10 Practical Cosplay Tips From the Amateurs

Cosplay is becoming more and more recognized as an art form. It’s even a viable occupation for the growing number of people who now make the convention rounds, with some gaining celebrity status as “professional cosplayers.”


At the same time, there are many cosplay shops offering high quality of costumes. For example: cosjj.vom

I applaud those who have brought this pastime into the spotlight. However, some part-time and beginning cosplayers may feel a little out of their league among these living, breathing photo opportunities—some of whom have spent thousands of dollars and countless hours in the gym perfecting their look.

To those afraid of how they will size up compared to the pros: Never underestimate the passion and creative mind of an amateur.

I recently spoke with several cosplayers at the Las Cruces Anime Days convention held every winter at New Mexico State University. The five-year-old event attracts a bevy of anime, manga, and gaming fans, many of whom arrive in full cosplay splendor to take part in manga costume contests, “pose-offs,” karaoke and dance competitions, a masquerade ball and dance, and cosplay, prop-making, and makeup workshops.

Some of the cosplayers have shared 10 of their own costuming tips, based on their own interests and experience, from saving money to keeping comfortable:

1. Stance is as important as wardrobe. “Look up different poses from the character and know your posture,” says Lorenzo P.

2. Don’t worry about perfectly matching every last detail. “Look at the ‘image’ of the character [not just how it looks exactly on page or screen],” says Julian F. “As long as you get the overall image, that’s what counts.”

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Experimenting with looks, using light-safe materials for props, and keeping it simple are just a few of the tips fellow cosplayers have to offer. Photo: Rick Tate.
3. Don’t go crazy with body makeup. “Less is best with makeup,” says Sonya G. “If you layer it too much, it will crack.”



4. Materials make the difference in prop-building. “To really get a good metal look, PVC pipe and silver paint works fine. I prefer PVC, because some conventions don’t allow certain types of metal,” says Adrianna B. “I’ve also learned bakeable clay is you best friend [in making props].”

5. Don’t try to always go too skintight. “Always buy pants one size larger than you actually wear,” says Ashlyn V. “Otherwise, it will be too tight and uncomfortable.”

6. Experiment. “Have fun and play around with your look,” says Katherine G. “I do my own makeup and make my hair [wigs]. Some things we make and some I buy.”

7. Don’t let details take the enjoyment out of dressing up. “Never be too nit-picky,” says Melissa D. “As long as you feel confident in yourself and what you’re wearing, that’s what matters.”



8. Expensive, commercial costumes aren’t always best. Look for places you can find items for less money. “If you don’t know where to start, go simple with singular pieces of clothing,” says Derek B. “I’ve even found some things for my costume at places like Goodwill.”

9. Take advantage of online resources. “Find your favorite character and see what you can find online,” says Joaquinn P. “YouTube helps a lot, and just look at different images—a lot of different images.”

10. Above all, you’re supposed to be having a good time. “The main thing is having fun,” says Jennifer B. “Find something you like and go for it.”

Cosplay Tools 19 Sewing Hacks You Should Know

When you are making your cosplay costumes, the following tools would help you a lot.

1. Hem the easy way!
Print the hemming template to get a uniform and easy hem, every time.

2. Save money on thread!
Stop using the tiny cones of thread. Use a mug to house your giant cone of thread.

 3. Sew buttons on with your sewing machine.
Stop hand sewing buttons.

 4. Use rubber bands to keep a uniform seam allowance.

 5. Store bobbins in pedicure toe separators.

 6. User washers as pattern weights.

 7. Use two pencils to add a uniform seam allowance.

 8. Use a regular sewing machine to sew knit fabric.

 9. Use the cheater method for gathering fabric easily.

 10. Use a pin to get your buttonholes right every time.

 11. Use a bodkin to insert elastic into a casing.
12. Print a bias tape template.

 13. Learn how to lengthen or shorten anything.

 14. Learn how to use elastic thread

 15. Learn how to make continuous bias tape.

 16. Keep your scissors sharp.

 17. Grade a pattern larger or smaller to fit.

 17. Save the skirt length chart.

 19. Never get frustrated threading a needle again.

18. Cleaning tricks to keep your iron clean.

Cosplay Tips: The Benefits of networking

Knowing some cosplay tips would help you a lot 

Today’s edition of “Cosplay Tips” is a little different from most. It doesn’t follow a list, or a “how-to” kind of model. Instead, I’m going to give you a little tip that has worked out wonderfully for me several times–build a network of cosplayers.

Now, this network can comprise of those “professional” cosplayers, as well as your own internet friends of acquaintances that cosplay as a hobby. If you are going to include the pro cosplayers, though, you should recognize that you won’t always get an answer, and will never get unsolicited help.

“But Amanda!,” I hear you say. “Networking is so boring!” You’re right, it can be pretty dull. But it’s also a really, really valuable source of information while cosplaying. Also, Twitter and Tumblr make it ridiculously easy to build an informational and instructional structure.

I spend a good amount of time researching for my cosplay enterprises. Not only do I grab as many reference pictures as I can (which I talked about in my article on cosplay planning tips), but I spend a ridiculous amount of time researching different methods of building props, sewing techniques, fabric recommendations, and materials. Even with all the research I do, though, I wind up with questions. Sometimes that questions are so minor that I feel like I can go forward by myself. Sometimes, though, the questions make me too insecure to delve into the construction phase.

