What materials to use to create a costume

For a solid, awe-inspiring and interesting cosplay consists of a great many different elements, each of which could not exist without the other. They adequately complement each other, together forming a coherent whole and truly mimicking the character you are targeting. One of the most important things here is the right costume. What materials to use to create this really solid and decent? What to keep in mind when doing so? These issues we will try to describe in today's post.

What to think about before sourcing materials for a costume?

Before actually starting to work on the costume and complete the materials for its creation, one should, of course, think about what kind of character one will ultimately want to reproduce and what it is most often dressed in. It is rare that a given hero (or heroine) always dresses in the same way. Therefore, you should choose the option not only most associated with that character, but also suited to your own skill level in costume making. Less demanding outfits are usually those that contain less detail and allow the use of just a few materials (rather than, as is often the case, dozens).

Much to be said for all this is our stature. It primarily defines how much material we will need. Everything must be perfectly matched to our figure and posture - so that it looks good on us. Before sourcing materials, it is also worth considering where you will actually buy them. Many of these materials, including especially fabrics like felt, can be found in more standard stores. However, you should always aim for the highest quality products, and if you have the opportunity - ones created with cosplay in mind. That's why it's recommended to reach out to stores focused on this industry. A perfect example of these is Cosplay Craft, where you can stock up not only on materials, but also on all kinds of accessories and tools to facilitate their subsequent use.

What materials should be used to create the costume?

As for the characteristics of the materials from which we will create the costume, these should be adequate for their final use. So it all comes down primarily to what effect we ultimately want to achieve and which part of the costume we will work on. Here are some of the most popular materials along with their most common uses, but also the features to look out for in them.

• Felt (primarily polyester) is something by far the most versatile, working well for making a wide range of accessories, but also essential parts of an outfit that require a bit more stiffening, but do not need to show particular strength. It is most often used to create handbags, pendants, gadgets, but also at least cuddly toys. In its case, the most important thing is the color (it is a material that comes in a huge number of color versions), but also the size and thickness of the. Felt is a great base for further work - susceptible to sewing and gluing, it also copes with cutting, which allows you to create virtually any shape with it.
• Thermoplastic materials, especially these brands Cosplayflex, are great at making more permanent forms. Their operation is simple - under the influence of heat, an appropriate shape is formed from them (it can be, for example, a "corset" to be used as armor), which then "solidifies" under the influence of heat, taking on a structure resembling plastic. At the same time, it retains its flexibility,. Excels in preparing details, ornaments and items unrelated to the outfit. Pay attention to its quality and the manufacturer, which in its case must be trusted.
• EVA foam - the most versatile and valuable material for creating costumes. It is the most flexible, and at the same time hard and rigid. First of all, it has no joints, and thanks to its density, it is suitable for creating almost any element of an outfit. even the biggest one, such as the thrusters. It is susceptible to modeling, and it is also insanely durable. It is easy to machine and always remains flexible. It is worth paying attention to its quality - the better it is, the more you can rely on it. In particular, because it is a weatherproof material. It will also perform well in the toughest ones!

Summary

Creating a cosplay costume is one of the most challenging, and certainly labor- and time-consuming, things in the whole process of making yourself look like the character of your choice. It requires not only that time and work, but also the selection of the most appropriate materials. Only by reaching for such of the highest quality, durable and sturdy, and at the same time fulfilling their purpose, you will guarantee your ultimate satisfaction with them. Things of this type are not created for one-time use - so it is worth taking care of their final quality. It is best to start by choosing a store that sells products that are proven and designed for cosplay. A perfect example of such is Cosplay Craft, whose quality you can definitely rely on.