I use to think anyone just wearing a pikachu onesie or kigurumi was lazy but there are various levels of what others are comfortable wearing at expos and cons. If that's your choice then you rock that onesie! I'd still like to see people go beyond that and this article might provide enough inspiration for you to go forth and do that cosplay you've been thinking of putting together.
Everyone begins somewhere and any cosplayer will proudly, but embarrassingly, tell you about their first cosplay. They'll explain how they bought pieces, made something and all the dramas and stress they had but they will share how that one costume started a love for creating.
Believe it or not you've probably already by passed the beginners cosplay awkwardness with a simple Halloween or party costume. It's the putting together of something you're comfortable wearing. Heck, a simple beginner cosplay can just be you in your own clothes with some blood to make a zombie cosplay. Start small and work your way up once you're comfortable being in public wearing what you want. It doesn't matter if someone doesn't "get" what you're wearing. Just smile, tell them what it is and know that it's what you like. Never cosplay for what is popular or new. Be true to what you love.
Cosplay is not just about making your own costumes and going to cons to get your photos taken. It's about creating and sharing your love of a game, book, anime, tv show, movie or original character. That's the play part. The fun part. The costume part? Easy. Sometimes. I lie. It can be PAINFUL. It all depends on the level of detail you really want to commit to and the skills you pull together or learn to create what you want. If you're motivated, creative and able to push yourself to learn new techniques and utilize what you already know how to do then you will go far.
Let's start with the beginning otherwise you might get scared off.
It starts with an idea
A "I could cosplay that" idea. From there it blossoms into YES I CAN moment and you begin sketching and writing lists of what you need. Here are some little tips on this first part of cosplaying.
Collect pictures of what you want to cosplay. Not just one photo. You need what the character looks from the side, front, various poses and even emotions the character pulls. This means you know the character in different ways and it helps to build that character and how to wear the outfit.
Write ideas down about fabric texture, add sketches of prop close ups, have photos of accessories from all angles and little notes on details. Even how the fabric flows. It all determines what you will buy and put together. I like to make cosplay collages and put them together from the beginning to see how my outfit will go together. I often even write notes on how I will make things on the collage and upload it to a blog to share with others. If I can't find something online that suits I photoshop something I have found. You'll be surprised by even being a beginner you can help others with their own cosplay.
Ask others what they think. Friends, family, Twitter followers and other cosplayers. It doesn't hurt to ask and getting new ideas from others. Join forums. The RPF, cosplay.com and various Aus cosplay groups on Facebook for help. It's a very helpful and friendly community in the cosplay world. Everyone has ideas and fresh looks on how to try to create things.
Commit to a budget. Trust me. Thinking it'll cost $50 to make something doesn't mean that's all you'll spend but setting a budget means you don't go too overboard. Cosplay can be expensive if you're not prepared to start off lightly into this hobby. Many cosplayers spend $200+ on one outfit and this is why you'll see people wear costumes again. Often remade or fixed upon because the money spent on an outfit is worth keeping it for future use.
Sexy Robocop? Not what I mean by a Genderbend cosplay!
Do you want to look exactly like a character or do you want to try to Genderbend (make a character the opposite gender), add a Steampunk or lolita, burlesque, modern element to a character? These are big hits with transforming a normal character into something different that you might not see in comics or shows. It's a way to be original. It's not meant to be insult a character by changing it. It's all about adding yourself and creativity to a character.
Fully bought costumes
Nothing wrong with these and I mean that. Never look down on another cosplayer because they've bought a cheaper costume. It is hard to get into cosplay away from a store bought costumes but that $30 can be spent in a better place. Time and effort play a big part in a cosplay budget. Know your limits and if you simply can't make a full costume then that's OK.
Cosplay can't be made in a day. I lie. It can with great stress and panic and swear words! But most costumes take a few weeks to organise, prepare, research, flesh out and put together. Buying something online takes time to deliver so remember that if you have an upcoming event. Order and make in advance. Don't be like me hot gluing fabric together 2 hours before. It just doesn't feel right in the end.
There are great starter costumes and sometimes give you a hint on how to make your own. Especially bodysuits. Buying one is easier than working out how to sew with spandex. That stuff is not forgivable on the body nor the sewing machine. Ebay is a great help. Same with Amazon for costumes. Etsy is another. It's fantastic to be able to have so many options if you need to buy something for a cosplay. Who the heck can make shoes, wigs or boots anyway? Learn to work with what you have.
