Topic: Cosplay, anyone? (Read 10368 times)

AkaiYuki · « **on:** April 15 2006, 12:09 pm »

I'm pretty sure there's been a thread on this before but it died. O.O So I'm making another one!! ((I don't know if this should be in the General Media section or not, if so, feel free to move it, mods! Sorry!))

Anyway, although I have never cosplayed before, with CLAMP being at the upcoming Anime Expo, I decided I am going to cosplay as Kamui! Due to my cosplay noobness, I have a question! Has anyone here ever made cosplay weapons? If so, does anyone have any tips on how to make the Shinken? ((Kamui's sword))

Although it sounds difficult and expensive, I was going to get some styrofoam and cut it out like the shinken ((in several pieces)), shove a wooden dowel through it for stability, melt wonderflex over it to make it look better, and then paint it. But if anyone can think of anything easier/cheaper, please inform meh! XD

Also, has anyone here cosplayed before ((just in general))? Did you enjoy it? Any tips on costume fabrics and things like that? ((I don't want to swelter.. O.O))

Strawberry · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16 2006, 04:37 am »

When you say your going to the upcoming Anime Expo, do you mean the London Expo on 28th-29th May? because I will be there lol

I never cosplayed before and I'm hoping to cosplay this time round. I usually go with a group of friends and my friends are usually in cosplay. Anyway as for weapons, my friend Scott is a carpenter and he makes swords and guns out of wood, not sure how he makes them, but he loves making weapons for everyone. I can ask him for tips to make weapons if you want.

AkaiYuki · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16 2006, 05:18 am »

Quote from: Strawberry on April 16 2006, 04:37 am

When you say your going to the upcoming Anime Expo, do you mean the London Expo on 28th-29th May? because I will be there lol

I never cosplayed before and I'm hoping to cosplay this time round. I usually go with a group of friends and my friends are usually in cosplay. Anyway as for weapons, my friend Scott is a carpenter and he makes swords and guns out of wood, not sure how he makes them, but he loves making weapons for everyone. I can ask him for tips to make weapons if you want.

No, I'm sorry! I'm in America! I'm going to the one in Anaheim, California. July 1-4. But hey, take lots of pics at yours and I'll take lots of pics at mine! XD

Ah, does he really? Please ask him for some tips! ^_^ Thank you in advance! And you should totally cosplay, too! That's be awesome!

Strawberry · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16 2006, 07:04 am »

Oh, sorry never knew you were American and never knew there was a expo in America too ..... *Strawberry feels like a baka >.<"*
Sure I will take loads of pics and put them on this forum after the Expo ^^

Sure, i will ask him for some tips whenever I can catch him on MSN messenger and post them here for you

AkaiYuki · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17 2006, 07:52 am »

Don't feel like a baka! XD I didn't know there were Expos in London until you said it! So we both didn't know!

Thank you in advance for the tips! Here's a cookie! ^_^

Becster · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17 2006, 09:28 pm »

Quote from: Strawberry on April 16 2006, 04:37 am

When you say your going to the upcoming Anime Expo, do you mean the London Expo on 28th-29th May? because I will be there lol

...O_O There's an expo in London?

Did you go to the one in Southampton? Minami Con. I'm going to it next year, I only found out about it this year...^^;

Sheepworld · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18 2006, 03:23 am »

Wow, you're so lucky that CLAMP is coming. I'd love to meet CLAMP. Heck, I'd just love to get a glance at them in real life. Wow!

Okay, I'll stop fangirling. You could always buy a fake sword from a toy shop and then alter it. It'd give you a basis on which to work. My brother once cosplayed a ninja and I was amazed by how real fake weapons look these day. I remember when I used to play with swords they would flop about and dangle whenever I waved it...so not cool.

As for costume material, cotton is always the best bet, it's light, breezy and cheap. Are you going in Kamui's school uniform? Uniform is usually made out of cotton anyway (or a cotton and polyester blend but just cotton is just as good) I have a thing against polyester.

If you're making it yourself, hand stitching takes ages so use a sewing machine for the seams and hems and hand stitch for the tiny details, unless you're like me and don't own a sewng machine. (I spent two and a half days on Kagura Sohma's green dress for a friend because I did everything by hand. *Vein throb*)

That was a long post. I'm sorry, I ramble too much. Anyway, good luck with the cosplay. It's really fun. I'm sure that you'll enjoy yourself.

Pikari · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18 2006, 04:35 am »

Never cosplayed, but I can tell you from 3D art experience, styrofoam is Evil!! Especially trying to sculpt/paint it. Depends on what kind you're using though, I think. If you get the sturdier insulation type I think it's better.

Good luck with the cosplay, and meeting CLAMP! o_o;

Strawberry · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18 2006, 04:37 am »

Quote from: Becster on April 17 2006, 09:28 pm

...O_O There's an expo in London?

Did you go to the one in Southampton? Minami Con. I'm going to it next year, I only found out about it this year...^^;

Yeah, there is a Expo in London. It is held twice a year and my friends always go there since they live in London.
And no I didn't go to the one in Southampton since I live near the centre of England, so it costs alot for me to travel down south. London is already costing me about £30.

