring and plastic.
I'm so glad someone else said it. XD
I was like "WHERE. I HAVE A MIGHTY NEEEEED!"
Also, Ginny, your mom seems cool
I was so excited when I saw this pop up because I have been telling my husband that I need to learn sewing but didn't know where to start! Thanks!!
I wish I wasnt afraid of sewing machines lol
for sewing machines my favs are the second hand school ones, they are very easy to use, near on indestructible and if they do break then you can fix them quite easy. Mine came from an old teacher who taught me so I don't know how easy they are able to get a hold on in real life.
What brand is stamped on them? If it's not worn off. There may also be a metal panel on the inside with model numbers, part numbers bran names, years dates, etc.
Having just stared sewing for cosplay I literally spent 1 hour reading one step of the first commercial pattern I sewed (a school blazer for an Umbrella Academy cosplay). It took me that long to figure out that the collar band they were talking about was in fact the collar stand and yes it is possible to see two very different lengths of material together to make something that seriously looked impossible to me. So much to learn haha. Great tips!
I had four sisters growing up, and while I did learn to work doing things like construction, ditch digging, pipe laying and that suck, I also learned the more 'feminine' skills, which often people teased me about, like learning to cook and sew. Now those same people say. "Damn, I wish learned to cook or sew, I wouldn't be eating ramen noodles or have to get new pants every time they rip." 😂
I would suggest embroidering to new sewers, you can get iron-on patterns that you simply put the thread through a flat single piece of fabric, this will help you learn to control the needle better. After your fairly good at that, pillowcases and drawstring pouches are a good thing to follow up with. Once you're comfortable with those it's really your choice where to go. Of course, this is all hand stitching that I do, using a machine may be different.
I've always believed what my grandpa said: "everyone should be more self sufficient" XD
I loved home ec as a kid, but sadly that class seems to have gone away in most areas in the US (not sure where you're from)
I've fixed all my holes in the pants, and enjoy cooking--often experimentally, to my friends delight or chagrin--and take it as a compliment when people come to me to fix tears in their clothes.
@@DerJagerlord I'm from America as well. I never learned any of that in school. It was all learned from family and self-taught, trial and error. The more you can do for yourself the better. My family abandoned me every time I needed them and came to me running when they needed something. I learned fairly early on that you can't rely on others. You never know when they'll let you sink because they think it's easier.
I've been sewing for 6 years but this is a great refresher and a great introduction for anyone new to jumping in! Simply presented and you were thorough without being overwhelming. Lovely job, Ginny!
Thank you so much for making this! I’ve been wanting to make cosplays for years and I’ve always been so scared because it seems too difficult. Last year I panic made a Katara costume for Halloween completely by eye and guesswork in three days with absolutely no clue what I was doing on my granny’s vintage sewing machine that I managed to break in the process 😅 and I’ve been too scared (and also lacking an operational sewing machine..) to do anything since, but starting is always the scariest part and you’ve just made it sound a whole lot better! I think I might try find some sewing patterns and see if I can properly learn some of the basics and see where it takes me!
Ginny, you're an amazing and helpful person. We all have down days, but when you do, remember how many people you've helped with stuff like this. Myself included.
I started with the $20 sewing machine, I love it and learned a lot.
My mom sews and has a sewing machine and most of these supplies. Actually when I was like 7 I wanted to be a fashion designer 😂 I'm not into that stuff anymore and I'm now a huge weeb and I wanna be a cosplayer.. My mom is kind of lazy Tbh and got frustrated trying to help me learn to crochet and that never worked out... But maybe she'll help me or even my grandma could try and help me. Thanks for making this vid it was really helpful to me too 😀
My grandmother taught me a lot about sewing and embroidery as a wee little lamb, and almost all of the threads and pins and needles that I have come from her, still. I haven't sewn anything in quite a few years, but its always in the back of my mind that I want to pick it up again.
This came at the perfect time, I just got a sewing machine for my birthday and tomorrow I'm finally going to test it out
I've been meaning to learn to sew for a while now, not just for cosplay, but to teach myself a new skill and maybe make myself a couple of custom pieces here and there as well. Admittedly I've always found it really daunting, but this video makes me feel a lot better about it. Thanks Ginny!
love that you tell the truth in a simple easy to understand manner. there is no magic pill, you must learn by doing, keep up the good work
I studied fashion design and am still terrible at sewing. Sometimes it's a blow to my self esteem (you'd think four years would make you good right?) but as I relearn techniques I remember that future me will be so happy I took the time. Thank you so much for this video, I don't know why I clicked on it given that I own all the tools you mentioned and much more... but I think I needed the reassurance. Love your videos!
