I might start my "no pattern" learning with something more basic. Like a throw pillow. Because even that basic shirt armor sounds really intimidating at the moment. Of course the last time I actually sewed anything was in junior high. My mom helped me make a pair of pajama pants (by which I mean she did most of the work) and we used a pattern. And they turned out so big that even with them tied as tight as possible I could slide them on and off easily. I don't know if that was me measuring wrong or her assuming I was fatter than I was and picking the wrong size pattern...

The tricky part of pillows is closing them up nice. I don't actually know the right way to do it. I usually sew up around the seams except for about a 1" gap along one edge, turn it right-side-out through that hole, then stuff it and hand-sew that gap shut.

Yeah, that's the only way I've seen.
If zippers aren't too hard to do, maybe I'll do a throw pillow cover. Possibly a better plan what with having cats. Easier to wash.

Zippers are pretty easy. It's not much different than a seam -- right sides together, stitch, turn right-side-out.

http://xmpps.greenmaw.com/~coda/stuf...c-no-paint.jpg

Done sewing it! The neckline was harder than I thought it would be. The sleeves worked out okay but the armpits are pinched weird. Not sure what I did wrong or how to correct it.

I've got fabric paint and masking tape to apply the designs tomorrow.

Looks great! I especially like the neckline, it has a certain viking vibe to it.

Reference image:

It looks pretty cool, Coda! And I was here to complain there were too many words and too few (wut is that an expression) pictures.
The only time I cosplayed, I had someone do the dress for me. /lazylife

That looks nice!

The first time I tried to make clothes was easy--because it was nothing but a skirt and cape and hood. Doing anything else (pants were weird, sweater thing had no neckline, vests got made too small x'D) failed utterly and I stopped after a while.

That actually looks really good! And I can see why the neckline would be tough.

Ahhhh...I really wish I could afford a sewing machine now...

Do you have a friend or relative who owns one maybe? Sure, sooner or later it's more practical to buy your own, but that might at least get you started.

Nope. When cleaning up my dad's house for everyone to gather in the house a few years ago following the wake and then funeral, one of my aunts took my mom's sewing machine and ALL the sewing and quilting supplies.
She lives very far away from me, besides which, I'm really not close to my family.
And none of my local friends really have any craft hobbies at all. So no sewing machine to borrow.

You can get a cheap little "mending machine" for $40-$60. They aren't very fast and they aren't very fancy, but it's what I used for years.

Posted on Facebook. One of my out of state friends actually has a machine they want ti get rid of, so will negotiate a price with them.

That's great news. Do you already have ideas for a starting project? Throw pillow cover sounds good, or maybe a simple tote bag. Circle skirt if you prefer something you can actually wear. And don't forget to take pictures afterwards ^^

Yeah, good quality machines last long. One of my aunts has a really old one (like, 1930s old) and it can only do straight stitches, but it still works like a charm.