Q&A (Frequently Asked Questions)

Costume and clothing patterns are made into digital data and provided as PDF files.
More than 2,200 free patterns are available on the DRCOS website!
PDF patterns downloaded from the site can be printed as many times as you like with your home printer.
After printing, paste the pages together using tape or glue, then cut them out to use as a paper pattern.
Each pattern already includes seam allowances. This makes it very easy to use the patterns right away.
You don’t need to trace the pattern or add seam allowances, which is usually required for basic patterns.
Sizes are available from children's size 100 (4) up to men's size LL.
* Please note that not all costumes are available in every size.

In some countries, the SHOP website may not be visible because of regional restrictions.
If you cannot see the website, you can still order by email.
Please contact us at: info@dr-cos.com
We will send you an email invoice for credit card payment, and the PDF pattern file will be sent to you by email.
If you are using a smartphone, you may be able to view the site by installing a VPN application for better access.

The levels show how difficult it is to make each costume.
Please note that this is only the opinion of the site manager. The level may feel different for each person, so it is just for reference.
Even if a pattern is marked as Beginner, it can still be hard for someone making a costume for the first time.
If you are a complete beginner (first time using a sewing machine), please start with something very simple, marked with a level of 1 or 2.

The sizes shown on the website are the actual measurements of the pattern paper, not the wearer's body size.
Please check each size carefully before downloading, considering how loose or tight you want the garment to be.
If you are not sure about the fit, place your clothing flat and measure it to compare with the pattern size.

The file name is correct. The ending letters show the type (men's or women's) and the size.
For example:
XXXXXX-ll = Ladies' L size (the "ll" stands for "ladies-l"). XXXXXX-lll = Ladies' LL size. XXXXXX-ml = Men's L size.
Please check the sample image below to confirm how the file names are labeled.

Sometimes, after pasting the printed pattern, it may look like a part is missing.
This is normal. To reduce the total number of printed pages, some patterns are arranged in unusual shapes.

For example, depending on the design, the finished layout may look like the image above.
It may seem incomplete, but if the number of printed pages matches the number shown on the download page, the pattern is correct.

Sometimes, when you paste the printed pattern together, the lines may not match correctly.
This is a rare problem that can happen when using Adobe Reader. It may cause the lines to shift.
The cause depends on the device, operating system, or printer, so it is difficult to fix completely.
As a solution, please try using the "Print as Image" function in Adobe Reader.
You can also find this explained in the How to Use Pattern Paper section.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide personal support for questions about how to make costumes or how to modify patterns.
Please use the explanations and photos provided on the website to guide you through the process.
You can also check the Sewing Process for Each Part page for more details.
We appreciate your understanding.

Yes, you can download the paid pattern again as many times as you like within one year from the date of purchase.
If you contact us during this period, we will resend the download link as soon as possible.
We appreciate your understanding.

When paying by credit card, a payment page will appear at the time of purchase. If you close this page too early, the payment may not be completed.

If you get an error when paying with PayPal instead of a credit card, please log in to PayPal and make sure your registered card information, including the expiration date, is correct.

Many customers accidentally click the PayPal button instead of the black credit card button. To pay by credit card, please click the black credit card button.

If the payment screen freezes and you cannot continue, please try again using a different device (for example, smartphone ⇔ PC ⇔ tablet) or a different internet connection (for example, Wi-Fi ⇔ 4G/5G). If you are using Wi-Fi, sometimes turning it off and switching to mobile data solves the problem.

In rare cases, the issue may be related to your device's security settings or compatibility with the shopping cart system.

If the problem is not resolved after trying again, please contact us. You may also request payment by email without using the shopping cart.

If you start the purchase procedure again, we will cancel any duplicate orders. Thank you for your understanding.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please check the following points first:

(1) Did you receive the order confirmation email?

If not, please check your spam folder. If it is not there, the reason may be a mistake when entering your email address during the order, or your device’s email security settings being too strict.

In such cases, even if we send you an email, it may not be delivered. Please contact us again using an email address where we can reach you.

If you send us an email, we will reply within 12 hours.

(2) If you received the order confirmation email but did not receive the download URL:

If you paid by credit card, the download URL will be sent automatically once the payment is successfully completed.

Please also check whether you received a payment confirmation email from your credit card company.

If you did not receive a payment confirmation email, the payment may not have been completed.

If you are unsure, please contact us and we will confirm the payment status for you.

Some users may not be able to download because of their device, internet connection, or security settings.

We apologize for the inconvenience. If this happens, please contact us through the Contact Us page. We will send the PDF file to you as an email attachment.

If you try to download many times in one day, or from different IP addresses, the system may block you and stop the download.

If this happens, please contact us through the Contact Us page. We will resend the file to you.

The images on the site are shown with a mosaic.
After you purchase the paid pattern, we will send you an email with the clear image showing the required fabric length. Please wait for this email.
* Sometimes the image with the required meters may not be included. In that case, please check the pattern itself, as the fabric length is written there.
If we are not in the office or if it is nighttime, sending the email may take several hours.
If you do not receive the email after 12 hours, it may have gone to your spam folder or been blocked by your email security settings.
If you still cannot find the email, please adjust your security settings, or contact us using another email address.
*When contacting us from another email address, please include your name.

Some patterns do not include children's sizes or men's sizes.

We are adding new sizes as much as we can, but production takes time. Some sizes will be available now, and others will be added later.

If you need more details, please contact us. We will reply to you.

PayPal is a safe and easy online payment service used by more than 300 million people worldwide.
You can use a regular credit card even if you do not have a PayPal account.
Under the "Buyer Protection System," if the product is very different from the description or if it is not delivered, your payment will be protected as long as you meet the conditions.

If you see a charge of 200 yen or 20 yen in addition to the pattern price, please do not worry.

When you first register your card for Google services, or before using Google Wallet, a temporary charge of 200 yen may appear as "GOOGLE *TEMPORARY HOLD." This will be refunded automatically.

A 20 yen charge may also appear when using PayPal Credit.

These small charges are only to confirm that your card is valid.

They will be refunded soon, so please rest assured.

Regarding the sale or commercial use of costumes made from our patterns, we ask that you clearly show where the pattern is from.

You may use the pattern as long as you write "Pattern from dr-cos.info" in the costume description and include a link to our site.

For factory production or commercial use, the store or costume retailer must also clearly state that the pattern is from dr-cos.info and provide a link to our site.

If this rule is not followed, we do not allow the product to be sold, even if it has been modified.

We also do not allow the resale of free patterns, even if they are changed.

Use of our patterns on adult-only sites or sites against public morals is strictly forbidden.

In short, you are free to use our patterns as long as you help promote our site!

Basically, we are open 365 days a year, including during New Year holidays, unless there is an urgent personal matter.
We also respond late at night, as long as we are awake.

We are not accepting custom-made patterns at this time.
We kindly ask for your understanding and request that you do not contact us regarding this matter.

In the "Fabric & Cutting" section, we show the amount of fabric needed for each pattern.
Please check the cutting guide image so you can cut the fabric efficiently without waste.
As a reference, we use three common fabric widths: 92cm (36in), 112cm (44in), and 145cm (58in).
Many people wonder, "How much fabric will I need for this width?"
You can confirm it easily in the Fabric & Cutting section on our website.
This helps avoid unnecessary purchases and reduces leftover fabric, making it more eco-friendly.

We would be willing to ship to any country that can ship to us in the future, but we are not able to do so at this time, so we are refusing to do so.