Starfirescully's Cosplay Tips

This blog will be used to help with creating cosplays of various characters Currently it features: Isuzu Sento from Amagi Brillant Park Previously it featured: Asuna Yuki from Sword Art OnlineMami Tomoe and a Kyubey Plush from Puella Magi Madoka Magicka Please scroll down to view and click the short cut for the pieces I made below and for previous cosplay tutorials

[ciaranstrange-deactivated202503]

Beard Tutorial. Because not everyone wants to, or can go on T! (Or maybe you’re just waiting for your ‘stache to arrive and it’s taking it’s sweet time getting to the party!)

[starfirescully]

TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

This blog is normally used only to promote cosplay and cosplay tutorials. 

However, with he cancellation of the most recent climate summit, I am afraid that the White House is not really learning about the issue. I want to encourage them to read the research and talk to the scientists in the field before forming an opinion. If you are able please sign this petition.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/take-action-climate-change

In the future, I will do my best to keep this blog about cosplay only. 

Thank you for reading!

[windicos]

A tutorial I made quite a while back, when nursing a wig I had back to health. 1- Tools used: hair straightener, hairbrush and hairclips; 2- The wig as it was, all messy and tangled; 3- Take a small section of hair and clip the rest away, so you can work each section at a time; 4- Carefully brush your wig, starting from the tips and slowly going up. This prevents the knots and tangles from getting worse, if you just brush from up to down, you’ll probably get your brush stuck in a knot and make it pretty ugly and even harder to deal with; 5- See the huge difference already? The knots went away, yay!; 6- Notice the frizz on the hair? Yeah, even though your hair is now tangle and knot free, the hair looks like straw, right?; 7- Close up. Ugly, isn’t it? Not silky smooth at all :c 8- Towards the tips is even uglier. Lets just get rid of it!!; 9- Using your hair straightener on a low temperature (when buying a wig, always check whether it’s heat resistant or not. If you don’t know, take a small section of hair that is hidden and test your straightener on it, always in the lowest temperature setting), start by the tips, where the big majority of the frizz is focused on; 10- When you succeed in taking away most of the frizz from the tips, work your way up, till the whole section of hair is straightened and pretty; 11- See the difference? On the top, is a section of hair that was brushed, only. On the bottom is a section that was brushed and straightened; 12- If you need, compare this picture to pictures 6, 7 and 8. MUCH better; 13- Comparison again! If I had my wig on, this is how it’d “fall”. Left is straightened, right is brushed only; 14- Final result! Silkyyy. Pretty much good as new! 

[lilybatcosplay]

Starting things off with Popstar Ahri’s hat + ears! Why? Because it’s at the top of her head and I never understood how people made hats. I still don’t think I do haha. But here is how I put mine together. Let me know if anyone has some pointers or better ways to do hats, I’m always open to new techniques  (Ear base made with help from Jinglebooboo. She also casted all the resin hearts on my Ahri cosplay)

[shushuwafflez]

How to make realistic leaves with worbla.

Take small pieces of worbla and cut them in to rough leaf shape. Heat up the piece and press evenly on to the silicone mold till it takes in the motifs. Once it cools down its ready for use!

[piratica]

Block Print Tutorial for Repeating Patterns in Cosplay!

When you need to paint a repeating motif, or worse create the illusion of patterned fabric, masking tape or freezer paper can be a lot of work. Screen-printing is an option, but if you don’t have space or funds for another hobby, consider block-printing.

I’ve used this technique a few times, for my Rapunzel bodice and skirt panel, as well as trimming some skirts.

Here I’ve used: -A 12x12 piece of Softoleum, available for about 15$ in Canada, smaller pieces for less. You can also use Lino blocks or Soft-Kut blocks, but I find Softoleum sturdy and easy to cut. -A Lino Cutter will run you about 10$ and comes with 5 blade shapes. -Speedball Fabric Paint in Amethyst and Night Glo White

1. Start by drawing your design onto your stamp block. Here I made a stencil, for accuracy. If your design isn’t symmetrical, keep in mind your print will be a mirror of how your stamp looks!

2. Use a Lino Cutter, like the red one on the left, to trace the edges of your pattern, where your negative space should be. Then scrape away inside the places you want empty. I also cut off the border so you need to carve away less space, and also can use the leftover for smaller stamps.

3. Your stamp should look more or less like this, with all the areas you don’t want painted hollowed out.

4. Prepare your paints. The Speedball Amethyst was pretty close to my fabric colour, so I’ve mixed it with the lighter Night Glo fabric-paint.  The Glo properties have lent a green tinge than you would not normally get using normal white.

