Gathering References

If you plan to accurately cosplay a character, making sure that you have images of all of the details of what they wear and look like are very important.

Image Types
When you gather reference images, you want to focus on gathering a few types.

• Full body shots
• Half body close ups
• Super close up detail shots
• Full facial close ups
• Shots from the side and back

Oftentimes, you may be able to find several of these types of shots on one page of a manga, as seen in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 - This page of the manga gives a nice half body and close up image on one page.¹

Gathering all of these different types of shots will come into play with choosing proper patterns, choosing fabrics, choosing and styling wigs, and even makeup application.

Where to Gather Reference Images
One of the best places to start is Google's image section. Usually, a search of the character's name plus the show's name will turn up some good results.

Tip: If you find a great image using Google, but it is too small, choose the "more sizes" option on the right sidebar to see if a larger version of that image exists online.

If you own the DVDs for the anime or own the manga that you plan to cosplay from, they can be valuable resources. Mark pages in the manga that have the types of shots mentioned above and take screen captures of the anime if you can access it on your computer. Some anime even have art or concept art books that can be invaluable resources.

Using References
When looking at reference images, it may be a good idea to go through and jot down the important details about the character.

Why References are Important
As the previous example mentioned, without proper references you may miss out on details of a character. The little details are what show that you really care about your costume and will be what makes it stand out from the crowd.


Resources

1. Hatori, B., Leach, G., & Yagi, K. (2005). Ouran High School Host Club (Shojo Beat Manga ed.). San Francisco, CA: Viz Media, LLC. 
   

Choosing a Sewing Machine

If you plan on making your own cosplays, it will be important to have a reliable sewing machine to get you through your costumes. 

Note: I have only ever had the chance to sew on my mother's old Singer, but it has always done the job, so this post is primarily based off of other user's experiences.

What You Will Need

Depending on what types of costumes you plan to make, you will need varying qualities of sewing machines. If you plan to make costumes that involve leather or thick materials, you will need a heavy duty machine, but if you plan to cosplay mostly everyday characters you may be able to get away with something of a lower quality.

Types of Sewing Machines

Overstock.com has a wonderful guide to different types of sewing machines. The biggest differences you will most likely deal with will be computerized or regular electric sewing machines.¹ If you are looking at computerized machines, the price will likely be significantly higher than if you go for a standard electric machine.

High Quality Machines

The author at Quiltbug.com suggests that you "buy the best you can afford. A top of the line sewing machine can cost as much, or more, as a major appliance. If you really want something and get something else because of cost you will regret it for the life of that machine. (10 to 20 years on a high end model.)"²
 

ConsumerSearch.com suggests several Brother machines, with the Bernina Activa 220 as its pick for a high-end computerized sewing machine.³

Affordable Machines

If cost is a major concern, but you don't plan to sew heavy fabrics, a machine like the Brother XL2600I may be a good choice. It can be bought on Amazon for less than $100, and has mostly positive reviews. But, beware, if you want to sew heavy fabrics this is not the machine. Reviewer Cassiopea says, "The only major limitation of this machine is that it can't really handle heavy weight fabrics or multiple layers very well.⁴

Right in the Middle

There are plenty of sewing machines that will do very well for most beginning to intermediate sewers in the $150 to $250 range. One Amazon user suggests the Singer 7258, saying "The best machine I have ever owned is the Singer Stylist 7258, and I have 7, one of them is the Brother CS6000 and the Singer puts it to shame."⁵ That particular machine can be found on Amazon for around $175.⁶   


