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Sailor Fuku Cosplay Tutorial
Published: 2012-10-09 18:31:10 +0000 UTC; Views: 149727; Favourites: 2987; Downloads: 9576
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Description
At last, I finished my Sailor Fuku tutorial! My Sailor Moon costumes get the most questions by far, and I've been meaning to put together this tutorial foreverrrrr to answer everyone's questions ~ I hope it helps out a few aspiring senshi cosplayers out there <3!This is my first tutorial, but if it goes over well I might put together more so let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see from me!
Click download to view the complete tutorial in pdf form, or you can download it directly from my website .
I hope you enjoy, feel free to comment or message me with further questions!
Edit: I noticed the new PDF reader on DA is a little wonky ... I did update the fonts in the pdf so they look a little nicer than they did before, but this pdf looks best if you download it and read it in adobe reader/acrobat.
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Comments: 202
Wow, even the pattern is super cheap!, this is so amazing!
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Questions?Β I am using the same patter you used to make your leotard.Β In the instructions on the patter it says to sew elastic in the leg openings and neck.Β Did you do that with your leotard?Β Also do you leave the stay stitch in the skirt after cutting the v out?
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As for the elastic, you can add if you'd like, but I didn't bother with it personally. It's probably a nicer way to finish it, but since none of the leotard edges are seen (either covered by skirt or the chest armor) you can get away with skipping that step >w<;;
You'll definitely want to leave the staystitch in the pleats, it'll hold them in place as you sew them to your leotard~!
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I tried making the armor part based on the leotard that I bought. Β I didn't make one because I didn't really trust myself with it. Β And it looked fine but was wayyyy too small. Β I'm wondering if you have any measurements for it based off your pattern that I might find helpful for my second try. ;_;
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Ack, sorry I missed this comment!!Β The best way to come up with the measurements is probably to measure your own body; you want it to land under your bust line, like where the underwire of a bra would be. It might be a good idea to make a mockup out of fleece to figure out what length/shape looks flattering on you, then cut out your lycra the same shape and sew it to the fleece~! In this case specific measurements are difficult because it really does depend on how it fits you~! I hope that helps <3
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Yeah that helps a lot. Β I just got really flustered when it didn't work out how I planned because I wasn't sure how else to do it. Β It was like way short around the sides so they didn't meet once i put it on myself. Β I had done it based on the leotard + some more room but that didn't work out clearly. Β I'll try again but if it doesn't work I might just go without that bit for comic con and then try and do it for the next time I wear it. Β I noticed some cosplayers skip it entirely. Β I want to make it and have mine to be flawless but it might be a lot to ask for right now. Β Whoops.
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ehehehhh I know that feel =w=;; I just made a new costume piece I'll have to remake at a later time, but I'll settle for the less-than-perfect version for now just so I can WEAR it this weekend, oops xD;; you can always go back and fix things later!! But hopefully round 2 works out better for you, good luck <3
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I have a question.Β Does ironing the pleats keep them in place, or did you sew them in place?Β Also what did you do for the shoes, hair and tiara?
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Thanks for the tutorial.Β Every year I like doing a cosplay for halloween.Β Last year I was a bubble head nurse from silent hill, so I am excited about being sailor moon.Β I do have 2 question.Β When you pleat the skirt, do ironing the pleats down keep them in place, or do you sew them in place?Β Second, what did you do for the boot?Β Did you buy them or are they boot covers?
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Hey there ~ !! For the pleats, ironing does keep them in place, you don't need to stitch down into the pleat or anything. As long as you stitch across the top where it attaches to the hip roll, it'll be fine!! As for my boots,Β I purchased them from Catzia.com. (I bought my tiara from them as well ^^) ~ good luck with your costume!!
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About how much did it cost to make this?Β
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Ahahaha, let me ponder ... for the basic materials covered in this tutorial, probably between $35-50 in fabric costs, plus the skating pattern ... let's break this down to get a ballpark idea:
Poplin - $13.50 (4.5yards)
Lycra - $15 (1.5 yard)
Decorbond Interfacing - $2.50 (.5 yard)
Fleece - $4 (.5 yard)
Batting / Stuffing - $10 (for a bag)
Ribbon - $3 (spool)
Total = $48
If you need a copy of the skating pattern that could range from $5 - 15 dollars too ~
These are based on prices of stuff in my local area, so it could vary ... plus coupons can help a lot!! Especially at places like Joann's Fabrics ... I always say if you go in without a coupon, you're doing it wrong xD;; They expect coupon-clipping grandmas to be buying all their things so they overprice on purpose. Hunt down coupons online and BEAT THE SYSTEM.Β
If you're planning on buying shoes and/or a wig that can add to the price too, so keep that in mind as well~!
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Is it an easy costume to make? Β I'm a beginner sewer but want so badly to do this.
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I wouldn't necessarily say it's a beginner's project , but if there's a will, there's a way!! If you're able to work a sewing machine and follow these instructions, I'll bet you could do it. If you have any questions along the way I'd be happy to try and help too <3!
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I'm planning to make Sailor Fuku pieces as an add on to a cosplay and don't plan on making a bodysuit as I won't need it. Do you think the skirt will need a zip?
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Hmmmm it might not be a bad idea to install a zipper in the back, it wouldn't -hurt- anyway ~ I didn't find it necessary because after adding the "V" cut in the front and back of the skirt, it made the opening in the skirt large enough to just pull on. I would definitely recommend using snaps or velcro to afix your skirt to the bodysuit though, so it stays in place!! :3
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This looks super helpful. Thank you for putting this together. I will be sure to send you a couple pics of my finished product this Halloween
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Awesome!! Good luck <3!
