Cosplay by McCalls: Post Apocalyptic Sleepy Time

Cosplay by McCalls M2052 Resistance and M2053 Spectral are probably the most versatile members of the collection yet, dipping very deeply into real life. They are intermediate skill-level patterns that will become staples in your pattern library, for both costuming and everyday clothes. These are brought to you by the fabulous pattern makers at McCalls, with no Cosplay designer label attached.

M2053 Spectral is a gorgeous, classic Victorian nightgown and robe, with leg o’ mutton sleeves, a high button collar, and a small train. Very “Crimson Peak.” The robe has some fitting darts in back and ribbon trim in front, and a longer train. It’s got really great lines, and would make a really wonderful addition to a wedding trousseau, or a wonderful set to lounge in at the holidays—when you are not using it for your Bride of Dracula costume. Cotton batiste or silk habotai would make a soft and comfortable nightgown. The robe could be made of anything from velvet to any number of silks or brocades, and more. Or go wild and go with amazing surface design, like one does with a kimono. This one will be trickier than a kimono as it’s got some shaping, but it will be well worth the trouble.

Sewing tips for this pattern are for sewing buttonholes. Although this is the correct tip for this envelope, given the buttons at the yoke, I disagree with their method. You are asked to sew the buttonhole twice over for a “nice, clean finish,” but this may prove too dense for light fabrics like batiste or habotai. It also will be too dense depending on the sewing machine used. High-end machines and older machines make buttonholes that are far denser than the little inexpensive machines available today. Doubling up the buttonhole on an older Bernina 830 Record would be a very bad idea. Use your judgement here. Consider your fabric choice and machine and make a couple of test buttonholes first.

I also would not recommended using a seam ripper to open a buttonhole. They are just too flimsy and simply not sharp enough. The best bet for opening a buttonhole is with a buttonhole cutter and block, which you can find in most sewing shops. They make a beautiful clean cut, with no risk of any sad “oops” expletives falling from your lips. Short of that, a nice, very sharp pair of embroidery scissors will work far better than the seam ripper. In fact, they even work better than seam rippers for ripping seams. Skip the seam ripper altogether.

Cosplay by McCalls M2054 Resistance, is a unisex jumpsuit with all sizes, S through XXL, in one pattern. Meant for woven fabrics, it’s very adaptable. You will be oh so ready to make Ghostbusters jumpsuits for your entire costume group, or make flight suits for the Rebel cause, or discover you have been sent to collect alien eggs—all with just one pattern. Just don’t go back for the cat.

The jumpsuit is very detailed and has plenty of cargo pockets, zippers at the ankle, and sizing tabs at the waist and wrist. It has all the details needed to make it pop. It even has eyelet grommets under the arm. Pay close attention to the size you cut, as it is a unisex pattern, and the sizes may not align with what you expect. This is a real working jumpsuit pattern, and could also work for every day life, perhaps for race day and more.

The sewing tip in this envelope is all about setting zippers. It’s pretty straight forward, but the look of the jumpsuit will live or die by how well those zippers are set. Get stitching before you wake up aboard a spaceship with no knowledge of your mission or your identities.

The Cosplay by McCalls patterns continue to provide great, adaptable pieces with large, durable envelopes that can also house your swatches, sketches and trim samples. They offer an inclusive size range so everyone can get in on the fun. Give them a try. You can get the entire collection of Cosplay by McCM2053-1 M2054-1alls on their website at http://cosplay.mccall.com/cosplay-by-mccall-s-brand-collection-pages-5923.php

 

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