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[Belletrist]

That's right, yet another Fullmetal Alchemist cosplay XD But hey, it's a great anime (and an even better manga, in my opinion).
I won't go into detail about how the idea spawned and such, but I've created a skit I plan on performing at next year's Sydney Supanova. It involves Edwars Elric (in a dress) and Roy Mustang. I've got the Ed cosplay all worked out and almost finished, but the Mustang cosplay is proving to be an awful hassle.
Really, all I need is a decent pattern. I'm not a brilliant tailor - in fact, I suck - and I honestly can't sew an outfit without the help of a pattern. I've been through all the books at the craft stores around me, and I can't find anything to suit it, even vaugley.
Also, I need a military hat, or a decent way to make long hair look a lot shorter. My Mustang isn't willing to chop off all her waist-lkength hair just for this cosplay, and I don't blame her. I thought maybe I could stuff it into a militay hat, but I can't seem to find any that won't send me broke getting it shipped to Australia.
So, any help with my dillemma will be met with Lobve and enternal greatfulness!

[Reamy]

I know how you feel....*cries* I couldn't find the correct jacket pattern for my "White Rabbit" cosplay for the looooongest time. And then, I found this website:

www.sewingpatterns.com

It saved my life...and it can save your's too! I suggest looking in the costume patterns first, then branching out to the other sewing pattern selections. PluS! They have amazing prices.

[AuroraHermione]

There does not exist (that i have ever been able to find) a pattern that is exact for FMA. You need to get another jacket pattern and alter it.

[TagaSeguchi]

Civil War uniforms, the jacket kinda looks like the right thing.

[Belletrist]

Thanks you guys.
Actually, I had looked at civil war uniforms, but there were a few problems, like the fact they have no cuffs or fold-down collars and I would have no idea how to change the pattern to include those.
I was actually thinking of getting this pattern: http://www.1sewingpatterns.com/images0/2471bbur.jpg (it's Burda #2471, found it at www.sewingpatterns.com - thanks for that site, Reamy, it's excellent!) and chopping off the bottom part of the jacket. Then just sewing up a front panel including the mock clasps etc, which could be attatched in a few different ways, not permanantly on one side though, so it would still be possible to get in and out of the thing XD
What do you think? Any major traumas that jump out at you? Problems I might have along the way?

[AuroraHermione]

I wouldn't suggest that pattern because it looks like the 2 parts just meet in the front... you need one side to cross over the other.

[LadyHawke78]

I would have to check with my seamstress friend on this one, but I *think* she altered a Civil War pattern when she made my FMA jacket. It came out REALLY well, although I know it was not the easiest sewing project for her, and she is very experienced with these sort of things. Her work is professional quality. So, I'd advise getting some assistance on this if you are new to sewing and pattern alteration.

I trimmed the entire costume myself (it involved a decent amount of hand-sewing, and MANY MANY hours of labor...) so if you need any assitance when you get to that part, feel free to PM me or something. I know it drove me crazy trying to find a way to get the trim to "behave."

There used to be a really good website with a complete breakdown of all of the uniform peices, and it gave pattern suggestions for each, but I no longer have it bookmarked. You might be able to find the link or some other pattern suggestions in the original FMA thread.

http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=24609

It is HUGE, so it will take some searching, but you might find some good stuff in there.

[Reamy]

I'm glad you like the site. I found all of my sewing patterns for our Alice in Wonderland cosplay group on that site. It has TONS of patterns.
I like the jacket. I would suggest elongating one side of the front of the jacket (maybe with a flap?) to cross over so that it looks correct. I second getting some help. Even if you've sewn for at least a couple years, like I have, you still need some assistance on hand if you come into a problem with altering the pattern.
Have you gotten the pant pattern yet? If not, look on that site. Literally every shape and size of pant you can think of.
Might I suggest a microfiber black top to go underneath the jacket? If you look at Roy's black shirt, it's skin tight. I find that the black baseball/football/hockey? microfiber/spandex tops at your local sports store to fit that criteria veeeerrry nicely. Plus, they're comfortable as I don't know what! ^_______________^

Hope I help!

[Seventh_Sin]

Roy wears a white dress shirt under his uniform. Always wants to be ready to look nice for the ladies, I guess.

I can't really help with the pattern, but I'd suggest using trigger or a similar fabric and looking in a military surplus store for the little stars and things.

[LadyHawke78]

Fabric... yes. The most important thing when making a costume is getting the correct fabric.

This fabric is PERFECT:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/product/9010.html

(Get it in Navy...)

This is what my seamstress and I used. I wore the costume to AUSA a few weeks back, and I had some older man come up to me right in the middle of the lobby and say "THANK YOU! Someone finally used the "right" fabric for this costume!"

It was the strangest comment on a costume that I ever received, but it was amusing. I guess the man must have been in the military in the past or something. XD

This fabric is very easy to work with, and it holds a crease very well (works great when ironing the pants...)

PHOTO OF THE FABRIC IN ACTION... (Yeah, I'm not wearing the jacket... it was 90 degrees out that day! LOL!!)

[theleaningelm]

@LadyHawke78: oh man, but that cosplay is amazing! Great job on it!

[Reamy]

LOL! WHOOPSY! Wrong Character. LOL! Sorry about that. Either way...Mustang looks good. XD

[LadyHawke78]

Originally Posted by theleaningelm

@LadyHawke78: oh man, but that cosplay is amazing! Great job on it!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it... having the main peices commissioned allowed me lots of spare time to go absolutely CRAZY getting all of the small details right (right down to trying out THREE different pairs of contact lenses until I found the right color! LOL!)

Oh, and my dirty little secret? That is not all my own hair... I have one of these things pinned into it. (Terrible picture, but better "hair shot".)
My real hair is only slightly longer than chin length.

[Belletrist]

Woah, that fabric does look excellent, and so does your hair extensiony thingo XD But I'm not sure that I'd be able to order fabric over the internet, it's more likely that my parents will ask that I buy it from the craft shop up the road. I was thinking a stretch cotton sort, in navy. I hate it when people cosplay the military uniforms in light blue.

I'm going to go start scouring that FMA thread. If I find the page you're talking about, I'll post the link here. If anyone else comes across it before me, I'd be really greatful if they'd post it - it sounds excellent.

[Eleryth]

Unfortunately, finding the URL won't do you any good, as the site is currently down as they're changing hosts. Dunno when it will be up again.

You can find a link in my sig to it, even though nothing will be there. Hopefully the url will remain the same.