I always wanted to cosplay when I was younger ... but I've only actually done a "real" one a grand total of twice. Once in college as I-no from Guilty Gear, and once more recently as Queen Nehellenia for a local convention that had Mitsuishi Kotono as a guest. The Nehellenia costume was so much fun to wear, but such a pain to make. The wig. :nope: I sewed in the wefts from one wig to another, so it was double-thick, and waist length. I then had to boil straighten, curl, and style it. It was so heavy. But in the end, worth it.
I ran around taking selfies with all the Sailor Moon cosplayers who turned up for Kotono's panels. There were SO MANY. I had three or four little collages of selfies that I posted to Instagram in the end. haha
I love sewing and sew a lot (because ... that's ... my job), but it can be hard to work costuming into the mix when I have so much else to work on. ^^;
I wish I had the money and time to do that.
Sewing is actually the one thing that gives me such a hard time! I literally can't sew a straight line.....I didn't know that you sewed things for a living, that's really cool!
I used to cosplay a lot! My old profile is here, with a bunch of my stuff: http://www.cosplay.com/member/77739/costumes/
Here's a few of my favorite costumes:
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I really loved it! Making those costumes taught me tons about sewing, crafting, etc. too! The trouble is... I'm really shy and self-critical, so I would end up stressing myself out a lot. :( I might cosplay again at some point, though.
Oh, and I love that Garnet, Rainbowrific Renia! *_*
Sewing is actually the one thing that gives me such a hard time! I literally can't sew a straight line.....I didn't know that you sewed things for a living, that's really cool!
Straight lines are actually really hard. Maintaining a consistent speed on the pedal, while keeping the fabric in place is a skill that you really have to work hard at! I recommend a hemming bar for long stretches of straight fabric. Most basic machines come with one these days, but you can pick up a new one if yours got lost on ebay for cheap, or at your local sewing shop. Check your machine manual to see what it looks like and where it fits! :)
The key to it, just like everything, is practice. I also find that hand-basting is a skill that gets ignored in a lot of pattern directions and tutorials. It's infinitely more stable than pinning, but also helps you make sure you've got your notches and seams straight (especially for zippers and curved pieces like shoulders/sleeves).
Oh. And pressing. ALWAYS press your fabric before you sew, and press your seams as you're working. It makes things look tidier when you're done, but when you're actually working, it makes sure that your pattern pieces all lay properly.
And finally, commercial patterns often don't have all the tricks you learn over time, so checking out sewing blogs is also a good idea if you're starting a new project.
Your cosplays are great! I love Zumonjii especially, how beautiful!
I've been cosplaying for several years now. I go to a Japanese/pop culture convention in Pittsburgh every year, and sometimes we go to other conventions if we have the time. This year my friends and I were Scooby and the gang. We plan on doing this again later this year...maybe by then my husband will have a blonde wig. :lol: Anyway, I was Daphne. ^.^
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Last year I was "cotton candy" Garnet, from Steven Universe.
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And this is my very first cosplay, from like...2010, I think? Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece, along with my friends and husband. My face is covered, I know, but my hat was my favorite part of the cosplay. I spent so long making it!
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Some other cosplays I've done:
I'm back from my second convention............ and the first time entering a cosplay contest! Before the contest I had so many kids asking to have their picture taken with me, that made the whole day worth it! I even had the 501st members asking to have their picture taken with me! But when the cosplay contest was over and they were called the winners, and I heard "ARC Commander Eli" for Best Sci-Fi, I was in shock! Me? Winning a division in a cosplay contest?! What?!
I'm back from my second convention............ and the first time entering a cosplay contest! Before the contest I had so many kids asking to have their picture taken with me, that made the whole day worth it! I even had the 501st members asking to have their picture taken with me! But when the cosplay contest was over and they were called the winners, and I heard "ARC Commander Eli" for Best Sci-Fi, I was in shock! Me? Winning a division in a cosplay contest?! What?!
When people want to take picture of or with you, that's truly an awesome feeling!
Congrats! I'm too chicken to enter any cosplay contests. I feel like literally everyone else that cosplays at conventions does a better job than I do. :lol: