The "What fabric should I use?" Suggestion Thread

[clockwalk]

Originally Posted by Michi_Lolita

This outfit has a lot of parts and it's my first costume so I have no idea what to make any of it out of.

A lot of Vocaloid cosplayers tend to lean towards the shiny fabrics. Here's a really good demon wing tutorial: CLICK. For the shoes, it'd be best to make boot covers. Another tutorial on that: CLICK. Alternatively, you can just buy red shoes and make black spats over those. Tutorial on spats: CLICK. I figure you can buy those headphones somewhere at a local store, but if you want to make it super-duper accurate, or for some other reason, here's yet another tutorial on making Vocaloid headphones: CLICK. You can alter the tutorial here and there to suit your specific cosplay. If you haven't gotten a wig yet, you might want to visit this thread to check out wig sellars: CLICK. As an afterthought, I haven't dropped a tutorial on her tail, either: CLICK.

Haa... hope I helped a little @________@

[Rumor]

Hi everyone

I'm trying to make a sailor Saturn cosplay, but I can't decide what fabric to use for the skirt and bow. I have an aversion to costume satin and other shiny fabrics because they're (in my opinion) really over done and tend to look cheap if not done perfectly. I thought about a knit but knits don't hold pleats, and I considered broadcloth, but its too thin. Any suggestions?

EDIT: forgot to Include reference pictures

http://www.japaneseanimeuk.com/Sailo...orSaturn01.jpg

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/sailsat.jpg

[uniquecreator]

There is another fabric found close by to the satins, I believe it is called Sateen. It is a medium weight fabric without too much shine and it works as beautiful as a good quality Satin. I hope that you can find this fabric it will help you.

[clockwalk]

Originally Posted by Rumor

Hi everyone

I'm trying to make a sailor Saturn cosplay, but I can't decide what fabric to use for the skirt and bow. I have an aversion to costume satin and other shiny fabrics because they're (in my opinion) really over done and tend to look cheap if not done perfectly. I thought about a knit but knits don't hold pleats, and I considered broadcloth, but its too thin. Any suggestions?

EDIT: forgot to Include reference pictures

http://www.japaneseanimeuk.com/Sailo...orSaturn01.jpg

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/sailsat.jpg

You could always sew tiny, tiny little stitches into the pleats so they hold. /troll
No, actually, that's probably a bad idea @__@
Anyways, this is a useful link for you: http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=19789

[SpiffyPoptarts]

Hey :] I'm going to be making a Rin Meltdown Hard rk. dress (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/...9e01bd49_o.jpg).

I was thinking satin, but I feel like it could come out looking cheap and halloween-ish. But what do you think?

[oathtoorder]

Hi people, I'm trying to cosplay as Glover from the Nintendo 64 game, Glover, but I have no clue at all what fabric to use :'(

Here's a pic of him- http://www.videogamecentral.com/prod...92861_zoom.jpg

[clockwalk]

Originally Posted by SpiffyPoptarts

Hey :] I'm going to me making a Rin Meltdown Hard rk. dress (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/...9e01bd49_o.jpg).

I was thinking satin, but I feel like it could come out looking cheap and halloween-ish. But what do you think?

Another cosplay used PVC fabric for their Rin Meltdown RK-mix. It looked absolutely stunning. Here's a picture: http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...b3-d33asy6.jpg Several other cosplayers have also used PVC. Try googling some images to see what they've used and you can use that to compare between satin, PVC, and matte fabrics.

[SpiffyPoptarts]

Originally Posted by clockwalk

Another cosplay used PVC fabric for their Rin Meltdown RK-mix. It looked absolutely stunning. Here's a picture: http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...b3-d33asy6.jpg Several other cosplayers have also used PVC. Try googling some images to see what they've used and you can use that to compare between satin, PVC, and matte fabrics.

Yeah, I think I've seen this one... I totally didn't even think about it. Thanks so much!

