But I'm here, still alive....I promise. See?
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| I think I need to go back for this soft, fluffy thing. |
Me, last weekend, fabric shopping.
What was I getting? Surely I have enough fabric, right? I mean, I have posted pictures of me at fabric shops or getting fabric in the mail like....4+ times this past month? So what could I possibly need?
How about this:
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| Green Pleather |
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| Green Linen |
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| Yellow Linen |
I....am taking on a commission.
"Now, Beryla," you exclaim, "I thought you don't do commissions!"
Well, I don't...typically. This one is for a friend, and something I actually kind of want to do. I won't say who it's for or what it is yet. You'll see.
But why, now, would I make a commission?
First, let me back track.
I am frequently asked if I make commissions, and I always say the same thing: "No."
"Why not?" is the follow up question.
Well, here is why, once and for all.
Sewing for someone else makes me nervous. When I sew a cosplay for myself, if it isn't working out or I don't like how it's turning out, I can just scrap the project. I can't really do that for a commission.
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| Tried making Rogue. My heart wasn't in it. I ended up hating how everything turned out. So I scrapped it. |
What if I find I'm just plain unable to actually make the thing?
_ _
\ (@.@)/
When I sew a cosplay for myself (ESPECIALLY when I make the pattern myself), I constantly try it on as I go to test the fit and make alterations as needed. Something I can't do with a commission (unless I saw you frequently).
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| Capable (Mad Max: Fury Road) top |
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| Ty Lee (Avatar: The Last Airbender) top |
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| Astrid (HTTYD2) skirt |
And lastly, I have what is commonly (I think) called artist eyes - I never see my own work the way others see it. I see what could be better or different. This isn't a bad thing. I still love my cosplays. It pushes me to better myself. But if I always see what's wrong, I don't want someone else to see it. What if they get the piece and see it through my eyes? Unlikely, I know, but the thought is too stressful. Actually, the whole thing is too stressful.
I don't question my talent (what of it I have). I just find the idea of a commission stressful. Life is stressful enough. Making my own is stressful enough. You could call it fear, or you could call it taking precautions because I know myself. Whatever you call it, that's how it is.
"Now, Beryla," you ask, "then why are you making a commission?"
A good friend asked me to. The cosplay is from a universe I love. Moreover, the cosplay is a character I love. That has ALWAYS been the first requirement for making my own cosplays. If I don't love the universe, the character, or something about the character (sometimes that can just mean the outfit, I suppose), then I won't do it. Seriously. My heart isn't in it, so it won't turn out amazingly. I tried that once. The costume is unfinished upstairs...on the floor (bad me!)
Before you take on a commission, you should think about these things. For some people, it isn't a question. Commissioning is the way to go! For me, not so much. Except for special occasions.
Sorry, guys! Maybe one day, I'll change my mind. Then again, maybe not.
Until then, this anonymous friend (anonymous until the cosplay is worn), will be one of the very few people I work for.
