First Contact
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Greetings from Canada!
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Greetings from Canada!
Greetings!
I basically learnt to sew from following Bad Wolf sewing patterns and tutorials.
That is to say, when I bought my first Bad Wolf sewing pattern in 2016 (the Voyager jumpsuit and undershirt), I had very little sewing experience, having only started sewing about a year earlier. As always when developing a new skill, it is a learning process; the first attempts are not always great (shoulder seams and easing were such a pain when I started!), but you learn from your mistakes; you get better and you adapt.
The trickiest thing for me to learn has been sizing, particularly with the jumpsuits: it is all very good to make a well constructed jumpsuit that looks the part with all the details, but if it doesn't fit exactly right, then what's the point?
By my count, I've now made a total of:
– 8 Voyager style jumpsuits. It took me three tries to get the sizing right for myself and I also made 5 for my family members. On my more recent attempts, I started hiding pockets with invisible zippers into the side seams just above the elastic waistband because pockets are useful;
– 2 DS9/NEM style jackets and undershirts. I may still want to have another go at this one because I am not entirely satisfied with the sizing of my last one; and
– 2 Enterprise jumpsuits. My second attempt at this is now my best-fitting and most comfortable uniform. Also pockets! I added a smaller pocket pouch inside the right breast pocket so that it can actually be functional as well.By this point, I've basically stopped buying clothes and started making pretty much everything I wear. Because I am very tall but thin, it is near impossible to find something that fits exactly right in the standard sizing. Now that I've adapted my shirt, pants, and waistcoat patterns to my size, not only can I make myself something that fits properly, but I love all the customization options I have available. A few years ago, I decided to transition from button shirts to snaps (so much more convenient at the end of a long day!), and recently, I started adding in decorative construction details that I learnt from sewing Star Trek uniforms. One of my dress shirts now has a decorative contrast trim with mitered corners around the edges of the collar and cuffs (learnt from doing neckline trim on DS9/NEM jacket) and my most recent shirt has a stripe of contrast colour through the middle of the collar and cuffs (adapted from the technique used on the DS9/NEM sleeve cuffs).
Really looking forward to see what you do with this site. The first demo video for your sewing course was very entertaining and I can't wait to see the rest of it! I am also very excited to see your revised sewing patterns, particularly your upcoming TWOK. I've already got my chest insignia and belt from Xscapes Props as well as a replica chain and turn clasps on standby!
-Luke
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1 Reply
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- 132 Posts
Welcome, Luke! 🙂
And WOW, you have certainly been a prolific sewer! Good for you (and your family members)!
I installed mostly-hidden pockets onto my early VOY jumpsuits too, but beneath the side waistbands. They do make the costume more convenient for outings.
My ENT jumpsuit is my favorite uniform to wear out-and-about, too. It is surprisingly comfortable and it's nice to have pockets for a change, haha.
That's really neat about your custom clothes – especially the dress shirt you mentioned (with the contrasting trim and mitered corners). I've made myself several dress shirts, but mostly pretty standard stuff – no fancy accents like you described.
I'm glad you enjoyed the little preview of the sewing courses. Believe me, there's a LOT more where that came from! 🙂
And I too am greatly looking forward to finally tackling the TWOK-era uniforms, once I get these courses done. I'll probably order a custom chest badge from Xscapes too. Scott's really look fantastic.
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