Cosplay by McCalls now has on offer a really versatile set of accessories. This latest release is all about the fun stuff. Rove, Stash, and Fatale are the kinds of accessories that will add character to your costuming. Like many of the other Cosplay by McCalls patterns, they will find a place in your regular wardrobe as well as your costume wardrobe.
In one size—XS-to XXL—M2083 Fatale from Ichigo Black holds all the parts you need for anything from the Red Queen to Ravenna. It has a kicky little high collar, á la Alice in Wonderland. It just ties on, like a sort of choker, or the inverse of a neck corset. I think I’d make it out of a warm fabric and wear it as a muffler for winter. Who doesn’t want to rock their inner queen with a bit of whimsy? It also has a really, really wonderful and expressive tie-on sleeve. They make a stunning alternative to the puff sleeve, and are begging to be used on a prom dress for ladies who want to straddle both edgy and princess. Make it up in leather, pleather, silk organza, sequins—you name it. The straps make it a great update for pretty much anything in your closet. Try them over a long sleeve as well as bare arms. The pattern only shows one sleeve but you all know you can just flip the pattern for the other side.
There is also a quick crown made from craft foam, which is a great foam project for beginners. Then there are the “leggings”. If you are looking for actual leggings, these are not them. These are more like footless stockings, though that is not entirely accurate either. Though Fatale’s skill level is “very easy”, these leggings might trip up the beginning sewer. They are indeed straightforward and easy, until you get to the lattice tops. Though adorable, there is fitting and piecing in the lattice tops that might prove frustrating for the beginner costumer simply due to the nature of elastic, how it handles, and the varieties of elasticity available. I’d say go ahead and try them anyway, as there is not a lot of investment in the materials to lose. Your sewing tips for this envelope describes craft foam and various glues and their uses. Perfect for the beginner costumer.
2070 Rove is six variations of a shrug, with aspirations of being a bolero. The skill level is easy, and I love them. They are from the fabulous designers at McCalls, and these will transform anything boring into something with flash. Top one of your leotards with one of these to transform it to a Shadowrun character. Use the puff-sleeved version to make a plain dress into a Cyber-Alice in Wonderland. Make it up in pinstripe wool to wear to work over a plain sheath dress. Nothing lifts a slumping work-week mood like stealth costuming, no? You too can have a secret smile on your lips because you are “costuming” at work while still adhering to dress code. Two size ranges, 6-14 and 14-22, accommodate most every body. One of the best things about this bolero shrug is that it ignores the bust, so fitting issues are just not going to mar your sewing experience. Fabulous.
Your sewing tip is all about collars, and how to make them look professional with sewing and pressing techniques. Personally, I have never had any luck with pulling out the corners with a pin, as I usually end up fraying the fabric. It’s a time-honored method, so it’s probably just me. I’ll add that my college sewing professor is quite probably swooning over the notes about pressing vs. ironing.
M2071, all sizes in one, XS-XXL, is that low-slung pouch belt you always wish you had, at every convention you ever went to. Easy to sew, there are actually two pouch belts in the envelope. One has several small pouches stitched to a wide hip-slung belt that closes with D-rings to allow a bit of flexible fit over different sets of clothes. It makes a convincing replacement for a Batgirl-like utility belt. It has several pouch sizes so you can customize it for all your essentials, like cell phones, convention schedules, ID, some cash—and some 20-sided dice.
The other belt is a bigger full-on carry pack—a far classier version of the oft-maligned fanny pack. It is a small purse that can go all post-apocalyptic or cyber or, made up in a pretty upholstery tapestry, could—depending on how historically accurate your local festivals are—sneak itself into your Renfair or Fairy repertoire. The bag measures about 6” x 7”. The sewing tip for this pattern is a tutorial on snaps. It’s a little bit of their history and a short description on the basic types. It’s always good to know where you come from. I hope to see more of these types of sewing tips pop up in these patterns.
Cosplay by McCalls continues to impress. The line is very adaptable, size-inclusive and has fabulous large, sturdy envelopes that will hold project notes, sketches and swatches. There will never be that fight to get the pattern back in that tiny flimsy envelope again. Offered on-line only, it’s never out-of-stock, and you never have to brave the lines at JoAnn’s. Get them at http://cosplay.mccall.com