Don't you own an iron?

 

Vogue's photo not mine

Oh c'mon, this is VOGUE for goshsakes

https://somethingdelightful.com/v1789

I promised myself I would not do this again, but I have been seeing more and more of this 'handy hands at home' finishing on pattern photos, and WHY

WHY do you think this is going to sell your pattern to me?

If YOU can't finish it nicely, WHO can?

Misses' pants, high waisted, very loose-fitting through hip, have waist facings with boning, pleats, side seam pockets, invisible back zipper. B: hem band.

I have never pretended to be any more than handy homemades. I tend to rush at the end and skip nice finishing, at least for myself. I can do a super nice job if someone hands me money.

For myself, not so much.

This does not make me think I am going to be able to get better results than they did. Or if that hem and the stuff going on at the top of the waistband is intentional, well... that's a choice.

Costumes of 2019

This year, it finally happened:

I am happy it's a family set, but Dad's a Slytherin. 

 I'll be honest: this really is years too late. The licensed fabric is still full price at Joann's though.

Or the bathrobe version, if you prefer double duty.

I think I prefer the unlicensed costumes this year, which is good because they vastly outnumber the official ones.

I mean, what's not to love about this description?

Also loving the Branded familiar pillow pals (Hedwig, Crookshanks,Pigwidgeon - what, no Scabbers?), and the Unbranded Fantastic Beasts pillow pals - Platypus and Owl.

As for the McVogurrickity patterns, mostly available at Joann's*

I believe this is a riff on Greatest Showman (see the upper right red). It needs the coat.

I have no idea what this is. I'm guessing it's a game, but it is very specific. Also, dad/kid cosplay sets are rare, so I'm giving it love, even if I have absofrigginlutely no idea what it is.

One of you will enlighten me.

I know the right is a Red Riding Hood, but....who is the one on the left? It's so very Cowboy specific, and I can't find a reference anywhere that links up with it. Overwatch?

HELP ME.

Nov 25: I have asked every meme-lovin costume sewin' human I can find about this, and only one person thought Maybe Somewhere in Kingdom Hearts? Or One Piece?

Still we don't know.

The spotters guide (aka Spirit Halloween online) isn't helping

https://www.spirithalloween.com/thumbnail/halloween-costumes/mens-costumes/

The rest of these make sense. Whew.

Finn, Rey, Aquaman with interesting faux Maori face painting, and Kate Bishop Hawkeye.

It's a nice set of costume pieces, frankly.

I appreciate the 'We Can Do It' reference, and I appreciate the heavy black backpack straps to imply you could do some Ghostbustin' in the khaki version

This is from last year, but I felt you should get more coveralls action plus Rose Tico 

 A little Game of Thrones "inspired" for you

She Who Drinks Wine All Season and Arya

Cersei look two

Daenarys, two looks

Wednesday from Addams Family finally gets her due

https://blog.pattern-vault.com/2019/10/29/the-addams-family-patterns/

Star Wars never goes bad, this one is new

Arya on the right, Rey and Rey on the left

This one is from last year, but it's still a killer.

And I could not find any Pennywise patterns. I know you guys have been sewing your own; any patterns you're using?

*there is something going on with the high numbered patterns not being available at Joann's and it's bugging me. They are just available on the website and grrrrrrrr

McVoguerickity

I think that sums it up.

Sure, I'm leaving out KwikSew, Burda, New Look and the host of other companies doing business with The One Company To Rule Them All

but I just want to use this term here so I know when I thought of it. 

That's all.
-july 24, 2019

The Big Story of 2017 I save for last: McVogerick and Simplicity Are One Family Now

It's going to get real nerdy here.

I was surprised at how low level a story this was this year.

http://www.cssindustries.com/news/-/asset_publisher/J3za/content/css-industries-inc-acquires-simplicity-creative-group

or

CSS INDUSTRIES, INC. ACQUIRES SIMPLICITY CREATIVE GROUP

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, November 3, 2017 - CSS Industries, Inc. (NYSE: CSS), a leading consumer products company within the seasonal, celebrations and craft markets, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Simplicity Creative Group (“Simplicity”) from Wilton Brands LLC for $64 million in cash, subject to certain closing and post-closing adjustments. 

Simplicity is a leading provider of home sewing patterns, decorative trims, knitting and crocheting tools, needle arts and kids’ crafts products under the Simplicity®, Wrights®, Boye®, Dimensions®, and Perler® brand names.  Simplicity’s products are sold to mass-market retailers, specialty fabric and craft chains, wholesale distributors and online customers.

“A key component of our strategy is to strengthen and expand our portfolio in core markets through new product development and complementary acquisitions,” said Christopher J. Munyan, CSS President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Simplicity’s pattern business is the perfect complement to our recently acquired McCall business, and the other product lines expand our reach into adjacent markets such as kids’ crafts and needle arts.  Simplicity has built a strong portfolio of well-established brands in the craft industry, and we welcome their talented team to CSS.”

