[TeenyDratini]

I'm starting on my first cosplay ever, and I'm going as Toeto:

Spoiler

She's a character from a Vocaloid song. I picked her cause her design is simple, but cute.

But my mom's really worried about how much it'll cost. She already bought the wig, which cost around 40 including shipping.
So I'm wondering: What's the cheapest fabric I can use for the dress part without sacrificing too much quality?
Also, my friend sent me this fleece hat tutorial that'll help me with the hat, but I really don't like those sewing lines that show up. Is there a way to hide those lines, or make them less noticeable?
Finally, I need the name of a good fabric glue/fabric tape/whatever it is, because I don't have a sewing machine and hand-sewing a dress would take forever and a half.

Thanks in advance! ^^

[Rori]

Not sure how much of this will be helpful, but here's all the tips I can think of:

I would first try a thrift store like Goodwill and see if they have an outfit kind of like that. There might be something you can just modify (especially since you don't have a sewing machine).

I've used a variety of fabrics on cosplays, but cotton and cotton blends are the easiest to manage. Cotton does tend to wrinkle rather easily though. You can find cotton fabrics by the yard in quilters sections in craft stores. The cheap stuff was $2.99 last I bought it, but it tends to be see-through-ish. Heavier fabrics are nicer, but will cost more, sometimes to the tune of $6.99/yd or more. I'm not sure on your sizes or anything but I imagine you would need at least 2 yards, depending on the level of detail and pattern complexity. Also, I tend to favor Jo-Ann because they send me coupons all the time. :3

I've used the glue stuff before with mixed success. One roll had a fabric-type mesh in it (think of dryer sheets) and it worked well but it made the seam very stiff and not very pliable. Another roll felt more like dried Elmer's glue and it was pliable but didn't hold for very long. You just get it in the fabric store, I think its used for hemming.

Don't worry about seam lines, its a part of sewing. That pattern looks similar to how places like Boshi Basiik do their hats. To make seams less noticable (overall) you just need to press them. Depending on the fabric though, you might not be able to press it (i.e. it will melt or char the fabric). In which case just wear it and it will flatten out on its own.

[TeenyDratini]

My mom and I just went to buy the fleece for the hat, and it turned out much much cheaper than I expected. The pricing is no longer a problem, I think. ^^
Would the pressing thing work with fleece? It's a pretty thick fabric.
Unfortunately, my mom doesn't like buying from secondhand stores. :\
Thanks for helping, though. ^^

One more thing: What do people normally do with their old cosplays, and how should I store my wig?

[cloudacmaster]

I keep my stuff for later years, to improve upon my original design. I keep my wigs on wig heads on a shelf in my room. If the wig is heavy in the back you may want to pin the wig to the wig head. (Which I do for my Sailor Venus wig). I keep them covered when outside, to prevent weather from affecting them. (As my wigs have been styled)

You should really try and convince your mom to take you to a thrift store, they are a godsend to cosplayers. As they have a wide variety of uses.

Glad you could find fabric at a decent price

[Rori]

cloudacmaster, on 28 July 2011 - 06:39 PM, said:

I keep my stuff for later years, to improve upon my original design.

This. My Belldandy cosplay has gone through 5-ish revisions.

I'm not sure about fleece, I've never tried it. I'm guessing its a synthetic so if you do try, put it on the lowest setting and try it on a scrap first.

[TeenyDratini]

Ooh, that's a good idea. Or maybe I'll keep it for later cons.
Or maybe I'll show up at my high school's anime club on the first day with my Toeto costume on, and everyone'll be all "OMG! Cosplayer! :OOO"
That would be fun.

[cactusmomma]

I think a good polyester would work for the dress. If you're in the Chicago area, Vogue has some great sales on good fabrics.

[TeenyDratini]

Where do I keep my wig if I don't have a wig stand?
And @cactusmomma: I don't live in Chicago, sorry. :\
Does Hobby Lobby have polyester?

[MisakiMise]

You could safely keep your wig in a plastic bag but after awhile it might get tangled. If that happens, untangle it with your fingers. A brush/comb might pull out the fibers. But if you want to, you can buy a styrofoam head. They have them at Hobby Lobby for about $4, I think.

and the fleece hat tutorial your friend gave you is good, I've used it and I made some pretty spiffy hats. ^ ^

[TeenyDratini]

Wow, that cheap?
I must buy one, then.

[MisakiMise]

Yup, ^ ^
Also, the wig seems like it'll be pretty long. So, if it starts to slide backwards on the wig head just stick some pins in it to keep it put.

[TeenyDratini]

It will be very long, yes.
Also, FAST REPLY.

[TeenyDratini]

I just got back from vacation, and my wig came in the mail while I was gone. The problem is, it's a bit messy and I'm afraid I'll mess it up more.
Would anyone be willing to video chat with me via Skype and help me get my wig to look less messy without making any mistakes? D:

Also, someone on another site suggested this tutorial for the dress:
http://www.5min.com/...Dress-221505487
But I don't know how much fabric to use, what she used to outline the design, and whether I'll be able to make the dress well enough so that it doesn't look too, um. Asymmetrical.
Any help with that?

