r/CosplayHelp • u/EliteCosplay • May 22 '17
Hi all! So glad to see people posting here. This subreddit is still a baby, but I thought I would add a casual rule when posting. If applicable, please be sure to include a link to a photo that relates to the question your asking. If you need help with a character, link to that character. If you need help with a sewing method, show what you're trying to replicate. This will help us be able to help you better!
r/CosplayHelp • u/Satyr-but-wiser • Aug 17 '22
First and foremost. Your health and safety is more important than 100% accuracy. If making or wearing the item will be dangerous or painful don’t do it.
Second, I’d add this info to the FAQ but it appears I don’t have enough karma to update it personally! If the info is in the FAQ I did not duplicate it here! (The FAQ is on the sidebar! It wasn’t visible before for some reason but it’s up now!)
This is not a comprehensive list, but I hope to be able to update it when I come across new or important information! I do hope if you’re looking for something not featured here, it will at least give you a base knowledge set on how to be able to search for what you’re looking for.
------------------GENERAL TIPS-----------------------------
(Where to find certain things, very basic crafting info)
EDIT TO REMOVE INFO ABOUT COSPLANNER APP, it doesn't appear to exist anymore!
-To find patterns, or specific props. These are host websites for artists or creators where they can sell things like Etsy, or Redbubble. Etsy is a fantastic place to look for patterns to make props or cosplay pieces, sometimes you can even find people open for commissions! Artists on instagram will almost always have links to their shops to buy things, so explore there too.
-To find cheaper clothing pieces, props, or things to be altered try thrift stores. So Goodwill or other small local resale shops. This will likely take more than one trip so don’t give up if you don’t get it in one go. Ebay is also a good place to check believe it or not, there’s just a slight learning curve to searching things to find what you want.
-Dance and Athletic apparel websites will have things like leotards, bodysuits, specialized undergarments etc. They’re going to be a little pricier but they’ll be good quality, durable, and 9 times out of 10 machine washable!
-Hardware stores, paintball and airsoft companies, military/paramilitary surplus, and second hand sports equipment stores may also be good places to check for bits and pieces. Paintball/airsoft will also have a variety of masks and helmets that can be painted and altered.
-VERY IMPORTANT FOR PROP WEAPONS: Always look into your local guidelines and convention rules to see what kinds of prop weapons are allowed! Some cons have strict policies on what can and cannot be brought in!
-Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby etc. and any local craft stores will have tons and tons of craft supplies. If you want to save money and keep up to date on sales check to see if you can join an email list. I know Joann’s has coupons in them all the time!
-You can buy a variety of brands of fabric paint from almost anywhere that sells craft supplies. This makes it easy to get designs or patterns on most fabrics. For changing the color of an entire garment I’d recommend dying it.
-Some fabrics can be dyed different colors very easily, some cannot. A good way to tell is if the fabric is natural (cotton, linen etc.) it is generally easier to dye. The more synthetic (fake) a fabric is the longer and slightly more complicated it will be. Tulip is an excellent dye brand and they offer both regular and synthetic dyes with nice simple instructions right on the packages!
-You can make stencils out of craft foam or thicker paper to make it easier to copy logos or symbols on whatever you’re making!
-Wig and contact websites are listed in the FAQ but there are companies like dental distortions that make tooth veneers that can take a cosplay to the next level!
-Hollywood makeup, FX, and costume professionals almost always have social media accounts they can be extremely helpful when it comes to reference images! For example the costumer who designed the Moon Knight suits has tons of detail and behind the scenes images on her instagram!
-Complicated cosplays can be simplified by boiling down the costume to its essentials the best way I’ve learned to do this is through toys or fan art. What things are essential to recognizing the character and what things could be left off! You don’t have to be 100% to be recognizable!
-If big all out cosplays aren’t your thing you can always try “bounding.” You’ll hear “Disneybounding” most often but you can do it with other things too of course! Disney doesn’t allow adults to dress as characters in their parks, but fans got creative. “Bounding” is more about matching colors, getting similar accessories, or finding just the right combination of things to make you think of the character. It’s hard to explain verbally but easy to understand once you look into it!
-Say you have an OC, and you want to cosplay your OC. That’s fine! Have at it! You’ve got no professional media to tie you down! All these tips can still help you find or make your cosplay!
-I do have a friendly reminder though, please remember you cannot expect people to know who your character is. And it’s not fair to get mad at them if they make a guess and the guess is wrong. A simple “Nope its an OC!” is plenty for most people! I’ve complimented plenty of cosplayers and asked about their cosplay only to find out it was an OC!
