Adventures in Cosplay!

[Zakenna]

YEAH!!! Duplicolor! my favorite primer

[Reddyne]

How would one go about making a giant, fluffy tail? For those who need the reference, it's Mamizou.

Starting with the fur itself, I'd work out a pattern using poster board by making segment for each band in the tail. The fabric itself could be made with a cheaper material which looks similar to fur but also similar to a carpet, or straight up faux fur which I suggest, even if it is a bit pricier. After cutting the fur using the pattern, each segment could be sewn together before sewing along the tail lengthwise and capping it off with the tip. If you use faux fur, the fur that gets stuck in the stitch is rather easy to get out and doesn't really affect the stitch itself much.

Next, you'll need something to hold up the structure as a whole. Something as big as Mamizou's tail big would need a lot of  steel or aluminum wires to be able to hold it aloft without bending or warping. I can imagine something along the lines of PVC tubing being a good alternative. It would provide enough support to make sure the tail stays in place, although it would lack the flexibility of the wires. If you DO go for something with only steel wire for support, you'll also need to attach it to a point higher up like with a place to tie it around the neck so that it doesn't affect other parts of the tail harness. Not so much fun.

For a filling, I'd use the same filler that you find in stuffed animals. You can find it at arts and crafts stores where it's typically found in the same aisle with blanket and pillow fillers. And actually, the filling will support a good deal of the structure as well when done properly.  When sewing the tail up, leave enough space to get the stuffing in there and pack it in tight. As it fills up the tail, it will help it fill out, too.

As for toting it around, it's relatively simple to make a harness for a single tail, which can be made with nylon webbing straps and the appropriate size buckles. At least one strap would go around the waist to hold the whole thing steady. More could be used if need be. Plus, one strap would go over each shoulder so the whole thing would be worn like a backpack. The straps are difficult to see under comfortably fitting clothing (like Mamizou's) and wearing it like a backpack distributes the weight nicely.

[Bobsixtyfour]

Something for AUSA...


Primed and sanded PT 2


My custom painting apparatus painting tokin #1. (it rotates)


Now painting tokin #2...


After 2 hours of drying... Decided to move em inside since it was starting to get really cold out there...


Not bad. After a full 24 hours of drying, I'll be wetsanding these babies.

[Gramity]

Pot 1 we need #2 and 3
awesome tokin keep up the great job

[Momiji]

These look absolutely amazing so far.  I can't wait to see them all done.   

[Zakenna]

looking good so far. I'd even dare say just throw on the second coat before bothering to sand that way you won't have to worry about cutting into primer when you do sand.

[Mimachiro]

Those tokin are looking frik'n awesome. :3

[Momiji]

My long tabisocks arrived.  Sexy legs time!
http://www.distant-mind.com/images/n1/Mamizou/whitetabi1.jpg
http://www.distant-mind.com/images/n1/Mamizou/blacktabi1.jpg

Ran better get ready, because I'm preparing for her!
http://www.distant-mind.com/images/n1/Mamizou/mamimaku1.jpg
Ufufufuuu~~  83

[Mimachiro]

Mamizou bullets! :3
(We need to get a pic of you and Red in his Ran outfit together)

[Bobsixtyfour]

More Updates (disaster edition):

Picture of the clearcoat that I'm planning to use, and the red paint that I've been using.


The red layer looked a bit thin on tokin #2, so I added another coat....

Oh shit. It was so cold outside that I must have accidentally breathed on it right before spraying and left some condensation on the surface... causing insta-cracking EPIC FAIL
Will have to sand it down once it dries.... (lose one day)

Tokin #1 survived the additional coat, so I started wetsanding after it dried...


Notice how dull it appears, any shiny bits are "low" spots and will probably get filled in on the additional coats of red. Both tokin #1 and tokin #2 survives the wetsanding process ready for the 2nd coat of red....


Oh shit. Did something stupid to tokin #1. Experiment gone WRONG.   :colonveeplusalpha:

EPIC FAIL.

