What do I need for crafting?
Crafting is fun and gets increasingly popular. But where do I start actually? Here I'll show you what you need for making your armor and props.
Welcome to a new Tutorial! Beside sewing the crafting also takes a very large part in the cosplay scene. Armor, swords, wands, shields – what you sometimes need to craft for a cosplay can be quite difficult and costly. We all know those big cosplay armors from the internet or conventions. How did they made this armor? And what do I need to make successfully my own armor and props for a cosplay? I craft since one year, I primarily work with foams and (rarely) even with worbla. Working with foams is A. "easier" B. low-cost and C. the armor and props are light, solid and (the most important) comfortable.
Here in germany the cosplayers still work a lot with worbla while the US and other parts of the world tend to make their armor and props out of foam: EVA, Plastazote, Evazote and DuraFoam - certainly, because these materials are very versatile! I don't work often with worbla because it is still quite expensive, but I really like to use Worbla Transpa Art to create some nice LED props! Worbla is a very good thermoplastic material, but I personally decided to focus on the foamsmithing. Very slowly, the working with foams become also popular here in germany. The lovely Cyehra Cosplay has done a great job with foamsmithing here in germany and wrote a book about it, "Making Of - Foamsmithing". It is available for 8$ as e-book (also in english), you can get it here. I highly recommend it!!
Before I got Cyehras book I've acquired my entire knowledge by myself. The book has helped me to improve some of my techniques and that is the reason why I advise it. The value of my complete equipment for crafting foams/worbla amounts to approximately 300 €. Don't worry you do not have to buy everything at once! I have a small income and I've saved money for one year to buy everything. I want to show you my equipment which I use to work with foams, modeling clay and thermoplastics. Let's go!
The Equiment
1. wooburner tool (amazon 10$)
with this tools you can make some very nice details into your foam!
2. rotary tool (amazon 40$)
the rotary tool is an essential tool and indispensable for working with foam. I smooths the surface and also creates nice shapes
3. heat gun (building supplies store 25$)
the heat gun is also an very important tool for working with foam and thermoplastics. With it you heat up your material and shape it into the form you want it
4. hairdryer (20$)
the hairdryer helps you to speed up your drying process
5. glue gun (10$)
the glue gun helps you to glue your parts together. I use a big one and a little one but one will last ;')
1. pins (1$ shop)
use them to pin the pattern on your foam for getting cleaner results
2. pliers (building supplies store 8$)
a useful tool for making details or shaping
3. sandpaper (building supplies store 5$)
use it to smooth your surface or details
4. filler tool (building supplies store 3$)
use it to fill your foam easily
5. sponges (crafting store 4$)
sponges are very useful helpers! Create with them cool designs on your props
6. paint sprayer (building supplies store SALE 3$)
the paint sprayer is a very helpful paint tool. It helps you to create a smooth finish and is easy to use
7. respirator (building supplies store 8$)
safety first! The respirator protects your respiratory ducts forward toxic steams!!
8. cut resistant gloves (building supplies store 8$)
use them to protect your hands forward cuts and toxic ingredients
9. scissor (crafting store 2$)
10. cutter (building supplies store 8$)
use the cutter to shape and cut out your foam and foam details!
11. ruler (crafting store 1$)
12. pens (crafting store 1$)
13. modelling tool - metal and plastic - (amazon 5$ each)
use the modelling tool for details and for modeling the modeling clay
14. scalpel (crafting store SALE 4$)
the scalpel is useful to cut out details very cleanly
Well, I use a lot of tools for working with foam and thermoplastics but everything is useful and will help you to create clean results. I hope you liked the tutorial! Thanks for reading!
Until then,
- Doomfairy
