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Jaybirdie — Shark Hoodie Process
Published: 2010-05-29 07:27:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 1206; Favourites: 16; Downloads: 34
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Description
Bah, This thing took far too long to get stitched together and explained, even after I stopped trying to make everything look nice and pretty and just got it the heck done. >:C Digital skills fail.Anyway, yeah, I think pretty much everything is explained here. I hope you can read it, if not leave an angry comment and I’ll see what I can do. If you have any questions not answered here, just ask in the comments.
Incidentally, in case you are curious, Gutterman’s and Mettler have slightly different ideas of what color navy blue is. It’s not really noticeable, just odd.
Again: Shark Hoodie is creative property of Tessa Stone (vert-is-ninja) and comes from her web comic ‘Hanna is not A Boy’s Name!’ You should read it if you don’t already.
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Comments: 36
I would have so much fun with it. But I would hearing/doing the jaws music all day/
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haha, YES, it is probably tons of fun to wear everyday, though only on cold days, 'cause it's really pretty warm. I'll ask Hannah if she can't stop singing the jaws theme when she wears it.
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wow thanks for the pattern im doing this but im modifying a hoodie im buying. i told m y mom my plans she just looked at me weird told me later and said is this for that Anime NOrth thing you wana go to......no mom its not, i just wana make a shark hoodie that roxks
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Heh, yeah everyone I explained it to looked at me wierd as well. Until I wore and they all where blown away by the awesomeness that is a shark hoodie.
Shark hoodies ROCK! Trufax.
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im thinking bout it still i might not put the fin on or if i do i want it to be able to come off
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I'm planning to do a shark hoodie, so do you mind if I ask you a few questions? (I'm relatively new to "real" sewing, but I did it a lot as a little kid)
How many yards of fabric did you use? (Because I have absolutely no idea how many to get. 
and how did you sew on the fin? I'm at a loss as to how one would go about that...
Thank you in advance if you answer these! I don't really have a lot of time to do the whole thing, maybe a few weeks. So I'm learning as much as I can along the way!
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Of course I don't mind, in fact, I'm flattered you want tips from me! 
Yardage depends a lot on what pattern you are using and what size you are. The pattern I used called for 2 yards and I got 2 1/2 for safety's sake since it was a pretty small pattern, and I still had quite a bit left over. If you have a pattern I'd suggest looking for yardage on it, but if not I guess just go for about 2 or a bit more. Make your own call, you may want extra in case you make an irreversible mistake(like I did).
The fin... was interesting, and I ended up having to hand stitch it some afterward to make sure it stayed. My best advice is to cut a slit in the back, insert the fin and pin on the sides, then sew each side and make sure to reinforce the top and bottom with double stitching. Or you could cut a slit in the back, insert fin and sew all four layers together. Again, your call. I left the fin open to the inside so I could sew supportive material it to make it stand up. If you already have that, or feel you don't need it, go ahead and include it in sewing the fin on, less work. 
Some good general advice I think is that you will make mistakes and have to rip out. It's the nature of sewing a piece that's got no pattern or directions. If you get fed up, walk away from it and do something else. Don't beat yourself up over imperfections, get it to work and fix small things later.
Good luck on the jacket and the rest of your cosplay, you'll make a great Veser! *ohgodlongcommentsffff*
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You're welcome! And thank you for answering so quickly!
I'm rather small, and kind of short, and I saw a pattern that was 3 yards, which I know now would have a lot left over. But I should probobly get 3 just in case I mess up the pattern, because I know I will. XD
I waqs going to maybe stuff the fin, use some cardboard or foamboard to make it solid and then put in some stuffing to give it shape. Would a blind stitch keep it together if I reinforced it enough, though?
My friend and I made a costume about a year ago, and it turned out...intresting. We sewed the sleeves on wrong once, and it took about an hour just to get it on, because it had ribbon going up one side to keep it together. Then it took another half hour just to unlace the ribbon! So I'm really used to making mistakes.
Thank you! I don't mind the long comment, don't worry.
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Heh, I haven't checked my da for a few days, I'm surprised I caught this early.
Yeah, 3 yards 
I'm not sure I'd use cardboard or anything tough for the fin. Wish I could give you a clear idea of what I used for the fin, but I don't know exactly what it is. It's like a foamy, spongy thing, it came as packing in some shipment, my mom was the one who found it. It works really great because it gives the fin shape, but it's squishy so it doesn't hurt your back if you sit back on a chair. It also goes through the washer and dryer without falling apart or melting, which is nice. If you can find anything like that, use it.
When you say blind stich, do you mean stitch in the ditch? I wouldn't really suggest handsewing any of the important parts, machine stitching gives better tension and regularity.
