Costumes
By Karen Wang
03 June 2013
03 June 2013
This guide is divided into the following sections:
1. Making vs. buying costumes
2. Tips for making costumes
3. Tips on making armor
4. CosPlayGround’s very important list of dos and don’ts
1. Making vs. buying costumes
2. Tips for making costumes
3. Tips on making armor
4. CosPlayGround’s very important list of dos and don’ts
Making vs. buying costumes
Your choice on whether to make or buy ultimately depends on several factors: the relative cost, quality, and time and effort spent.
If you want a decent-quality cosplay for minimal effort and time spent, buying a cosplay is a good choice. There is nothing wrong with buying a cosplay for your first time, and some cosplay vendors even custom-make them so that it can be tailor-made to your measurements. But it could get very expensive to buy cosplay, as prices for a cosplay could range from $50 to $300. Also, you will potentially see other people wearing the exact same cosplay as you at anime conventions.
Making your own cosplay ensures that it is completely unique and customizable. The downside is that it also requires a significant time investment, and you will need to purchase fabrics and other materials. While you can save money by cutting the labor and shipping costs, you might run into more problems later on. However, making cosplays can be an enjoyable activity as well.
Peruse CosPlayGround’s list of recommended cosplay vendors at the online vendor guide to compare costs for buying versus making.
Your choice on whether to make or buy ultimately depends on several factors: the relative cost, quality, and time and effort spent.
If you want a decent-quality cosplay for minimal effort and time spent, buying a cosplay is a good choice. There is nothing wrong with buying a cosplay for your first time, and some cosplay vendors even custom-make them so that it can be tailor-made to your measurements. But it could get very expensive to buy cosplay, as prices for a cosplay could range from $50 to $300. Also, you will potentially see other people wearing the exact same cosplay as you at anime conventions.
Making your own cosplay ensures that it is completely unique and customizable. The downside is that it also requires a significant time investment, and you will need to purchase fabrics and other materials. While you can save money by cutting the labor and shipping costs, you might run into more problems later on. However, making cosplays can be an enjoyable activity as well.
Peruse CosPlayGround’s list of recommended cosplay vendors at the online vendor guide to compare costs for buying versus making.
Tips for making costumes
1. Get your tools
Most cosplay projects will involve the use of a sewing machine. Look to eBay or thrift stores for old sewing machines if you don’t currently own one. A reliable sewing machine can last a long time, and create many cosplays in the future. A seam ripper, which is a small tool that has a pointy edge and concave curved blade, can be very handy for ripping out stitches if you make a mistake.
Other tools that you may find handy include thread and needle to do manual stitching, or a hot glue gun for when you need a quick fix.
2. Draw patterns and get fabric
If you elect to make your own costume, you can either start from scratch by buying rolls of fabric from a fabric store. If your costume is similar to regular clothes, you can also try looking through your closet or local vintage stores for old clothes to start from.
Drawing patterns means taking your body measurements and using them to draw out the pieces of cloth that you will need for your cosplay. You’ll want to do this before buying fabric to make sure you are buying enough; always overestimate a little to give yourself room for mistakes. Patterns may be included in a fabric set, or hand-drawn on newspaper and cut out, or you can look at previously-made ones for reference. After getting fabric, you simply trace out the patterns and cut them out.
Check this list of patterns for ones that you may find useful: http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=121627
You can buy fabric at a local fabric store or online. Buying it at a store ensures that you can see and feel the fabric, and there may also be storewide sales going on. However, if you don’t live near a fabric store, or are looking for special material such as faux leather or metallic-looking fabric, check the online vendor guide. Also, don’t forget to ask your family members or friends for extra fabric and clothes they might have lying around.
The fabric that you use for a cosplay can be very important. Look at reference pictures for your character and keep the following factors in mind when choosing a fabric. Different parts of a cosplay may require different types of fabric.
- How lightweight or heavy is it? Does it need to flutter in the wind, or hang off of your body?- Is the fabric machine-washable? Dry-clean only? How easy will it be to wash/maintain the fabric?
- How much does it cost per square foot? Are there any cheaper alternatives? For example, there are many cheaper synthetic materials that can be substituted for real silk, satin, velvet, or fur
- Does the fabric wrinkle easily? Cosplays that require frequent ironing may become inconvenient to maintain
- What color are you looking for? Pattern? (solid, printed, striped, etc.) Does it have to match your character exactly?
3. Sew your patterns together
Protip: Try out your sewing machine on some tester fabric first, and learn these sewing basics before diving into making your cosplay:
- How do you change the thread when you run out?
- How do you thread the bobbin?
- The machine will jam. Learn how to fix this.
