First Year, First Time, Im Scared..

[Alex33]

Hello all, this is my first time here, this is all very new to me, I need some guidelines to help out.. I love a lot of animation series (bleach, naruto, MAR, Deathnote etc etc), and online games (lineage 2, wow, maplestory etc etc), and Im not smart enough to produce my own game yet, so I am hoping cosplay will fulfill my hungry mind. I live in Markham (Greater Toronto Area) and I know there an upcoming event in August 4, 2007 in Central Island, Toronto (about some cosplaying, photo, picnic etc) I wanted to participate, what kind of things I need to do? any ideas? To make matter worse, none of my friends like to cosplay..They are all into Cars, Animals and etc etc..

[paper cosplay]

what do you think you can do.
are you good a sewing do you want to piece it together from normal clothing. will you buy a commissioned cosplay. will you make it out of some other material

[Ashleythedragon]

I just started cosplaying as well. Last year I had to get help from a family friend since I don't know how to sew. You might want to do the same, but be sure to sit down and help them because if you can't sew then you should always try to learn.


A good book for learning about sewing is the Idiots Guide to sewing

Go to a fabric store and look through patterns, find something close to what your character wears your sewing buddy will help you make the alterations needed. Be sure to take and write down your measurements at home, I found it a tiny bit embarrassed when my mom took my measurements in front of the store clerk. (Although I am quite proud of my bust number.)
Same thing goes for shoes find a shoe that kind of works then edit it.

Here are some sewing tips I should’ve known when I started:

1.Preeshrink your fabric: Preeshrinking is something you must do, no buts about it. If you don’t you will never be able to wash your costume. To preshrink simply wash n’ dry.

2.As it’s your first time buy a little more fabric than you need.

Also if your going to get a wig -Which I recommend you do, natural hair doesn’t always look as nice- then I recommend you go here (http://www.katiebair.com/tutorials.html) to read up on how to wear, style, purchase a wig. CosWorx (http://www.cosworx.com/home.php) is where I’m getting my wigs this year. So far I’ve styled the wigs for my friend and I. Never cut hair once in my life! There are tons of sites out there that make custom cosplay wigs for you and it’s no crime to order from them your not taking the easy way out. You wouldn’t want to throw off your costume with a bad hair day, so getting an experienced person to make your wig is always nice. But if your getting a custom made wig order months in advance, that’s the main reason I had to style my wig I place an order in too late.

Props aren’t as essential as costume and hair but they are a must whenever it’s possible. People love a good costume, but amazing props are what really make them geek out.
I found a really cool site for props here (http://www.fantasyprops.com/), you can surf the web to find other places that might suit your needs or price range.

Addressing the lack of Costume Playing buddy’s, dress as a popular character from a common series. If you choose Naruto you’ll be one out of a hundred but those hundred will instantly want to get to know you. Also dressing from a popular anime opens up opportunities to join in a photo op, which is one of the funnest things to do as a cosplayer. So I wouldn’t worry too much about the friend part you’ll meet so many nice people who will want to get to know you.

Now some Cosplay/con manners I follow by:

1.Don’t Guess Peoples Gender: My friend is a crossplayer and though she wants to appear male she is still female. She doesn’t mind it if people guess wrong but some people do.

2.Geeking out is okay: Don’t worry about looking weird about it if someone is dressing like a character you know and love your allowed to get excited. That the reaction that I want my costume’s to evoke, bringing a character to life. But if people ask you to tone it down (Although nobody asked me and we all rather got into the fandom) do it and don’t worry about it.

3.If you like Yaoi/Yuri: Please Don’t talk to someone about it unless you know the person next to you like it. I in particular do not enjoy this genre and in a long line it can be an awkward moment. Once again no one will hold it against if you do mention it, it’s just something that’s just courteous to do.

I’ve always appreciated hand made costumes whether you made them yourself, had help, or ordered them online because I know someone took time to make what your wearing. But I have never held much fondness for the ‘Instant’ costumes from places like HotTopic and other stores made in a factory. They all look the same down to the very last stitch and although the cosplayer might think they look sharp in the ‘official’ Naruto jumpsuit. My friends and I all agree it looks cheap, but we hold nothing against the person who wears it. It’s easier to do that then to hand sew so this might be the best option for you if you don’t feel like working too hard.

Bring a needle and thread matching that used in your costume. I didn’t think my costume would tear, but it did. Also be sure if you have glasses and your character doesn’t, take them off for the photo.

Hope this helps. You can look at my costume, which I did everything I said here on it. (I think it turned out amazing) If you have any more questions message me and I’ll be happy to help some more. Tell me how the costume goes as well.

[Sakura Blizzard]

I like naruto and got my friends 2 it by talking about most of their fav anime that were cosplayed and talked at about that a lots. And said 2 check it out. I think 1 of then did and the other I have no clue. I'm going 2 my first con in AFO. And as Sakura Haruno(Original) with a SnJ Shino and a Tsunade. Hope u know waht u can get.

[Cosplay_Kitten]

If you can sew yay! If you can't oh well it's time to learn! XD Anyway I think if you figure out a simple costume for your first one it is a good idea. Go to a thrift store and buy some clothes similar to the character and you will be able to alter them (I to this day will do that if I procrastinate the costume did it recently...) Also your friends don't have to be into cosplaying for you to do it. I have friends who cosplay because they want to and I did mention it but it was their choice. You'll meet plenty of people at the gatherings you go to so you'll most likely meet new friends who enjoy cosplaying there. Well hope this helped

[Alex33]

ty, it helps..

a few questions..

ashleythedragon mention about.. If you like Yaoi/Yuri.. etc etc :confused: Whats that? Whats Yaoi/Yuri, some cute girls? :toothy:

Do you guys change at the convention or do it before hand? It looks awkward when riding transit, especially the costume makes you stand out in front of million people in public transit..

*thinking about some character that doesnt show much of their face, cause Im virtually blind without my glasses :snoring:

the only costume i can think of now is from an anime MAR (marchen awakens romance) Halloween, doesnt have to show face and it looks simple ^^

[Ashleythedragon]

Oh cool I love MAR! Glad you asked the Yaoi Yuri thing, cause you'll probably see alot of booths selling it. Yaoi: Guy on Guy fancomics/comics. Yuri: Girl on Girl fancomics/comics. Most of them vary from mild Shonen-ai to explicit sex. I change before going, I don't know anyone who changes at the con. You only have to take off your glasses for a picture, hide em behind your back. Or ask for a freind to hold them. Or you could go as Ginta before he went to MAR, that'd be orriganol and easy added plus is that he wears glasses.

[Alex33]

personally, I dont like Ginata (the good guys), Im more into evil things ^^;;

[Ashleythedragon]

Hmmm the mask will be hard.. but you might be able to order it from the prop site I linked to. Phantoms kinda hot, not that I like him.

[Alex33]

Hmmm the mask will be hard.. but you might be able to order it from the prop site I linked to. Phantoms kinda hot, not that I like him.

If I'd be phantom, will be you Diana? :angel:

[Ashleythedragon]

If I'd be phantom, will be you Diana? :angel:


I would, only I'm going as Megumi from Zatch bell this year.