Cosplay and Costumes
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is (costume)/Why do you only have some costumes posted?
There are two reasons why a costume may not be on here:
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If I don't have any actual photos of a costume outside of selfies or awkward hallshots, I haven't posted them on here yet! I do have a small (growing) collection of things finished that I don't have photos of, or have not gotten photos back yet, but as soon as I do, they'll be added.
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I did not make that costume; meaning either someone else made it or it was completely store bought either from a costume seller or a closet build. A good amount of minor costumes or things for groups I will buy, especially if everyone else is buying as well, for sake of matching and not being stressed out over it.
What kind of machines do you use?
Right now I own a Singer 7256 Fashion Mate, Janome HD3000 Heavy Duty machine, and a Brother Lock 1034D serger.
Where do you buy binders from?
Underworks.com and GC2B.co are my usual go-to's. They're inexpensive, quick to ship and arrive, and are safe/non-damaging. As a person who's probably screwed themselves over multiple times via poor binder choices or improper binding methods (I was learning about binders in the era where using tape was still an acceptable means), I cannot stress the importance in doing a little research into binders to make sure you aren't buying something that will potentially cause harm to you.
How did you make (piece/costume)?
I've included a few build notes on each costume on here, so check those out! I try to always mention the type of fabric used as well as if I did anything special such as starching or pleating. A lot of costuming, especially being self-taught like I am, is really a learn by/as doing ordeal. AKA there are times I look back and also wonder how I made certain things, haha.
How long have you been sewing?
I have been sewing since 2009, but only was doing things completely myself starting around 2011. Originally I relied on my mother a lot to help me with sewing anything that basically wasn't a straight line on basic fabrics. After awhile, my own stubbornness resulted in my mother refusing to help me as our ideas and methods started clashing the older and slightly more experienced I got.. As well as I would get impatient and want to sew when she didn't want to. Even now, though less since I moved out, I get caught on really simple things that I can't wrap my head around and need my mother to explain it to me in a way I can follow.
Where did you learn to sew?
I'm self-taught. While I learned a lot from watching my mother sew, the most she actually taught me was how to thread your standard/basic machine, and that pressing the pedal makes it sew. The vast majority of my sewing developed, and continues to develop as I start new projects; trying new things I've seen other people have success with, etc. So much of sewing is going off the cuff (haha) and taking the leap of faith with some things.
What kind of patterns/fabrics do you use?
I use a lot of the same patterns over and over again, making alterations where necessary, mostly because patterns aren't cheap and I hate cutting them out. There are somethings I don't have a tangible pattern for, like capes, as each time I make one, it's a little different from the last. Other things I'll take apart old clothing that has the look and shape I want, and create a pattern from that.
Much like patterns, my fabric choices change with each costume. Outside of functionality (ie; something form fitting needs some stretch, etc), I try and pick the most appropriate fabrics for each character. An idol costume may use velvet, brocade, and even some satin or sequin fabric. Whereas a uniform or suit would utilize a suiting-type material or something a bit more heavy weight. And sometimes, I just can't find the fabric I'm looking for and try to make ends meet doing it myself.
When will you be accepting commissions?
I'm not 100% sure. Working 40 hours a week every week at my job, I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to things like commissions. Outside of that, my own personal health issues sometime limit my work ability and I won't prioritize sewing or cosplay over my own health right now.
How does your creative process pan out?
Once I set my sights on a character or outfit that I want to make, the great hunt for reference images begins. Saving them on my phone, as it takes up the least space on my table and is usually within reach while sewing, I also like to take all the combined images and scribble out some kind of break-down. Drawing and writing out how different pieces look and work help a lot in preventing confusion later down the road, as well as help me stay focused when it comes to buying fabric and notions for it.
Is there a secret to making capes that toss well?
Hilariously, capes used to be something I dreaded and had no idea how to even approach. The single most important part of making a cape that throws well is selecting a proper fabric-- somethings fall better than others.
My cape-making method follows the age old technique of a triangle with the top cut off in a curved shape. Depending how wide I want it, I may cut more than one out-- always on the fold. The length and width of the triangle varies by how wide or long the cape it. Because I don't like hand gathering and haven't yet developed the skill to be able to eyeball the gathering consistancy on my ruffler for it to fit, I'll put an inverted box pleat on each shoulder to fit it to my neckline. Every cape I make is a trial-and-error on both shape and fitting-- each time being slightly different than the last.
Where did you get (character) wig?
I buy all of my wigs from sellers on Taobao-- more often than not I buy from a variety of different sellers, and sometimes a random seller that I found with good ratings and low prices that has what I'm looking for. The most common sellers I buy from are Lucaille and songtaste/House of Mandrins. Some of my wigs, however, are the product of more than just a bought wig. I try to mention those specifically over on my Wigs page, as well as a short bit on how I did it.
Have you ever competed with your costumes?
I seriously competed once, back in 2011 at a small con, and then again for fun/as a joke with a friend a couple of years later. However, I do not see myself competing again mostly because the event in itself is so time consuming, as well as having to provide so much proof and the like. I'm here to just make costumes and have a good time.
Is there a specific part of costuming that you enjoy more than other parts?
I think my favorite thing is wefting wigs, which is sort of funny seeing as in terms of costumes, small hand work and detailing is my least favorite because it takes so long to get to the end result. There's just something about sewing/gluing wigs together that I just really love and can't get enough of.
What's the strangest thing you've used in costumes?
Probably a tie between putting worbla triangles in as weights in a friend's costume, and the blue rexlace used for "wires" on Inumuta.
Are you going to (con)?
Honestly something like this really depends on my financial situation at the time. I've been trying to cut back as a whole on going to anime/comic conventions because they're so costly, just in travel-room-food alone, let alone if I'm making or even buying a costume for it. Generally if I'm going to a specific con, I post about it on Twitter or on my Facebook Page! If you want to see me at a con, let the con know your interest; I'd love to guest at a con one day.
How do you decide if you are going to make or buy a costume?
For the most part, my decision on build vs buy is mainly based off the question "Do I want to make this?" Since I'm doing something like costume strictly as a hobby right now, I'm not going to stress myself out via making myself make a costume for me that I don't want to make, if that makes sense. Things like uniforms (sports or school) I tend to buy mostly because at the end of the day I'm saving time and money just buying it. If I'm doing a group costume, I tend to buy mostly for some form of consistency.
How do you shop and which buying service do you use for Taobao?
I find using Taobao becomes an acquired skill after a while. The more you use it, the more you start to recognize certain names. Using things like Google Translate is great for getting somewhere in the ball park area of what you're looking for if you don't know the Chinese for it. I keep a spreadsheet with the names/translations of series and things I often am looking for on Taobao to make it easier, as I can just copy and paste it into the search bar.
I currently use Bhiner as a buying service. They also supply a lot of resources for searching things on Taobao if you aren't sure how. They supply pictures of your items after they arrive in their office and their English is very good. A note for them, however, is that their services can be a bit more expensive because they use their own currency of "Bhiner Wallet", and their hours are strictly 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, CST (GMT +8)