Hope this video stays without dislikes
holy, this video really puts into perspective how lucky i am to have learned all that in school and that my mom has a sewing and a seam sewing machine just standing around
I started sewing years ago on a cheap 100 dollar Brother machine from Walmart and it worked so well. It was sturdy and simple and easy to use. I later got a fancier brother model from costco that does embroidery as well. It's definitely a reliable brand and you can get needles and stuff f or it cheap at places like walmart.
As someone who only has a little bit of sewing knowledge, this vid has been very helpful in keeping me going! Material knowledge is such a tricky thing.
900th like :O
I also learnt the basics from my mom (and grandma) but also at school. So I never thought much about it. So it was easy to start doing cosplay. Mom, grandma I'm so thankfull🙏
Another tip for anyone starting out: Don't try to make something complicated (like a shirt...) in one day... did that once and was up until 4am and needed to be at work for 9am that day... It's better to take your time if you can.
Having watched you do it on stream, a crash course in pattern draping video would be great!
Thanks for making this sewing Mom :)
Ur the most encouraging utuber I have ever seen......you actually say the truth with alot of encouraging so that nobody is hurt or get discouraged.....I hope u keep posting videos like this.....I'm your new subscriber 🥰😇😁😁
This video is timed perfectly because I'm learning to sew now! I'm so excited!
For my 11th birthday my parents bought me a sewing machine. I started making my own clothes out of drapes and bedsheets right away. I've never really used commercial patterns because they are very confusing. I always draft my own patterns. I got into cosplay about 5 years ago with 6 years of sewing under my belt so it really did give me a jump start that a lot of new cosplayers don't have.
I really want to start learning to sew for cosplay, and this was really informative, especially for somebody like me who is a beginning! Thank you!
I'm actually embroidering a baby blanket for a friend right now, and it's incredible to see it go from a traced blue pattern to a colored, filled design. I don't have an embroidery machine, far too expensive for me currently, but I prefer the hand-sewn look for a couple reasons. 1. It's a gift, it should look handmade. And 2. I just think that hand-sewing, or embroidering in my case, something is a way to show that little bit extra how much you care for someone.
As far as patterns go, Hey Cut/Sew is an indie pattern company that offers cosplay and j-fashion inspired patterns printed on 30 lb bond paper (which is thick and sturdy compared to regular pattern tissue) and the online instructions are fairly easy to follow.
tysm for this!! ive always wanted to make my own cosplays and clothing in general and this helped me a lot
Thanks Ginny. You’re awesome. Thank you for being open and honest with your sharing about cosplay and your life. FYI it’s Thursday so enjoy EP77 if you watch live.
The thing is. I’m only 12-13 years old and my parents would never buy stuff for cosplay because they think it’s a waste of money
Maggie_Playz_Gacha say you wan to sew clothes. Halloween is also a good time to ask for things.
halloween is a great opportunity! or show them some very popular cosplayers to show how it's not a waste of money. i've been cosplaying for around a year and i convinced them after going to a con or two!
Same! So if I learn I'm Going to start making my own!! :D
Knowledge is never a waste of money. ;)
I have the same problem. Worst of all, Halloween isn’t even a thing in my country. I dunno what I should do but yeah
If you ever get a chance I think it'd be really neat if you could do even a short video explaining how to sew some of the basic stitches. I find the way you explain things really easy to follow so it might be nice to have that basic understanding before I try to sew anything complex. Really loving your videos :)))
I recently purchased a sewing machine specifically for cosmaking. I'm very excited to start learning!
really luv the tree planting proverb and "future me" learning idea
I'm just starting out on my sewing journey myself and this all seems like excellent advice! Thank you!
I learned how to handsew in primary school and then got better at it to be able to repair my clothes so I don't have to buy new ones so often... when I started Cosplay about a year ago, I wanted to learn how to sew with a sewing machine, and my parents kindly gifted me one for christmas. Sadly, because of my gratuation coming up etc. I only now get to practice regularly with it so I'm still quite new to machine-sewing... so even though I have some basic knowlede about sewing, I am so glad and so thankful about this video! 🥰🙈😊
Oh man. I remember my first garment, couldn't even wear it Haha... Today I just made a pattern by draping it. In my experience sewing has just been a bunch of trial and error.
