If you're going to DIY your own cosplay for Comic Con, here are some tools to help you get started
New York Comic Con is this weekend, with Halloween not too far behind. This can only mean one thing: it's cosplay season.
Instead of buying a complete costume online, some people like to make their own. And from personal experience, making a cosplay is about as fun and rewarding as it is hellish and stress-inducing. Picturing yourself in your completed project is very satisfying, but making the thing can be oh, so frustrating. It'll never feel like you have enough time to get it done.
While no two projects share exactly the same materials or directions, there are some basic necessities for any cosplay-hopeful to get you started on your way. Here's our list of cosplay necessities.
A hot glue gun
Your cosplay might involve a lot of different parts that need to stick reliably, especially when you're making simple armor. Hot glue guns are a solid investment to ensure that all of your lighter materials stay nice and stuck while you strut your stuff. You may need to stock up on hot gun glue sticks every now and then, but it'll be worth the trouble.
Fabric markers
If you need intricate designs on your clothes, fabric pens are a safe way to glamorize your project without using messy paints that could get everywhere. Pro-tip: you can also use some colors lightly to mark progress or signify a point where you need to alter something.
Yardstick
If you're using fabric markers, you're probably tracing them along this. Yardsticks are essentially for measuring what you need from your cloth and as a straight-edge for your fabric marker to keep your cuts straight.
Soft measuring tape
Speaking of measurements, you'll need to measure yourself at some point to to make sure your cosplay fits. Measuring tape is crucial in finding out how to make your cosplay fit around your body.
Sewing machine
A staple in almost any cosplay design, a sewing machine like this one is surprisingly easy to use and you'll be glad to have one on standby. You can shell out for a huge machine, but cheaper, more portable ones are just as good.
Coffee. Lots of coffee.
Not even joking about this one. Like I said, you'll never feel like you'll have enough time to finish your costume. Once you fall into the groove of it, late nights are unavoidable. Keep yourself up so you don't fall asleep on your sewing machine and sew your pajamas onto your fabric or something.
(Extra tip: The Office on Netflix is perfect white noise during your cosplay creation.)
Topics Comics
Carlos is a New York-based ecommerce content writer ready to tell you what to buy. He has previously written for Adventure Publishing Group with toy and movie reviews as well as Anime News Network on anime interest articles because liking anime is the least nerdy thing about him. When not reviewing products, he's probably doing sociological analyses on pop culture that no one asked for. He has been told on several occasions that he does a really good Mickey Mouse impression.