References

1. Writer. (n.d.). Sewing Machine Buying Guide | Overstock.com. O.co: Online Shopping - Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more. Retrieved October 29, 2011, from http://www.overstock.com/guides/Sewing-Machine-Buying-Guide 
2. Choose the perfect sewing machine for your needs. (n.d.). QuiltBug Quilt Shop - Quilt Fabric, Patterns, Batting, Books, Notions & More for Sewing Store. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://quiltbug.com/Articles/sewing-machine.htm
3. Sewing Machine Reviews | Best Sewing Machines. (n.d.). Product Reviews and Reports - ConsumerSearch.com. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://www.consumersearch.com/sewing-machines
4. C. (2008, January 17). Amazon.com: Cassiopea's review of Brother XL2600I Sew Advance Sew Affordable.... Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/review/RBBVW91V65N0I/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RBBVW91V65
5. Amazon fan. (2010, October 26). Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: Reasonable sewing machine for heavier fabrics? Brother cs6000i?. Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/forum/sewing/Tx3SVIU1J7IT9F2 
6. Amazon.com: SINGER 7258 Stylist Model Sewing Machine: Arts, Crafts & Sewing. (n.d.). Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. Retrieved October 29, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-7258-Stylist-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003KK807M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319860636&sr=8-1 

How To Choose Patterns

If you have already been through the process of choosing a character, and assuming you will be constructing your own costume, it is now time to choose patterns and fabrics.

How to Choose Patterns

1. Gather reference images of your character. This can often be done through internet searches or, if you have a great memory, watching a show.
   

2. Make a list of the necessary pieces for a costume. For example, in Ouran High School Host Club the pieces considered when choosing patterns include

• Button up shirt
• Jacket
• Tie
• Pants
• Shoes

3. Look through patterns, either online or in stores. Common pattern makers include
• Simplicity
• Vogue
• McCall’s
• Butterick

Figure 1 - A screenshot of the same jacket from multiple angles.¹

4. Choose a pattern that resembles your individual pieces as closely as possible. Don’t be afraid to pick and choose from different patterns. If you like a coat from one suit pattern and the pants from another, then buy both and use the pieces you need. Figures 1 and 2 shows an example of a jacket pattern that works well for a costume, but more patterns are still needed for the shirts and pants.

Figure 2 - A McCall's Pattern with many similar features, but one less button, than the characters' jackets. Note that the back view gives a better comparison to a manga page.

How to Choose Fabrics

1.   Think about the types of clothing your character is wearing. Choose fabrics that would match the real life equivalents. For example, a light suiting material would fit the Ouran character’s outfit because they are wearing suits.

2.   Go to a local craft store and hunt for the types of fabrics you want. Then another, and another, until you find exactly what you are looking for. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make some adjustments because perhaps suiting fabrics don’t come in the perfect light blue. Decide where these adjustments are necessary and go with it.

3.   Decide how much fabric to buy. Typically, allow for some extra fabric for the event of messing some fabric up during the creation process. The back of the pattern will tell you how much fabric to buy and it can be a good idea to add at least a foot to that measurement for mistakes. I typically add an extra yard and then usually end up with extras for future costumes.

4.   You’re now ready to cut out the patterns and fabric and begin sewing the actual costume. Don't forget fabrics, such as interfacing and linings, that patterns call for but aren’t visible from the outside. They can make a big difference in how the pattern turns out.

Resources

1. Hatori, B., Leach, G., & Yagi, K. (2005). Ouran High School Host Club (Shojo Beat Manga ed.). San Francisco, CA: Viz Media, LLC. 
   

 

Choosing a Character

Things to Consider

If you plan to cosplay, choosing the right character is incredibly important and there are many factors that will weigh into choosing a character.

Things to consider include

• How much time you are willing to dedicate to the costume
• If you look like the character
• If have a specific show or character in mind
• If you are willing to cut and/or dye your hair
• If you are willing to wear colored contacts
• How accurate you want your costume to be
• How much experience you have making costumes and/or props and accessories
• If you plan to cosplay solo or as a group

If You Don't Want to Wear a Wig or Alter Your Hair

For many costumes the hair is a very important, and often very unnatural, part of the costume. If you are unwilling or unable to purchase a wig or alter your hair to look like a character's then finding a character that looks like you will be important. There are a couple of great resources that can help you choose characters that look like you.

The Anime Characters Database features a search function that allows you to input characteristics of yourself and find characters that fit you (note that for many users you will want to check all boxes under "character preference" except "hentai game").¹

Another, less instant resource is the "Cosplay Suggestions" section of the Cosplay.com forums, even more specifically the "Who Do I Look Like?" thread.² In order to use the "Who Do I Look Like?" thread you will need to create a cosplay.com account and upload some photos of yourself, so if you are uncomfortable the Anime Characters Database is a better option.

