[catdog]

HEllo everyone i am catdog! Now before i begin i better let you know that though i do have some experience with cosplaying i still have a long way to go so i stting this up for my own benfit as well as i need to get some tips for this cosplay. for cosplaying my experties falls into two areas props andmaking them from scrach and some of the easier methods of doing this (using verry smelly toxic chemicals), fixing cosplay with lot of gaffa tape and glue. and being able to sow two pices of material toghether by hand (machines both frighten and confuse me.) as you see below my two cosplays ar not simple belive me ccoro wigs are giving me nightmares thoguh i have finished one wing which i will post an image of when my camera is fixed. (2weeks from now abouts). also to warn you guys i be here on and of thoguh i'll try to be at least once a week but being a science student that easier said then done.(uni) as for my devil may cry well i have the coat ready made but that cosplay recycling (which i fimly beliving yaygreen cosplaying) from hellsing.i just need to do props i need advice on how to do wigs mainly which before now i got my freinds to do for me. (not an option now i think.)

[homesweethomicide13]

I'm afraid I won't be of much help as my cosplay-making skills are pretty much non existent. I can build weapons and props, and do some minor altering of stuff (like putting skeletal markings on a black shirt, etc) and I have attempted to style a wig once before (it didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped).

I'm currently working on props etc for my Belphegor and Gokudera cosplays. Working on Bel's crown, and sticks of dynamite for Gokudera.

[Cereal]

Isn't the double of this already stickied at the top?

[catdog]

no the thread at the top is about what is allowed at the convention in terms of prop restrictions there to prevent dangerous or unmanigiable proprs from being in the con this is more of general cosplay help forum here to provide tips solve any problems or just for people to talk about their cosplay and the difficulties there having with them. the topic at the top is simply about the con rules nothing more and nothing less. as to theri experince with cosplay that is unknown. i won't make any assumptions about there ablities ever way. BAsiclaly the threat at the top is about con rule and this thread is just here to help.

[Pip]

Ahhh. Handy topic is handy ^^

Hmm. In terms of experience...
I have some experience of wig styling, not tried anything extreme like spikes or anything, although with my Rufus Barma cosplay I have planned, I'll be doing antennae/ahoge/gravity-defying bits of hair, so that'll be new to me. But I don't mind sharing tips on things like basic cutting and general styling/wig-care, if that'll be of help to anyone?
I have no experience at all in sewing, though I think as soon as I get comfortable with using the sewing machine it'll be alright...I hope lol
I have no experience with making props either...

Hmm. I'm wondering, does anyone have any experience with customising shoes or making shoe covers and the like? o.o

[Lady Alexiel]

Ooo very handy thread == I love this part about conventions were we all help each other

[SephNoir]

Feel free to ask me anything about wigs! ^^
I'm a commissioner so I've got experience doing nearly anything you'd want to do to a wig and I'm always happy to help. :3
Also got lots of experience with hat making (especially large oddly shaped ones!), plushies and working with stretch fabrics like lycra which I know some people struggle with sometimes and obviously general cosplay making skills; sewing, overlocking, pattern making etc.

@catdog
Really looking forward to seeing your wings when you get your camera sorted!

[Mishona]

I suppose here is as good a place as any.

Basically, I need to completely remake my Skirt, as the hip-straps are too big, and the underwear-like cloth piece is too small too. I'm just wondering how to go about it; I have no prior experience in textiles. I can only just sew ._.

Like this

Or this

Just for your reference :<

[catdog]

Absolutly fantastic!!! This post has been pinned. (personal pride)

ok in order Pip & Lady Alexiel i glad you like the threat feel free to ask question and help other people by replying to the questions please(really goes for eveybody).

@ SephNoir i got a question for you ok as you can see i'm doing a cooro cosplay now i made his airmans hat (by hand from scrach) now i have no idea to atain the affect for his hair i noticed in other pictures that he has a braid at the back and that his hair is spiky aptop the hat and below it is straighter (i'll post links to refrence material for you.) first of all what is the best way to get spiky hair (i personaly use a verry light way as my hair gets greasy easily tried it on wigs didn't work well are more heav waxes or sprays better or od i use a specil glue or something. also do you think it would be best to keep my wig seperate from the hat or do i sow the wig to the hat.

ok for Mishona forst of all amazing cosplays cool work! ok is the skirt somthing more coventional then in the image because if so you could start from scrach and use patters as a guide (which i find ghelpful for shape that i should cut) and making slight adustment for size and for how you want your product to turn out. you cold use the orginal skirt as a guid by picking apart the matrail and then cutting of matrial that are smaller in the weist and biger in the underwear bit so it fits. i find when cutting things to your own size to start of too big rather then too small as you can alwys trim the matrail before you sow it together. another tip is to tack the matrial togehter (this is where you do big sticking that just about holds the material togeher were your going to sow it) then try it on then untack it (easy as the sowing is bigger less knoterd often a good idea not to tie sow of the end when you finish just leave it loes. you can also do this by the use of pins)and make any adjustment needed when your happy then give the final sow together and then there you go done hope that helpful

