The first steps into cosplay
You're a beginner and want to know what you need for cosplay? You want to know where you get it and how do you exactly use it? Then this blog entry is exactly the right one for you!
You decided to become a cosplayer, fine!
Before you lies a thrilling time full of new experiences.
However, before it is so far, you should put to yourself some of the following questions:
Do I really want to be a cosplayer? Do I have cosplay addicted friends or friends who are already cosplayers?
If you have not a very high self-confidence , a friend is a great companion on your side, because there is a lot of courage needed to dress as a cosplayer outside on the streets. Moreover, cosplaying alone does not give half of the pleasure like in a group or with the best friend(s) ;)The next point would be the costs of being a cosplayer. Do I know which costs can appear in the production of a Cosplay for the fabrics, tools, colours, materials, how expensive Conventions are and the trip for going there?
Cosplay is an incredibly expensive hobby, therefore you must also put to yourself the question if you're ready to renounce other things or maybe to get a part-time job, because Cosplay can end fast in a disappointment if you notice right in the middle of your cosplay project that a still small project can become that expensive. Especially young cosplayers who are still in school and get a small pocket money from their parents will receive a conflict. On conventions you'll see cosplays from cosplayers that will you impress a lot and you want to begin with your own cosplay as soon as possible until you find out that you cannot raise the necessary money for it. Many materials that you could need for your cosplay where you smirk about can become more expensive than you expected like lace, pearls, chains, fabrics and of course the thermo-sculptural materials and colours. Therefore, you should have a clear mind about the costs and find out of them to not spoil yourself for fun.
Another important point are your parents, friends or family. When I started with cosplay, my mother was not very enthusiastically about it. It was strange to her and she could not understand that I wanted to go as somebody else on the streets. I think it was the big generation difference in my case. Consider this point and move up with the subject carefully and essentially to your parents. I wish each of you that he can build on the support of his parents and you are not condemned or are stamped as mad. Cosplay is quite a normal hobby like playing football or horse riding. We're present in all countries of the world, there are whole industries only specified on cosplay. After I had persuaded my mother of the fact that cosplay is the best for me she paid for my first cosplay, so the fabric, the wig and the shoes. I was surprised how much my mum had to pay, because my first cosplay was not especially costly: An easy blue dress with white lace, black overknee socks, white shoes and as well as a brown long hair wig. I had estimated just 70$, at the end we came on 140$, because the most expensive of all was the wig. However, at that time I was still at the beginning and thus I bought of course the most expensive wig I could find – we learn from mistakes.
Now we've cleared the questions about cosplaying with friends and the matters of the costs, also how you can make clear to your parents that you want to become now a cosplayer.
Now we come to one of the most important points, namely: What does a cosplayer need generally? And: Where does everything start? Here we go.
The equipment
The sewing machine
Generally the most important. It is no must-have because some cosplayers sew their costumes by hand, but with a sewing machine you achieve quicker, better and cleaner results and she will become your best friend after you have learnt how you must use her. Therefore, my advice to you: raise money for a good sewing machine, because the better the sewing machine the less annoyance you have with her. There are many good models for beginners for affordable prices. For example, I got my sewing machine, a Brother XN 2500 on christmas from my grandparents. To consult well to you visit a sewing store in your nearness.
Needles, needles and over again needles
Without them it simply does not go, and you could need them all: pins, safety pins, sewing needles, woollen needles, embroidery needles, needles for the sewing machine (. . . ). You get all this in a sewing store or also on the Internet. Also here I advise to you: pay attention to the quality of the needles. For example I have two pincushions, one for high-quality needles and one with needles from the 1$ shop, and you'll need them if you do not like to break your expensive, higher-quality needles.
Important: There are many different needles for your sewing machine like materials. We talk here from normal material as for example cotton, leather, jeans, taffeta / tulle, stretch. . . . it is important that consider this, otherwise your sewing machine could seriously break and the materials you use also. Means: use no material needle for imitation leather ;)
Fabric scissors
Good scissors are important because you'll need them to cut your material cleanly. Good tailor scissors can cost up to 40$! I have bought mine at the supermarket as a set that has not cost more than 15$. Now thus I have a small one and big scissors to cut my fabrics. My tip: if your scissors does not cut any more, take a cotton cloth and drive down carefully at both blades a few times. This stirs up the scissors again.
Important: Edge never, never with your good fabric scissors paper or similar material!
Pincushion
A pincushion is more than only useful, because thus you can keep your needles simply and certainly. I have sewn mine by myself and I created a tutorial on how you learn how to sew a pincushion (it is quite simply and very well for beginners). You can shop pincushions in sewing stores and also many 1$ shops offer them. But honestly: selfsewed is the still best or? ;)
The seam ripper
Oh my god, this sounds so weird in english! However, a seam ripper can't be absent in your inventory by no means! The better the seam ripper, the lighter and faster the seams can be unpicked. You also get this in a sewing store or a 1$ shop.
The sewing chalk pen
Very useful tool. The sewing chalk pen belongs to the basic equipment and meanwhile they are available in all conceivable colours. On this occasion it's valid that you use for dark fabric a white chalk pen and for lighter fabric a dark chalk pen. You can apply them safely on the fabric, because it simply washes away through the stage of the washing programme and leaves no remains.
The measuring tape
Also inalienably. The measuring tape helps you with measuring of your cuts and to all what you else want to calculate, for example your body measurements. I recommend the investment in a high-quality measuring tape, because these hold simply longer according to experience and fade the numbers not so fast. I still have a measuring tape from my grandma and it is quite fifty years old!
The thimble
The thimble is a very old tool which (according to researchers) was used in the stone age for the first time. It protects you forward injuries in the finger by sewing and is available in metal, glass, porcelain and plastic. My thimble is made out of metal and this is in my opinion the best material, fertilely and long-lasting. Get a good thimble made out of metal in a sewing store of your choice.
Now hopefully you could get a quick overview about the typical cosplay equipment and hopefully you know what you will need and where you can get it. I hope you like this blog entry! Till then, Doomfairy
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