#COSPLAY

[skinnyazn]

I didn’t do the cosplay just for the meme….

Flying to Italy and finding the exact field to recreate the picnic scene was pretty amazing. The costume took me a month to make 😮‍💨 it was so nice to shoot it in THE field!!

Edit: thank you guys SO MUCH for all the love on this cosplay! If you’d like to donate to support future cosplays, I’ve created a ko-fi account here! 💖 donate

[bronwynhillside]

That is effing hilarious

[targetedknowledge]

[gwydionae]

Behold, one of my best friend's Halloween costumes, recorded and uploaded by a complete stranger with over a million views on tiktok! (I'm so proud!!)

[thatjoelguy81]

I am so *FUCKING* here for Bionicle cosplay

My Gali cosplay is finally finished!

[itsraining-honey]

BIG WIN FOR THE DC COMMUNITY TODAY.

[bestnoncannonship]

With JoAnne Fabrics going out of business I feel it is my duty as a cosplayer, historical costumer, and general sewing gremlin to help teach y'all how not to be reliant on evil overpriced mediocre big box stores for fabric and cosplay supply, cause if I catch y'all going into Homophobia Lobby to get cosplay fabrics imma have to start throwing hands. And frankly you guys all deserve better.

- Find a neighborhood full of brown people. Probably a slightly poorer neighborhod. I know, I know, but they will have small independent fabric stores. Selection in each may vary. Hispanic and Caribbean areas will give you prints that EAT. Muslim areas will give you fabrics with amazing drapery. Indian and Southeast Asian areas will give you beading that would make the House of Worth wet with envy. (Try to avoid oldwhitelady quilting stores unless you are a knitter or are specifically trying to cosplay Kirsten Larson.) (Also ask while you're there for lunch/dinner spot recommendations. Your fabric store guy usually has a buddy with a joint nextdoor with the best *insert relevant ethnic food here* you'll ever put in your mouth.)

- DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OWNER OF SAID STORE. This I cannot stress enough. Abdul, my fabric guy, can and will get me whatever I want cause he knows me, knows I bring in other young people, and knows I will be back every month for more. Indie fabric stores tend to have older clients. They are anxious to see faces under 60. Just chat with whoever is in there about the kind of stuff you want and need and they will help you. This also frequently leads to discounts. I have not paid listed price for fabric in years and just walked out of Abdul's with 7~ yards of gorgeous teal satin for 10 bucks. Not a yard. Total.

- Do not be afraid of mess. The best shit comes from stores that look like a hurricane went through them. Don't try to understand the organization. (One day, 4 years into your relationship with the store, suddenly the fabric gods will reveal the knowledge to you.) Again, talk to whoever is in there about your project. They'll help.

- Give up on one stop shopping. Get your crafting supplies elsewhere. Like a small independent hardware store. There's usually an old guy in there that reminds you of an uncle who will also help you.

-Worbla and whatever other Cosplay Specific Material you're using is a fatphobic material straight from Satan's hot taint, you do not need it, and any old hardware/tractor supply dad will help you find better, more durable armor/weapon/detailing material. Don't snub your nose at paper mache and plaster of paris. Venetian Mask makers have been using it for years. Balsa wood is also your friend. Hardware store Uncles will teach you to work with both.

- Elderly people are your bffs. If you see an old person TALK TO THEM. They know how to do all kinds of shit. I know there's a hesitation around old people because of the political climate and a fear that they may be homo/trans/whatever-phobic, but hey....minds are changed by making friends. My elderly Muslim fabric supplier is an Our Flag Means Death fan because of me gushing about the teal I needed for Stede Bonnet. He wishes me happy pride now. He put bolt of rainbow in the window in June and kept it up all summer. And he'd never had a thought about queers before me.

- Don't feel limited to Craft and Fabric stores. Hardware stores are cool. They stock outdoor fabrics and umbrella and furniture covers that are very durable....my first cosplay was made out of patio furniture covers. Also upholstery stores and upholsterers have velvets and damasks and faux leather and real leather and all sorts of rich textures. Most of them will part with a few yards pretty cheap. Second hand sheets and bedspreads and curtains also make some really cool garments. A significant amount of my ren fair garb started as household goods.

- If you are forced to order fabric online, please for the love of all that is holy DO NOT BUY FROM MOOD or any other famous store. You're paying for their branding and their place on certain reality shows I will not mention. Indie is always cheaper for the quality and usually not abusing their workers.

- If the fabric/hobby/hardware/upholstery/etc store you develop a relationship with is inconveniently far from you, see if said owner is willing to take your order via phone and send it to you. You'd be surprised how accommodating people in the crafting and sewing world can be.

It all really comes down to having to form a community. I know finding multiple small stores is a lot less convenient than Joannes. But forming a relationship with a local supplier will, in the long run, yield you much better results AND put money and good back into a community near you.

(And if you're in the NYC area DM me and I'll put you in contact with Abdul. He's the absolute best and I'd do anything to help him and his business grow!!!)

[the-squeaky-junk-drawer]

Fun fact: the "chain mail" of his hood, leggings, and the garment covering his arms...is actually knitting! Garter stitch, to be precise. So you can actually make yourself something basically identical, and it will feel and stretch like a knitted sock.

All the "chain mail" in that picture is knitted garter stitch (which is the easiest thing to knit - if it's knit flat, it's just knit every row; if it's in the round, it's knit 1 row, then purl one row.) If you can knit, or know someone who can knit, it's a piece of cake! If you want it to look more realistic, you can paint it a bit with some metallic spray-paint or fabric paint.

John Cleese taking a break on the set of Monty Python and The Holy Grail, 1974.

[holisticdirkmuppet]

sweetest post ever??? 😭

[surkeart]

be free!!

[xxautumnivyxx]

Half the time I don’t even know what to post anymore. It all feels like it isn’t enough. Funnier still is the mix of fandoms that come together because my mix of stuff is wild. My fingies are buried in pies of various flavors, I get stuck not knowing how to show it all to you. 😭

[waifusplit]

Miss Hazard Motivation ft. Bishoujomom

[xghost16]

Just to share the progress with you all ^^

[miss-kiwi-83]

is that- MEE????? In an AU POMNI COSPLAY???

This is madness AU pomni! (Belongs to @allhailthequeenuwu !!!)

I even included birza!!

I’m so grateful to one of my besties who helped me make this dress happen! (We had to make some modifications to make it functional but it’s SO BEAUTIFUL!!!)

Here’s the final edited photos of my first photo session! Most likely having another soon!

[strangegutz]

remember when I cosplayed Mettaton EX?