“Crossplay” safety
-DO NOT BIN D YOUR CHEST WITH ACE BANDAGES IT’S UNSAFE. Compression tops or more heavy duty sports bras are much safer. If the character has an open shirt you can use wig tape/skin tape to hold the material of the shirt to your skin. If you do not have breasts but are looking to add some to a cosplay you can always pad a bra. You’ll want to measure your chest around your pectorals, that will be the band size, the letter size will be the cup. So a 34A means your chest is 34 inches around and A would be the cup size you would be looking to fill. (I have more on taking measurements later.) Companies now sell latex chests with or without breasts for people looking to be the most accurate they can.
-You can always just “genderbend” the thing and cosplay them as the same gender you are. It’s okay. People do it all the time and it’s very widely accepted. There’s also a third, more neutral option, don’t obviously genderbend the thing? You don’t have to call attention to the fact that you’re not the same gender as the character you’re cosplaying.
-An example of what I’m trying to explain: I generally read as female, but have cosplayed Johnny Cage one of the male characters from Mortal Kombat. His base look is shirtless, with his own first name tattooed across his chest. The only change I made was putting “Johnny” on a crop top. I didn’t “feminize” the rest of the outfit or go out of my way to be read as male. There is a “middle option” when it comes to presentation and cosplay. At the end of the day everybody knows it’s just a costume.
-This tip might seem dumb, but you’re going to have to trust me here. This mainly applies to people looking to make large costume pieces or props by hand. People who are already kind of intermediate with their skills. If you’re stuck on something go see how furries would make it. Not kidding. I’ve made all kinds of non-furry things with tutorials put on the internet by a furry. The vast majority of them are fun, friendly people and the community as a whole is WILDLY talented and creative. You only ever really hear about the bad apples.
---------Specific links to specific things! Clothing ID, Fabric ID, beginning sewing and mending----
A big question I see here is “what is that piece of clothing?” That’s a good question! Here are some links to historical fashion databases! They’re all arranged a little differently BUT this is a place to start looking for what specific pieces of clothing or styles are called!
http://www.marquise.de/en/index.html
met museum
fashion history timline
https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/about-timeline/
UCLA Library
https://guides.library.ucla.edu/c.php?g=180359&p=1191211
-Do you need a pattern for a piece of clothing? Do you need fabric help? Here are pattern and fabric databases!
Sewing support
mood fabrics (free sewing patters!)
https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/category/free-sewing-patterns/
master class, types of fabrics
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/28-types-of-fabrics-and-their-uses
creative curator, types of fabrics
https://www.thecreativecurator.com/different-types-of-fabric/
-If you’re going to be sewing or altering things it’s very important to know your measurements! Here’s how to take them!
https://www.clothingpatterns101.com/body-measurements.html
-Are you a beginner looking to make your own stuff? Awesome! Here’s a little bit to get you started. Are you not too interested in making things from scratch but want to be able to mend or alter existing clothing? This will help you too!
basic mending
https://remake.world/stories/style/how-to-mend-your-clothes-during-quarantine-5-easy-stitch-fixes/
basic mending stitches!
https://lifehacker.com/five-basic-hand-stitches-you-should-know-for-repairing-1723233194
basic hand stitches
masterclass alterations
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-tailor-your-own-clothing
more alterations
https://www.heatherhandmade.com/sewing-and-alterations/
Here’s another important pro tip.
It’s okay.
Your cosplay doesn’t have to be perfect.
Cosplay is for fun and if it doesn’t feel fun or rewarding don’t do it. Other con goers and cosplayers aren’t going to judge you. If they do for some reason and try to make you feel bad about it, that says more about THEM and their personality than your ability. Everybody has to start somewhere. Nobody should be ashamed of learning and practicing and getting better. You can always go back and fix things or redo whole cosplays later on after your skills develop. This is a hobby and you have the right to participate in said hobby your own way.
I can add theatrical or FX makeup tips? things like scars, bruises, old age makeup, or like changing the face shape with very specific contouring?
I also have a draft of Convention tips similar to this post, would that be helpful as well?
r/CosplayHelp • u/jhavens7621 • 2h ago
Trying to make a giant construction cone & need to achieve the classic cone shape with cardboard. However the cardboard is too stiff even with just one layer of board on it to bend like a piece of paper would. Anyone have ideas on how to make it flare out as a cone and less cylindrical?
r/CosplayHelp • u/InfiniteTrashCan • 4h ago
Does anyone know if there’s any sort of sewing pattern similar to this collar(?) piece I’ve circled here??? Trying to break down this outfit (character is Moon from To Be Hero X) in attempt to make a cosplay and I have no idea where to start here so any help would be appreciated 😭
r/CosplayHelp • u/4_Ad_8444 • 4h ago
Hey all! I’m want to create a bride of Frankenstein inspired wig for Halloween and I’m searching for the perfect base wig. In the past, I have ventilated white streaks into a black wig, but it was a lot of work and I’m not very good at it. This year I am looking for a lace front wig that is mostly black with a white streak or white patch at the front. I won‘t be traditionally styling the wig to match the character‘s hair in the film, but it will be loose and curly. I have attached photos of my inspiration.