This video definitely rings true to my experience learning to sew, its uncanny. Definitely wish I saw this when I was first learning,its very motivating.
Using old bed sheets is actually pretty smart, never thought of that 🤔
i learned from my mom as well. i've been sewing since i was 9 and i still constantly make mistakes. learning more is always a good decision.
I was taught how to sew(With a sewing machine I still own and is still in almost good as new condition) around 7 years ago, and I haven’t touched the machine since, so as you can see, I clearly need a huge refresher-
A great alternative to pins is sewing clips! They're sold under the brand name wonder clips sometimes, but you can buy them off-brand for cheaper. They're great for people like me who got jabbed one too many times when trying to do fittings, or got tired of dropping pins on the floor and playing the "let's see if I can find this pin before I get stabbed in the foot" game, or people with pets who might be paranoid that your pet will find a dropped pin before you do and seriously injure themselves. Personally, I've also had instances where the clips actually held my fabric together better than a pin did--pins would just slide right out, but clips held it in place. (This could very well be a case of using the wrong type of pin, or something, but...that's a whole other discussion haha.)
Downsides: They're larger, which means they're harder to store than pins, but it also means they're easier to find if you drop them, and to me that more than makes up for it. Some people also say they're harder to sew with since you can't sew over them like you can with pins, but I always heard it was bad to sew over your pins since you can snap your needle, so that wasn't a concern for me either way!
I like sewing clips for very specific things (like securing two knits or another fiddly fabric) but they're not a complete replacement for pins, because you can't use them when, for example, cutting out pattern pieces. I think pins are the staple, and sewing clips are a potential later addition if they become useful.
Thanks for this! It helped alot!
(Wholesome warning!!)
My dad saw me sewing a Kokichi Ouma cosplay and decided to help me and bought me the fabric! He now helps me make cosplays ❤❤
This video actually couldn't have come at a better time. I've been struggling with the motivation to start what is undoubtedly my most sewing-intensive cosplay yet because the pattern SCARES me (I have to do a coat and waistcoat and the most I've done before is a really simple tunic) but this, weirdly, has eased my fears.
Definitely suggest Wonder Clips along with pins. You can get 100+ for less than $10 on Amazon. They don't poke you, are super fast to apply, and hold firmly.
I also suggest looking at online PDF patterns. I have found them MUCH better than paper patterns. For learning basics, there are a lot of free patterns out there.
What source do you use for getting free PDF patterns? I've found a few on Pinterest so far, but I'm plus size so it's very hard to find cute options.
@@redrenegade13 oh, and each of the companies mentioned usually have a few free patterns, and run sales. Their facebook groups usually have codes for the free patterns.
I'm so glad this is the first video I watched to start getting into sewing! I was really nervous going into this but you went through everything so calmy and made sure to emphazie it's okay to make mistakes.
Wow, I feel better equipped than I thought I was with most of materials, RUclips tutorials, and a high school home ed class. Just need to practice more regularly! Love your shirt btw :)
Thanks for this video! I just got back from Dragon Con and have started thinking about cosplays for next year, and I realized I have never sewed more than a patch or button.
P.S. I only saw you once at Dragon Con across the room when I was going down an elevator, so I didn't get to say hi.
Also if you need hands on help, look out for a sewing cafe (not sure how common they are, but there is one reasonably close to me) where you can go in, have a go at a sewing machine where a few ladies are around to help while you get sorted. Or just talk needles while eating cake.
I found your channel at the perfect time. Just got into cosplay this year and sewing is next as a building skill. I’m relieved that I’ve already gathered all the tools you recommend so I can proceed with more confidence while I learn!
the mindset of "the only way future you will know a skill is if you take the time to learn it" is honestly the most encouraging and liberating thing for any craft. there are so many projects I want to make but I'm intimidated by one or two parts of it, but then I'm like "well you want to be able to make clothing with invisible zippers (or whatever) at some point, might as well start now."
You did such a wonderful job of making this beginner friendly in the sense that you broke down the simplest aspects without making it seem like I’m stupid for not knowing😂❤ I appreciate this video so much!
I do love the variety of your videos.
I misread the title: A beginners guide to learning to science: clicked the video, then it had me in stitches.
This was so informative. Thank you for sharing what cheap alternative fabric to get in order to not waste the pricey one! Thank you so much!
Hi! Im new to this channel but i really love the tips and tricks you list in your videos! I want to get into cosplay and the way you word everything is so easy to understand and I really appriciate that you make these for bigginers and maybe experts as well.
omg i am obsessed with your beautiful seam ripper!!!
