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Hello! I'm working on some armor for a cosplay, but I don't want to use worbla for the breastplate (because of budget and a lack of equipment for shaping it). Is there a way to make a good-looking breastplate without using worbla?

Absolutely, there’s tons of Worbla alternatives! My vote is to just use EVA foam and seal it smoothly. Just make sure to research and read up about how to work with it safely if it’s your first time using it! Here’s a guide on where to buy it online, and it’s also available at places like Harbor Freight and Home Depot:

http://www.otakuandfit.com/foam-buying-guide-cosplay-armor/

I’d recommend checking out @cosplaytutorial’s amazing list of armor tutorials, they have some specifically on EVA foam breastplates. And if you want to use something different instead, they have lots of other tutorials and articles on other materials!:

http://www.cosplaytutorial.com/list/armor.php

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

I'm trying to make Elise's wig from fire emblem fates but I don't know how to attach her big wig cones to the base wig! My cones are made out of aluminum wire mesh and styrofoam half balls, do you have any advice?

Hello! If they’re not heavy enough to drag down the wig, I’d recommend sewing them onto the wig’s cap.

However, if they’re heavy enough that that may be an issue, I’d recommend a method similar to what was recommended in our last post, which is to attach them to a headband under the wig so that they’re not pulling down the wig’s cap!

With that method, you wear a headband under your wig, attach strong snaps to it and the hair pieces where you want them to attach to your head, and then snap them over and through the wig so they’re attached to the (now invisible) headband, but with the illusion they’re attached to the wig.

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

Hi there! I think you two are doing great! You're so nice to run this blog for absolutely free and help out complete strangers! Thank you so much for everything you do for the cosplay community. That being said, I could really use some help. 😜 I was wondering: do you have any tips for attaching foam-core, latex-coated demon horns onto a wig? I'd like to avoid using a visible headband. I was thinking about trying to attach then with hidden fasteners. Thanks!

Thank you so much, it means a lot to hear that! We strive to help as much as we can :D

It depends what kind of wig it is and where the horns are going to go, but from the sounds of it I’d recommend wearing a headband under the wig, putting strong snaps onto it and the horns, and snapping them on top of and through the wig (if possible). That way you have the stability of the headband, but it’s not visible and does no permanent damage to the wig itself!

You could also try gluing or sewing the horns directly to the wig’s cap, but that’s only if you don’t mind them being permanently on it.

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

Hi there! I need some help with a cosplay. I am doing Great Lord/Brave Princess Lucina from fire emblem and I have two questions. 1. I am making the lance that she has and I was wondering if there is a way to make it an easy transport? 2. I am working on the cape and I’m wondering how I would attach it to the costume either by the dress or the armor itself? Please and thank you!

Hello!

For the lance question, I’d recommend making it detachable in areas so you can transport it in pieces. Here’s a tutorial:

https://stealthos-aurion.deviantart.com/art/RoTG-TUTORIAL-Separating-Staff-for-Jack-Frost-v4-383481971

For the cape, from this photo here:

https://goo.gl/images/oUu9LP

It looks like the cape attaches under the armor, so I’d attach it to the dress, possibly with extra strength velcro or snaps depending on your preference :)

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

So I’m planning on cosplaying Mukuro Ikusaba from Danganronpa, the only issue is I’m having trouble on how I should style her wig. I have a black bob cut wig already, but there’s no tutorials on her haircut or similar... any possible advice? Or should I just buy a new wig that’s more suitable?

Hello! I’m looking up reference photos and I’m finding photos of her with 2 hairstyles, one that’s longer in the front and very short in the back and one that’s more shoulder-length in the back.

For the former, I’d recommend taking your wig and pulling two longer pieces to the front and then simply trimming around the back of the wig until it’s the length you want. Then you can pin the bangs behind the 2 longer front pieces!

For the latter, I’d recommend again pulling 2 longer pieces to the front and pinning the bangs behind them, and then possibly just loosely curling up the bottom (Here’s a tutorial for if the wig isn’t heat resistant: http://that-cosplayer-chick.tumblr.com/post/82226584859/how-to-curl-a-non-heat-resistant-wig)

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

Hello! So, I’ve been thinking of doing a cosplay that involves a bunny suit (playboy) but I’m having trouble deciding on what outside fabric to use. The character I want to cosplay as is Bulma from Dragon Ball, if that helps any. I’ve seen some people use satin, but I’m still having trouble choosing.

