May I have everyone's opinion?

[OhNoesItsMiho]

Okay, so back in 2009 I decided to KNIT a cosplay. It was awesome and a lot of people liked it. Unfortunately, I overheated and it was not fun. Well, last year I decided to suck it up and refresh my memory and use a sewing machine. Lol, sadly, me and sewing machines don't get along. I seriously broke 2 hand-me-down sewing machines. *Head desk* I don't want to hire a seamstress so I decided to HAND sew my cosplays. Now, this is where I want everyone's opinions if ya don't mind. Should I plan a cosplay and start making it...hmm, say 6 months in advance?

I guess handmade pants with handmade suspenders attached to them REALLY doesn't take that long, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, right? I've just been noticing a crappy cycle that I've been going through. I buy my fabric, use my custom patterns, and start sewing. In the end, I've NEVER finished them on time. Well, I finished my crappy Tentacool Gijinka cosplay the day of the con, but my Steampunk cosplay never got finished. I finished the pants, but not the vest. I'm tired of working hard on a cosplay only to wear something else because it's not complete.  

[Extreme Cuddler]

the sooner u start something the more time u have for screw ups right? Always try to do something with as much time as possible  

[OhNoesItsMiho]

Squee, thanks so much for your opinion and I totally agree with you! I can screw up as much as I want and I don't have to worry. Lol, I can also finish my edges neatly without rushing through it. I tell ya, trying to hand sew a cosplay within 1 week before a con is never fun.

Thank you so much for your input, Flames. I appreciate it~ heart  

[Extreme Cuddler]

OhNoesItsMiho

Squee, thanks so much for your opinion and I totally agree with you! I can screw up as much as I want and I don't have to worry. Lol, I can also finish my edges neatly without rushing through it. I tell ya, trying to hand sew a cosplay within 1 week before a con is never fun.

Thank you so much for your input, Flames. I appreciate it~ heart

its ok I know what its like, I often have gone by without cosplaying because I put it off to the last minute. Last month I had my cosplay ready and everything, except I needed a wig so I bought one last minute, did a rush job on cutting the hair so it came out a bit weird, I ended up not cosplaying.  

[SolfeggioNinja]

I cosplay with a fairly large group of people (we range from about five to eight girls) and I always try to start planning our group cosplays for the next convention the very day we leave the current one (one in January, one September). I think it's best to start a cosplay as soon as possible, as one often has school, work, sports, or online gaming drama, meaning that the person in question cannot work on the cosplay.
Now, group cosplays are often much harder to create than when one goes solo, because everyone in the group wants to look like an individual while still being tied together as a group. Last year we did an Eeveelution Lolita cosplay, and some of us ended up staying up till three in the morning sewing in the hotel room. Because we had to not only design the cosplays, but also had to create them, it became increasingly difficult. Since, we have never done a Lolita group cosplay. But enough of my horror stories.
Who are you planing on cosplaying?  

[OhNoesItsMiho]

SolfeggioNinja

I cosplay with a fairly large group of people (we range from about five to eight girls) and I always try to start planning our group cosplays for the next convention the very day we leave the current one (one in January, one September). I think it's best to start a cosplay as soon as possible, as one often has school, work, sports, or online gaming drama, meaning that the person in question cannot work on the cosplay.
Now, group cosplays are often much harder to create than when one goes solo, because everyone in the group wants to look like an individual while still being tied together as a group. Last year we did an Eeveelution Lolita cosplay, and some of us ended up staying up till three in the morning sewing in the hotel room. Because we had to not only design the cosplays, but also had to create them, it became increasingly difficult. Since, we have never done a Lolita group cosplay. But enough of my horror stories.
Who are you planing on cosplaying?

That's why I avoid joining group cosplays. I go solo or do couple cosplays. For Matsuricon, I'm going as Sgt. Keroro. It'll be a human version of him. I'm doing a couple cosplay at Sugoicon. I'll be the 10th Doctor and my friend's going as Rose.  

[Son Goshi-kun]

It's definately better to play it safe and start working on it sooner than later. I get into trouble with that all the time...

Last year for my local convention, I ended up making 4 costumes (only 2 of them were actually mine)... and even though I started the one months ahead of time, I didn't get done until the actual convention started... and no sleep, plus college plus late nights for sewing equals absolute Hell.  

[Cariella]

What are you doing on the computer then? Go start right now!
emotion_awesome But all kidding aside, it's best to start a.s.a.p. Especially if you're hand sewing the costume.
And maybe when you have time, take some sewing lessons and try to get better at using a machine. It'll come in handy.  

[SolfeggioNinja]

OhNoesItsMiho

SolfeggioNinja

I cosplay with a fairly large group of people (we range from about five to eight girls) and I always try to start planning our group cosplays for the next convention the very day we leave the current one (one in January, one September). I think it's best to start a cosplay as soon as possible, as one often has school, work, sports, or online gaming drama, meaning that the person in question cannot work on the cosplay.
Now, group cosplays are often much harder to create than when one goes solo, because everyone in the group wants to look like an individual while still being tied together as a group. Last year we did an Eeveelution Lolita cosplay, and some of us ended up staying up till three in the morning sewing in the hotel room. Because we had to not only design the cosplays, but also had to create them, it became increasingly difficult. Since, we have never done a Lolita group cosplay. But enough of my horror stories.
Who are you planing on cosplaying?

That's why I avoid joining group cosplays. I go solo or do couple cosplays. For Matsuricon, I'm going as Sgt. Keroro. It'll be a human version of him. I'm doing a couple cosplay at Sugoicon. I'll be the 10th Doctor and my friend's going as Rose.

I think it's a lot more fun to do cosplay in groups, or even in just teams. For example this past con I went once as Ellis with a zoey from Left 4 dead, then as Fionna with a Cake from Adventure time, and my two friends went as Link and True form Midna together.
o wo I'm loving all the Doctor Who cosplays! I love Ten and Rose and Ten/Donna (squee)  

[lilith_loituma]

Well, I would say start early, especially if you're not use to sewing by hand and maybe you can use clothes and alter them. Like, go to a thrift store and use clothes that closely match your cosplay. That's what I usually do and it takes less time than making an outfit from scratch.  

[OhNoesItsMiho]

teachanan

Well, I would say start early, especially if you're not use to sewing by hand and maybe you can use clothes and alter them. Like, go to a thrift store and use clothes that closely match your cosplay. That's what I usually do and it takes less time than making an outfit from scratch.

I'm really great at sewing by hand, but I'll keep that in mind. I'll definitely alternate clothes some time.