Cosplay Questions, Advice and F.A.Q

[kAZbear]

Oh ma gah thank you all for the helpful advice *throws everyone virtual cookies (::)* I ended up using the craft foam and it turned out Supa cool. Woulda tried the sock but ran outa material D:

[DarkLightDragon]

Hello, everyone!

I've got myself in a rather sticky situation that I would LOVE some help with. I live in Perth.

I have plans to cosplay a BLU Medic from Team Fortress 2 and originally decided to make my own coat. This is where things started getting interesting.

I looked for a pattern that I could use or alter, but didn't have much luck. I've been to a few fabric stores and was unable to find long coats, just jackets. The closest thing I have is this, which will need to be turned into this if I don't get a miracle soon. Problem one starts right there, as I have not really altered a pattern before, and have absolutely no idea how to do so on that scale. I would have tried if I could find something closer, but that... no. If I could enlist someone who knows what they're doing in this area, that would be great.

The next issue I'm having trouble with is that I wish to include special effects by use of light panels, with wireless switches placed on the medigun. Unfortunately, the friend I was going to ask is too busy to teach me how to build them into my coat, which once again leaves me dry. As with the patterns, I am looking to hire someone with the appropriate knowledge. Fabric, panels, etc will be supplied.

Yeah... Not much else to say other than "I'm screwed!"

[twofacedgoblin]

Regarding that coat, I got a lab coat through this website: http://www.rmfscrubs.com/. They did good work, and I reckon they might have one in the style you want.

[JoSylva]

Hey Guys,

I'm a pretty seasoned cosplayer now and have done a heap of different costumes, but I'm running into a bit of doubt at the moment as to my costume for Sydnova this year. I understand with the weapons policy no weapons can be made of metal. That's easy. But what about armour? I'm cosplaying this year as Xena and was planning to sculpt the armour from aluminium but just realised that I should check that this wont be a problem at all. I'm guessing it isnt a problem because it would be on me at all times and unable to harm anyone, and if you have seen Xena's armour it's fairly minimal anyway. Just wanted to double check before I start on the construction process and then find out its not allowed. >.<

Jo Sylva, a Xena fanatic.

[CameronJ]

Hi Guys,

So I was thinking of going as The Penguin to BrisNova in November, don't think I have seen a Penguin cosplay yet but I am not sure which penguin to go as, I was thinking a cross between Danny De Vitos Penguin in Batman Returns, and the Penguin from the comics (but then again which one of these) I like the idea of the "flipper gloves" but the dirty, grubby look doesn't appeal to me as much.

What would you guys suggest as the most recognisable Penguin look, and with the umbrella weapons, I was thinking of rigging up a button on a standard black umbrella which would make a machine gun or pistol gun noise. Would this be acceptable at SN? Where would the line be on making Penguin weapons?

This would be my first time doing cosplay

[poke__egg]

In most media that isn't Batman Returns, the penguin is a rather well-dressed man, so adding the flipper gloves shouldn't be a problem if they suit the design.

As for the umbrella, well the 1m rule still applies, so take that into account when you do this. The noise thing shouldn't be a problem, if you take apart a cheap toy gun that makes sounds and rig up the sound chip and wiring from that along the inside of the umbrella.

[crownprincess24]

Hello, everyone!

I've got myself in a rather sticky situation that I would LOVE some help with. I live in Perth.

I have plans to cosplay a BLU Medic from Team Fortress 2 and originally decided to make my own coat. This is where things started getting interesting.

I looked for a pattern that I could use or alter, but didn't have much luck. I've been to a few fabric stores and was unable to find long coats, just jackets. The closest thing I have is this, which will need to be turned into this if I don't get a miracle soon. Problem one starts right there, as I have not really altered a pattern before, and have absolutely no idea how to do so on that scale. I would have tried if I could find something closer, but that... no. If I could enlist someone who knows what they're doing in this area, that would be great.

The next issue I'm having trouble with is that I wish to include special effects by use of light panels, with wireless switches placed on the medigun. Unfortunately, the friend I was going to ask is too busy to teach me how to build them into my coat, which once again leaves me dry. As with the patterns, I am looking to hire someone with the appropriate knowledge. Fabric, panels, etc will be supplied.

Yeah... Not much else to say other than "I'm screwed!"

Hey there, have you had a look on some of the websites that offer free downloadable patterns?

www.burdastyle.com and www.m-sewing.com are two good sites which I always go and have a look at before going to Spotlight or anywhere else. www.lincraft.com.au also has a few jacket patterns available...

people add their own patterns, with instructions, and you can print them at home Another good website to have a look at is www.crafster.org I have found an excellent cheap alternative to bonin a corset through this website, lots of good tips and tricks!!

Sometimes the best patterns are those in which you would never think of using as your base...

Good luck!

[JoSylva]

Hey Guys, just reposting coz I need to know this asap. :/

I'm a pretty seasoned cosplayer now and have done a heap of different costumes, but I'm running into a bit of doubt at the moment as to my costume for Sydnova this year. I understand with the weapons policy no weapons can be made of metal. That's easy. But what about armour? I'm cosplaying this year as Xena and was planning to sculpt the armour from aluminium but just realised that I should check that this wont be a problem at all. I'm guessing it isnt a problem because it would be on me at all times and unable to harm anyone, and if you have seen Xena's armour it's fairly minimal anyway. Just wanted to double check before I start on the construction process and then find out its not allowed. >.<

Jo Sylva, a Xena fanatic.

[Marion Ravenwood]

Jo- Maybe you should try something like a resin that can be molded and use metallic paints with something that has a gloss application (like Impasto medium for example). Especially because the armour itself is curvy. Or even something like paper mache with wire structure built in (as long as the wire is covered completely and isn't sticking out, I don't think that should be an issue as I used pipe cleaners for the structure of my handles on my Kaleidoscope wand and covered it with 3d glitter glue paint and foam glued with craft glue and staples.

Keep in mind you need to be comfortable so maybe finding a vinyl-like fabric with mettallic texture/look combined with decent fabric pains and a structure system maybe like bones used in a corsette) of some kind beneath might be the way to go. There was a great Xena at Goldnova- she would be the person to ask- I'm not sure if she frequents the forums here.

I also know if you decide that you don't want to make it- Todd's Costumes on the web has some great Xena stuff and armour. I haven't bought their stuff personally, but I've heard good things from others about their gear.

[Corporal.Rao]

I put this post in the wrong section and am yet to find a way to delete it. My apologies.