Cosplay 101

[BubbleTea]

Soooo...

I'm new to the art of cosplay. xD; And I've been wanting to go to a con for years now, and finally went to my first one last year. Unfortunately I didn't get to dress up because I don't know how to sew, and buying custom-made is expensive. @_@ Plus I had to go with my parents, which was horrifying for them D:

I want to know...
is it possible to cosplay on a budget without making the costume look too bad?
Is it better to buy a custom made one or make it yourself?
How do you sew anyway? @__@ Is it hard to learn how to sew? How long does it to do some of the beginner/intermediate/advanced stuff?

[alice_addicted]

1. Sewing classes can be learned at your local community college, or even highschool if you live in a nice area that offers that, they are usually the best way to go to learn. However, it is equally as easy if you have an elder who is experenced in the art to teach you the basics: regular stich, zig-zag, baste etc. With the elder I would recommend going to JoAnns and picking up a Simplicity Basics pattern, they are geared to first-timers and easier. Most of the time, said elder if they exist is often happy to teach you since it is a "dying art".

a. It's impossible to be a master after a year, or even two or three. Just learn at a steady pace, absorb what you can and do all to improve. Even for good measures freind someone who has more years of knowledge then you so the can help you out in tight spots.

Beginner would be, I think: regular sewing, basting, etc. Basics, the first things to learn and build on like a pyramid.
Advanced would incorperate zig-zag stiching, gathering and whatnot.

No one said that this would be easy, so settle down with a decent machine, trial fabrics and easy projects. That is key, start small then scale up, do not simply jump into the most complex thing you can find. The best first cosplay is often an anime school-girl, as lame or generic as it sounds.

2. Cosplay is drawing uncessary attention to yourself, its just a fact that one has to learn and be okay with. Dressing in costume demands attention: be it good, bad.

In that regard, most parents are rather reluctant or embarassed, but they learn to live with it after a while. At least in my experience.

3. Good costumes can be made on budget, it is possible! Just as a purchase from online shops will give you some piece of crap. If you want to order, I suggest joining Cosplay.com, and viewing which Ebay users and sites are appropriate to buy from who do not scam you. There are people who steal images and claim to send you something amazing, watch it.

[BubbleTea]

Thanks alice addicted! =)
I was thinking about buying on Ebay, but now that you've said it, I'll be careful.

hm, there's a costume design class that my school is offering, but my school schedule is already full so I can't take it. I'll try looking at my local community center.

and I think, as for school girl, I'll look at thrift stores for now.

[ThatBaka!]

I'm going to my first cosplay too!
This summer!
I'm making my own costumes,

I'm going as an ONIGIRI! nywhaha! in my head it's going to be a cute costume.

it's going to be constructed with foam, then covered with a white cloth, to make the foam somewhat rougher.
I'm going make little rice cutouts with the leftover foam and sew it on the outter shell of the onigiri.
...I'm not sure whether I should make a hole for my face or make a foam hat..

[BubbleTea]

LOL! that's originals. x3 never really head anyone going as an onigiri before (but I have heard and seen a few people go as PLUSHIES and CARDBOARD BOXES xD!!!!!)

are you going with friends or by yourself?

Oh yeah, speaking of going alone or w/ friends...I have another question xD;


Since this will be my first time cosplaying...I know there's a good handful of anime kids at my school that go to cons, but I don't really know them that well and while I do have friends that go to cons, they have their own little group of friends. D: I don't really have my own core group. All of my friends are scattered. And the few close friends that I have aren't into cosplaying either. T____T

Is it weird to try to meet new people at a con? I'm not really the type that's outgoing either. >.<

[ThatBaka!]

Sadly..
I'm going by myself..
I know no one that's remotely interested in Anime.. They think it's 'nerdy'...lol

But I'm also volunteering, that way I could meet people faster.
I'm not really outgoing either. Soooooo, I'm nearly in the same situation as you...

[laura-aap]

I was planning on going to do my first cosplay this year...
but none of my friends wanted to go with me.
they first said they would but suddenly they all backed out.

I was planning on going as nel form bleach. she's cute ^__^

at thatbaka!: that you have the guts on going alone! I would so not do that.
here in holland there will be held an anime con too... but I would so not go alone XD

[ThatBaka!]

ugh..
I got butterflies just thinking about it.
If I don't like it, I'll just go home after I finish my volunteering time.. <--wuss.

[BubbleTea]

lol xD
I have to guts to go alone XD
I'm used to going alone to places where my friends aren't interested in going.

I'd rather go alone to a cosplay con than to go with my parents. XD; That happened once and it was not good...

There's this concert that I'm going to in May, and it's going to be my first ever concert. Unfortunately I have to go alone because none of my friends know/like this band enough to go and see their concerts. And the people at my school who do know and love this band...I don't really know them well. :|

*sigh* uggh I feel so left out these days.

(btw, if you're wondering what band I'm talking about, it's Nightwish, lol)