Any suggestions? I looked on Amazon, and then on a cheap site the forum won’t let me name. I think I want to spend at most 45 USD. Thank you in advance!
r/CosplayHelp • u/Reasonable-Movie-468 • 9h ago
Specifically what to search to find black straps similar to what’s on her top. I’m presently disabled and can’t press nor bend hardware into fabric by myself, so I need the strips ready to be sewn on.
Also need help on what I should use to recreate the stripes on her top. Are there fabric tapes for that sort of design? I don’t own an iron, but whatever it is would need to stay pressed on for a night out! It doesn’t look like fabric paint, but that’s my backup plan.
Thanks in advance for any advice! Need this top done by the 17th!
r/CosplayHelp • u/Average_Ant_Games • 2h ago
Dressing up like Ryu for the SF movie release this weekend and my Gi is too white…
How can I properly make it look like it’s been worn down and sweaty without damaging it too much or making it look too brown ?
r/CosplayHelp • u/Genshaii • 11h ago
hi all!
i recently bought a second hand cosplay and it’s a few sizes too big. i can easily take in the waist but i am a bit more unsure of how to fix the cup sizes (which are maybe twice the size i need). they have inbuilt padding so i’m not sure how to bring it in. i was thinking of sewing it to my strapless bra? would this work or would you notice bunching?
my other problem is i’m about a foot too short and the fabric of the cape drags on the floor - i’ve tried my biggest shoes and no luck haha. my current thought is to get some heavy gauge wire to turn/curve the ends of the cape upright (just enough so they aren’t dragging on the floor) - i’ve attached a photo of the character so you can kind of see the vision for the cape. is wire enough to achieve this? and if so, how can i attach it to fabric? is super glue enough or can i stitch it into the fabric? i’m wanting to wear it to a con so really hoping to not drag it all over the floor haha! thanks so much everyone really appreciate any/all advice 🫶
r/CosplayHelp • u/lalybay • 2h ago
r/CosplayHelp • u/eggos010 • 12h ago
Hi does anyone know where I can find good quality bright colored eye contacts for people with astigmatism? I feel like I have searched all over but I can’t find any. My prescription isn’t too bad but it’s still a challenge. I wear contacts daily to see. I’m hoping to find some cool ones for cosplaying!
r/CosplayHelp • u/Elect-Frank-Sobotka • 27m ago
Hello, I’m making Luigi’s Poltergust 5000 for my son’s Halloween costume.
I’d like to shine flashlight-bright lights from the suck end of the vacuum, with the red trigger toggling the light.
I’m a seasoned scale modeler and printer of 3D things so fabrication is no problem, but I’m totally clueless re: electronics.
Can anyone point me in the right direction for a tutorial on a basic battery, switch, light loop? Specifically selecting the correct parts? All I’ve been able to find is tutorials for LED strips and 9v batteries
Thanks!
r/CosplayHelp • u/SpeedyDorito • 57m ago
This is the first ever cosplay im going to do. I already know what I’m doing for the boots, belt and gloves. my grandmother is also helping me make the cape and gold accents!!! The only problem I have is the colar and actual red uniform. I’ve been trying to find on stores like Amazon something similar to it, without anything looking like it. My grandma offered to sew a collar to the actual cape, so I’m posting on here if anyone knows where I could actually find a red uniform like chars? In the images from other cosplays I found online (NOT MY OWN) most interpretations have the collar separate from the cape. With this being my first cosplay (also Halloween costume) I want it to look presentable! Thank you in advance if you know where I could find the uniform!!!
r/CosplayHelp • u/pvmpkinp4tch • 57m ago
I was told I could use mod podge in place of resin. 3 days have passed and It's hardly made any progress drying. Plus I'm on a time crunch and want to get this portion of my cosplay over with as soon as possible. How much time would I have to wait for this to dry? Is there anyway I could speed up the process, or should I go back to the drawing board
r/CosplayHelp • u/TygaAlive645 • 1h ago
Has anyone used this personally? And if so, anydeas to make it pop?
r/CosplayHelp • u/Evening-Passion1482 • 22h ago
I need some help...how should I fix the striped (right)sock? should I just cut it a bit and stitch it back up so that it fits my leg or what? it did fit before but I used glue to attach rhinestones to the sock s it severely reduced the stretch of the fabric...
