Get ready to stand out from the crowd with your unique, self-made costume for that event or upcoming holiday or party. Costume making is a great way to explore the creative talent in you. Maybe it’s a hobby, or buying one seems far-fetched, or just the thought of owning a custom is exhilarating.
Whichever the case may be, we have good news for you: Costume making should not be as hard as it sounds, with a few simple and basic guidelines, you can make your very own standout costume at the first attempt.
Just the thought of making your own costume can be overwhelming, especially if you do not know a thing about sewing. We are here to offer you exactly what you need to get started; Buyneu.com is your answer. The site features how-to videos, interactive tutorials, instructional guidelines, and kits you can use to start. The site has something for everyone.
If you are at the entry level, the best advice we can give is to start small; learn the basics first. Once you get the hang of it, you can pivot your way to advanced, more complex costumes. Start with a simple project that utilizes basic, everyday pieces of clothing that require zero technicality and minimal prop use.
For example, no one expects you to come up with full-body tactical storm trooper apparel at a beginner’s level; the complexity of such a project can be discouraging right from the onset. We would recommend a Goku, for example, which requires basic pants, a shirt, wrist band, and a foam hair wig.
Start with a visual reference
Any attire design starts with an idea of what the final product will look like; the same applies for costumes. Draw a sketch of the costume you want to make. If you are an experienced artist and want to develop a replica of something already made, then the Internet should be your next stop.
Source and download as many images as you can. If possible, try and get different angles of view of the same costume, and try to reveal as many aspects of the design as possible, including the back, front and side views of the costume. If you are color specific, be sure to include that aspect in your search.
Create a blueprint
Come up with a blueprint of the item you want to make. This will serve to specify the size of the costume. Use large sheets of brown craft paper and make a 1:1 scale drawing of the actual size of the real costume. This will speed up the costume-making process because the drawing size is a shadow of the actual costume.
Sewing
It is always advisable to keep a sewing handbook at an arm’s reach, especially if you are sewing anything from a predefined pattern. Ready-made patternmakers expect you to understand the terminology they use when selling their patterns, so a sewing handbook will come in handy, at the beginner’s level.
Adhesives
Some of the most popular adhesives to use in costume making include
- Hi-temp hot glue/caulk
- Superglue/Krazy Glue
- 5-minute epoxy
- JB Weld (for any metal parts)
- A variety of tape, including masking, scotch, electrical, and duct tape
- Velcro—you can stick glue or sew Velcro onto any costume you are working on
Sculpting
Some costumes require sculpting, especially if you are accessorizing or using props. If you sculpt in clay, use oil-based instead of earthen-based clay. Oil-based clay will not dry up on you when exposed to the open air. Wood is another alternative when it comes to sculpting, although extra skills will be required if you choose to go with lumber.
Making armor
If you want to include armor in your costume, there are two popular ways to go about it.
- Use papier-mâché—Use chicken wire mesh; add 5 to 6 layers of papier-mâché on top of the wire mesh. Leave it to dry, and once it has been sanded down, it will yield a smooth, metal-like finish.
- Use fiberglass—We highly recommend you visit Buyneu.com. The website features fiberglass as a costuming material. The site offers a detailed and simple-to-follow four-step guide on how to incorporate fiberglass while making cosplay armor. The website also offers kits you can use if you are making a costume already featured on their site.
Conclusion
Perhaps the most useful pointer, have fun! If this is your debut costume-making attempt, be sure to have fun while at it, and don’t forget to learn from your mistakes.
For visual guidance, you will not go wrong with Buyneu.com, or even good old YouTube. Costume making has a learning curve; once you’ve mastered the concepts, you will expertize your artistry in no time!
