I volunteered to sew a costume for a community theatre.
The costumer gave me a dress that will be worn by a man. Luckily it's a simple dress, a tunic style in satin with sheer nylon sleeves. The dress is pink with big black polka dots, and the sleeves are black with pink dots.
The tunic itself looks easy and was relatively easy to cut out. It's just 2 pieces, front & back, so sew them together with French seams (because I don't have a serger to finish the edges), bias tape around the neck opening. The costumer wants it only sewn to 6" below the armpit and then left open (actor will wear pants underneath), which means extra hemming down the sides and bottom. That part is just straight lines, though, not a big deal.
The tricky part is that the dress pattern did not have sleeves, so there is a 2nd pattern -- in a much smaller size -- for the sleeves. First challenge was to figure out how many inches needed to be added to the width of the sleeve to make it fit into the arm opening in the dress and look right in proportion.
That took awhile because the sleeve itself is 2 pieces -- the main arm piece, and then an insert from elbow to wrist that is a flare. I had to stare at the pieces and the pattern illustration for awhile to work it out.
(Tilting my head from side to side like a confused puppy. )I cut all of the fabric last night. I'm taking it on faith that the girth & length of the sleeves will be close enough -- she didn't give me the actor's measurements. He's playing a woman so he will be padded. He's also wearing a wig and I question whether this pull-over style will go over the wig in a quick change. However, I am following her pattern instructions so it isn't my problem.
This morning I need to transfer some markings on the sleeves, and then I can set everything aside until tomorrow. I have to get ready for a sewing group board meeting tonight. Once that's over, I can thread my machine tonight and get the table set up to sew all day tomorrow.
The costume is due for a fitting at the theatre on Sunday. I want to finish early and deliver on Friday so I can combine with other errands.