Contest Couture Contest: The Un/Lucky Cat - Winners Announced!

Are we allowed to use non-fabric materials sparingly? If, for instance, we want a plastic cat nose as part of our costume or wire to shape the ears? Thanks!

 

Wow, this is so cool! Out of curiosity, what yardage would one need for a 1/8 scale doll?

 

Yeah so excited =^_^=

 

Silly I know but can we use thread to decorate the outfit?

 

If a wig is part of the costume "look", does it have to come out of the yardage allotment?

 

Yes, those are considered embellishments.

That would be a tiny.

Yes!

No, wigs worn as wigs do not count as fabric.

Also, in answer to a question asked privately, we are looking for cat costumes. Lucky and unlucky cats are domestic cats, not larger members of the feline family.

 

This time I WILL finish on time!!

 

So no panthers or lions.... Can it be any breed of domestic cat then?

 

Well... I don't normally join in the actual competition half of this one, I'm usually more than happy being a member of the peanut gallery - voting for the fantastic end results, and complementing the numerous entries when we see them.

However, the theme is glorious... so I have to give it a go (despite the fact that my entry almost certainly won't make the top half, let alone the top ten given my complete and utter lack of skill in this arena). Still, this is going to be a very very fun project and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's take on this year's theme.

 

One doll per entry, right? I'm on mobile and can't see everything all too well.

 

Hi Mods! I have a quick question: I do a lot of fastening with lacing when I make outfits, and I was wondering 1) if the cord I use for lacing would could towards fabric yardage and 2) if that kind of lacing is okay considering it's not actual "sewing." (It's not really like using tape though...) Thanks!

 

Can we use paint to embellish our fabrics?
I think last year stabilizers and interfacing did not count against our yardage, is it the same this year?

 

What a delightful contest! It's a pity I have NO time in August, or I would enter with my little Rosen Garden Hana, who would make a charming little cat! Oh, well, maybe next time!

ETA: I will enjoy seeing the creations the other DOA artists come up with!

 

If a costume includes a corset, does boning count towards the yardage total?

And as for trim, how do we count it towards the yardage? Can the trim only be as long as one side of the 'rectangle'? I'm confused as to the limits allowed.

Thanks!

 

This is such a fun contest, I'm so excited to see what people come up with!

 

idrisfynn
Thank you!

 

So judging from the rules, it looks like anything that fits within the border of whatever size fabric we have is ok as long as it's only one layer - is that right? So if I'm working with a large doll, I can use a piece of fabric 18" x 44", and then 18 x 44" worth of trim and embellishments?

 

I want to make sure I have the right idea of what constitutes a "cat costume"... minimally cat ears and a tail? but otherwise the outfit itself should be conceptualized around the symbol of luck and cats? (asking because the theme is un/lucky cat, but it doesn't say explicitly in the rules to make the costume representative of it or just a cat costume of any kind)

 

Is there a limit to how many embellishments we can use? In the rules it lists embellished fabrics but for things that are not fabric how do we work them into our allowed amount?

Also the "Ask the moderators" link in the first post is not working correctly, it goes to a forum not found.

 

Will there also be space for us to write up a short description/story about our concept idea, when we submit our entries?

 

Since we can make our own textiles, can we knit?

 

Here's a working link! Ask the Moderators

 

Yeah I was able to post there but I just noticed the link didn't work and thought the mods might want to know.

 

Can I echo the question about long pieces of trim please? If I'm using a reel of ribbon can I keep it in one piece and fold it a few times to make it fit the rectangle (it would be lying side by side with itself not on top of itself)?

 

I can't wait to see the entries for this!

 

I've fixed the Ask the Moderators link ^_^

 

Are we allowed to use props in our photo or should it be just the costume?

 

[QUOTE = "I don't think you have that right? For a large doll, all fabric and trim must fit in a single layer within the same square of 18x44in. There is not a separate allotment for trim." [/quote]

The rules state we get 1 yard (36") of 44" wide fabric for a large (1/3) size doll, so I think what I was asking is actually correct, as 18" is a half yard. So half a yard of fabric and the area of another half yard for trim/embellishments, to cover the area of a full yard (36" x 44")?
I just want to be 100% sure I got this right before I do something dumb like use too much trim and disqualify myself.

 

Can we make a cat costume for a doll who is already a cat? My Catdoll has got her ears moulded on the head. Or does the model doll have to be a strictly human being? Thanks!

 

So it sounds like any decorative trim such as fancy ribbon that is applied to the finished garment does not come out of our fabric allotment. Is that right?

 

Think it does actually.

Could be wrong but if I read the rules right it would count.

