Cosplay Tip: Sewing Wire with Open Embroidery Foot #20C

My newest cosplay project is a bit of a nostalgia trip. Bring yourself back to 1997 and the worldwide release of the movie, TITANIC.

I was 9 years old and immediately flung myself into the fandom of the Titanic. I didn’t get a chance to see the movie in theaters but when the film reached my VCR, I couldn’t wait to watch it. The first appearance of Rose DeWitt Bukater in her striped boarding gown grabbed ahold of me and still hasn’t let go.

Rose DeWitt Bukater Titanic inspiration

Now, beam back to 2022 and my cosplay plans are being made. Rose is knocking around in my head and it’s finally time to recreate that iconic dress and hat combo.

First up is the hat. I purchased a purple base straw hat from Amazon and was determined to make it work because my wallet would not be up for multiple hat trials. 

Rose DeWitt Bukater Titanic inspiration

The hat is slightly turned up around the edges and has a certain shape to it—luckily I had an idea. I chose to satin stitch gardening wire along the edges using my BERNINA so I can shape it the way I wanted. Using the BERNINA Open Embroidery Foot #20C, I prepped my BERNINA 570 QE.

BERNINA B570 QE with my open embroidery foot 20C

I lowered my presser foot pressure to about 25, making it easier to slide the project under the foot. I found this was crucial, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite options with this machine. 

sewing wire with my open embroidery 20c

Using Wonder Clips, I bent the wire as I clipped it into place. 

I thread matched the best I could to the hat color and placed my hat under the foot. For the satin stitch, I selected a zigzag stitch with a wide width and short length. Then, I started stitching! Carefully at first, making sure I kept my needle away from the wire—no broken needles needed here! 

I completed two rounds of stitching over the wire and it was complete! Now I can easily bend the hat to any shape I need. I can’t wait to keep working on this cosplay. I have a few other elements of it that I’ve been working on. Check them out!

If you would like a sew along or to see more of the process, comment below! 

My Titanic hat with sewn in wire

Here is the finished look!

Photo Credit: Alexandra Lee Studios

Happy sewing everyone!

Jedimanda

Print this page

Creative Cosplay WeAllSew Book Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all of our WeAllSew fans who entered!

Congratulations to our winner(s):

  1. zelda

Keep an eye out for the next WeAllSew giveaway!

What you might also like

75 comments on “Cosplay Tip: Sewing Wire with Open Embroidery Foot #20C”

Leave a Reply