*Do a test-swatch to decide your colour is correct on your fabric.

*You should probably test your entire stamp to make sure it isn’t mirrored, and that all intended negative space has been removed.

5. I apply paint to my stamp using a sponge brush, but you can also fill a pallet or use non-porous surface as a pallet, then dip your stamp.

The sponge gives you more control over how much paint is used, but is more likely to result in a sheer stamp.

If you dip your stamp in paint, it will be more opaque, but be warned the more paint, the more likely unwanted splatters and rough edges will occur.

There are paint rollers available for block printing, which can also be used to paint your stamp.

When your stamp has paint on all the positive space, flip it over and press it, paint-down, onto the desired place on your fabric. Be careful not to shift it once it has touched, or this will result in a double image or blurred edges. To make sure pressure is applied evenly on larger stamps, I place a book over top.

6. Take off your book or other weight, then carefully peal off your stamp, making sure not to let it slip back onto the fabric or you still risk a double image. Ta-dah!

7. Repeat as many times as needed.

This example is for my current Anime North project, Shoomlah’s historical Rapunzel, so if you’d like to follow progress I’ll be posting here, and to my cosplay page.

[downencreativestudios]

Costume Build: Queen Ravenna / The Huntsman: Winter’s War

It has been a dream of mine to make ANYTHING from Snow White and the Huntsman, and when The Huntsman: Winter’s War was released, my friend Rachel of Yasemin Art asked me: “So, when are you going to make Ravenna?” I absolutely jumped for joy when she followed up with “I am making Freya, the Ice Queen”.. I mean, seriously, dreams do come true!!!

Also, you MUST check out Yasemin Art on facebook. Her Freya (The Ice Queen) is bananas!

COSTUME STATS:

Time to complete: Approximately 1 month

Materials: Crown: Paper, 3D Printed filigree, hot glue, gold leaf paint Finger Jewelry: Black Worbla, paint, misc chains Cape: Crepe fabric (for the base of the cape), two types of shiny gold lame fabric, hot glue, acrylic paint, super thick heat bond, metal wire, snaps Dress: Satin gold fabric, black cording, Thibra, Bobby Pins, Liquid Leaf paint from Plaid Wig: Ororo Classic in Ash Blonde from Arda Wigs

MAKING THE CROWN

I wanted the crown to be very light so I decided to make it using thick stock paper. I did a couple of renditions with photo paper, and then wound up just using black craft paper instead. The craft paper creases much more easily and didn’t tear as I was attempting to become an origami master!

When the primer was dry, I brushed on Liquid Leaf (Plaid). Two or three coats. So shiny!

MAKING THE FINGER SPIKES

Is that what they are called? I’m going to call them finger spikes. They turned out well and I would wear them all the time if I could! I used the rest of the bits of my black worbla (save your worbla scraps!!) I then airbrushed these beauties with black acrylic and then sealed them with modge podge for extra shine and durability. I also used chain remnants and stick-on embellishments from Michael’s to make these awesome props.

THE CAPE: feathers!!

This cape is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever made. It is also the hardest thing I’ve ever made simply because of the redundancy. I MADE OVER 2500 FABRIC FEATHERS.. and I thought I was going to die a few times, but I survived, and it is absolutely queen-esque and freaking glorious.

I don’t like using real feathers for my costumes for lots of reasons I won’t discuss here. But this cape could be done without using a single real feather. I did a ton of research in fabric stores and at home trying different techniques for making a realistic feather, and I finally found a good method. The down side though was that I would have to make every single one by hand, and it would be extremely time consuming.

This is a glimpse of the process: 1. Cut out feather from fabric 2. Place feathers face down on glass 3. Apply a thin line of hot glue down the middle of the feather 4. While still hot, turn the feather over and press/pinch the glue into the fabric. 5. Optional: While still stuck to the glass, paint the tips a darker color for texture and definition. 6. Use a utility knife blade to help remove the feather from the glass. 7. Repeat 2499 more times.

This is what 700 of them look like. And this is what I look like the morning after!

MAKING THE CAPE : fabric base

I knew that gluing thousands of feathers to a cape would become quite heavy after a while, so I found a very lightweight crepe fabric that worked extremely well. I used a Simplicity pattern for the base and then altered the shape around the shoulders so it would drape over the front of the shoulders like it does in the film.

