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Cosplay

A guide for cosplay resources

Library Ebooks

1,000 Incredible Costume and Cosplay Ideas

1,000 Incredible Costume and Cosplay Ideas provides a broad and detailed glimpse into the ingenious artistry and attention to detail behind some of the most fabulous costumes you can find. Featuring costumes from popular convention-goers to professional craftsman, this stunning, photo-filled book by Joey Marsocci and Allison DeBlasio of Dr. Grymm Laboratories walks you through scads of your favorite characters as imagined and created by fans.

Costuming Cosplay : Dressing the Imagination

Costuming Cosplay takes us from elaborately crafted DIY costumes to online fandoms, examining how the practice of portraying fictional characters from popular culture through dress and performance has become a creative means of expressing and playing with different identities.With an approach that ranges from admiration and role-play to gender performance, this is the first book to fully examine the subculture and costume of the Cosplay phenomenon.

Cosplay in Libraries

Cosplay, comics, anime, and geek culture have exploded into the mainstream over recent years and have resulted in a thriving community of costume enthusiasts and pop culture fans. Today's cosplayers find inspiration on the pages of comics, classic literature, and even history, as well as film, television, and video games to inform their creative and oftentimes elaborate ensembles. They utilize all manner of materials and techniques including 3D printers, thermoplastics, craft foam, fabric and more to design their costumes and props. Libraries on the leading edge are already embracing this new worldwide sensation by integrating cosplay into their programming and events. Learn all about the world of cosplay and how you can host cosplay events, workshops, makerspaces, clubs, and more in your library! This one-stop guide includes quotes and interviews with librarians who are incorporating cosplay into their programming as well as with cosplayers. You'll also find 32 full-color photographs of cosplay in action to give you both ideas and inspiration for getting started!

A Guide to Film and TV Cosplay

Learn about the history of the hobby (it's been around longer than you'd think!), get your head around picking you're first costume, find out how about all the amazing skills people are using to make these costumes, and perhaps even try a few yourself. Who knows, you might be rocking our as Captain Marvel or Flynn Rider at the next big comic con! (And don't worry, there's a guide to comic con in here too.)

The Hero's Closet

This essential handbook offers detailed, step-by-step instructions that cover the basics of sewing costumes (which often require skills not found in standard sewing guides) to help even the most novice sewists create the costumes of their dreams. A skilled crafter and avid cosplayer, Gillian Conahan walks readers through finding inspiration online and through their fandom; shares insight into translating character art into real-world garments; and offers advice on pattern selection, alterations, fabrics, and embellishment techniques. The book also features 11 original step-by-step basic patterns--such as jumpsuits, jackets, and pants. It then suggests ideas for mixing and matching these basics to create costumes of all styles, including superheroes, pirates, elves, school girls, and adventurers

Where to get supplies?

You have the ideas. You've watched videos and read the books. Now you just need the materials! (Note: Listing of a vendor does not indicate support for that business.)

  • Thrift stores: You don't need to sew or craft a costume from scratch. Whether you purchase individual pieces or the whole outfit, thrift stores can be excellent places to source supplies for your costume. Perhaps you found a great jacket and you just need to add paint. Maybe that shirt will be a good layer under your armor.
  • Cosplay Supplies website: They supply a variety of cosplay materials as well as Worbla, a moldable thermoplastic.
  • JoAnn Fabrics: JoAnn Fabrics has many patterns of clothing and costumes. They also sell the Yaya Han Cosplay Collection of fabric.
  • Replica Prop Forum: Community forums about props, costumes, and models. Forum threads may indicate good locations to source project materials.
  • Dick Blick: Art supplies company. Have a category for cosplay supplies.

YouTube Tutorials & Other Resources