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One of the most
important parts of making cosplay
is deciding what fabric to use,
but if you're new to sewing
it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the possible choices.
So today, let's talk fabric basics.
First and foremost,
you should know the terms "fiber" and "weave."
No, not /that/ kind of "weave."
Fiber means the kind of material the fabric /actually/ consist of,
while weave refers to how fibers are put together to form the fabric.
Both of these terms are used when naming fabric.
For example: "silk chiffon"
tells you that the fiber is silk and the weave is chiffon.
"Cotton sateen" tells you that the fiber is cotton and the weave is sateen.
In general their are two categories of fibers:
natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
That should be /pretty/  self explanatory.
Natural fibers come from plants and animals.
Both of these natural fibers are typically easy to dye,
they're absorbent,
and breathable.
However, plant fibers wrinkle more than animal fibers
and animal fibers are usually more expensive, too.
Synthetic fibers, on the other hand,
are fibers created in a lab.
They're very strong, wrinkle resistant,
and versatile.
But take note:
they're not very breathable,
and they're also difficult to dye.
Let's move on to different types of weaves.
Again, you have two main categories:
wovens and knits.
Woven fabrics are made of yarns that criss-cross.
Therefore, they don't stretch, unless it contains something like spandex.
They're used mostly for structured garmets
like shirts,  blazers, coats,
and so on.
If you're a beginner, woven fabrics will be easier to sew.
Meanwhile, knits are made of a single, continuously looping yarn.
They come in a 2 way and 4 way stretch
and they're used for non-structured garmets.
Knits can be ~tricky~ to sew
when you're just starting out.
Alright, let's run through some basic
fabrics that are commonly used in cosplay.
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And a few fabrics that you definitely want to avoid:
costume fabrics, because they look
very cheap;
crushed velvet
because, again, it looks cheap;
and lining fabric.
It should only be used for /lining/.
Okay, so you have the knowledge, but
how do you choose
what fabric to use when making a costume?
Step #1:
Figure out the purpose of the garment.
Is it a uniform jacket?
A school skirt?
A superhero's outfit?
An 18th century ballgown?
The uniform jacket would likely need a durable woven material,
whereas the superhero's outfit will, typically, be in form-fitting spandex.
Step #2: Who's wearing this clothing?
An empress wouldn't be dressed in cheap cotton broadcloth,
and an adventurer wouldn't be wearing expensive brocade.
Step #3: Avoid shiny fabrics if you're going to be taking pictures of your costume.
Which, I assume, most of you will be.
Shiny fabrics can look cheap when photographed
especially if it's a hallway photo and the camera flash goes off.
No one /ever/ looks good in camera flash.
Lean towards fabrics that have more of a matte finish.
Step #4: Look at pattern packages for recommendations.
Even if you're going to be drafting your own pattern,
find a pattern similar to what you'll be making
to see what types of fabrics they suggest
for that kind of garment.
You don't have to use what they're recommending,
but it's a great place to start.
Step #5: Check the opacity of the fabric.
Even if i looks solid on the bolt,
hold it up to the light and take a test photo
to see if it'll be see-through.
And Step #6: When ordering fabric online,
/always/ order a swatch first.
Colors may appear differently
on your computer screen, so get a swatch
to see what the fabric looks like in real life,
as well as to test the stretch and feel of the fabric
before dropping a bunch of money on multiple yards.
Final tip: if your budget allows you to, always buy a little more than you /think/ you need.
That way, if you mess up, you have enough to fix your project without having to worry
about the store selling out of the fabric you're using,
expecially if you're using a seasonal fabric
or print.
And that is it for this basic introduction to fabrics!
If you enjoyed this video
and the Cosplay 101 series,
please consider visiting me on Patreon.
Your support allows me to
create more of these helpful tutorials for other cosplayers.
Thanks so much for tuning in!
Feel free to subscribe
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and as always,
Happy Cosplay! <3
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