Your first cosplay, where to start
Went to a convention recently and had the time of your life? Would you love to make your own cosplays too... but you're not sure where to start?
No stress! Follow me, I'll help you see things a bit more clearly.
๐ The tips in this article also apply if it's your first LARP costume you want to create. There are a few differences (I'll mention them along the way), but the main steps are essentially the same.
First off, if you're totally new to cosplay, I want you to know you don't have to make your costume from scratch. Sure, it's awesome to make your own costumes. But if you're not comfortable yet and don't have much experience, you're completely allowed to buy a costume, have it made (by a friend or a pro), or modify store-bought pieces. Your costume is in no way less legit if you didn't make the whole thing yourself.
(By the way, I recommend my article on modifying a store-bought costume if you'd like to start there).
That said, it really is cool to make your own costumes. And if you talk to any cosplayer who's made their own suit, they'll all tell you the same thing: "it feels really good to wear something you made yourself." So I strongly encourage you to give it a try.
It's true that it can seem intimidating when you've never done cosplay before. But the trick is just to prepare well. They say you eat an elephant one bite at a time... it's the same with a cosplay. ๐
Psst! Also remember that we all start somewhere.
LadyPlier Cosplay's very first cosplay, Maka Albarn from Soul Eater, was put together with store-bought pieces, plain and simple. Over the years, she developed her skills to the point of presenting her creations in masquerade competitions. In 2022, she wore Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer at Montreal ComicCon.
1. Choose your first project wisely
Obviously, the first step is choosing your cosplay. If you're here, you probably already have an idea in mind. Maybe even a few. And you're wondering how to make a good choice.
You might see experienced cosplayers taking on huge, super complex projects. It looks cool. And it might even look fairly easy. But if it's your first project and you don't have much experience with sewing, foam work, or crafting in general, I'd recommend taking it slow.
It's totally fine to take on something you've never done before, to try techniques you don't know. I actually encourage it! But keep in mind that a big project takes longer. And working with certain materials for the first time means making mistakes, redoing certain steps, and losing a bit (or a lot...) of time getting the hang of certain techniques. All of that is totally fine! I just don't want you to lose your motivation before you even finish your first project.
So, to start, go with a fairly simple project. A small, relatively easy project is perfect for testing out the hobby. And if it goes really well, you level up to a more intense project next time. Simple as that. ๐
- Cartoon characters tend to have fairly simplified outfits (generally). You can find good "beginner" projects there.
- Contemporary movies where characters are dressed more casually are also a great source of "easier" cosplay (you'll be able to buy several ready-made pieces and make a few modifications as needed).
๐ If it's your first LARP costume: you're probably starting from a character of your own invention rather than an existing one. In that case, your first choice isn't "which character do I want to do," but "what type of character do I want to play." A peasant? A merchant? A noble? A mage? The type of character will define the overall style of your costume. Start with something simple: a commoner or a traveler generally requires fewer complex pieces than a noble or a knight in full armor.
Midori Witch Cosplay started off gently with a Maya Fey cosplay from Ace Attorney. A fairly simple outfit, which she sewed herself. Today, she works with all kinds of materials and makes much more complex cosplays.
2. Gather tons of images
Now that your cosplay is chosen, you need references. Lots of references.
You want to find as many images of the costume as possible. From the front, from the back, close-ups, at an angle, with or without their jacket, etc. You want to know what their shoes look like, how their hair is styled, whether they wear jewelry, makeup.
If it's a movie character, watch the movie and take tons of screenshots. A video game character? Go in-game to see the costume from as many angles as possible. Trust me, you can never have too many references.
๐ If it's an original LARP character: you can't take screenshots of your character, but you can still gather references! Make a Pinterest board with images that match the aesthetic you're going for: viking costumes? Pirate style? Or medieval fantasy? etc. These references will guide you in choosing the right materials, the right colors, and the right style (I've got an article full of pro LARP tips to help you out, if you'd like).
3. Make a list of what you need
Now that you've got tons of reference photos, you can put together a list of every element of the costume: clothing, accessories, and more. Be careful, it's important to take your time and really study your character. In some cases, it's pretty straightforward. But sometimes there are lots of little details that are easy to forget. That's exactly why making a list matters.
Ask yourself as many questions as possible:
- Is it a dress, or a top and skirt?
- How many pouches on the belt?
- Special hair? Will you need a wig?
- And for LARP: do you need weapons or game props? Are they safe for combat if the LARP event requires it?
Take the time to really study your reference images to make sure you don't forget anything.