Hmmm, in my personal opinion, if you didn’t want to do satin I might recommend a silk taffeta!

If anyone else has suggestions, let us know in the replies!

- Mod Sky

#ask

Hello! I'm currently looking to cosplay A2 from NieR Automata, and I was wondering how you would go about painting on stockings. They're nylons, and I wanted to add on the lines she has on her left leg. Thank you sm! ^^

Hello! For painting on stockings, you’ll want to have them stretched to wear you’re going to wear them, so you’ll need to either have someone your size wear them while you paint them (or vice versa) or stuff them and paint them (I’d recommend the former if possible, though!)

You’ll want to use fabric paint, not acrylic, and then you can freehand or tape off the pattern you want! I’d recommend practicing a bit on either a scrap of fabric or an area that won’t be seen.

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

Hello! I'm trying to throw together a Taako cosplay (from The Adventure Zone)! He has a gauntlet-bracer thing, and I haven't crafted armor, so I'm not quite sure how to. Do you know of a tutorial or any tips for making it? Thank you!

Hello! It depends on what the shape of the bracer is, so if you want to submit photos we can probably give more specific help!

For gauntlets, I’d recommend using either EVA foam or craft foam, depending on how large it needs to be. For EVA foam, I’d recommend the $10 packs from Harbor Freight, and for craft I’d recommend the 9x12 thicker sheets from Michaels or Joann Fabrics (if accessible for you!). If you don’t have access to those, here’s a link on buying foam:

http://www.otakuandfit.com/foam-buying-guide-cosplay-armor/

You may need to heat shape it depending on the shape of the bracer. If you’re using the craft foam, I personally heat mine by ironing it between 2 sheets of paper. If you’re going to use EVA foam, you’ll need a heat gun! It’s really important to make sure you do this in a well ventilated area with a mask, and to not have animals in the area when doing so. EVA foam fumes can be toxic.

As for making the bracer itself, here’s a great tutorial on how to draft your own patterns for them:

http://www.thefoamcave.com/tutorials/How-to-make-gauntlets-arm-guards

I hope this helps!

- Mod Sky

#ask

my boyfriend and I are planning on doing a couples cosplay and we're completely stumped. He's 6'2 and a men's XL, and I'm 5'6 and a woman's small/medium. could you recommend any cosplays for us? thank you!!

It's a bit hard for me to recommend cosplays, especially since its hard to know what you’re drawn to. I just recommend cosplaying characters from a show/anime/movie/game/etc you both like regardless of height!

- Mod Gigi

#Anonymous

Hi! So I've been learning to put a garment together for a Daenerys Targaryen costume and I'm a bit lost.... the clothes she wears are all very well-fitting and very structured-looking. How do I achieve this? Any tips on making it look clean and well-don't?

Body shapping garments are your best friend when it comes to form-fitting clothing! Target sells a bunch of different shapewear undergarments that will help slim you down underneath your Dany costume. I personally recommend Assets by Spanx and stuff from Maidenform. What garment you choose depends on your comfort, what you want to slim down, and what will work under your costume. I recommend also going to the store and trying it on in person so you can make sure it fits you properly and so you can see what seams and lines will show through.

When making her costume, I would recommend maybe adding boning in the bodice if you want that extra support (and if the costume calls for it.)

Hope this helps! If anyone else has any other suggestions, feel free to suggest them!

- Mod Gigi

#game of thrones #undergarments #Anonymous

dangerous-ladies

Tutorials and Costume Notes

“THE BIG ONES”

The following are our most popular tutorials, so they get a place of honour up top so that they are easier found :)

Custom thigh highs

Spandex boots

Basic capes

Cupcake “Madoka” skirts

GENERAL SEWING:

What is broadcloth for, anyway?

How do I avoid burning polyester with my iron?

Where do I go to learn to line things?

What is bias tape?

Where do I go to learn to sew?

Why should I use shoulder pads?

Notes on sewing vinyl/pleather

What do you do with retired costumes?

Learning at an advanced level

Why line a petticoat?

Why should I do mock-ups?

What is a knit?

What is horsehair braid?

Painting denim/heavyweights

How do I make my costumes look clean and professional?

Tips for sewing gloves

Washing your costumes

Finishing seams

WHAT FABRIC FOR…

What fabric should I line with?

What fabric for mock-ups?

What fabric for a character who lives in the desert?

What fabric for sailor shirts?

What fabric do I use for a flowy tunic?

