You know the cosplay that I’ve been busy with for the past couple months? Well, it’s finished now!
Putting on a finished cosplay for the first time is one of the best feelings! I had a lot of fun with this one, partially because I love One Piece and partially because I learned so many new things on it.
In the past, I avoided prop work, so I have very little experience with it. Though I didn’t make the sword from scratch, I did so many alterations on it. I learned how to sand it smooth with Gesso, work with Worbla, and use sword wrap. All of the pink dots on the shirt were also painted by me, and this is the first time I’ve used fabric paint to make my own patterned fabric. (Full details on my cosplay blog.)
Looking back, many moments when making a cosplay were memorable to me because I was learning something new. It doesn’t matter how long you do a hobby; there’s always more you don’t know.
For example, when I made Zia and Zulf costumes for a friend and I, it was the first time I worked everything out in a mock-up before using real fabric. Since then, mock-ups have been my best friend for any patterns I’m unsure about, and I frequently make multiple before I’m satisfied.
It was also my first time custom dyeing fabric, and I learned the hard way that the color that you see at first is a lot darker than how it’ll turn out. This is because the fabric looks darker when wet and some of the dye washes out afterwards. It took me several tries before I got that teal color.
I used the lessons in fabric dyeing when I made my Rhyme costume… and then I learned something new again! Instead of dyeing the fabric ahead of time, I made the shirt first with white fabric and thread. The fabric took in the dye very well, but the thread didn’t at all. Fortunately, it’s not noticeable from a distance, but if you ever looked at it closely, you’ll see white thread against the salmon-color fabric. Oops.
Sakura was the first time I made a costume I wasn’t totally comfortable with. Her outfit was short in both the shirt and skirt, which meant her stomach showed. I wasn’t ok with either one, so I extended the length of the shirt and the skirt to a more comfortable length.
No one mentioned the inaccuracy, and I was still complimented on the costume. Do what makes you comfortable! (I even read a blog post once that said that girls who cosplay Street Fighter characters like Sakura just want attention, but you know, maybe we actually like the character? Why the hate against your fellow cosplayers?)
Neku was a major costume filled with “firsts”, namely my first crossplay (crossdress + cosplay) and my first spiked wig. I did so much research on both, and I actually styled the wig twice. I wasn’t happy with the first time, so I washed it out and tried again. I haven’t spiked another wig since, but at least I know how to do it now!
Anyway, after working on cosplay pretty much every day the past couple months, I designated today as a break day. But! I’m not done yet. I have 3 and a half weeks until my next Anime convention, and I plan on making one more costume. I have more work to do!
That’s amazing to be firsts for those cosplays. You gain so much experience from them!~ I love all of what you do! ^^
That’s cool, great job on finishing your cosplay! I’m trying to get motivated to do one on my own – not just althered – for once but gulp… I’m afraid of my sewing machine and I’m not sure why. Haha. You are for sure someone I admire when it comes to this stuff. 🙂
Good luck with your last costume! 🙂
I know how you feel about that teal colour. I feel like the same happened with me when I was choosing colours for my blog. 😛 As a side note, I feel like I have to change it again because the white-text-on-teal-background doesn’t conform to accessibility guidelines for contrast. 🙁 Haha.
It makes sense that you would adjust the length of the Sakura costume, not everyone is comfortable in crop tops and mini skirts, or wants to wear them at all. You did an awesome job and I’m not surprised that people still complimented you. 😀
Cat, that looks so awesome!! I’m so impressed that you painted the dots on your shirt – you can’t even tell. I just assumed that you maybe bought the shirt! Everything really came together!
I think the modifications you did for the Sakura costume were perfect – I wouldn’t have been comfortable wearing something that short either, and you want to be comfortable since it’s for fun! Nothing was detracted from it because it still looks super awesome!
Your cosplays are all so amazing – I wish I had the skills you do. I absolutely love the sword, and the dots on the shirt look brilliant. I’m going to be making a new costume soon and I’m terrified. I doubt it’ll turn out well first time!
I’d have lengthened the Sakura shirt too. No way would I show my stomach at a con – I definitely don’t have that much confidence. It looks great with a longer shirt anyway!
Wow, it looks so awesome. 😀 I really like all the detail! It’s great that you are able to learn so many new things with making these costumes and especially as you experiment with props as well. 😀
I couldn’t believe you just dyed the fabric. I was looking at it and it was perfectly fine for a first-time! Though, I am no cosplayer, I really admire your crafts. That red pattern looks digitally printed, wow I am amazed!
Good luck on your next costume! Dyeing hair sounds the same as dyeing fabric. The color always looks darker when your first rinse out your hair since it’s wet. It’s also prone to fade a little bit as you do the first few washes, and then the real color will show itself. 😀
Your outfits are amazing. I love how you pay attention to the details of whatever costume you’re making. Good luck on completing that one outfit in time for the convention! ^_^
That’s amazing! 🙂 Real attention to detail, well done! A great first cross – play.
Congratulations on finishing this cosplay piece! I can imagine how nice the feeling is, especially with having to find a way to match the character’s outfits. Is the thread not taking in the dye as well because of what it’s made out of? That’s my only thought X’D. It’s pretty cool to see the different outfits you’ve made, and the different techniques you’ve applied!
Gah, you’re so awesome at cosplay! I wish had your skillz~
I really like Neku cosplay 🙂