Quote from: AkaiYuki on April 17 2006, 07:52 am

Don't feel like a baka! XD I didn't know there were Expos in London until you said it! So we both didn't know!

Thank you in advance for the tips! Here's a cookie! ^_^

Thanks ^^

Quote from: Mizu-Tenshi on April 18 2006, 03:23 am

If you're making it yourself, hand stitching takes ages so use a sewing machine for the seams and hems and hand stitch for the tiny details, unless you're like me and don't own a sewng machine. (I spent two and a half days on Kagura Sohma's green dress for a friend because I did everything by hand. *Vein throb*)

I managed to buy a cheap mini sewing machine for £7.99 and it was much quicker (about 50 times faster then hand sittching) I did try hand stitching once and it took me almost 3 hours just to sew the sleeve >.<" So I will recommend buying a really cheap mini sewing machine, thats if you can find one.

Finally @ AkaiYuki I never catched my friend on MSN yet, but i will tell you the tips if I do catch him ^^

AkaiYuki · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18 2006, 06:57 am »

Quote from: Mizu-Tenshi on April 18 2006, 03:23 am

Wow, you're so lucky that CLAMP is coming. I'd love to meet CLAMP. Heck, I'd just love to get a glance at them in real life. Wow!

Okay, I'll stop fangirling. You could always buy a fake sword from a toy shop and then alter it. It'd give you a basis on which to work. My brother once cosplayed a ninja and I was amazed by how real fake weapons look these day. I remember when I used to play with swords they would flop about and dangle whenever I waved it...so not cool.

As for costume material, cotton is always the best bet, it's light, breezy and cheap. Are you going in Kamui's school uniform? Uniform is usually made out of cotton anyway (or a cotton and polyester blend but just cotton is just as good) I have a thing against polyester.

If you're making it yourself, hand stitching takes ages so use a sewing machine for the seams and hems and hand stitch for the tiny details, unless you're like me and don't own a sewng machine. (I spent two and a half days on Kagura Sohma's green dress for a friend because I did everything by hand. *Vein throb*)

That was a long post. I'm sorry, I ramble too much. Anyway, good luck with the cosplay. It's really fun. I'm sure that you'll enjoy yourself.

Ah, I'm not going in the school uniform, but those were still some great tips! ^_^ Thank you! *goes to look at fake swords* Hmm..

Quote from: Pikari on April 18 2006, 04:35 am

Never cosplayed, but I can tell you from 3D art experience, styrofoam is Evil!! Especially trying to sculpt/paint it. Depends on what kind you're using though, I think. If you get the sturdier insulation type I think it's better.

Good luck with the cosplay, and meeting CLAMP! o_o;

Wh-what? Really? Crap now my whole plan is ruined! T___T What problems did you come up with? Can you think of anything better to make it out of? Or do you know a good kind of styrofoam? *is worried*

To Strawberry: Heh heh, it's ok! ^_^ Whenever you can get to him is fine!

Sheepworld · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18 2006, 08:37 pm »

Quote from: Strawberry on April 18 2006, 04:37 am

I managed to buy a cheap mini sewing machine for £7.99 and it was much quicker (about 50 times faster then hand sittching) I did try hand stitching once and it took me almost 3 hours just to sew the sleeve >.<" So I will recommend buying a really cheap mini sewing machine, thats if you can find one.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check out ebay. I'm sure I can find an affordable one there.

Quote from: AkaiYuki on April 18 2006, 06:57 am

Ah, I'm not going in the school uniform, but those were still some great tips! ^_^ Thank you! *goes to look at fake swords* Hmm..

Really? What outfit are you making? My memory has holes you could fly a starship cruiser through so I can't remember anything else that he wore apart from casual clothes.

Becster · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19 2006, 04:08 am »

*sighs* I'm so terrible at sewing. I was actually told to quit making a bag because I was so bad at it in Textiles XD

...But I really wanna cosplay as Fai for Minami Con next year (two of my friends want to go as Kurogane, so I get to do double the glompage XD)

^w^;; It'd be cheating if I went to a dressmaker, so I'll just have to try myself over summer. ...I think my friend's mum can sew...o.o Maybe she can help me out?

AkaiYuki · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19 2006, 11:15 am »

Quote from: Mizu-Tenshi on April 18 2006, 08:37 pm

Really? What outfit are you making? My memory has holes you could fly a starship cruiser through so I can't remember anything else that he wore apart from casual clothes.

I actually haven't decided, yet!! I was going to wear one of his outfits from the art book.. But I want it to be something recognizable, you know? I mean, I've narrowed it down to a few, but I worry that people won't be able to tell who it is!! >_< So I'm just not sure, yet!