[SephNoir]

For the hair it depends on how the braid is attached to the hair. If it's like a normal braid where it includes all parts of the back then I would look at using something similar to the Punky XL from Cosworx. It's a fur type wig idea for spiking but it's a very long mullet so you'll be able to spike the short front while braiding the back. Your other option if you wanted a more natural looking wig would be to go for something like the Ivy wig from Cosworx however you'll be sacrificing the spikes as regular wigs don't spike nearly as well as fur fibre wigs.
If the braid seems to just appear from the base of the hair (in a similar way to the Jim Hawkins wig I've done) then I would look at using a New Punk style (a similar style is also available from Cosplaywig on ebay) with some added extensions sewn into the back which can then be braided.
In terms of what to use I always use Manga Head by Fructis, however some people use Got2B Glue which is another putty but more expensive (I've never found any difference between the two tbh) and hair spray.

@Mishona
Definitely agreeing with catdog about the unpicking. If you know what on the original needs to be changed then you can use the unpicked sections of that as the pattern and make alterations according to what you need. If the straps are the only problem of the main part then instead of unpicking the whole thing you could just remove the skirt that is too short and take in the straps to fit you better either on the hips or at the back to hide any work you'll need to do. It'll save you having to fully reconstruct it and having to find matching fabric.
For the skirt, using the bit you've taken off you'll be able to see how much longer you'll need it to be and work from there. Lay the original on the fabric and mark out the new shape using that as a reference. Obviously you'll need to attach the gold band around the new skirt and hem it which can be tricky if you've never done any sewing before so it might be best to get someone to help you on those bits. If you don't have anyone to help then I would look at possibly painting on the gold band and pick a fabric that isn't going to fray. Lycra or silk jersey would give you a nice drop and flow still at you walk but also doesn't fray at all meaning you wouldn't have to hem it.

[Mishona]

Thanks guys, that's a lot of help.

Quote

If the straps are the only problem of the main part then instead of unpicking the whole thing you could just remove the skirt that is too short and take in the straps to fit you better either on the hips or at the back to hide any work you'll need to do.

How would I go about doing that though? If I can get the straps smaller and tighter to fit properly, then all I have to really do is expand the crotch-cloth (For want of a better term) so it...covers me up.

[SephNoir]

You'll want to be wearing it to begin with so you can see exactly how much it needs taking in by. There's a couple of techniques for taking things in but I'll run through the simplest way. ^^
While wearing it pinch the fabric to the tightness you want then mark where it should join once it's altered on both sides. Take it off and pinch the fabric so the markers join up again, but this time have the fold on the inside of the strap (ie the side that will be touching your hip) this is how much you want to take in. From here you can either fold the extra fabric so that it lies flat along the rest of the strap and sew it down that way or you can sew it then cut off the left over fabric so you're just left with a small seam allowance.
That would be for altering it in the centre of the strap. If you wanted to do it so the seam was at the back and more hidden then you'll need to do the pinching again but this time make sure the line of the new seam is going to be at the end of the strap at the back so that it's as close to the end of the strap as possible. Obviously I don't know how yours is constructed, but you may be able to cut the strap at the back where it's attached to the back piece and shorten it, then reattach it in the same place so you don't have any extra seams.

[Mishona]

Quote

While wearing it pinch the fabric to the tightness you want then mark where it should join once it's altered on both sides. Take it off and pinch the fabric so the markers join up again, but this time have the fold on the inside of the strap (ie the side that will be touching your hip) this is how much you want to take in. From here you can either fold the extra fabric so that it lies flat along the rest of the strap and sew it down that way or you can sew it then cut off the left over fabric so you're just left with a small seam allowance.

Ah! So simple, fantastic.

I'm sure even I could do that.

Thanks a lot you two.

[Anime the Fallen Angel]

Does anyone have experience with harder fabrics like PVC or leatherette? I want to make a Sailor Starlights cosplay out of PVC, preferably and wondered A) How difficult it is to work with? and How do I go about not making the shorts stick to me to the point I have to be cut out of them?

And on the same vein, I was going to cut and draft my own pattern for the shorts, but does anyone know of any hotpants patterns that could use PVC?

[SephNoir]

I've worked with both before on a small level, just gloves and doll clothes really but have never had a problem. I would say go for PVC rather than leatherette as you'll get the shine on PVC more. It's not too much of a hassle to work with. You'll need to adjust your machine as a tight tension will cause the fabric to pucker and wrinkle if you're not careful. Other than that it's really not a problem to work with.
In terms of sticking just make sure they're not overly tight and try to reduce sweating as much as possible. As funny as it sounds, talcum powder does help a great deal for getting into things like that.
No idea for patterns unfortunately. Most fabric and craft shops should stock a huge range so it'd be worth looking through what your local stores have to offer. Ebay can be good for patterns too and can be a bit cheaper!