MAKING THE CAPE : fabric base + feathers

I needed to figure out approximately how many feathers would be required to completely cover this cape, with extra for the collar, so I began gluing each feather individually to the cape, starting at the bottom and making my way up.

MAKING THE CAPE : the collar

I was really excited to make the collar because I found some awesome thick heat bond interfacing at JoAnns and I knew it was going to be perfect. I was also very excited to stop making feathers for a little while so I could focus on something else!

MAKING THE CAPE : back to feathers

I spent the better part of two and a half weeks making and attaching feathers to that cape……

OMG IT’S DONE!!!! I can hear angels singing.. it’s a miracle.

THE DRESS

I was so behind on the cape that I had little time to make that dress, and that meant I couldn’t make it screen accurate. Oh well. I’m good with it.. for now 🙂

THE FINISHED COSTUME: mirror, mirror, on the wall!

Check out more images and projects on: website: www.downencreativestudios.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downencreativestudios/

[geekygirlexperience]

REBLOG IF YOU ALWAYS BELIEVED IN TAD COOPER!

[starfirescully]

Quailman saves the Day Saikoucon 2016

School Live and Doug cross over

Yuri - Starfirescully
Yuki - Monica
Zombie Megunee - @nocturnkal-cosplay
Kurumi - @complex-loli
Miki- Rena Quailman - Josh

[starfirescully]

Saikoucon Photoshoot School Live

Yuri - Starfirescully
Yuki - Monica
Zombie Megunee - @nocturnkal-cosplay
Kurumi - @complex-loli
Miki- Rena

[starfirescully]

Saikoucon Photoshoot School Live

Yuri - Starfirescully Yuki - Monica Zombie Megunee - @nocturnkal-cosplay Kurumi - @complex-loli Miki- Rena

[searincosplay]

Another tip for gluing foam with hot glue!  This is the last one for now, and I have some Genos progress photos coming soon.

You probably have seen cosplayers achieve almost invisible seams when using contact cement to glue together EVA foam edges into dome shaped armor.  This is impossible with hot glue since the edges don’t bond instantly.  However, here is a method that creates hot glue seams that look almost as good as contact cement seams!

(Pictures are ordered left to right, top to bottom)

1.  Cut out the pieces of foam that need to be glued together.

2.  Using a heat gun, heat form the foam pieces to whatever shape they need to be.

3.  Using Scotch tape or another type of tape that won’t mar the foam surface, tape the two edges that need gluing together.  Start with one piece of tape, press the edges as flush as possible, and quickly tape it together.  Work your way to the other end of the piece, pressing the edges flush and taping them as you go.  Overlap each strip of tape over the previous strip.

4.  This is what it should like when the edges are taped together.

5.  Flip the armor piece over to the backside.  Starting at one end of the seam, press the tip of your hot glue gun in between the two edges of the seam.

6.  Slowly start squeezing hot glue into the seam, carefully sliding the hot glue gun tip between the seam edges.  As you glue, press the tip of the glue gun as deep into the seam as possible.   You will feel a lot of resistance, but don’t be afraid to press hard.

7.  Once you finish gluing the seam, squeeze some excess hot glue over the seam to make it more durable.  Let it cool completely.

8.  Flip the armor piece to the right side and carefully peel off the tape.

9.  This is what the finished seam looks like!  It isn’t perfect, but it is far cleaner than trying to hot glue the seams together without taping them first.

Using hot glue for gluing seams will yield a less durable and less seamless result than contact cement.  If you want maximum durability, use contact cement.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[sweetrollstolen]

i maked these Sorry for spelling, was too sleepy and lazy to re-do

[starfirescully]

Cosplay Season

Hey everyone!

It’s cosplay season again! I just to post a reminder.

RESPECT OTHER COSPLAYERS

-do NOT body shame

-do NOT take try to photos without permission/try to force a cosplayer to let you take a photo

-do NOT cosplay shame. You have no idea how many hours of work someone put into their cosplay or their skill level. It doesn’t matter if someone bought, modified, or made their own cosplay. It’s about having fun.

-do NOT use another cosplayer’s race, gender, sexuality. etc. as a means of negativity. Again, cosplay is about fun and community. Be a positive member of the community.

DO:

-have fun!

-take pictures with permission

-cosplay any character you want

[cheebescakecosplay]

NEW AND IMPROVED Cosplay supply resource masterlist!

This list has come A LONG WAY since the last one! Here’s the current list.

