A COSPLAYER'S NOTEBOOK: ADVICE AND TIPS
BY- AnimaeAriesGirl

Hiya! Okie class, hope you are still paying attention (LoLz) because Ima give you some simple tips on cosplaying. This section my seem empty for now, but as I grow more and more experienced with this hobby, I will slowly fill in some new ideas. Ok? Alright everyone, whip out your notebooks again, time to take some more notes from
me, the AnimaeAriesGirl aka Tal!

Suggestion #1: Once a cosplayer, always a cosplayer! This means that whenever you are out and shopping or whatever, ALWAYS be on the look out for things that inspires you to start a costume. The things and materials you need usually pop up whenever you least expect it or when you don't need it. For example, I found the PERFECT Rikku belt at Forever 21 (or XXI) for only $4.90. Now I didn't go out that day looking for costume stuff, but I found things anyway. I was SOOO happy! *__*

Suggestion #2: Make your own pattern or adjust your own pattern so that it fits you properly as well as save you money. I have never bought a pattern from a fabric store because I knew that it wouldn't fit me or I was plain lazy to go out or too cheap to buy one. Okie what I do is the "Rub-off Technique." Found this in a SINGER book from Barnes and Nobles, so I do not claim the technique, but I do claim the second technique, which was inspired by the original rub-off technique, that I explain. So please note that, k ^_^? Oh and these techniques can be found under the "Tutorials" section of the site, btw if you would like to check it out!

Suggestion #3A: If your sewing machine is "in the shop" (in other words broken) or if you don't even have a sewing machine (like me) there are other alternatives. Let's say you want to go to a con, but you don't have anything to wear, but boring old clothes cuz your sewing machine is not working, you don't have one like me T__T, or can't buy one in time to master using, you can still construct a decent costume!

    *Hand Sew- Very tedious and fairly weak, but at least it's something and works somewhat.

    *The "Handi-Stitch"- Another option, the ghetto semi-hand-sewing machines you see in info-mercials. They might not be as good as a real sewing machine and may be a little annoying, but it's something. I know I have used it on most of my costumes and nothing as come apart... yet...

Suggestion #3B: If you like making props and boot covers and if regular glue is not working in your favor, there is a solution. Go run down to your local arts and crafts store or even fabric store. Ask for tacky glue, but contrary to its name, it truely works wonders after it dries, just asks me and my sister ^_^

You can use hot glue too, but be warned it is:
    1) Messy
    2) Can create an untidy look
    3) Burns you like it ain't nobody's business O.O lol
    4) BUT for weapons/props it does wonders, just mind the afore warnings when using it on actual fabric for a costume

Suggestion #4: If you didn't follow my very confusing, yet useful advice I gave in Suggestion #2 about making your own pattern, remember that when you buy a pattern from a store, buy it a size or two bigger. Here is my reason: if you buy your usual size that you get from a department store, it will not fit. Clothes we buy at stores have smaller numbers for the sizes that patterns do for some strange reason. So for example, I am a size 4/5 (tee-hee I'm tubby n_n;;), I would get a size 6/7 pattern probably. You are not getting fatter if that is what you think, it's just that the sizes run differently with patterns, alrighty?

Suggestion #5: Some random bits of suggestions:

    1) Always take a photo of your costumes and you wearing them. Memories are so much fun! And hey, you can even start your own website ^__~

    2) Draw out the costume you want to do. You can easily break down how to make the costume using this technique. You don't have to be an artist, but make some type  of resemblance. Also, this will help you get the hang of making original designs!
 

Final Suggestion: The FINAL and KEY piece of advice:

"At first you don't suceed, try, try again..."

Great quote, a great point made. If you do not get the costume to fit right the first time, try until you do. Although cosplaying is fun, it can be frustrating and tedious, believe me I know. All you have to do is keep sewing and constructing 'till ya get it right. In the end, you will be SOOO proud of yourself and what YOU made, believe me I know that, too ^__^ Hope this section has given you some pointers on the great "art" (LoLz) of cosplaying. Remember I'm sorta new at this too and never but an e-mail away if ever you are in costume distress!

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