Not pictured: Manly tears.

Tokin #1 had to be stripped back to the wood thanks to that blunder.


Tried a slightly different method of "sealing" the wood this time, so no spackle this experiment. Masking it for primer application...


Turns out the miter saw can turn sideways!! Tokin #4's base being cut and glued.


While all the stuff is drying... Figured I might as well try doodling some plans for a future project...


The "Scale" version:


Revised "Scale" version (with crunched numbers):


Hmmm... 40 pieces of wood to glue together.... I'm gonna have to calibrate my tablesaw in order to cut these effectively

[Byaaakuren]

Here, we see a Satori eating some some rice

Spoiler:

By the way, that's me

[Zakenna]

it's about time I actually post some content for this thread.

AT-4 for my Morning Rescue Cosplay

drafting up some decals for it once I'm done painting

alright well I lied...AT-4 isn't for me, it's for UK's Homura costume because she's not able to finish in time for AUSA and after all the planning and concept work I did for the AT-4 I wanted to build one myself. Killing two birds with one stone =)

[Marokuu]

Here, we see a Satori eating some some rice

Spoiler:

By the way, that's me

I have three things to say.

1. SqueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSatoriwithglasses!
2. I'd love to take a photo with you while wearing either of my soon to be two SA cosplays.
3. Do you have any tips on how to make the third eye? I've got some ideas lined up for my Koishi but I'm not sure if they will work.

God I love Satori cosplays.

[Iris]

AT-4 for my Morning Rescue Cosplay

alright well I lied...AT-4 isn't for me etc.

Aw man, you should totally make another AT4 and paint it safety orange.  For bonus points, make it so you can load it with bottles of delicious MORNING LESCUE.  Although admittedly when your method of citrus drink delivery is rocket propelled it might be a touch less appealing, but them's the breaks.

[shurcle]

Here, we see a Satori eating some some rice

Spoiler:

By the way, that's me

omg, I've seen that costume before.
I forgot where, but I've seen it before.

[Reddyne]

Here, we see a Satori eating some some rice

Spoiler:

By the way, that's me

Oh hey. Welcome back. Where's that from, anyway?

Aw man, you should totally make another AT4 and paint it safety orange.  For bonus points, make it so you can load it with bottles of delicious MORNING LESCUE.  Although admittedly when your method of citrus drink delivery is rocket propelled it might be a touch less appealing, but them's the breaks.

Two words: Bottle rockets.

[Zakenna]

Aw man, you should totally make another AT4 and paint it safety orange.  For bonus points, make it so you can load it with bottles of delicious MORNING LESCUE.  Although admittedly when your method of citrus drink delivery is rocket propelled it might be a touch less appealing, but them's the breaks.

yeah, I have 2 more pipes =P so I might just do it...also Morning rescue isn't citrus it's like mango or something.

[Bobsixtyfour]

Two words: Bottle rockets.

Morning Rescue with Mentos

[Byaaakuren]

I have three things to say.

1. SqueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSatoriwithglasses!
2. I'd love to take a photo with you while wearing either of my soon to be two SA cosplays.
3. Do you have any tips on how to make the third eye? I've got some ideas lined up for my Koishi but I'm not sure if they will work.

God I love Satori cosplays.

Oh man, you need to get Koishi done :3
I used a styrofoam ball to make the eye, painted it and glued aquarium tubing to it. I dyed the tubes using Rit. I glued a piece of red felt to the back of the eye and attached the eye (as well as the arteries for the wrists) using safety pins. I attached tubes to PokeWalker clips for the hearts on the top and bottom of my blouse.

omg, I've seen that costume before.
I forgot where, but I've seen it before.

That was the second con I wore my Satori at, so it was either at NYCC 2011 or Youmacon 2011

Oh hey. Welcome back. Where's that from, anyway?

Thanks, I got that picture taken at Youmacon this past weekend.

