Need help/advice for sewing a costume!

[purringcat]

Hi guys,

I want to make a costume for my local anime and video game event at the end of July. I might as well say what it is, I suppose, I want to cosplay as Totoro! So basically what I want is like an all-in-one pajama suit sort of deal, with a zip in the back. I have my fabric (an awesome grey fleece!), but I'm really not sure how to go about this. I've got a sewing machine and know the basics, but I've only made handbags so far, no clothing.

My first thought was to get my husband to trace around me while I laid on the fabric (please don't laugh, everyone starts somewhere) but I get the feeling that won't work. I want it to be as simple to sew as possible while still looking half-way decent. Would it be possible to make the body+legs two pieces (front and back) and the sleeves separately and sew them on, or is there going to be some sort of logistical problem with that I haven't thought of? I'm going to make booties and mittens separately, so it doesn't need to encompass my feet, hands or head.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Ludi]

You can get commercial patterns for animal costume jumpsuits, so if you can afford a pattern, I would start there. 

Here's an example:  http://www.simplicity.com/p-1771-costumes.aspx

[purringcat]

I actually do have that pattern, I bought it to do this with, but I don't like it. For a start, I'm far shorter than the average person, so it's far too large. And it's in so many pieces, it's really more complicated than I was envisaging. That's why I was hoping to get some advice on how to do a very simple jumpsuit kind of thing in as few pieces as possible.

[Ludi]

What I did with the pattern was use it as a basis for my own pattern.  I cut a muslin based on it and then changed it to fit better.  I was making a cat costume and it was supposed to be a pudgy cat, so I had to add width in the tummy area.  You could start from scratch making your own muslin but you'll need help pinning it on your body to get the shape you want.  I just find it easier to start with some kind of shaped pattern pieces, even if I end up changing it a lot....

[Ludi]

I should mention I think it's really hard to make fur suit patterns from scratch without a full body duct tape dummy or something similar.

[hoxierice]

How many pieces is it? Is the contrast "tummy" piece appliqued on or is it a part of the actual shape/fit of the piece? Do you need the hood/ears? Because if the tummy is appliqued and you don't need the hood that cuts out a lot of pieces. Basic pieces would be a front piece, a back piece and a sleeve piece. And as Ludi said make a mock up, what you will need to do because you are shorter is pin out vertical length and then copy that to your pattern. Just make sure you can lift your arms over your head without giving yourself a wedgie.

[purringcat]

The tummy piece will be appliqued on, and I won't have a hood. I've cut out the pattern pieces now, and it doesn't seem QUITE as complicated. Although I'm a little unsure as to how to make it rounder and fatter, like dear Totoro is. This is quite a steep learning curve!