Obligatory "Hi, I'm new" Thread

[Xyvol]

I'm new to cosplay. I've always seen pictures of fans dressed up, but for the first time, my girlfriend and I are going to try our own costumes. Any tips for making a good costume on a small budget? We've been thinking Lulu & Auron from FFX, or Pirotess & Ashram from Lodoss. I know the last one there is going to be very difficult, so it will be a long while before we try it. We want to get into the parade at the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Fransisco in April, and there was a convention we were going to do later this year. Like I said before, we've never done this before, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

[AnimeParty]

Well, first off welcome. Cosplaying is really fun, but if you want to put a small budget on it...Lulu and Auron are a bit expensive. You may want to try something like Naru and Keitaru from Love Hina or something that is a simple and cheaper costume for a first cosplay. To help pick the right costume, take into consideration....
1. Your favorite anime/manga/game.
2. Favorite Characters.
3. A costume you are comferatable wearing.
4. A character you can relate to.
5. Your budget.
6. Your skill
To keep costumes under budget try looking for sales on fabric and such. Make props out of the cheapest material possible. Look in flee markets and garage sales, there are many things you can find there.
Hope to see the costumes (whatever they are) when their done. ^_^

[Xyvol]

We've been watching Vampire Princess Miyu lately, and we're thinking maybe doing Miyu and Lava. Those costumes look pretty simple, I'd just need to find a mask.

[AnimeParty]

That's a great idea. Masks are pretty easy to make. Good Luck. I hope to see pictures when your done. ^_^

[BlueLady]

Hello and welcome to our ever growing insanity here!!!

I think anime hit all the major points, so I have nothing to add but watch the props.. the can cost more then the rest of the costume if you get to craxy with them....

Enjoy!!!

[Babbit_Chan]

Depending on how accurate you want your costume to be, it can be expensive or inexpensive. Always look for pieces you can build off of (thrift stores, retail). ALSO! It would be smart to ask people who have cosplayed the outfits you are planning to do for different approaches. Who knows, you might learn something new and save some money - get a really cool effect from something you never thought of.

If you two do Pirotess and Ashram for the Cherry Blossom Festival I will love you forever... ^_^ Good luck!

[RoseDuelist]

Miyu! Right on.. those should be fun.

My tip, make the costume at a slow pace. I buy my costume based on color. One time I'll buy, let's say, the black fabric, then red fabric, etc.. It's cheaper when you spred it out. Also, it helps you take your time on it. So far I just have my measurements out. Next week I'm cutting fabric. In a month or so I may sew it together... ^_^

Take your time. That's my advice.

[Xyvol]

Yeah, we plan on taking time. That's why I'm thinking about it now. The Cherry Blossom Festival is too close for us to do the Lodoss costumes. Maybe in a year or two! Thanks tho.

[Babbit_Chan]

Well, good luck with whatever you do decide to cosplay - I'm sure people here are more than willing to help. I hope I see you at the Festival =D