YOU CAN FIND THE MOST UP-TO-DATE VERSION ON MY FACEBOOK HERE—> https://www.facebook.com/notes/cheebescake-cosplay/new-improved-cosplay-supply-masterlist/1689261574663144

I encourage you to try and check that, since I can’t update the reblogged versions. I’m always adding to this list!

Here we goooo

—-

Looking for wigs, contacts, thermoplastics, or any other supplies? Maybe some tutorials? Here’s a good place to start!

**** Know a great place to find wigs and supplies that’s not listed here? Let me know! That’s the best way to keep this growing! ****

I hope you’ll find this useful!

WIGS

Arda- http://arda-wigs.com/

Dolluxe- http://www.dolluxe.com/ (also http://www.gothiclolitawigs.com/ )

Tasty Peach Studios- http://tastypeachstudios.com/

Lockshop- http://lockshopwigs.com

Wig is Fashion- http://www.wigisfashion.com/

Epic Cosplay- https://www.epiccosplay.com/

Amphigory- http://www.amphigory.com/

Cosworx - http://shop.cosplay.com/wigs.html

Uniqso- http://www.uniqso.com/wig

AliExpress- http://tinyurl.com/o976yzg

Harajuku in Wonderland- http://harajukuinwonderland.bigcartel.com/category/wigs

The Five Wits- http://www.thefivewitswigs.com/

Match Wigs- http://matchwigs.com/

Purple Plum- http://www.purple-plum.com/

Cosplay Buzz- http://www.cosplaybuzz.com/Bonanza- http://tinyurl.com/ptaagov

Airily- http://airily.jp/ Japanese Cosplay wig site. I hear they’re the softest wigs you’ll ever touch.Classe- http://classewig.com/ Another Japanese wig site

Contacts/ Circle Lenses

Pinky Paradise- http://www.pinkyparadise.com/

Eye Candy- http://www.eyecandys.com/

Honey Color- http://www.honeycolor.com/

FX Eyes- http://www.fxeyes.com

Alice & Rabbit- http://www.aliceandrabbitshop.com/apps/webstore/

Vision Direct- http://www.visiondirect.com/theatricaleffects/qxc10898

Thermoplastics

http://www.cosplaysupplies.com/store.php?s=JK6K

Embellish FX, in Orlando. http://www.embellishfx.com/

This is one of only two places in Florida where you can purchase worbla (which is great if you need it quick!) 2628 Edgewater Drive –  Orlando, FL,  32804; [phone]

Plastics (NOT thermoplastics), casting, and molding

http://www.dreamtimecreations.com/

Includes fiberglass, casting materials- http://www.firemountaingems.com/

Foams, casting supplies, adhesives- http://www.reynoldsam.com

Fabric (online)

https://www.fabric.com/

http://spandexworld.com/http://www.spandexhouse.com/

http://www.girlcharlee.com/

http://thefabricfairy.com/

http://www.distinctivefabric.com/

http://warehousefabricsinc.com/

http://denverfabrics.com or http://fashionfabricsclub.com

http://hancockfabrics.com/

http://www.moodfabrics.com/

https://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/

https://www.minervacrafts.com/ (also carries patterns)

http://www.farmhousefabrics.com/ ***Vintage laces, too!***

http://www.theatrehouse.com/ (also has hat bases!)

http://www.joann.com/fabric/

http://www.mjtrends.com/

http://www.trimfabric.com/

Custom printed fabric: http://www.spoonflower.com/

Specialty fabric dye: http://www.dharmatrading.com/

Leather and leatherworking tools

http://www.tandyleather.com/en/

http://springfieldleather.com

Jewelry Findings, patterns, and notions

Jewelry findings: http://www.sunandmooncraftkits.com/

Boning: http://www.corsetmaking.com/

Sequins: http://www.ccartwright.com/

Vintage sewing patterns: http://www.lanetzliving.net/search

Cultural clothing patterns (all accurate except for the yukata pattern): http://www.folkwear.com/

Gems, studs, spikes, etc: https://allstarco.com/en/

Crystal Rhinestones: http://tinyurl.com/phudfy4   Rhinestones: https://www.rhinestoneshop.com/

Gems, beading: http://www.dreamtimecreations.com/

Gems, beading: http://www.firemountaingems.com/

Gloves, Leggings, Tights

http://www.welovecolors.com/ (They’re based in Miami, so you get them super quick!)

Special FX (besides contacts)

Fangs: http://www.vampfangs.com/

Prosthetics n such: http://www.easleys.com

Silicone: http://www.reynoldsam.com (great for dragon scales, fake blood, etc. Check their application section!)