 

Are we allowed to use wire?

 

Can we make non-fabric accessories as long as the actual outfit is fabric?

 

So wigs and shoes are fair game, but how about accessories like headbands/clips, jewelry, masks, glasses, etc (and seconding @TwistedRiver 's question about props)? Do they count as embellishment, do they have to be handmade by us, are they even judged as part of the outfit?

 

This is kind of a stretch but can an edited yardage photo work? As in if you use a pattern piece more than once can you copy paste it in the photo itself? Given its taken from the top view and will have adequate spacing between pieces to allow for error. I don't want to cut out a yard worth of paper xD but I can if I must

This is just me, but I can't use the fabric pieces itself because I'm the type who has to finish sewing a section before even starting the pattern for the next part, so this might seem silly to some :,P but I'll make sure to make patterns for everything so I include it in the yardage.

Edit : Ive decided to transfer and cut all the original patterns to different paper since it'd make sense to be more accurate while keeping track than estimating ^^; but im still curious about this question if you want to answer haha

 

@idrisfynn Thank you so much for making your answers so clear!!! I had sent some questions through Ask the Mods (forgot the "contest" prefix :/ ) but after all the questions and answers here I feel confident that I understand the nature and intention of the rules I think I'm ready to get started!!

 

Coming back to the question of jewelry - I'm interpreting this to mean that if I make a choker from a ribbon it's fabric so it has to be sewn and has to come out of the yardage (because it's not laid on top of any other fabric). I'm allowed to alternatively make a necklace out of metal chain it does not come out of the yardage - but it also won't be noted as being made by me. Is that right?

 

Can our yardage photo be a collage? Some of my materials may be changing, plus since I have to work in a small space I'm not sure I can lay out all the pieces for one photo. I'd make sure everything fit within my measurements though.

 

On one hand, I really want that Gloomy Hazel but on the other based on the quality of entries from previous years I have no chance at all

 

I probably won't come close to winning but I'm still going to try.

 

Yeah, lol. Winning would always be cool but at this point i just really want the outfit I've come up with to exist, so if all else fails that can be my prize.

 

That's kinda how it was for me in last year's triathlon, didn't even get close to placing but I really got to know my Aggi and make her a bunch of nice things.

 

Still enter!! I entered three years ago, didn't win anything, don't even remember what the prizes were, but my boy still wears the shirt I made. It's one of my favorite things I've ever made, so it's definitely still worth it!

 

I agree! I do it mainly to force myself to sew. One of the dolls ends up with an outfit he/she wouldn't otherwise have.

 

A collage is fine, as long as it clearly demonstrates that your pieces fit within the yardage allotment.

 

Thanks much! I was thinking it would be but I wanted to double check before I got to work sewing.

Got my pattern all designed, now just comes the fun part of sewing it all together.

 

Wow! I'm laying out my tape measures for the yardage allotment, and we have way more than last year!! Although, I'm also using a slightly smaller doll too... so maybe it just seems that way...

So excited to be getting started!!!

 

@Ellidyr you made me wonder so I went to look it up. We do have lots more room this year!
Last year's allotment, for the curious:
1/3 size doll or larger: 2/3 yard (0.6 meter)
1/4 size doll: 1/2 yard (0.46 meter)
1/6 size doll: 1/3 yard (0.3 meter)
1/12 size: 1/6 yard (0.15 meter)

 

Does Jing come with a faceup? :3

 

Ok thank you so much!!

 

I have a question: if I make jewellery of beads and chains - it is not counted in the entry (non-sewing technics). And If I sew beads/chains/etc on fabric (custom made trim) - it is counted in the entry. Am I right?

 

Quick question since I derped and misread the rules. Can my fabric used picture be before I cut out my pattern or does it have to show the pieces cut out already? And one more question, in the close-up detail shots, does the doll have to be wearing the items at the time?

 

Another quick question - is it okay to use a homemade wig even if it was not made for this contest?

(It's clearly a wig and not a sewn part of the outfit and it shouldn't be obvious enough to link me to the entry - it's not heavily styled and it's not a wig I've used often in photo shoots, though there will likely be one or photos of it floating round the internet.)

 

Correct. Jewelry would not count towards your entry. Sewing beads or chain onto your fabric could either be a custom made trim (if it extends the size of the fabric) or just embellished fabric (if it does not change the size of the fabric).

Your photo can either show your uncut pattern pieces laid out on top of the fabric, or the cut out pieces laid out within a rectangle of the allowed dimensions. Either way, it must clearly show that all your pieces fit within the yardage allowance.

Yes, whatever wig your doll is wearing, it will not count for or against your entry in any way.