**DISCLAIMER: FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, DO NOT, DO NOT TREAT THIS AS A SEWING GUIDE. IT IS A PARODY, AND MANY STEPS ARE SKIPPED, MISTAKES MADE, AND GENERAL IDIOCY ENSUED. ...But it was fun.That said, I know Kigurumi aren't the best starter-project for sewing [Thai Fisherman Pants, however, are. See the last sewing entry, or please please find a better guide] but they're EXTREMELY forgiving in termsof fit. I think the only limitation is how much fabric [and time] you have reserved for this project. What I love about kigurumi pajamas is that they're supposed to be huge and stupid-looking, so apart from making the face too derpy, there's no pressure.
Exhibit A |
Looking for proper patterns, this is all I came up with. Not exactly what I was going for. Luckily the internet is full of weirdos who make their own things. There are a few designs on deviantart, but overall the general shape is this:
Super chubby! |
-Fabric scissors,
-Sewing Machine [you DO NOT want to handsew],
-appropriate fabric,
-chosen design,
-big-ass marker of choice,
-overly baggy clothes [to sidestep proper measuring you should learn how to do for any other sewing project you slacker you],
-tape,
-the business section of a newspaper [you won't be distracted by the articles, I promise],
-anything else that helps you eyeball-measure things.
NOW LET'S GET STARTED! 8D
Out-of-focus-picture, check. Disgusting Carpet, check. Awkward/inconsistent picture plane, check, non-hypoallergenic environment (cat) check. Amateur Tutorial checklist COMPLETE! |
(The blue blanket was put down as a condom for general carpet-crud, but it helped a lot in terms of measurement. It's not necessary, but having a box just a bit bigger than your height/armspan is a good visual reference.)
- Start by laying down several sheets of newspaper or risk taping more on later. (the blanket helps, I swear) You want more than enough room to work within
- Lay out your baggy clothes on the newspaper. Kindly excuse the god-awful patterns, they're the baggiest things I own [I never went through the kangaroo-hoodie phase orz] These are really just a frame of reference for your basic body measurements [the ones that matter are your shoulders, crotch arm and leg lengths--you want this to be wider rather than tall]
- With the above in mind, go crazy! You really shouldn't in sewing, but draw nice round curves. There should be no visual waist--though mind the shoulders. Don't make them much wider than your own, it'll drive you crazy wearing it. As for the crotch and armpits--don't make them TOO low, since everything will sag lower than you think. Mid-thigh and mid-ribcage is a good eyeball-length.
IMPROVISE LIKE HELL |
If you're doing a single-color design, skip ahead to the hood/overall cutting section. I'm doing separate colors for legs and arms, so I'll be cutting up my pattern further. Likewise for stripes, spots or other decorations that aren't pockets or appliques--a white tummy or something--you don't want to use more fabric than you have to by stacking.
Cut apart as needed: Body, Leg, Arm |
A female leg, Ex-Nazis, and the Best Family Gift Ever--wait WHAT. |
Like a boss |
Clearly this makes perfect sense |
Your fabric comes crisply folded in half long-ways KEEP IT THAT WAY |
*failed tetris* |
You saucy tart. |
Actually that concludes this post as well--just cut out and pin corresponding pieces together whilst telling other fabrics to kiss your grits for the time being. If you can, try it on and body-measure your pinned pieces every now and again--it really helps with the arms. [Leave both sides of the body be, we'll be cutting it down the middle for the zipper last] NEXT TIME: We'll be assembling the body and working on the hood/appliques~