What fabric for a schoolgirl jacket?

What fabric for an Assassin novice/period character?

PATTERNING:

How important are pattern blocks?

How do measurements on your tutorials work?

How do different patterns effect the shape of a hood?

What do we draft patterns on?

Keeping patterns clean and organized

Tools for marking patterns/fabric

SEWING MACHINES:

What To Look For

What To Look For 2

What machines do we have?

Stop-And-Start Buttons

Sergers

Vintage Machines

Embroidery Machines

Recommendations

FOOTWEAR:

Painting Boots

Custom Printed Tights

Making Custom Thigh Highs

Stenciled Designs on Tights

High Heel Tips

First Time in High Heels?

Painting Rubber Boots

Making Shoes From Scratch

Paint Colours for Vanellope Tights

NOTES ON PARTICULAR COSTUMES:

Poison Ivy

Captain America

Fire Emblem: Awakening: Lissa’s hoopskirts, Henry/Say’ri’s loincloths, Chrom’s trim, Panne overview

Satsuki and Nonon’s pleated dresses without waist seams

Serah Farron’s belt (Final Fantasy 13)

Ledo’s catsuit (Suisui no Gargantia)

Josephine’s shirt (Dragon Age)

Ruby’s petticoat (RWBY)

STRETCH FABRICS:

Attaching Applique to Spandex

Embroidery and Satin-Stitching on Spandex

Ironing Spandex

Recommendations for Attaching Logos

Fabrics For Catsuits

Crisp Necklines With Knit

Can I alter a one-piece catsuit to be two pieces?

Shortcuts to make bodysuits

CAPES:

Basic Single-Layer Capes

Tips for Safe Capes

Collared Capes

Channeling for Articulated Capes

Cape Closures

Fabric Options

Preventing lined capes from “drifting”

BATGIRLS:

StephBatgirl Cowl

Batgirl Bracers

Easy Belt Pouches

More Notes on Pouches

“Black Bat” Cape

Steph’s “Robin” Leggings

Zentai Suit Sellers

Non-Wholesale Bodysuit Sellers

SUPERGIRLS:

General Tag

Spandex Boots

General Tips

Making the Emblem

Turner Skirt

Turner Cape Pattern

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA:

Akemi Homura | Tights

Kyoko Sakura | Hoodie Source | Prep List | Order of Assembly

Miki Sayaka | Sword Pattern

Madoka Kaname | Petticoat Tutorial | Two-Part Skirts | Cupcake Skirt

Other: Simple Bows | Soul Gem Commission Interest | Attaching Soul Gems

FIRE EMBLEM: AWAKENING:

This section would honestly be massive on its own, so it can be found over on its own masterlist. Even if you’re not cosplaying from FEA, it has some interesting stuff.

SAILOR SCOUTS:

Lining

Material choices

AESTHETICS:

Make-Up Products

Body Wizardry

Faking Large Breasts + Binding Resources

Tips for Defined Waistlines

Hiding Leg Cellulite

Slimming Pants

Tall Cosplayers

Face/Body Paint Brands

Two-Coloured Lips

Breast support for costumes with open fronts

Keeping cool in costume

ARMOR:

What They Don’t Tell You About Worbla

PROPS AND ACCESSORIES:

Wearing Helmets

Wing-Making Resources

How do I prime a plastic?

What are our moulds made of?

WIGS:

Anchoring Ponytail Wigs

Maintaining Long Wigs

Wig Sources with Fast Shipping

Where to Get Inexpensive but Good Wigs

Tips for Curly Wigs

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Flight Illusions

SHOPPING:

Where did you get your pale dance tights?

On Milanoo and wholesale

More on Milanoo and wholesale

COMMUNITY:

Talking To Your Parents

Cosplay Group Etiquette

Financial Tips

Being Body Positive

On Criticizing Concept Artists

Staying Motivated

How to Get Started

Why Don’t We Do Commissions?

Our Approach to Group Cosplay

Do We Work Out?

RECIPES:

Banana Bread

aliceartemis

THIS IS AMAZING! Thank you so much @dangerous-ladies!