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This is amazing and I am definitely going to use it. Β I have 2 questions though-
1. What is the best way to sew the ribbons on the collar? Is there a specific way I should do this?
2. I have no idea how to sew lining onto something and can't find a helpful tutorial so I'm kind of lost here. Β Do you have any advice?
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I just used a sewing machine for the ribbons on the collar ~ pin them in place, then sew away~! I did two lines of stitching very close to each side of the ribbon.
Skirt lining... hmmm how to I explain it. It's basically just two pieces of fabric sewn to each other then turned right-side out so the seam is on the inside. Lining the skirt is optional though; if you'd rather just fold over the edge and stitch a hem, that works too!!
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Thank you soooo much! I feel like I might come back to you with questions.
I worked in the theatre costume shop at my school for over a year but it was weird like I was never trained and just did random small sewing tasks and never anything from start to finish so I have a lot of gaps in my learning.
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I know that feel, as a mostly self-taught seamstress there are a lot of supposedly "basic" things I'm still learning today ~ xD;;
I'm happy to help answer any questions, so if anything else comes up feel free to bug me!! <3
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Okay one more! When I went to buy interfacing I said exactly what you had written on here and the woman gave me this "double-sided fusible ultra firm stabilizer". Β And I figure it's fine if I only iron the one side of it. Β But do you think ultra firm is too firm or is there something I should get that will work better?
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I think I know the stuff you're talking about, it's a little bit stiffer than I've used for bows but I think it should still work ~ they'll definitely be extra perky!! The only tricky part is that with double-sided interfacing you kinda -can't- iron just one side, because there will be adhesive on both sides and it you iron directly on it it'll get stuck to your iron o.o!! So you'll want to make sure there's fabric on -both- sides of the interfacing when you iron it in that case. Another option would just be sewing the bow without interfacing, then stuffing in the interfacing inside after it's sewn ~ you may not even need to iron it that way. That's probably how I'd try it!! ^^
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Hmm Yeah I was wondering if ironing one side would heat up the other one too much. eek. I could either return it orrrr just stick it there I suppose. Β If I were to exchange it for another one, how firm should I get the new one?
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The stuff I use is a Pellon brand product called "Decor Bond", but I think anything labeled as a "Heavyweight fusible interfacing" would be a close equivalent ... and yeah, ideally just adhesive on one side. Here's a pic of the stuff in case it helps:Β www.etsy.com/listing/86315344/β¦
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Okay cool! Thank you so much! I started cutting out the fabric for the bows. I'm excited to see how it turns out. Β Your tutorial is sooo helpful! Thanks again!
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Thank you so much for this tutorial!! I'm about to start a Sailor Pluto cosplay and was a little lost, but this super helpful! <3
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I'm making this now! I finished the two bows, part of the skirt, a sailor venus necklace (basically did the same thing you did for the center of the bows), and now i'm stuffing the rolls for the gloves. It's a lot of work stuffing these! Excited to finish and wear it!
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Whoops! I miscalculated the glove rolls and made them way too small! My bad! ^_^;;
Lol...I must be tired. I LOVE this tutorial.
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I used this tutorial to help me make my fuku! it came out pretty good for my first time handsewing in ages! thanks!
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Hey quick question! Have you already calculated seam allowance for the skirt? aka an extra half an inch and stuff? I just want to double check before I cut!
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Yes, I used 1/2" scene allowance!! ^^ You'll only want to add more if you want the skirt to be longer than 11" ... I like my magical girl skirts super short >wπ: 0 β©: 1
Okay thank you so much! 
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this could be helpful in the future thanks
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So helpful!
But I have a silly question. I love the idea of using the ordainment for the broach. I even found Heart shaped ones on amazon for the supers! My question is how did you get that little annoying piece at the top off (The place where you should usually put the hook to hang the ordainment) I figured I should ask before I cut off a finger. I did not know if their was a special trick to it >.>
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Haha, not silly at all :3 ~ If you're careful you can use a knife or scissors, but there's a chance you could crack or damage the ornament (or yourself ... lol. I'm a clutz when it comes to that stuff xD;; ), but I found the easiest way was to use a heat knife to melt it off!
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Thank you! heat knife sounds like it would be the best
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So i am creating a genderbent version of sailor mars and wondering if I need to add interfacing for the top piece of the chest armor? Also do I still need to make the hip roll (since I'm not making a leotard)?
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I'm not sure what the design looks like, but if you're not making a leotard or skirt, you probably don't need a hip roll ~ it's up to you though, if you're designing it!! Also If you're using spandex for the armor, you'll probably want to line it with something or it will roll up and look funny ~ I didn't use interfacing in the chest armor, just lined it with some fleece to make it look puffy. :3
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okay thanks, I have a knit-ponte fabric that has that lycra appeal to it.
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Hi again! I'm so close to finishing, thank you so much for the tutorial! It was extremely helpful. I have one last question though, where did you buy your gloves? I bought some from a bridal store and they don't fit very well on me.
Thanks again!
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I bought my most recent pair from welovecolors.com, a little pricey but they're a nice matte fabric and gusseted so they fit nicely :3! I bought the shoulder length, and you can cut them down to the length you need them ^^
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Is there a way to do the collar as attached? I'm trying to make one for my kid and she's only 5, so having snaps on the collar just guarantees that she'll lose it LOL
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First off, GUHHHH CUTE. Second, I know sailor collars are -traditionally- sewn on, so it can be done, snaps are just easier so I haven't actually done it myself 
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wow.. thank you.. really love with this tutorial.. i plan to make my new sailor fuku.. and fine this tutorial.. thank you ^0^
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