My mom and grandma both sewed and I always had an interest in it but never pursued it because I never saw the need for it. But now, I've been cosplaying for a while and I don't want to wear any more Amazon costumes. I want to make my own that fits my body perfectly and that I can be proud of wearing. I know I will probably fail 100 times before I feel good enough to wear anything out, but I know in the end I'll be able to create something beautiful.
I can't currently buy a machine (I'm living back with my parents and there physically isn't enough space) but I still managed to do a bunch of cosplay without it! It is absolutely quicker to learn on a machine, but don't let a lack of access to one stop you from getting started, either! If nothing else, when you do get a machine, sewing a seam in less than an hour will feel like total magic ;)
This is such good and helpful video Ginny! I've sewed on and off for the last couple of years, and I'm just picking it up more seriously again as I prepare for a LARP I'll be attending early next year! It's scary and exciting taking on crazy projects, but seeing your amazing work I am filled with inspiration! Can't wait for the next video :)) x
THIS is the kind of motivation we need
As someone with little experience trying to get into costuming-thank thank you thank you so much aaaahhh
Great video! I've been learning to sew for a year now with the intention of cosplay... eventually 😅
From experience I would highly recommend not using sheets bought at a thrift/op shop. The fabric is generally not straight and the results for me varied.
As you recommended just buying a cheap test fabric is really the best option. I found calico worked very well as it held it's a bit firmer and holds its shape well.
Just my 2 cents! Cheers
I am truley humbled by this video thankyou.
I wanna get into design and cosplay and I've asked my mom who's a trained seamstess and I'm so glad I have her to look over what I'm doing
I love the Simplicity patterns!
You’re so well spoken! Thanks for every video:]
Gosh putting in pins is the bane of my existence, I keep catching the carpet cause I'm stupid :'D
Literally the only reason that doesn't happen to me anymore is because now I have hardwood floors LOL
My sewing machine is a miniature £20 thing from Tesco’s, it’s temperamental but it certainly does its job. Good quality machinery doesn’t always mean good quality costumes. Though it can help.
I'd love an introduction to interfacing video, if you've got some knowledge to share.
I’m doing this for my business! I’m making cosplay clothes ❤️
Haha thanks sewing mom!! I never knew what test fabric to buy that was also cheap, so the tip about muslin is helpful!
I would love to see a circle skirt tutorial. Be good to see something that can be used in real life stuff and cosplay.
I love that you call us Sewists and not “seamstresses”, keeping it very gender-neutral!
I actually noticed that as well!
yes, very cool!
I thought a seamstress was slang for prostitute.
As a dude who wants to do cosplay once this craziness is over, it's very much appreciated
As a genderfluid individual, it is very much appreciated ^^
Thank you for this! I’m starting to learn so I can hand make my own corsets with synthetic whalebone. (And then cosplay after that!) Videos like these are super useful! ❤️
Sewing machine repair shops typically know local sewing groups. Plus they can clean and service a second-hand machine that you picked up from the thrift store. Also local libraries will have connections to at least one sewing group that are open to beginners.
Thank you! I want to try to start to sew for cosplay this year.
I think showing the process of creating a garment would be really helpful. I'm still a bit confused on how to measure for myself once I get to that point, and you phrase it really well. ❤👌
It's gonna be different for every garment, but you can definitely look up instructions on how to measure yourself - there are plenty of videos like that!!
Thank you. This was very helpful.
I love this video it's going to be my first time sewing thank you for these tips and for the things I need some of this I did not know anyway have a good day/night. :D
Everyone should have a sewing mom 🧵🧵🧵
Its funny cause i was just looking these up the other day so yeah this is great
First, sorry for the kratos vibe comment
Second, i LOVE the way you express on your videos, fluid and really smooth
3 im not a cosplayer, but i know many i many who maybe will start for you or your videos, so... im sharing and hoping help you to grow on youtube at least, because as human you are huge!
Thanks and cheers!
I would recomend going for a second-hand machine, perferably pre-1975 for ease of use and low maintenance. There are lot of good brands out there, but the ones I have experience with, and have found to be very good, are Singer and Bernina.
Me: 👁👄👁
My brain telling me something: “Don’t be shy ask your grandma to teach you”
Me: ❓👄❓
Dang inspirational! Can't wait to get started!
for college kids, your school might also have machines you can use! usually you can find where these are online or by asking around
That's a great point!! Some fabric stores also have machines you rent for use!
Such a great channel and video