This post has been edited by TeenyDratini: 08 August 2011 - 11:47 AM

[Rukariou]

Brushing wigs is really easy. If you don't have a wig stand or head to pin it too, have a family member model it temporarily for you.

1. Spray the wig with water or leave in conditioner(detangle-er). This is how I was taught to start out with my American Girl Doll's hair. It gets rid of the static built up in the hair and stops the strands from sticking to each other. And if you use the conditioner, it provides even extra lubrication for the next step.

2. Comb the hair with a steel pronged wig brush or a WIDE tooth comb. Start at the ends of a section of hair, brushing out the tangles. If a knot is just too tough, snip out the knot with a pair of hair scissors. After the ends are done move up toward the cap. It really shouldn't be too tangled the farther you get up the wig. Just be patient and gentle with your brushing and everything will be okay. Sure some strands will snap, but so does your real hair at times.


When you're finished, I would suggest taking a scrunchie (not a rubber hair tie) or a ribbon, something made of cloth, and gently put it into a pony tail like half way down the length of hair, not right up at the cap like you would with your own hair. This will stop it from getting tangled.


Personally, I don't have room to display my wigs in my tiny one bedroom apartment, so I bought gallon ziplock bags and put my wigs in them so they don't get tangled, squeeze all the air out of them and close them. Nothing has happened to them. This is also how I transport them to con because I don't like wig heads moving around in my car. This doesn't work for spiked/gelled wigs of course, but then again those wigs don't have to worry about tangling in the first place

[TeenyDratini]

What does a wide tooth comb look like?
My mom usually buys my brushes/combs, so I can't really tell them apart.
The wig came in a hair net, and I'm keeping it wrapped inside that in my bag of materials for now.

[The Fujoshi]

TeenyDratini, on 08 August 2011 - 11:49 AM, said:

What does a wide tooth comb look like?
My mom usually buys my brushes/combs, so I can't really tell them apart.
The wig came in a hair net, and I'm keeping it wrapped inside that in my bag of materials for now.

I'm late but it looks like this:

http://www.thewigmal...b_and_Brush.jpg

also good luck with your cosplay; it looks cute.

[TeenyDratini]

I don't have any brushes like that. D:
And I'm extremely afraid I'm going to mess up the dress once I start working on it. Any tips?

[The Fujoshi]

TeenyDratini, on 09 August 2011 - 02:53 PM, said:

I don't have any brushes like that. D:
And I'm extremely afraid I'm going to mess up the dress once I start working on it. Any tips?

*laughs*

Kawaii~ I..I mean...

*cough* Since you don't live in Chicago(?) go to someplace like Sally's or Target, (Walmart?) that sells beauty supply stuff. Sally's does have a website you can order from if you don't have one nearby.

Make sure its a wide tooth comb as pictured and that it says it works with wigs. Same goes for the brush. Metal long tooth combs work too but I don't know specific brands so its better to be safe than sorry. They don't cost a lot, 2-5 dollars?

For sewing I have no idea! Really spacey and sleepy from heat so some who does should be able to help you =_=

[TeenyDratini]

Yeah, I don't live in Chicago. I'm in the suburbs, about half an hour away from Acen's location when the traffic's okay.
Thanks for the help.

Gah, I have a week left. D:
And the tutorial I'm supposed to use for the dress is confusing, and I don't know how much fabric to use, and and and and and and AND.
jsdgiosgsgiosegoi


If anyone's still reading this post, would it be fine if I used an ordinary brush for the wig if I had no other choice?

This post has been edited by TeenyDratini: 14 August 2011 - 11:38 AM

[The Forumcat]

TeenyDratini, on 11 August 2011 - 07:36 AM, said:

If anyone's still reading this post, would it be fine if I used an ordinary brush for the wig if I had no other choice?

If you're really careful, start at the very bottom, separate it into sections, and only do about an inch at a time.

Also, my two cents on the cosplay and storing it:
Really, really try to get to a secondhand store, since I can assure you that an entire dress held together by fabric glue and iron-on seams will be a BAD idea. I've tried lots of different instant seams, and I would never trust any of them further than on-the-spot repairs, since even then they tend to fall out if you don't have the perfect fabric for that brand. Try telling your mom it's a matter of thrift store or you being naked in public, because there's a very good chance of the latter if you try to make a dress out of stitch alternatives. Or, barring, that, try looking in fairly cheap clothing stores? A khols might have a dress that could be used... even if it's slightly the wrong color, it's better to dye a dress brown than make a dress out of glue.

As for storing it, I had a really awesome antifunk tutorial here, and in it, it details good ways to store cosplays to keep them safe. If your cosplay is done with tape, though, and it's showing any signs of wear on the seams, don't expect to wear it again, because once tape goes, it really goes.