Costumes For Films
Costumes For Films
Sewing spandex and lyrca material?(super hero costumes)?
I want to basically teach myself how to sew and alter spandex or lycra material. I want to be able make skin tight superhero costumes for any short films I'll produce in the future after film school.
Only problem is I don't know where to begin or what materials I need to basically learn this stuff. What equipment to I need to start practicing and any books or movies will help.
Any tips would be helpful from experienced tailors or seamstresses! I know it takes years to learn a craft but I am willing to put the time and make a hobby.
First, try to find a local fabric store or sewing machine shop or community college or private teacher that offers beginning sewing lessons. You'll learn more about fabric handling and have some instant problem solving help available to you in a class.
If that's not possible, then consider buying a copy of Connie Crawford's Studio Sewing Skills DVD -- it's basically first year design school sewing, and it teaches you to sew basic garment types. You should be able to construct any commercial pattern after working through the video, though you'll need to stop and think occasionally.
Following that, pick up KwikSew's book, Swim and Action Wear. It'll take you through the basics of sewing stretch fabrics on sewing machine or serger (and I highly recommend adding a serger to your repertoire, preferably one that also does coverstitching. Or one serger that does most stitches and a second that does coverstitch. ) (Drop into the yahoo group "sergers" for more information on ins and outs of serging. )
I recommend both KwikSew and Jalie patterns for the basis of what you want to do ( http://www.kwiksew.com and http://www.jalie.com ) Both companies specialize in knit patterns.
BTW, spandex,.Lycra and elastane are all the same basic segmented polyurethane fiber -- it's just trade name vs. generic. And watch out for old fabric containing spandex -- it dies over time, and you wind up sewing something that will bag out pretty promptly.
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