Who else is owned by CSS?

This is at the bottom of the McCall's Pattern page

https://www.mccall.com/home.html

make this bigger to read it

I have read nothing about what this means to you and me, and how it will be handled. Simplicity is not mentioned on the CSS webpages except in their press release for this purchase. I only know about this deal because I read about these deals for a data research job.

To that same point,  the McCall Pattern Company is not mentioned in their webpages either.

In researching this article, I did find this website and blog post

http://www.sewingreport.com/2017/11/mccall-pattern-companys-parent-co-buys-simplicity-creative-group/

And you should read her blog. Good stuff there.

 But that's it.

------------------

For a little history:

I did find this

http://www.nytimes.com/1976/02/28/archives/market-place-picking-a-trend-for-simplicity.html?_r=0

They were a hot prospect in 1976. It took until 1998 for them to be plucked.

James J. Shapiro (1909–1995) founded the Simplicity Pattern Company in 1927 and was its first president. The company was based on an idea of his father's, Joseph M. Shapiro (1888 Russia—1968 California), a magazine ad salesman.^[1][2]

In 1998, the company was acquired by Conso International Corp.^[3][4] Conso subsequently changed its name to Simplicity Creative Group, Inc., and since November 3, 2017 has been a subsidiary of CSS Industries.^[5][6] Until 2007, the company had its main plant in Niles, Michigan.^[7]

Backing up a little:

 http://www.goupstate.com/news/19980611/conso-to-purchase-simplicity-patterns

from that page: "Conso, which is headquartered in Union, is the world’s largest producer of decorative trimmings for home furnishings. It also sells decorative window hardware accessories and a variety of instructional publications for the use of decorative trimmings, tassels and window hardware. In addition to its U.S. operations, Conso has manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom, Mexico and India. It had net sales of $73.4 million in 1997. Simplicity, which will continue to be based in New York, produces sewing patterns and catalogs for the apparel, home decorating, craft and costume markets. It posted sales of $55 million last year. “This transaction marks the end of one phase of Simplicity’s development and begins a new era of increased opportunities for our company and our associates,” Morris said. “Over the last several years I have said the key to success in our industry is to become a multi-products company. We are excited to be joining the Conso team.” 

Wrights was founded in Massachusetts in 1897 as William E. Wright & Sons.^[1] Wright & Sons remained independent until 1985, when a group of shareholders—including a grandson of the founder—enabled the Newell Company to acquire a minority share in the company; by the end of the year Newell had achieved majority control and by 1987 total ownership.^[2] In 1989 Boye Needle Company was merged into Wrights.^[1] In 2000 Conso International, a South Carolina manufacturer of trims to the wholesale trade, and owners of the Simplicity Pattern brand, bought the company.^[3] Conso changed its name to Simplicity Creative Group and was acquired by Wilton Brands LLC and in November 2017 by CSS Industries.^[4][5]

One big umbrella to cover them all. Well, almost all: Burda is only distributed by Simplicity, not owned. 

And CSS only bought McVoguerick last year in 2016

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161213006299/en/CSS-Industries-Announces-Acquisition-Business-Assets-McCall 

 It does make me wonder how they will deal with Walmart and JoAnns (are there any other big chains now?) for distribution. CSS has let the previous three nameplates exist, and I assume they will continue this with Simplicity. They certainly are not claiming them very loudly; their 'face' products are craft items. 

screen cap from CSS webpage

'Complimentary acquisitions' in 'core markets' makes me a little uneasy. Eventually the charm factor will subside and the parent company will need to renegotiate with it's subsidiaries. There will be duplicate personnel and facilities.

http://www.disneystudiolicensing.com/

What will be different will be the licensing agreements with designers and, I assume, the coming Disney monolith with 20th Century Fox.

In other words, costumes. You know how I love a licensing agreement!

I look forward to the clash of the titans and how this resolves in the new kleptocracy.

And damn, this could be a time suck

http://lol.disney.com/games/fashion-games

I mean, actual online games. I'm not screenshotting this. You go look.

-------------------------------

from their respective Wikipedia pages. 

links : I'm trying to cut down on my linking but not my giving credit when due

text from the link that I copied verbatim 

Tastes Like Chicken Costume Edition 2017

This time of year, there is always much amusement for me in licensing of costume patterns.

I'll make believe this is not Belle. Or Elsa. from the McCalls catalog, in Joanns, this morning.

Do I really want to rehash this issue? I mean, it cracks me up that we pretend that McCalls and Vogue and Butterick are three different companies.

Oops. KwikSew too.

Further down that page

CSS Industries is....

What they are not, is Disney.

If you really want a rabbit hole of girly

Getting back to our real/faux mix of branded/licensed goods, Simplicity once again tops the entertainment pile.

They have a heady mix of official and unofficial costume pattern work.  