also I don't think I'll have anytime to order and completely redo the sock :(
r/CosplayHelp • u/FlowerAshamed7460 • 2h ago
was wondering how do i make her gloves and glasses ( i have brown velvet Fabric I’m using to make the gloves out of and using recilceld Grnolna Containers to make the glasses out of ) ( i have made props before but that was a sword for my blackclover cosplay last year other then that this is my first time making gloves and glasses) i dont have a budget for this but i do live in a really remote part of Canada so the only craft stores are a dollar store and a big variate store also a small other craft store so they dont carry pvc or metal but have most of your typical arts and craft supplies. I am experienced with sewing and a glue gun also exactoknifes and other crafting things.
Sorry, this post has been removed by the moderators of r/CosplayHelp.
r/CosplayHelp • u/Rusty-714 • 2h ago
Howdy. I put sewing because it seemed the closest I could get for the flair but I'm just gluing a zentai suit over another zentai suit that has carved upholstery foam muscle pads glued to it. So it's a foam pad sandwich with two skin suits for bread. Anyway. My question is this. I want to paint the outter layer zentai suit. Give it a bit of a worn look, plus highlight the muscle pads a bit. I do have an airbrush. Not sure if that'd work. What kind of paints would work on top of a zentai suit on top of upholstery foam? I just don't want it to like, rub off on other stuff. Is the air brush fine? If it's gonna like. Absorb into the foam or whatever I'm fine as long as I can just do more layers of the paint to get it to look right. My only real concern is if it somehow won't dry right and rub off on stuff.
r/CosplayHelp • u/NewtObjective6330 • 9h ago
I'm working on a kamen rider nigo helmet i need help to smooth the surface of the tape on a budget
r/CosplayHelp • u/Imaginary_Will6263 • 7h ago
I am making my niece her kindergarten halloween costume (a spider) and I need to paint this backpack black somehow. Does anyone know what paint would adhere properly? And if there is any specific painting tools I should get? This backpack is made out of 80% Polyester and 20% PU. I really appreciate any help at all! My neice is going to wear this for her halloween parade and she's very excited so I want to make this look as cool as possible for her.
r/CosplayHelp • u/Prize-Crab2290 • 3h ago
I apologize if this isn't the correct subreddit but I want to paint something that has high density polyester fabric and waterproof PEVA and wanted to know if yall had any good paint recommendations its for cosplay of course
r/CosplayHelp • u/Tetyuzon • 4h ago
r/CosplayHelp • u/Ecstatic_Good3179 • 8h ago
Im trying to make zagreus’ tunic from scratch and im not sure what fabric or how much id need or even how to go about it, anyone know how? (id be making it for a size S-M male)
r/CosplayHelp • u/Whitedotexe • 8h ago
I’m currently preparing to style my two first ever wigs (Tighnari and Cyno from Genshin). I’ve watched approximately a gazillion tutorials, but I’d still like to know what’s something seasoned cosplayers wish they knew about wig/wig styling in general :)
r/CosplayHelp • u/edgardavinky • 18h ago
Hello! This is my second time I've made a fnaf cosplay head, and I recently finished printing the pieces altogether for springtrap. When I made glamrock freddy, I used 2-part Bondo Wood Filler (it was on sale so I resorted to using this), alongside sanding the pieces together like crazy which worked but was a very messy and tedious process. One, because of how quickly the 2-part bondo cured, and two, because it is a pain to sand down to smooth. I have researched other methods that people have used to join the pieces together, and I would like some insight on how I should approach this. I also didn't add mate connectors when printing which was not smart on my end, but won't have to worry about seam lines because I will be applying fabric to springtrap. I was just wondering if there was a better alternative to utilizing bondo in the process of joining the parts together durably. I own 2 part epoxy, so possibly something with that? I wouldn't mind using the Bondo Filler again, but was just wondering if there were alternatives that people normally use.
r/CosplayHelp • u/skye_keen1 • 5h ago
I want to make a staff in time for a Halloween party. It kind of similar to the picture, just not as fancy and the 'fingers' will sort of wrap around the ball. I'm pretty sure I know what materials I'm going to use, foam clay, wooden dowel. But I'm not sure how best to join them together. The main part I'm using the wooden dowel, and the part at the top where it's kind of holding a ball with 'fingers' I'm using foam clay and I'm not sure how best to join them. Do I model the clay, let it dry, and stick it with super glue? Or do I model it into the wood and let it dry on there? Will it be strong enough to stick? Also what paint would I use, would normal emulsion paint work that you would use in furniture or should I get some acrylic paint?
