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Okay. I have about a month to make this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...e/watanuki.jpg

(and strangely, that's the only picture of it I can find in my folders!) This is the same outfit Watanuki wears in the manga--a plain black shirt with two rows of buttons, essentially.

My problems are twofold. (I just wanted to say 'fold' so it sounded cooler.)

1.) I suck at making sleeves. How do I go about doing sleeves? Pattern ideas? Cheap sketches in Paint? I'll take anything.

2.) The front of the shirt. How... why... I think I'd like to make it so at least one row of buttons is actually functional, but I'm not sure which or how I'd go about doing that. Again, pattern suggestions, quick sketches, even tutorials... I'd appreciate any of that.

I may also be making the crazy apron thing he wears occasionally, but that may be a thread in itself.

Thanks for reading this, and I really hope you can help me!

[pmastamonkmonk]

sleeves you'll need a pattern, for the shirt... make the 'outside' buttons functional. My culinary uniform has the dual rows of buttons. Basically, you make a flap that overlaps the outfit, most likely to your left, and the buttons on the left are actual. The ones on the right are simply sewn on to appear like they've been attached. That way your outfit doesn't have two layers in the front and one in the back, only a partial strip where they connect.

>:3 hope that helps

[angelstar1088]

you wanted cheap sketches paint, you got it! (no really, you did)

the pattern for a sleeve should look like this. or something like that. the tip of the arch is the top (the tip of your shoulder) and the ends of the arch is the bottom (armpit), and of course you make it however long you need the sleeve to be

for the outer coat, you could make it like this: front and back/inside.
on the 'front' pic, the buttons (or black dots) on the outer flap serve no purpose what-so-ever except to give the 'double breasted' look which is what Watanuki's uniform has.
(and of course the lines are the button holes)
on the 'back' pic, the button holes on the inside flap are suppose to button-up to the inside buttons of the outer flap.

[EverEvolvingGrl]

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4...ostumes&page=4
It sucks because Simplicity used to make these awesome Civil War patterns that was exactly like japanese boy uniforms. To do the buttons you need to make the jacket button on either the left side or the right, not down the middle. then do faux buttons on one side. That's what I would do. Sorry I couldn't find you that pattern tho!

Thank you guys so much! Everything's been very helpful. The faux buttons is an excellent idea, and one I'll definetly be using. With the amazing Paint sketches (THANK YOU!) and pattern ideas, I'm sure to make this one amazing!

Thank you!