#hopefully these help you guys while I try to answer some of the questions in our inbox #resources

If you guys aren't going to/can't give this blog attention can you at least put up a list of blogs that give cosplay help and answer questions? - Someone that asked a question for a friend almost two months ago and has yet to get an answer

http://www.cosplaytutorial.com/list.php

https://www.therpf.com/

Google & Pinterest & YouTube

Mod Sky and I have lives outside of tumblr and as much as we love this hobby, cosplay sometimes isn’t at the top of our priority list. Sky didn’t start this blog as an ask blog for cosplay questions, she started it to share tips. While we both don’t mind helping and giving out suggestions or links to tutorials, we don’t appreciate being asked questions that can be easily found on google or one of the websites above. We know that starting out, it’s really easy to be lost and overwhelmed by cosplay, but that’s what the internet is for. It’s really easy to type in a question and go digging for an answer.

We do because we want to help, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to demand it. We’re not getting paid for this. There are no sponsorships. We are not getting money from anyone for helping you plan your cosplays step by step. We are not google. We are just two cosplayers trying to help out other cosplayers.

- Mod Gigi

#Anonymous

Hi! I'm planning a Hotaru from Aoharu x Kikanjuu cosplay and I'm not sure where to start with making/acquiring her gun. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thank you!

Well, since from what I can tell, her gun looks like a real military gun (sorry, not good with weapon terminology), you could go about it two ways.

1) You could look for a fake plastic gun in the same shape as hers that you could add details too and paint to look more accurate. I would look at Nerf guns at Target and Toys r Us or wherever they sell Nerf guns.

2) You could also look at some of the tutorials I’m gonna put below that use foam and other stiff materials to make one. These aren’t specific but they’ll help you understand the process and materials to make the one you need.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-prop-weapons-1/

http://volpinprops.blogspot.ca/2010/10/ultramarines-bolt-pistol-warhammer-40k.html

http://volpinprops.blogspot.ca/2010/08/mass-effect-m8-avenger-assault-rifle.html

https://gatewayprops.tumblr.com/post/135422558354/dva-pistol-build

https://tail-fin.deviantart.com/art/TR-Cosplay-Gun-Tutorial-258790985

- Mod Gigi

#yuri-plicatsky

Hello, I was trying to find some tutorials on props. More specifically gun props, I'm trying to find a way to replicate Super Sonico's space police gun. But I haven't had a lot of luck, I was also wondering how to create the spirals and what material would be best to use?

http://www.cosplaytutorial.com/list.php#PropsWeaponsGunsandCannons

Cosplay Tutorial has a great list of gun tutorials! These are either pretty general or specific to characters, but since I couldn’t find any tutorials specific to what you needed, I figured you could at least find one that would work for you. I would recommend crafting the spirals on the body of the gun with foam or even Crayola’s Model Magic. That’ll probably help you make other details on the gun.

Hope this helps! If anyone else has cosplayed this version of Super Sonico and made the prop, please feel free to help!

- Mod Gigi

#Anonymous

Hi! I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a wig for a cosplay of Matt from digimon?

I think one of Arda’s Magnum classic in light blonde or ginger blonde could work! Or EpicCosplay’s Apollo in Butterscotch Blonde or Autumn Gold! Light styling could also work since these wigs are cut in layers, but if you wanted his spikes to look more prominent, here are a few spiking tutorials:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2KjFky3nSNg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08YKij-3kpc

https://behindinfinity.deviantart.com/art/Wig-Styling-with-Ishida-Uryuu-70861455

Good luck!

- Mod Gigi

#bionic-egypt

Hi. I don't do cosplay, but I make my own Halloween costumes. I don't know if you answered this, but this year I will be going for Marie Antoinette. I find my own panniers, but they're not wide enough. It was the pattern that came with the dress. The pattern is Simplicity 4092. Do you have a solution that's not too expensive?

Mod Sky actually made a tutorial for how she made cheap panniers for her mom’s Princess Peach cosplay!

- Mod Gigi

#dietrich76

Hi. I was wondering if you have any tips about wearing ponytail wigs (either clip on or not)? Whenever I've tried them they've always been uncomfortable and/or slip back because of the weight and I've pretty much given up on them...

I have a couple of ponytail wigs (I use one for my Kate Marsh cosplay without the extension and a pigtail wig with extensions for Harley Quinn) and I find that it's more comfortable the more balanced on your head it is. I think the quality of the wig actually has a lot to do with how comfortable it is. If you can manage it, I would choose maybe a higher quality wig with fibers that are made so the ponytail can be done without showing the wig cap. That way, you can adjust the height of the ponytail so that it’s more comfortable for you.

If you’re still worried about it falling down, you can sew these clips to the top of your wig cap so they can add more support.

Hope this helps!

- Mod Gigi

#Anonymous

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