Man that sounds like an adventure. Also, Yay pictures
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I don't know what they were thinking. But I'm probobly going to give it a liner, so yeah 2 1/2 yards of each would probobly work nicely.
Oooohh, I forgot about chairs. I'll see if I can find anything like that, but if I can't then I guess I can just stuff it really tightly and see how it works.
A blind stitch is when you sew from the sides of each piece of fabric, so that you don't see it from the outside. Is that the same thing? I have a sewing machine for the whole thing, I just meant for the fin.
It was an adventure, we learned a lot. XD Hooray for pictures!
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Yeah, I think about stuff like that, I'm odd. I actually left most of the fin empty, the piece of foamy stuff I sewed on was pretty small and just holds up the top edge of the fin so it doesn't lie flat on the back. I just stitched in the ditch to attach it to the seams, works pretty good.
I don't know if a blind stich is really strong enough for attaching the fin. I'd think it'd get moderate wear and tear, if not from anything else then just from people goin "whoaheywhat'sthishuh?" and yankin on it. And blind stiching is generally just used for hemming or lining seams.
GAWD, I wish I could go to a con! I'm shootin to have a go at AX next year though. (and mebbe cosplay Mrs. Hatch and another comic character :buckteeth
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I didn't think of that, what kind of stitch did you use to get it to stay? Like I said, I'm relatively new to sewing.
I'm only going for one day with two of my friends, so I'm just doing my Veser cosplay. I was just making the teeth a few minutes ago, actually!
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A simple straight stitch on your machine out to do the trick, then just back stitch (reverse if your machine has it or just make another run over the previous stitch) as many times as you want to reinforce. If you catch all of the fabric you need to in one go then you probably won't even need to handsew it. I only did cause I missed a half inch of the bottom edge and it was fraying.
Haha, that was a great story, I don't think I've ever seen real people do caramelldansen before. XD
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I just try that, then, I'm buying fabric next week. I've been working on the teeth, and it's really kind of gross. I made a cast using some sculpey clay (because I have nothing else) and it all got stuck in my teeth. But it's still fun. My brother walked into my room as I was biting the clay and just stared at me, then walked out. He thinks I'm crazzy now.
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Haha, nice
'WTF she's eating clay now! I don't even...'
heh, wall eye.
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I think he needs some surgery.
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Wow.. you're really good with fabric! It's very interesting to read and see how you've made the hoodie.. mad skills!
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Thank you! I really like the process photos when others do them, so I decided to make one.
it was really hard to remember to take photos though...
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Wooooooo! I love it! This is pretty awesome and I love the progress pictures you posted!
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Aww, thanks! 
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You are welcome, I like seeing how people put things together. If I have a friend wanting to do the shark hoodie in the future, this is definately something I will be refering back to! ^_^
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Oh awesome! Wish them luck with it from me and link me to a picture when it's done, I love seeing everybody's versions!
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That is super cool. I like it a lot. You should make me one!
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Gutterman and Mettler colors are different because Gutterman is German cotton thread and Mettler is polyester. Sorry, just had to throw that in...I work at a fabric store...
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Oh, thanks, that's good to know. I suppose the materials take dye slightly differently then huh.
And thank you kindly!
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They do, and you're welcome.
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balkafjbh
If I could sew I would soooo try to make this...
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Aww, I'm sorry. :C Know anyone who sews that could teach you and help you out, that's how I learned. Probably any female relative over a certain age would at least know the basics, and that's all you really need for a pattern like this.
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Are there hoodie patterns available online? Where did you get yours?
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Oh yeah, theres tons of patterns online, or at your nearest Joann's, even most Walmarts have fabric sections with patterns. The one I used was an old one from my moms collection, dunno if you could find it but if you want to try it's Butterick pattern #4668
If you can't find it I would suggest just searching through online pattern catalogues for any hoodies that say something like 'QuikSew' 'Instant Fashion' or something similar, those tend to be easier. And if you can tell from what information they give you, don't get anything that says it needs 'lining' that'll save you time and frustration.
Best pattern companies in my experience are Buttericks, McCalls, and Simplicity, I'd look through those first.
If you have trouble finding things or don't know how to proceed, don't hesitate to drop me a note and I'll try to help.
OHGODLONGCOMMENTISLONG! DD:
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Oh man thanks so much!!!!
I really appreciate the help!!
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Wow, it's so awesome you posted how it was made. X3 It looks great too. :3
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I'm glad you think so, I always like it when people post process pictures of their projects, it makes it kinda more real.
Naw, it kinda failed in a big way though, I know jack about my digital program.
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Yea, process pictures are fun to look at. :3
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