New York Comic Con is in just a couple of weeks and I thought we’d celebrate with a brand new free cosplay pattern! One of my favorite things about cosplay is that it’s open to anyone. Love a character, but look nothing like them? Who the heck cares, wear their super cool outfit! As someone who can relate to his partial hearing, I’ve always been a fan of Hawkeye, so a more feminine version of his vest has been on my sewing list for a long while. Luckily, Mood’s rib knits and faux leather were perfect for the challenge.
Fabrics & materials used:
- 1 yard Black Fashion-weight Faux Leather
- 1 yard Plum Tubular Cotton Rib Knit
- 1 yard Black Stretch Ponte
- 1 pkg Sew-On Velcro
- 1 pkg Heavy Duty Snaps
- 2 Black Closed Bottom 5″ Zippers
- 1 Black and Silver Separating Zipper
- Optional: Dritz Heavy Duty Snap Plier Kit
- MDF077 – The Fang Cosplay Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
So there are two parts to this cosplay post. This first one will outline how to make the vest portion of the pattern, while part two describes how you can make your own harness belt and glove!
To start on your vest, I recommend beginning with the collar since it can be a tad tricky. First, take the two collar tab pieces, pin them with the faces together, and sew along three sides, leaving one short side open. Trim your seam allowances, turn right side out, and insert two snaps 1″ apart in the middle of the tab. These snaps are just for show, so you won’t need to apply the second half of the snap anywhere.
Next, sew the open end of your tab about 1″ in on the inside facing of your collar. Be sure the snaps are facing outward, or toward the wrong side of the fabric, like you can see in the first image below.
Pin your two collar panels together, the the faces touching, and sew along the three flat edges. Turn it right side out, edge-stitch, and add a small piece of Velcro inside the collar, parallel to the tab on the other edge. Add the corresponding piece of Velcro the the end of your collar tab.
For the shoulder armor, attach the front and back pieces at the shoulder. You should make four layers – two self, and two facings. With the faces together, sew your main layers to their facing, leaving a small opening at the neckline of the armor, like you can see in the 2nd and 3rd images below.
Turn your two armor pieces right side out, and edge-stitch to make help them lie flat. Set them aside for the time being to get started on the actual vest.
Sew your two back panels together down the center back seam, and then attach them to the back yoke, like in the images below. For the front of your vest, sew the center front and side front pieces together along the princess seams. Add in your center front zip, and then attach the front and back of your vest at the shoulders and sides.
Sew the outer layer of your collar along the neckline of the vest, tucking the open portion of your shoulder armor between the collar and the rib knit. Be sure to line up the shoulder seams of both the vest and the armor. Tuck the seam allowance of the collar facing inward inside the vest, and slip-stitch.
For your pockets, fold the raw edges toward the back and press. Edge-stitch along the top of your pockets, as well as around the bottom edges of your pocket flaps. Pinning your pockets at each side seam of your vest, top-stitch them into place, sewing around the remaining edges. Repeat with your pocket flap about 1″ above each pocket.
Lastly, top-stitch two zippers along each princess seams of your vest, like above. Ponte doesn’t fray, so while I did choose to hem the bottom of the vest, I left the armsye alone to reduce bulk.
For directions for how to put together a harness belt and glove, visit part two of this post here!
