Here we will be discussing the art of cosplay...
here are some do's and don's of cosplay
Do figure out how much you can spend on a certain costume, and stay within your budget. A safe bet for beginners (fabric, thread, closures, etc) is about $30; for more advanced costumers (moulding, piping, ornaments added), $75 and up. Search the internet for lots of pictures of your character, from front, back, and side views to get an idea of how much work is going to have to be put into the costume.

Do Try to pick someone you look like, or someone you CAN look like with some effort. For first-timers, it is easier to get started that way and takes a bit less time to design.

Do choose appropriate fabrics. Keep in mind that you will be in a room packed with people, so be sure to use breathable fabrics. Heavy polyester, Lycra, or wool will make you sweat.

Do find an existing pattern to adapt to your needs. Go to a fabric store and look through the hard-bound tomes of popular patterns. You may find a pattern for a cheongsam for Shampoo that needs no altering. A pattern for a bolero jacket can be changed if you're going as Misato.

Do dye a garment if you need to. This works best for darkening existing colors or dulling colors that are too bright. You can find Rit dye at Wal-Mart, craft stores, and fabric stores.

Do weather a garment if you need to. For example, if you're going as Seita from Grave of the Fireflies, you would probably want to hit the Army surplus store, alter your garments, and weather them heavily. Good weathering methods include repeated laundering, rubbing the garment at the elbows, knees, and seat with a cheese grater, light bleaching, and that good ol' stress reliever, beating it on the ground like hell. It works!

Do use or modify something already in your closet. This saves you sewing time as well as cash. For example, when I went as Ritsuko for AWA 4, I just pulled out and re-dyed my black miniskirt. This saved me the time and/or money I would have spent on a new skirt.

Do find appropriate shoes. Belldandy or Char in sneakers just doesn't look quite right. Your best bets for inexpensive shoes are Wal-Mart, K-Mart, PayLess, and your own closet.

Do take a picture of the character to the fabric store with you. This will help you choose the correct fabric color and texture.

Do finish off your seams and edges. This will give your costume a noticeable edge (no pun intended) over the others, as well as keep it from fraying in the wash.

Do take along some Shoutª wipes in your pocket or bag. If you spill food or drink on your costume, they get it right out.

Do wear a wig, if you want to, but wear it right. Unless you're going as someone with shaggy hair, you probably shouldn't get your wig in Wal-Mart's Halloween section. Cheap wigs are VERY hard to dye and style. But be aware that a good wig costs a lot. There are stores that sell wigs in colors like blue and silver, with price tags of $70 to $150. (If you're willing to pay that much to be Ruri-ruri, have at.) Most of these stores are fetish-oriented, so if you need a pair of 5-inch heels, you can kill two birds with one stone... if you have the money. Ebay is also a good place to find good wigs at really good prices.

Do Pay attention to detail! Judges love that. If you don't have the equipment or skills, don't attempt to make a costume with a lot of fine detail. It's best to start off with a simple costume for your first cosplay, than get frustrated trying to craft something difficult. You want to enjoy yourself, not pull your hair out!

Do bring a picture or doll to show the judges if your character isn't too well known. It gets you points if they can see and compare. And don't let the fact that your character isn't well know hinder you from that costume. Be who you enjoy!

Do make sure you have a fake weapon prop either sheathed or holstered outside of performances, and easy enough to get through crowds with. And read up on the rules of the con as far as fake weapons go. You don't want to ruin your con fun with a misunderstanding or breaking of any rules.

Do GET INTO CHARACTER! This is something I can't stress enough. Cosplay is essentially roleplay, and should be treated as such. Research the character, and really get a feel for them, so it helps you perform and roleplay. It also helps if you're a fan of the character too.

Don't draw on fabric with markers or paint pens as a substitute for appliquŽs and embroidery. Real embroidery and patches look much better, and markers will bleed in the wash.

Don't do drag, guys, unless you're a professional drag queen, or Tsubasa Kurenai. It's just not pretty.

Don't get skimpy, girls, if you're not prepared for stares and whistles. (e.g. if you're shy, Mai Shiranui probably isn't the best for you.) Remember, this is a con.

Don't dye hair or wigs with kool-aid, magic markers, or food coloring. If you sweat, the kool-aid color or food coloring will drip down your skin and onto your costume - yuck! As for markers, well, that just looks bad. If you want to dye your hair a bright color, bleach it to a light blonde first, then apply the color. If you're dying a wig, just get one in white or light blonde. A good choice for bright hair dye is Punky Colorª, which you can find at Sally Beauty Supply or other stores. Do keep in mind that this is permanent dye and does not fade for about two months.

Don't forget closures. Zippers and buttons are extra work, but they look a lot better and stay in place better than safety pins!

Don't use stretch fabrics or knits unless you need them (or unless you're a masochist). They are a pain in the butt.

Don't bite off more than you can chew. If you're just learning how to sew, a plug suit probably isn't the best project to work on. Go easy on yourself.

Don't forget that cosplay, like the con itself, is all about fun. Whether you have an elaborate costume or none at all, remember to relax and have a good time!