Time, Experience, and Budget

It is important to consider how much construction time and experience you have when creating a costume. Tackling an over the top costume for your very first cosplay can lead to a frustrating experience, so start simply and work your way up.

Also keep in mind that great costumes are very doable on a tight budget, but it will take a lot of time to hunt down good materials on a smaller budget. If you want to make a great costume in a short amount of time you won't be able to pick and choose materials and may end up paying full price for a lot of items. If you want an awesome costume on a small budget, then plan well in advance.

Accuracy

Although you can be any character you want, many fans of specific characters will get even more excited when the person dressed as their character looks a lot like them in reality. For example, if you are a very tall male, it might not be a great idea to cosplay Fullmetal Alchemist's Edward Elric because he is specifically known for being short. At the same time, don't let the fact that you don't look exactly like a character discourage you from cosplaying them, as no one will ever look exactly like a character.

All in all

If you have considered everything mentioned above and have found a character that fits your needs, then it's time to dive in. What is most important is loving the character that you choose because the whole point is to have fun with it.

References

1. "Search - Anime Characters Database." Anime Characters Database. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. <http://animecharactersdatabase.com/search.php#searchpanel>.
2. "Cosplay Suggestions - Cosplay.com." Cosplay.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cosplay.com/forumdisplay.php?f=168>.

History of Cosplay

What is Cosplay?

According to the Oxford Dictionaries cosplay is “the practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime.”¹ Although cosplay is primarily composed of characters from manga or anime, cosplaying American video game, comic or movie characters has become popular at conventions as well.

When Did Cosplay Start?

Cosplay is believed to have started in 1978 at a science fiction convention in Japan. At the time, the point of cosplay was for role-playing.²

Cosplay Today

Cosplay has now become and industry unto itself. Many companies survive solely on the production of cosplay costumes and accessories alone. Many wig makers also cater to cosplayers. Special contacts to make the wearer’s irises appear bigger have even been developed in an attempt to further imitate anime and manga characters.

Modern cosplayers make and wear costumes for

• Conventions

• Photoshoots

• Cosplay gatherings

Cosplayers often wear the same costume multiple times, so one costume may see each of these types of events over its lifetime.

Many of the conventions also hold cosplay competitions. Prizes are awarded for categories such as best costume and most creative and will vary from convention to convention. If your goal in cosplaying is to enter and win competitions then your costumes need to be both unique and very well executed.

References 

1. Defintion of Cosplay. (n.d.). Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cosplay 
2. Thorn, M. (n.d.). Girls and Women Getting Out of Hand. Welcome to matt-thorn.com––shoujo manga (shojo manga) and more!. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://matt-thorn.com/shoujo_manga/outofhand/index.php

Introduction

Purpose

This blog is intended for those of you who are interested in beginning to cosplay but are unsure of where to start. For those of you who are unsure of what cosplay entails, see the history of cosplay post.

What the Blog Will Provide

Instructions on how to

• Choose a character
• Find references for costumes
• Choose and alter patterns
• Choose and style wigs
• Get into character

What the Blog Will Not Provide

• Step by step instructions on how to  sew
• Step by step instructions on how to make specific costumes
• Galleries of cosplays from around the world

To Cosplay or Not

If you are considering cosplaying but are not sure if you are willing to put in the commitment, don’t worry.  Cosplay can be a fun hobby and while some people prefer making it a lifestyle you get to choose how important it is to you. Some people also worry about what their friends or family will think about the fact that they cosplay.  In the end, it’s important to do what makes you happy and you can be as public or private as you want about your hobbies. Many of the people I thought might look down on me for cosplaying have actually been impressed that I know how to make costumes. Don’t be quick to judge people in thinking that they will judge you.

Who I Am

My name is Andrea and I am a hobbyist cosplayer, perfectionist, research addict and student. I know the difficulties that can come with trying to begin cosplaying, especially cosplaying on a budget, and will work to include budget conscious ideas that still produce high-quality costumes.