In such a case, I will pose these questions to other cosplayers. If I know that someone worked on a similar costume or use a similar technique, I will ask them directly. If I don’t know anyone, I will put out a random tweet or pose the question on Reddit (check out r/cosplayers for what I think is the friendliest community). Sometimes, just discussing varying approaches to cosplay will prompt helpful input from other cosplayers!

If you do not want to make costumes by yourself, please visit our website: Cosplay Costumes , we have several talented designers and tailors and years costume production experience.

Cosplay Start Tips:Planning your costume

We always need to know what we want to do. And when we do something, we need to plan it well.

It’s love at first sight. You see it, you need it, you want to make and be inside that wonderful outfit. You love the character, you love everything about their costume and you’re ready to to get elbow deep in fabric, silicone, latex, Worbla whatever to make sure this beautiful vision you see becomes a reality. You stare at photos online, dreaming of what it would be like to put on those wings and show your love to the world.

It’s so easy to get excited and get lost in the process that things don’t turn out quite as you planned. Maybe the fabric isn’t right or it doesn’t fit how you wanted. You are convinced evenly distributed spray paint is a thing of myth. You’ve cried more times over something going wrong, and you have 2 days before you leave for the con, and you just cut two left sleeves out of your last bit of fabric. Or your clear coat won’t dry, or accidentally bleach half of your perfectly dyed fabric cleaning the washing machine…

I get it. I mean, I reeeallllyyy get it! Through trial and error, and working in a deadline focused industry, I’ve learned over the years how to properly plan a large project, and no project is larger than a cosplay (not true, but it feels that way).

Planning a costume is the most fun! I plan more costumes than I could manage to possibly make. It’s a process full of possibilities and excitement! And if you’re anything like me, you love finding out everything you can about the character, costumes, materials needed and reverse engineering how something might go together. But I’m no fool, It can also be really daunting if you’ve never done it before. Here at Seams Geeky we try to take as much confusion out of the process as possible. That means lots and lots of research and planning, including calendars and budget sheets.

Ok, first things first. You bought your con tickets and hotel a year in advance, and now you just need to figure out what to wear!

Figuring out what costume(s) you want to make
Dig through your files (or pinterest boards), meditate, search your soul and determine what costume or costumes you want to make. Gather them all! Then start sorting through all of them and narrow it down.

First: Evaluate skill level.
This isn’t the end-all-be-all but you need to start with what you are comfortable with. Making a costume is great because you learn SO much each time you make something. What skills do you already posses? What skills are you confident in? What fabrics are you comfortable using?

Next: What skills do you want to learn?
Want to work with Worbla but never had before? Great! Never made a petticoat and want to learn? Fantastic! The best part of running into battle (and I consider every costume a battle) is it’s a trial by fire.

But you have to have time to learn. You’re probably not going to get it right the first time, so onto part 3:

What is your time line?
Do you have a whole year to make one costume? Do you have 2 months? Do you feel confident that you can learn what you need to in time, or will you be slapping it together at the end?

Now this one is optional: Think about your body image.
It’s a tough subject to talk about, especially with cosplay, so I want to be clear that I’m not saying throw out costumes because you’re worried you don’t have the same proportions. Screw that nonsense, wear what you want! What I’m saying is: If you think you need to lose 20 pounds before you can wear the cosplay, you should lose the 20 pounds (or be well on the way to losing it) before starting construction.

Tip sparkle rightI try to emphasize this with any custom garment I make:
A body can change a lot, by building muscle, by losing fat, so once you start making your costume, try to stay the same weight. The last thing you want is to have to take in 2 inches because now it doesn’t fit right. That’s a lot of last minute stress you don’t need.

I was talking to a client the other night about a costume, and she mentioned she wanted to lose some weight and I had to let her know that her costume would take about 2 months to make, so come July, she has to stop losing weight and stay the same size, otherwise she’ll risk the costume not fitting.

And finally, what is your most favorite that you HAVE to make right now? Because it’d be nice if the world was all puppies and rainbows and we did everything by the books, but sometimes passion completely wins out!

*Drum roll please*
My 2015 Cosplay list I put together the end of last year with a focus of getting several complete for DragonCon. Here’s why I chose each one per my narrowing parameters:

I’ve done a decent amount of comic cosplays in the past, and I was trying to diversify a bit this year. I originally wanted to do 1 Comic Character, 1 anime character, and 1 Video Game character. Cover my trifecta of geekiness. Somehow, though It ended up being very anime heavy. I don’t mind this, because anime is my FAVORITE, and it’s how the cards of fate fell.

Deadpool is loved by most people. Deadpool costumes

Why is that? I NEED TO MAKE IT. The second I saw Glenn Close walk on screen in the uniform, I knew it was destiny. That’s a #5. But I also know I can accomplish it. There’s going to be some pattern drafting, a little bit of molding and casting (enough to learn from, but not too much to feel overwhelmed. And if need be, I can do some last minute foam pieces), and I have a friend who’s going to style the wig. DONE!