And Becster, I don't think you'll be cheating for going to a dress maker! I know I'm going to have at least part of mine done by one! XD I think I'm going to do half of it and pay someone to do the other half ((Like the pants, which I'm not even TRYING to make!)), but I'm definitely making the sword myself. I mean, I don't know about you, but it's my first time cosplaying so I don't want to risk screwing up and not being able to finish the costume in time! I'd rather cheat a little than do that! XD

Becster · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20 2006, 06:42 am »

Quote from: AkaiYuki on April 19 2006, 11:15 am

And Becster, I don't think you'll be cheating for going to a dress maker! I know I'm going to have at least part of mine done by one! XD I think I'm going to do half of it and pay someone to do the other half ((Like the pants, which I'm not even TRYING to make!)), but I'm definitely making the sword myself. I mean, I don't know about you, but it's my first time cosplaying so I don't want to risk screwing up and not being able to finish the costume in time! I'd rather cheat a little than do that! XD

Yeah. I have a year, but no way am I gonna ruin my first attempt at cosplay! I can buy half of Fai's outfit anyway - I already know where to get gloves, black trousers (...I could just use my jazz pants actually. >>;;...) and boots (...probably my jazz boots. Ohoho...)

It's just his white top I would NEVER be able to make (and I'm not even going NEAR the coat o_O) so...yeah. I'd need dressmaker help XDD

I wish I could sew O_X

wingless_godess · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20 2006, 10:36 am »

i was going to cosplay as soma-san but sadly the cosplay group i was gonna go with fell apart

Pikari · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21 2006, 01:20 pm »

Quote from: AkaiYuki on April 18 2006, 06:57 am

Wh-what? Really? Crap now my whole plan is ruined! T___T What problems did you come up with? Can you think of anything better to make it out of? Or do you know a good kind of styrofoam? *is worried*

Hmm.. I just know the craft store type (or the packaging type) is really messy to work with and absorbs paint like crazy so it needs a million layers. But you said you were putting wonderflex over it and I don't really know what that is, so myabe you won't have that problem. And I know that other people in the class said the insulation styrofoam (like the pink stuff) worked better... I think some of them even went to Home Depot and got scraps for free.

Strawberry · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22 2006, 01:10 am »

Ah, I managed to catch my friend on MSN a few days ago, however he had to go, so I only spoken to him for about 2 minutes >.<" anyway I if I catch him again I will ask him for tips again.

By the way if your interested in seeing photos of how he makes the weapons out of wood... here they are.....

Final Fantasy ~ Sephiroth's Sword for my Friend Fayth

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/Faythsblade.jpg

The finished sword used at the Expo~ lol, my friend Fayth who is suppose to dress as Sephiroth from Final Fantasy dosen't want to be indentified on the net, so thats why we stuck a laughing man face on him lol.

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/P1010011copy.jpg

Cloud and my friend Fayth as Sephiroth ~ Don't ask me about Clouds weapon because I don't know who cloud is (as in who is dressed up as Cloud) or who made his weapon? lol

Full size image ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/IMG_0622.jpg

Hellsing ~ Anderson's Swords for my Friend Shinji-kun (he doesn't want to be called by his real name lol)

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/ShinjiBlades.jpg

The finish swords where Shinji-kun stands at the Expo as Anderson from Hellsing

Full size image ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/mcmexpo_w05_22.jpg

Lol, this is me and Alan who stolen Shinji-kun's sword and had a sword fight

Full size image ~ http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/strawberry_surprise/Sat%2029th%20Oct%2005/expo25.jpg

Finally, this is guns which he made for himself for his Gungrave Cosplay

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/Graveguns.jpg

Final product used at the Expo

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/mcmexpo_w05_33.jpg

Another pic with him and Jae posing with the weapons

Full size pic ~ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y281/TrowaStrife/Nerv%20meetup%202/IMG_0627.jpg

Also a group pic (minus Shinji-kun as Anderson because he wondered off somewhere and I couldn't find him lol), yep, iIm the one on the far left with the cap

Full size pic ~ http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c256/strawberry_surprise/Sat%2029th%20Oct%2005/expo11.jpg

By the way if anyone wants to watch a video of last years Expo with my friends in it here is the linky ~ http://www.scifishows.com/test11.html

Sheepworld · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01 2006, 03:54 am »

Wow, that's so cool! I'd love to see your cosplay, Strawberry! Those weapons look so good.

BTW, I picked up this thing a while ago. It was free so I thought, what the heck? I think it's a cosplay outfit but I have no idea which series it's from. It's pink and blue with huge buttons on the shirt and there's a hat that looks sorta like the hat street monkeys wear (think Mr Teeny) Anyone have any idea? I'll post a pic as soon as I can.

Strawberry · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03 2006, 02:57 am »

Thanks Mizu Tenshi

Actually I am making a cosplay costume at the moment, but I don't think I will need a weapon lol. If I need a weapon, then I will just tell my friend to make it ^^

Strawberry · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18 2006, 02:42 am »

By the way I'm in the middle of making my Azumanga Daioh cosplay costume, and I already finished the top, now all I need to do is make the skirt ^^

Here are some pics and I know the costume isn't that good because this was my first attempt at sewing and costume making.

The front
The back

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AuthorTopic: Cosplay, anyone? (Read 10368 times)