4. Make yourself a game plan
Now it's time to think about how you're going to recreate the look and each element of the costume.
Are you planning to make most of the pieces yourself? Or do you want to try to find a pair of pants that looks close enough and modify it? Will you need to buy specific boots? Or are you thinking of covering shoes you already have? Do you want to build the blaster out of EVA foam (I've got an EVA foam 101 article if you're not sure where to start), or 3D print it (I've also got a guide to help you with 3D printing)?
Take the time to really break down each element
The vest you want to sew... what fabrics do you need to buy? And the buttons, simple enough to find in a store? Or are you thinking of trying to make them out of polymer clay? And the pattern, do you already have it? (if you're looking for patterns, I've got a whole collection to help you out).
For the hat you want to transform... what exactly are you planning to do? Paint it, cover it? With what? Do you have all the tools you need?
A little trick I like to use at this stage is to go check out what others have done. Search your character's name + cosplay on Google or by hashtag on Instagram. It's always really interesting and inspiring to see other cosplayers who've already made the character you're going for. It gives you ideas for materials to use and techniques that might come in handy.
You can also sketch out the pieces you need to build, put together a color palette for makeup, etc.
The idea is to end up with a full overview of the project, including everything you need and the steps to get there.
Bizz Cosplay's first cosplay was fairly simple. Mrs. Lovett, from Sweeney Todd, put together mainly with thrifted clothes, then modified. Since then, her projects have gotten more complex and she now makes her costumes from scratch, like Serge-18, from the series Dans une Galaxie prรจs de Chez Vous.
5. Get organized
For small projects, it's totally fine to go with the flow, but if you're taking on something a bit more intense, I strongly recommend finding a good organization system for yourself. If you're not organized, you risk losing track of things.
It's a good idea to keep all your project info in one place: your list of accessories, your measurements, reference photos, sketches, fabric swatches, name it!
You can even keep track of the addresses of shops to visit for materials, and reference websites for new techniques.
Some people like to put together a notebook, others prefer to write everything down in an app. You can work however you want. What matters is that you're comfortable with your method and that it's clear to you.
If you like the paper route, I'd recommend a small, simple notebook, not too bulky, so you can easily carry it everywhere, from your workshop to the fabric store.
If you're more of a digital person, you'll probably like the app Cosplanner. It's an app specifically made for tracking your costume creation process. You can add everything I mentioned earlier (reference photos, shopping list, costume description, etc.).
Personally, I work with Notion. It's my digital notebook. My clients are all listed there, with their measurements, reference photos, deadlines, etc.
Find the method that works for you, and keep everything in one place. It's really so much easier that way. ๐ค
And once you're juggling several projects at once and want to take your planning management further, I've got a full article on organizing and planning projects with more advanced tips.
Goose Props started off pretty simple, with a Breaking Bad duo with his brother. Over the years, he's learned 3D printing, foam work, and plenty of other techniques that now let him make seriously impressive cosplays like Garrus from Mass Effect.
6. No pressure!
First of all, go at your own pace. Just because your favorite cosplayer cranks out a wild costume in 1 week doesn't mean it's going to be fast for you too. So take your time. Do things right. Don't rush. And above all. Don't. Stress.
We all work at our own pace, and it's important to respect your own speed.
If it's your first project, plan for more time (you don't even have to give yourself a deadline).
And remember, we all start somewhere. The best advice I can give you on that front is:
- Practice!
- Practice!
- Practice some more!
One of the first costumes I ever made was for my little brother, back in 1997. A repurposed sweater, pants made in the most slapdash way imaginable, a weapon and accessories made of duct tape (ah, the golden age of duct tape!), colored spray in his hair (decent wigs weren't really a thing back then)...
Since then, I've developed all kinds of techniques, discovered new materials, honed my skillsโฆ and practiced!
My little brother is all grown up now, but I still make him costumes. And I'm still discovering new techniques and new materials.
Remember that it's a hobby and that the main point of cosplay (and LARP!) is to have fun. When you wear it, but ideally while making it too. ๐ค
A huge thank you to LadyPlier, Midori Witch, BizzCosplay, and GooseProps for their photos.
If you're ready to dive in, feel free to check out the patterns, 3D files, and other products in my shop to help with your projects!
You can browse by technique, browse by universe, or even by element!
And if you want to stay in the loop on new releases, promos, and new articles to help with your creative projects, join The Harbour!
In the meantime,
Happy sewing! Happy crafting! ๐คโ๐