- How do you do a back-stitch?
- What are the different stitch settings on your machine? Test them out and see which ones you like
Now that you have your fabric, it’s time to sew it together. Sewing it can simply be a matter of lining up your patterns and stitching them together with a sewing machine inside-out, then inverting it to hide the seams inside. Of course, if you are altering regular clothing to make your cosplay, you will first have to cut or rip stitches out using a seam ripper to make the appropriate modifications. The type of stitch you use will also depend on your fabric and needs. For lighter fabric and areas that don’t require a lot of support, a simple cross-stitch works. For heavier fabrics and areas that require a lot of reinforcement, such as the seams, you will want to use at least a ladder-stitch.
Aligning the fabric pieces can be made significantly easier using bobby pins to hold the pieces together.
4. Add embellishments
After getting your fabric pieces sewn together, you can add details such as buttons, clasps, ties, waistbands, lining, etc.
1. Get your tools
Most cosplay projects will involve the use of a sewing machine. Look to eBay or thrift stores for old sewing machines if you don’t currently own one. A reliable sewing machine can last a long time, and create many cosplays in the future. A seam ripper, which is a small tool that has a pointy edge and concave curved blade, can be very handy for ripping out stitches if you make a mistake.
Other tools that you may find handy include thread and needle to do manual stitching, or a hot glue gun for when you need a quick fix.
2. Draw patterns and get fabric
If you elect to make your own costume, you can either start from scratch by buying rolls of fabric from a fabric store. If your costume is similar to regular clothes, you can also try looking through your closet or local vintage stores for old clothes to start from.
Drawing patterns means taking your body measurements and using them to draw out the pieces of cloth that you will need for your cosplay. You’ll want to do this before buying fabric to make sure you are buying enough; always overestimate a little to give yourself room for mistakes. Patterns may be included in a fabric set, or hand-drawn on newspaper and cut out, or you can look at previously-made ones for reference. After getting fabric, you simply trace out the patterns and cut them out.
Check this list of patterns for ones that you may find useful: http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=121627
You can buy fabric at a local fabric store or online. Buying it at a store ensures that you can see and feel the fabric, and there may also be storewide sales going on. However, if you don’t live near a fabric store, or are looking for special material such as faux leather or metallic-looking fabric, check the online vendor guide. Also, don’t forget to ask your family members or friends for extra fabric and clothes they might have lying around.
The fabric that you use for a cosplay can be very important. Look at reference pictures for your character and keep the following factors in mind when choosing a fabric. Different parts of a cosplay may require different types of fabric.
- How lightweight or heavy is it? Does it need to flutter in the wind, or hang off of your body?- Is the fabric machine-washable? Dry-clean only? How easy will it be to wash/maintain the fabric?
- How much does it cost per square foot? Are there any cheaper alternatives? For example, there are many cheaper synthetic materials that can be substituted for real silk, satin, velvet, or fur
- Does the fabric wrinkle easily? Cosplays that require frequent ironing may become inconvenient to maintain
- What color are you looking for? Pattern? (solid, printed, striped, etc.) Does it have to match your character exactly?
3. Sew your patterns together
Protip: Try out your sewing machine on some tester fabric first, and learn these sewing basics before diving into making your cosplay:
- How do you change the thread when you run out?
- How do you thread the bobbin?
- The machine will jam. Learn how to fix this.
- How do you do a back-stitch?
- What are the different stitch settings on your machine? Test them out and see which ones you like
Now that you have your fabric, it’s time to sew it together. Sewing it can simply be a matter of lining up your patterns and stitching them together with a sewing machine inside-out, then inverting it to hide the seams inside. Of course, if you are altering regular clothing to make your cosplay, you will first have to cut or rip stitches out using a seam ripper to make the appropriate modifications. The type of stitch you use will also depend on your fabric and needs. For lighter fabric and areas that don’t require a lot of support, a simple cross-stitch works. For heavier fabrics and areas that require a lot of reinforcement, such as the seams, you will want to use at least a ladder-stitch.
Aligning the fabric pieces can be made significantly easier using bobby pins to hold the pieces together.
4. Add embellishments
After getting your fabric pieces sewn together, you can add details such as buttons, clasps, ties, waistbands, lining, etc.
Tips on making armor
Some cosplays may include armor or other “metallic” components. Typically, cosplayers opt to use the more lightweight and cheaper materials Wonderflex, EVA craft foam, or even cardboard.
Wonderflex is a type of thermoplastic that can be molded and shaped by heating it up, and set by letting it cool for a few minutes. Wonderflex is great because it is non-toxic and does not have an odor when heated. Wonderflex can be heated up using just a hairdryer or heat gun, and can be molded to make everything from armor to swords. However, Wonderflex is not suitable for fine detailing as it is brittle and can snap when it is too thinly cut.