[roguelioness]

im going to start my excel costume soon it'll be my first fully home made from scratch cosplay and also only my 2nd anime cosplay (i have other costumes arround the place)
i also have to make my friends costume too..is anyone elce having the problem of making their friends costume and them telling you there going to lose weight and you having no idea what size to make? argh! so fustrating!

[catdog]

Firstly i like to thank SephNoir for the continuing help in running this oneand giving me and you people the wisedome of esperience and wisdome. okay here we go

okay first sephnoir here's a picture that will show you the pony tail clearly so i think the punk style apllies here as to of hair. i can see what you mean by the Punky XL from Cosworx ithink looking at it it's much to thin for me to use in this cosplay it kinda looks scarecrowey not brilliant to be fair. Ivy wig from Cosworx seems much thicker and a colour like this would work well is their no way in wich i could spike this to the extent i need perhaps i could use a strong glue f i get really desperate alsothi wig is a little to long for my needs as you can see.

@ Mishona well no worries good luck on your cosplay and i 'll hopefully see you at amecon keep an eye for me and say hi.

ok next @ Anime the Fallen Angel hmm pvc well whea it's easy enough to cut but i can fray to a good shape pair is verry goodfor preventing this also a good idea to lie it with something because when you strat sweating it will stick itself to your skin and you'll get a free wax tearing it of again. now as idn't know work with machines i found sticking it by hand to be fine in a little slow on the old going but then again all cosplay is when you do it by hand. i will second stepnoir that if you domt want to add aliner to soak up sweat then defiantl somthig like talken powder or chalk works well as long as you continue reaplyimg tough if you have dry skin be carful of dehdrating you skin. and also make sure that it doen't build to to iritat tyou (which i won't when its hot.)

i'm guesing you looking for short like hot pants well when in doubt i ebay. alternatly you may be able to buy it from fabric shops but theseare hard to find nowdays i certainly don't have one nearme i had a gander round the net i couldn't find anthing i'll keep looking and let you know if i find anything free but i wouldn't hold you hope out it's usaly hard to find these sort of things.

fianly (phew got to stop doing long posts) @roguelioness well i say the best idae would be to make the cosplay to what size she/he is already and just alter it later if needed. like i said before it's a lot easier to sort out if ther is to much material rather then too little.

[Junta]

Anime the Fallen Angel, on 29 January 2010 - 11:08 PM, said:

Does anyone have experience with harder fabrics like PVC or leatherette? I want to make a Sailor Starlights cosplay out of PVC, preferably and wondered A) How difficult it is to work with? and How do I go about not making the shorts stick to me to the point I have to be cut out of them?

And on the same vein, I was going to cut and draft my own pattern for the shorts, but does anyone know of any hotpants patterns that could use PVC?

Not having worked with the stuff myself yet (although i need to for Joachim Valentine for Minami), and having a couple pairs of leather trousers kicking about; a possible way of ensuring non-sticking would be to line them with something? Not sure whats actually been used to line mine, but its a smooth fabric and they've never stuck yet - could be worth looking into more? ^^

This post has been edited by Junta: 30 January 2010 - 11:00 AM

[SephNoir]

For the wig I would actually look at getting the punky wig rather than ivy. Seeing the length and thickness of the tail you're going to be cutting ivy down a lot to get near that kind of style. I've used both wigs a lot on the past for commissions and punky xl and regular are definitely not thin and will be a lot easier to style. The main problem with ivy for this style is that it is just going to lay flat and won't have any of the spiking up front as the bangs aren't that thick. I've got quite a few examples of both on my website if you want to see what they look like styled. Off the top of my head, I've used ivy for belldandy, rikku, kyonko and terra and I've used punky wigs (new punk, punky and xl) for yugi, sora, ultimo, zane, lina, and grimmjow though I'm not sure I've added the last one to my site yet. The hat will flatten the wig quite a bit so it won't be as fluffy and obviously brushing and styling it will help a lot. :3

Definitely agree hands down with the sizing. While its good your friend wants to lose weight, you have no idea how quickly, from where or even if she'll do it by ame. They might think you're trying to put them down but just explain that we all lose weight from different places so it'll be easier to make it then take it in as she progresses rather than having to let it out if she gets to her target size but her measurements haven't changed in the way she though they would. It'll be a fun way for you both to keep track of how she's doing too!

[catdog]

sorry for the long post guys hopefully with a few more post well get a new paage but i really sorry for the imgaes they are huge.

ok yeah i thinki try with punk as hopefully i'll be able to get the spikes as thick as you see them hunni try to make a pontaiil as i go along but if i get desperate i put an extension in it would work. as for the hat i think i oning to attach the wig to the hat so that i don't flattern the wig by taking the hat on and off. you know when i chose to do cooro i knew he be hard butthis is taking the mikey this cosplay is a real challnge i still got to finish te wings and not even looked at tis shoes note to self never do this hard of a cosplay again. thanks for the help sephnoir.

also i love the wigs you did there amazing.

This post has been edited by catdog: 31 January 2010 - 09:35 AM