Welcome to Gaia! ::

Okay, so i plan on cosplaying at Fanime, at the end of next May. It will be my first time ever, and i don't know that many people who cosplay. Or rather, i don't know many people who cosplay well. And the people who i know who cosplay well don't do their own sewing - they have an older sister (who lives elsewhere and therefore is rather inexcesable to me) do their costumes.

So i was wondering if anyone had some basic tips, things they wish they'd known before the started the whole thing, things to make sure you do or don't do, advice for the far-from-ideal body.

also, i was wondering if you guys could help me come up with fairly well known, fairly simple outfits. I'm a girl, about 5 foot 6 (or 7, 7.5, 8, depending on who's measuring. i think i'm closer to 6...). I'm not what anyone would call skinny, though i'm not GIANT either. I swear i'll try and get a picture of myself, but i know i don't have one floating around, at least not full body. I'm normally behind the camera, not in front of it.

Start simple. Give yourself plenty of time to make the outfit if you are sewing it from scratch. Use a pattern when you can (alter if and when needed) until you feel more comfortable with your skills to do it on the fly. Don't hesitate to see if the ladies at the fabric stores can help you out. Maybe you can enroll in a sewing class and ask the teacher for some advice on cosplay stuff while you learn the basics. Never hurts to get the basics down first

try and see if you can find a local seamtress to make it for you if it's something really complicated. but i wouldn't pay them more then $70-$100 for them to make it with you buying the fabric, pattern, and any other extras.

if you are willing to try something more simple then just try to find stuff that looks similar at thrift stores and create it from that without sowing. and can easily use hot glue, safely pins, and stick on velcrow.
*does that sound makeshift or what* sweatdrop redface

as for suggestions try to find a character that is close to your body size or one that doesn't dress too scandalous, so you won't be afraid of looking bad or fat. *i alway worry about those 2 things* sweatdrop but really you didn't give us much to go on for how you look. like what colr hair and type? skin tone? what you you feel most comfortable in? what series do you like?