Commission pieces and bought through Etsy. I adore this idea over buying manufactured pieces online. There's something about being able to say you bought it from a fellow fan that brings the geek to the respect able. Supporting fellow fans is amazing. It continues the cycle of geek life!
Upcycle or revamp
Finding existing clothing and/or objects for props. Yes. Op shop, garage sales, markets, vintage boutiques (second hand stores. Just a fancier way of saying it) and even stuff around your house can be dyed, spray painted, modified, resew, remade and hot glued to new improved geekness. This saves some money when putting together an outfit and it's always more impressive to say you made something yourself. Sometimes even if you made it from something else.
Finding the right jacket or dress can take time but that's the fun part. It's like hunting and shopping put into one and when you find the right piece is like finishing a boss you've been stuck on for hours. I've found fabric remnants, belt buckles and even 20c zippers to complete an outfit. It really saves you money for your next project.
Complete self made outfit
Full patterns and made outfits and props. This is hardcore mode for many. If you have a natural creative side then you'll love exploring making your own outfits. Look at how clothing is made, buy patterns online and even Etsy has amazing patterns you can modify for various outfits.
Sewing itself can be pretty daunting. Start out just by sewing piece of fabric together. Try different stitches. Learn to be confident with your sewing machine and then tackle a simple skirt (eg: pillowcase opened and sewn together on the side, add elastic) or pair of leggings. They're so easy to make and then go from there with a pattern or two. Sewing and costume making classes are even available to take. Then, eventually you'll make it to the higher up of creativity where you modify patterns or make your own patterns.
If building armor then start small. Make a leg or a upper arm piece. Learn how to shape with a heat gun or how to make a papercraft Pepakura design and use that. Starting small is nothing to even scoff at. It's how we all begin. Youtube has been great for visually giving tutorials on how to build armor. It can be an endless resource of new techniques.
Eventually as you get more into the cosplay madness you will discover EL wire/tape, silicone molds, resin casting, wonderflex, worbla armor techniques and various fabrics that work well. You'll end up with a huge list of bookmarked Etsy/Storeenvy/Big Cartel stores, prop maker blogs and Facebook pages, Youtube channels that inspire you. Learn from them! Write notes and take their advice in.
Go lost cost in the beginning
You can make anything low cost if you think it through. Foam, resin, silicone, heat gun, glue to make armor, boot covers, accessories can be pricey but don't have to be. Foam camping mats can cost as little as $6 and can be glued and shaped into various armor parts.
Fabric, cotton thread, sewing machine (or hand sew or glue) to make dresses, tunics, capes. . Polycotton is a fabric that can go for $3 a metre on sale and comes in all the colours of the rainbow. It's perfect for beginners because if you stuff up you can buy more and not break your budget. Remember that it's fine to make a mock up outfit using cheap calico. This is a part of a lot of designers process into making fashion! Apply this to cosplay. It's like a rough draft before the final piece.
Inspiration
Cosplayers and prop makers you should look at:
Volpin Props
Blind Squirrel props
Kamui cosplay
Yaha Han
R1ddle
God save the Queen
Precious cosplay
These are some of my favourites and some of the most amazing cosplay and prop builders around. Very inspirational and wonderful people who, not only support fellow cosplayers, genuinely help others to cosplay by sharing tips and tutorials. Many can be seen on documentaries and Youtube videos expressing their love of cosplay.
Homegrown cosplayers you might see around!
Eve Beauregard
Cielroses
Badkitty cosplay
Buy supplies
Heaven's Forge (Australian)
The Wig Outlet (Australian)
Cosplay supplies
Spotlight
Lincraft
Full costumes
Hello Cosplay
Etsy
Store Envy
Community
The RPF
cosplay.com
Australian cosplay assistance
Tutorials
Cosplay tutorials Tumblr
Deviantart tutorials.
Instructables
The Hero Tutorials
I haven't even started to get into HOW to make your own stuff. I'm still a beginner myself and I will call myself a beginner until I'm able to sew gloves, boot covers and put together a full outfit made completely by myself. Be confident in yourself and your work. Think twice. Measure twice. Learn from your mistakes but don't dwell on them. If you find yourself getting stressed from making a cosplay outfit then take some time away from it to watch a show or movie or play a game. Then go back to it once you're calmer or have thought the problem through.
Part two will go into terminology and what to use to build. Things like Pepakura and Worbla. How to make cheap synthetic wigs not look cheap. How to dye using Polydye to cotton dye. Things I know about but am still learning to use and would love to share my thoughts on.
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