[Kakashi's Washu]

So I'm going to be making Rena Ryuugu's white dress seen in most of Higurashi
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_x/3i6s-1.jpg

I've no idea the material I should use. I don't want it to be stretchy (PLEASE NO COTTON. I don't wanna look like I modded a tshirt.), but not too stiff (so gabardine is out of the question)... what should I use.
I have a cosplay (Lucky Star) that I bought years ago that I like the material used on... but I've no idea what it is. I wanna use it so bad... but I honestly have no idea.
So, from looking at this, avoiding cotton, anything stretchy and 'normal clothes wear', what should I use...?
(I hope muslin is out of the question as well)

(This cosplayed used something similar to what the uniform I have is made out of, it looks like: http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/t...play/rena1.jpg

[clockwalk]

Originally Posted by SpiffyPoptarts

Yeah, I think I've seen this one... I totally didn't even think about it. Thanks so much!

No problem! ^^

Originally Posted by Kakashi's Washu

So I'm going to be making Rena Ryuugu's white dress seen in most of Higurashi
http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/z...d_x/3i6s-1.jpg

I've no idea the material I should use. I don't want it to be stretchy (PLEASE NO COTTON. I don't wanna look like I modded a tshirt.), but not too stiff (so gabardine is out of the question)... what should I use.
I have a cosplay (Lucky Star) that I bought years ago that I like the material used on... but I've no idea what it is. I wanna use it so bad... but I honestly have no idea.
So, from looking at this, avoiding cotton, anything stretchy and 'normal clothes wear', what should I use...?
(I hope muslin is out of the question as well)

(This cosplayed used something similar to what the uniform I have is made out of, it looks like: http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/t...play/rena1.jpg

Unfortunately, that cosplay looks like she used cotton. And I was about to recommend cotton from the reference too.
You can try bringing a part of your Lucky Star cosplay to a fabric store and ask them what type of fabric they think was used. I did this once when I was trying to get fabric for my Miku cosplay and they gave me about two-three different fabrics.

Still, I think you should use cotton. It won't look as cheap as it sounds, trust me. (My CamelliaMiku cosplay was made out of BEDSHEETS, and no one noticed. And it looks brilliant)

[Ehekatl]

What fabric would you use for doctor Doom's cloak? I'm making something that's exactly like his cloak/tunic/cape/whatisthis

[SpiffyPoptarts]

Originally Posted by Ehekatl

What fabric would you use for doctor Doom's cloak? I'm making something that's exactly like his cloak/tunic/cape/whatisthis

I meet this Doctor Doom cosplayer with an amazing costume and I think his was made out of broadcloth.

[ShinobiXikyu]

I need to make a winter-style serafuku, BUT I want it somewhat lighter than would be accurate so I can wear it in warmer weather... but, I both need the skirt pleated, and want the shirt to have a little stretch so it's a bit more form-hugging than standard. I am SO lost on what fabric(s) I should use. Or at least which one for the top and which one forthe skirt that would match up well. My thought for the top is that stretchy cotton they use on turtleneck shirts, but I dunno if that would match with a heavy cotton/acrylic for the skirt.

[clockwalk]

@ Ehekatl; I second what SpiffyPoptarts said. Broadcloth would be a good choice.

@ ShinobiXikyu ; reference pictures please?

[The Hag]

Originally Posted by Kakashi's Washu

(PLEASE NO COTTON. I don't wanna look like I modded a tshirt.)

It will only look like a t-shirt you use a cotton knit. I agree with Clockwalk that a woven cotton or cotton/poly blend would be fine. Although you did say that you don't want anything stretchy, given how fitted the bodice is, you might consider a cotton/lycra blend. It is woven but the lycra gives it a little stretch.

Originally Posted by Ehekatl

What fabric would you use for doctor Doom's cloak? I'm making something that's exactly like his cloak/tunic/cape/whatisthis

I think that most broadcloth would be too thin to make a nice cape. What I'd use would depend a lot on the character and it sounds like you're not actually making a Dr. Doom costume? In any event - for the image that you posted, I'd use a wool or a wool/blend. Or maybe moleskin.