How to Create a Goku Costume Patch from Dragonball Z

Goku is a Japanese anime character from the series Dragonball Z. You can create a Goku costume patch for a homemade costume very easily with just a bit of patience and very little money. Make your Goku costume authentic by following these easy to follow instructions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• enlarged copy of Goku's patch
• colored tracing paper
• blunt pencil
• white fabric for base
• black fabric for symbol and edge of patch
• medium weight fusible interfacing
• iron & ironing board
• large cutting board
• sharp exacto knife and scissors
• sewing machine and thread
• circular object diameter of patch

1. 
   Goku patch image enlarged.

   Find a clear image on the internet of the patch on Goku's back. Copy image and print. Take to a copy center and enlarge to desired size.

2. Iron fusible interfacing to wrong side of black fabric where patch will be. Fuse more interfacing to wrong side of white base fabric also.

3. 
   Enlarged image of Goku patch.

   Trace image onto black fabric by layering as follows: place fabric right side up on solid work surface. Place tracing paper with the right side facing black fabric. Pin enlarged image on top to secure the three layers. Choose a contrasting color paper so it will show well when tracing is complete.

4. 
   Traced image of Goku patch.

   Use blunt pencil and trace firmly along the shape of patch. Lift bottom of image periodically to get a peek to ensure image is copying well.

5. 
   Machine stitch outline.

   Sew in a short, straight stitch on the sewing machine following carefully the traced outline on fabric. Continue until entire outline of Goku patch has been reinforced in this manner on the sewing machine.

6. 
   Cut out sewn image.

   Use scissors and/or sharp exacto knife to carefully cut Goku patch along the sewn lines. Use a cutting board to protect work surface and work on the back side of patch so lines are clearly visible. Remember to cut out openings as shown.

7. Use circular object to first cut out large circle of the white fabric that was reinforced with the fusible interfacing. (I used a large pizza pan. Use this same circle on the black fabric as a guide to cut a 3" wide border for the Goku patch.

8. 
   Sewing Goku patch.

   Sew circular black border to the outer edges of white circle fabric. Ensure inner edge is done first in a straight stitch and then retrace this stitching on the inner edge of circle with a blanket stitch on sewing machine to make patch more realistic.
   
   Center symbol on white fabric inside the black borders and stitch in a straight stitch. Ensure each edge is secured to complete this portion of the Goku costume patch.

9. 
   Completed Goku patch.

   Place Goku patch on center back of costume and sew outer edge only of black border in a straight stitch following edge carefully. Continue with a blanket stitch on outer edge of Goku patch to secure patch to back of costume.

Tips & Warnings

• Note: if making entire costume, you may find it easier to adapt a hospital scrubs pattern. Lengthen legs for more fullness and slash the front V of scrub top to approximately 4 inches above hem. Also, make sure to attach Goku patch on back of top BEFORE sewing together front and back of top IF making entire Goku costume. This is much easier to do before assembling the top.

[slphilbrick]

on 10/26/2009 Wow......I know nothing about this Dragonball thing, but what a cool emblem for a costume. Great instructions !

[bossypants]

on 10/25/2009 Great directions and photos! This is easily adaptable to any applique! Thanks!