Ears: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadhouseFXstudio

Ears, fangs, horns, etc: http://www.aradanicostumes.com

Websites for traditional and (most importantly) accurate kimono + accessories:

http://www.ichiroya.com/ Good quality, shipping, choice, customer service + traditional fabrics

http://www.kimono-asobi.net/ Nice range of modern designs for kimono, obi and accessories

 http://www.kimonoya-japan.net/ Ability to choose by price + SALES

http://www.yamatoku.jp/classic/top.asp Sells in bulk occasionally

http://www.ikuokaya.com/ Sells accurate geisha/maiko kanzashi, uchiwa (summer fans), washi paper namecards, kinchaku (traditional bamboo bags), souvenirs, dance fans, maiko + geisha accessories (though they’re not completely accurate - obidome, obiage, etc), combs for katsura + nihongami and tenugui (dance cloths)

http://www.net-shinei.co.jp/com/  Good  range of accessories + kimono, but the descriptions are lacking at   don’t detail stains or blemishes for kimono, and the shipping can be   stupid ***Special thanks to @spaghetti-machete for  this whole traditional Japanese accessory section!***

Fur

www.Mendels.com

www.fursuitsupplies.com

http://www.nftech.com/products.html (very  expensive fur, but they   will give you free samples to look at. You   also have to call in to ask   for swatches or order)

For animal  blanks & resin blanks (for animal-based cosplays)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamVisionCreations

Hat Bases

http://www.theatrehouse.com/

LED kits, “breadboads”, EL wire, etc:

https://www.adafruit.com/

Props (3D printer required):

https://www.myminifactory.com/

Everything:

https://www.etsy.com/

A lot of people don’t know this, but Etsy actually sells everything else you may need!  Wigs, fabric, jewelry findings, you name it! Check out   their craft  supply section!Ebay and Amazon, of course! Don’t count them out!

Helpful links:

http://blog.thelaundress.com/wordpress/the-laundress-fabric-glossary/ - Fabric type glossary

thistothat.com , for figuring out what type of glues to use.

http://hollitaima.deviantart.com/gallery/52481049/Pattern-Drafts-and-Design-Drafts , character specific pattern design drafts

Tutorial compilations and tips

http://www.cosplaytutorial.com/

http://cosplayblog.mccall.com/

http://fuckyeahcosplayhelp.tumblr.com/

http://cosplay.com/

http://youcancosplay21.tumblr.com/post/124877299350/semi-complete-list-of-tutorials-tricks

https://www.youtube.com/user/evilted40/videos (Evil Ted Smith. Lots of foam and patterning tutorials!)

Incredible cosplayers and prop builders who regularly post tips and how to’s that you should be following:

Kamui Cosplay- https://www.facebook.com/KamuiCos

God Save the Queen Fashions- https://www.facebook.com/gstqfashions (who seriously needs to release a book)

Volpin Props- https://www.facebook.com/VolpinProps

Punished Props- https://www.facebook.com/punishedprops

Special notes:

* While there are places on this list that I  have shopped, I picked up a lot of these from other people. I have NOT  shopped at every one of these.

* I originally made this for a local cosplay group (Treasure Coast Cosplayers: https://www.facebook.com/tccosplayers ), which is why some notes are Florida specific.

* Special tips via @renfamous

Be  careful with some of these places when it comes to online  payments.   Make sure you’re buying from places that use reputable payment  vendors like PayPal or Google wallet, or at the very least don’t enter  your   card number into anything unless the transaction page url starts  with   an https.

Also everyone please please please do not use your debit card for your first ever purchase from some Romanian cosplay shop that opened three weeks ago.   Use your debit card to buy a Visa gift card at a drug store or ask   your  parents if you can use their credit card and give them cash on the   spot.

Credit cards give you many more options if the vendor   doesn’t deliver or ships you some busted ass dead possum wig from   Taipei. Not saying the above listed places are necessarily bad, but   these are still good tips for making safe foreign purchases online.

Special thanks to everyone who helped put this list together!

[cthulhu-with-a-fez]

How to make horns by ~MonkeyNumber5

I can see this being incredibly helpful for a lot of cosplayers - Homestucks in particular.

[projectcosplay]

Cosplay Eye Makeup

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite cosplay channels ran by zWinnieYap.

She creates some amazing eye makeup that can be used for bishounen makeup, villain makeup, gyaru makeup, or any other application of her videos. Please like and share because she definitely deserves more attention for her craft!