Sometimes both in one run (Retro and Regular Wonder Woman is licensed, Plus size Wonder Woman is not. Grateful she's there at all I guess. New Wonder Woman from the film is not a licensed pattern option)

She only got to size 16. I assume there's a lot of corset/gauntlet work going on out there in the workrooms, getting ready for the national holiday. I was a little surprised Yaya Han doesn't have a WWinspired  set.

 Simplicity's site is a wonderland. I do love that they've gone big for Lolita costumes (and I don't mean Nabokov). I personally am saving up for the Star Trek skant.

But this leaves me speechless.

For your consideration,

Ralph Pink's Battlesuit

and over here:

Firefly Path's Fantasy Ranger 2017

Click on the photos to enlarge to inspect the deets.

Ralph Pink Battlesuit

The construction is different, therefore the written instructions are different.  And I have been led to believe by my lawyer friends that unless you file a patent on the process, the instructions are copyright protected, the illustrations are not.  Note: please see comments below for correction to this statement.

I have a great capacity to be pissed off for other people.  And that thing about 'you only really get a week before someone steals your idea' is true. Any expectation of a perpetual exclusive royalty is only available to an international organization with the ability and scope and MONEY to determine copyright law.

Fun with Simplicity: Emerald City ComicCon Edition part one

The Simplicity 5 for $5 always gets me.

I don't need anymore patterns. I have a lifetime supply, but I do enjoy reading the catalogs.

As a child, I was victim to a similar ruffle butt outfit.

These are wrong.

I am disappointed that the catalog illustration does not feature a photo of someone in the shark bag. I guess it's up to you to realize "Hey, they're being eaten by a shark!" I just pray my Jaws obsessed niece does not see this.

No. Just no. It's a blatant ripoff of the ThinkGeek Bantha sleeping bag.

Another unlicensed spin on a Marvel character. I do love the 'wink wink' aspect to these costume 'tributes'

Baby Groot!

As a Whovian costume completist, I feel compelled to post this. But no. 

Although the fabric dog toy versions of the plunger and the death ray/paint roller are cool.

But this was dangerously close to the previous pages.

And now I have a horribly wonderful idea for a costume for Emerald City ComicCon

(March 2 - 4)

Because I can always use another one.

You know, lazy Sunday cosplay onesie suit. As one does.

  

Side seam pockets in a wide onesie aren't very practical, but after I reinforce the side seam from the shoulder down, it should be stable enough

Also going to add a crotch zipper for restroom ease

(it's damn hard to disrobe enough in a convention center toilet stall to pee)

Altering the pattern to fit the 5'2" person (me): I want it big but I don't want to drown in it.

The center panel is just short enough now to fit on a Spoonflower yard

  

Fabric ordered, rush $$ paid,pattern altered, new pockets cut, all ready to cut when the fabric arrives on the 28th. I can knock this out in a day and a half. 

Me and Costumes We Gotta Thing Goin' On

I love this costume. 

I love making costumes.

 It's been one of the best parts of being a parent.

Not adamantium. 

Recuffed Assassins Creed linen hoody. Cause I can't say no, and I have cheap linen sources.

(Ikea curtains)

The first bird costume (date is wrong, more like 2002).  A hoody cape, layers of feather shapes cut in strips of novelty quilting cotton in a feather print.

Robin Hood...is up to no good. Fast felt vest with shoestring lacing, shiny shirt and pants. And boy.

I bought the papal miter. I got hissed at! This costume went to an Episcopalian Halloween party last year and has not returned.

Naruto Mania, entirely from drawings online.

Particularly proud of the 3D swirl on the back.

The sad offgrain Dalek print from Spoonflower

Modeling the jacket. The pants are now.....still in need of a new zip.

So my next make is going to be this dress

Its Sew Chic Fifth Avenue Dress

in this print, broken into sections

And then I saw this:

oh so not a TARDIS or a Dalek...no, BBC, we don't need no stinkin' licences! Armed with a stick and a whisk, she is. The sports red model, from late Tennant.

captioned: 

1095 Misses' Costumes

Have a time travel adventure with these incredible costumes for misses. Gowns feature corset tops, bustles and appliques. Loriann Costume Designs for Simplicity. Perfect for Cosplay.

Wouldn't look anything like the lass on the left? The Tardis on the right is one of my future makes: a square hoop skirt! Lovin' it!

Simplicity 1095 is a simple assortment of staple pieces: corset, lightly hooped skirt, overbustle. I do like the hooded shrug, however.

 I could not wait for the inevitable sale, I bought this pattern for real money! 

So, I like costumes. 

Which is not the same thing as cosplay.

But they should spend more time talking.

Which I intend to do. 

(edit: original link to the picture is gone, as pattern is deleted. S034 November 2015)

Oh no, this must be .....Naval Officer Moon! She's no...Sailor....

I would be totally remiss if I didn't post a link to this site

Costuming Diary

Amazing stuff : this is her Elizabethan Dalek dress! 

Artemisia Moltabocca's website has had some turbulence in the hosted photo department, but worth your eyeballs.