There were people who thought I was a girl xD

[SuperParadox]

Here, we see a Satori eating some some rice

Spoiler:

By the way, that's me

ARUGH, THIS IS TOO CUTE.

Also loving the tokins Bob thier looking great!

[Zakenna]

so I carved off any excess bondo that oozed out of the bottom since I just wanted to cover the bottom of the adaptor for the next step
so bondo protip: use some filler to save yourself some time. I use legos the guy who taught me this used airsoft BBs.
I built the general shape I wanted with legos then glued them in place with epoxy. Then I put bondo all over it

after this cures you do a glazeing layer to get rid of any dips and divits then it's ready for sanding

[Marokuu]

There were people who thought I was a girl xD

>_>

<_<

Guilty as charged :derp:

[shurcle]

That was the second con I wore my Satori at, so it was either at NYCC 2011 or Youmacon 2011

Ya, it was probably at NYCC.
You almost ran me over on friday when my friend pointed out it was a satori.
Lost track of satori after that.
This is you, right?

I didn't really get a good view but my friend took this picture.

Spoiler:

Please note the intimidating guy with the white stick approaching.

They also looked for you on saturday but you weren't there. :<

Thanks, I got that picture taken at Youmacon this past weekend.

Too far from me :<

There were people who thought I was a girl xD

All of my friends that saw you though otherwise...

[Byaaakuren]

Yeah, that's me. I didn't like the wig I had at NYCC so I changed it for Youmacon.

[Nobu]

Yeah, that's me. I didn't like the wig I had at NYCC so I changed it for Youmacon.

The wig you had at Youmacon was perfect Where'd you end up getting it from?

[Byaaakuren]

The wig you had at Youmacon was perfect Where'd you end up getting it from?

Thanks! I got it at HelloCosplay. Why you no Nitori, Nobu :<

[Nobu]

Thanks! I got it at HelloCosplay. Why you no Nitori, Nobu :<

Lots of reasons. The costume is wrinked and I didn't have time to iron or wash it, I STILL don't have proper boots for it, I wasn't staying in a room that year so it was easier just to bring the Dogtier Jade costume I'd been working on, and I had already worn the cosplay a bunch of times and didn't really feel like wearing it again without fixing it up.

Good enough reasons? ;p Now that I have access to a workplace and sewing machine, making and fixing my own costumes is a lot more practical and easy. So ideally at the next con i'll have more than one new costume and can participate in all the Touhou shenanigans too.

[Byaaakuren]

Lots of reasons. The costume is wrinked and I didn't have time to iron or wash it, I STILL don't have proper boots for it, I wasn't staying in a room that year so it was easier just to bring the Dogtier Jade costume I'd been working on, and I had already worn the cosplay a bunch of times and didn't really feel like wearing it again without fixing it up.

Good enough reasons? ;p Now that I have access to a workplace and sewing machine, making and fixing my own costumes is a lot more practical and easy. So ideally at the next con i'll have more than one new costume and can participate in all the Touhou shenanigans too.

Fair enough. I expect to see you with the Touhous next year :3

Here's a Rantori Yakumeiji (took the hat from my friend who was cosplaying Advent Ran)

[shurcle]

Yeah, that's me. I didn't like the wig I had at NYCC so I changed it for Youmacon.

Yeah, the wig wasn't that great.
I want to get a wig some time but I haven't found any good ones.

[Reddyne]

Due to what is apparently a pulse width problem in the timing circuit, the servos I have twitch a little more than once per second at rest so long as the power is plugged in i.e. when I want to use them. This also makes the servos noisy and causing a power draw even when not in use, so I'll hafta postpone the moving Ran ears until Katsu. And I don't wanna hear nuthin' 'bout simply putting a wire through them and tugging on them by hand. Still, Ran is effectively done. Maybe pics before AUSA. We'll see.

Next up is Yang Wenli from LoGH, which will be a cinch outside of embroidery for a military patch that goes on the left sleeve. Liberty stands for freedom!