EVA foam, also known as ethylene-vinyl acetate, is widely used for making cosplay armor and robot suits. EVA foam typically comes in two forms: industrial-grade and craft foam. Industrial-grade foam is the kind used to cover garage floors, and is good for making thick armor that have a cross-pattern on it. Craft foam is good for smaller, thinner detailing and armor layering.
Some cosplays may include armor or other “metallic” components. Typically, cosplayers opt to use the more lightweight and cheaper materials Wonderflex, EVA craft foam, or even cardboard.
Wonderflex is a type of thermoplastic that can be molded and shaped by heating it up, and set by letting it cool for a few minutes. Wonderflex is great because it is non-toxic and does not have an odor when heated. Wonderflex can be heated up using just a hairdryer or heat gun, and can be molded to make everything from armor to swords. However, Wonderflex is not suitable for fine detailing as it is brittle and can snap when it is too thinly cut.
EVA foam, also known as ethylene-vinyl acetate, is widely used for making cosplay armor and robot suits. EVA foam typically comes in two forms: industrial-grade and craft foam. Industrial-grade foam is the kind used to cover garage floors, and is good for making thick armor that have a cross-pattern on it. Craft foam is good for smaller, thinner detailing and armor layering.
CosPlayGround’s very important list of dos and don’ts
The last thing you want to happen is to spend a lot of time on a cosplay but have its full effect diminished because of one minor detail. This list will help you improve your craft and avoid common cosplay pitfalls:
- DO try not to overestimate your abilities. Making a cosplay usually takes more time and effort than you expect. Be sure to take the time to plan everything out and try to take into account all of the materials, tools, and components of your cosplay that you will need.
- DO keep in mind that if you are planning to attend a convention in your cosplay, you will have to pack and haul it to the center location. If your costume and/or props are very hefty, it will help to make them disassemble-able to easily pack in suitcases or bags. If you have limited transportation options (i.e. by bus or plane) to the convention, be wary of making a cosplay that requires a lot of material and storage.
- DON’T feel like you have to recreate the character’s outfit perfectly. Except for some very ambitious people, most cosplayers don’t have perfect costumes and it is more important that you look good and feel comfortable in your cosplay (also that it doesn’t fall apart in the middle of a convention!)
- DO keep in mind that you will 1) need to be able to walk around and 2) use the bathroom at a convention. So, if you decide to wear a giant Domo suit, make sure you get really good at taking it on and off.
- DO keep in mind that you will be asked for pictures from fans who recognize your character! Plan a few in-character poses or facial expressions that you might make for the camera.
The last thing you want to happen is to spend a lot of time on a cosplay but have its full effect diminished because of one minor detail. This list will help you improve your craft and avoid common cosplay pitfalls:
- DO try not to overestimate your abilities. Making a cosplay usually takes more time and effort than you expect. Be sure to take the time to plan everything out and try to take into account all of the materials, tools, and components of your cosplay that you will need.
- DO keep in mind that if you are planning to attend a convention in your cosplay, you will have to pack and haul it to the center location. If your costume and/or props are very hefty, it will help to make them disassemble-able to easily pack in suitcases or bags. If you have limited transportation options (i.e. by bus or plane) to the convention, be wary of making a cosplay that requires a lot of material and storage.
- DON’T feel like you have to recreate the character’s outfit perfectly. Except for some very ambitious people, most cosplayers don’t have perfect costumes and it is more important that you look good and feel comfortable in your cosplay (also that it doesn’t fall apart in the middle of a convention!)
- DO keep in mind that you will 1) need to be able to walk around and 2) use the bathroom at a convention. So, if you decide to wear a giant Domo suit, make sure you get really good at taking it on and off.
- DO keep in mind that you will be asked for pictures from fans who recognize your character! Plan a few in-character poses or facial expressions that you might make for the camera.
References:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/06/cosplay_advice_for_beginners.php
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cosplay-That-Won%27t-Fail
http://news.yahoo.com/convention-cosplay-tips-first-timers-213300084.html
http://www.cosplaysupplies.com/tutorials
http://www.instructables.com/id/Creating-a-CostumeCosplay-from-EVA-Foam/
http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/06/cosplay_advice_for_beginners.php
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cosplay-That-Won%27t-Fail
http://news.yahoo.com/convention-cosplay-tips-first-timers-213300084.html
http://www.cosplaysupplies.com/tutorials
http://www.instructables.com/id/Creating-a-CostumeCosplay-from-EVA-Foam/