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Cosplayer Basics: The Who's Who of Expert Cosplayers and Resources to Get Started with Crafting
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items Interested in learning more about Cosplay? Dive in with some of the top accounts to follow, tutorials for every type of crafting, and the basic supplies every cosplayer needs!
Sections
4
Cosplayers to Follow
Cosplay Supplies
Cosplay Tutorials
Advanced Cosplay Tutorials
Cosplayers to Follow
There are many thousands of Cosplayers out there - but these are some of the ones who have been around for a while, do great tutorials, or have created some of the most viral cosplays! There are so many more out there, but this will get you started.
Yayahan is the original! She has her own line of fabric and patterns at Joann Fabrics, a sewing machine partnership, a book, tutorials - you name it. She is also a sweetheart!
Yayahan
Alyson is the all-time viral legend, blending crafting with expert makeup to transform into a huge range of characters. She is a must follow for anything and everything Cosplay
Alysontabbitha
Tutorials, step by step guides, and a seemingly never ending source of incredibly detailed books, Kamui is a delightful source of inspirational and educational content for all levels of cosplayer
Kamuicosplay
Come for the mohawk, stay for the absolutely gorgeous prop builds, trophies, and other incredible creations from Volpin's workshop!
Volpinprops
Lover of squirrels and a cosplayer of the early US era (like early 2000s) - Riddle is less prolific these days, but if you ever catch her on a panel, she might share some little details about her work in the prop department for the Marvel movies!
Ridd1e
Artist, entrepreneur, cosplayer - Cutiepiesensei has a sense of humor with her content that makes you feel like the effort of a cosplay is totally worth it. She's also one of the character artists behind a lot of super cool SMITE skins!
Cutiepiesensei
Stella is a mix of intense crafting and incredibly impressive meme filled content. She does great collabs, and some tutorials - just know that her account is definitely geared towards adults
Stellachuuuuu
She teaches in maker spacings for her career, and her page is full of WIPs with the most detailed and gorgeous creations. Her work is more advanced, but it's fascinating to watch what she can create
Ladycels
Armored Heart goes viral. A lot. And she mages these fantastic builds in no time at all, and then shows up in a new fantastic cosplay ALL THE TIME
Armoredheartcosplay
His pictures don't look real - and that's because his crafting and make up is just that good!
Leonchiro
Famous, infamous, talented, gorgeous, definitely more on the adult side, and one of the biggest names in the space without any question
Jessicanigri
Cosplay Supplies
Ready to start crafting? Here's a few sites and key tools to get your started!
EVA Foam is a key material for armor, props, and adding a gravity defying elements to your sewing
High Density Crafting Foam (Armor)
This cutting mat will save your tables from harm when you start getting into prop making and little details! Pro tip, hot glue beads right off of it
Self Healing Cutting Mat
Hot glue is your best friend. Always.
Hot Glue Gun Kit
Slice and dice easily with a rotary cutter!
Rotary Cutter
Always keep a pair of scissors you use ONLY for fabric to keep them sharp (and not sticky)
Fabric Scissors
Mod Podge is your go to for sealing your foam before painting it, you'll want this on hand for any armor crafting!
Mod Podge Gloss Sealer
Your heat gun will be your tool for shaping EVA foam and/or worbla, and this one has lasted me over a decade
Wagner Heat Gun Kit
Arda is the gold standard for cosplay wigs, and they have extra wefts if you ever need extra fullness!
Cosplay Wigs Supplier
Epic Wigs is similar quality to Arda and is another great site to check for wigs!
Epic Cosplay Wigs
Cosplay Tutorials
This is a starter guide for finding tutorials - cosplayers often post WIPs and tips and tricks, so social media / YouTube can be a great resource as well!
Start here!
Getting started with Cosplay: A Beginner's Guide
All armor, and no sewing!
The Costume Making Guide: Armor & Props
Search tutorials, find resources, and access a full community!
Cosplay Tutorial - The Costuming Resource
Sewing can be intimidating, but it really expands your options for cosplay crafting!
The Book of Cosplay Sewing: Starting from Zero
Foam armor is much comfier than worbla, and it's pretty easy to work with
The Book of Foam Armor: Comfy & Affordable
Foam props are safe for conventions and flying, which is great to keep in mind
The Book of Foam Props: Lightweight & Affordable
Painting makes a world of difference for how your final cosplay looks, these tips will really help you level up
Cosplay Painting Book with Brushes & Acrylics
Worbla is a type of heat moldable plastic that can make very intricate designs and is easy to get started with
The Book of Prop Making: With Foam and Worbla
Advanced Cosplay Tutorials
Ready to step it up? Check out this next level of tutorials
Learned the basics of painting? Time to level up!
Advanced Cosplay Painting: Airbrush & Weathering
Remember not to be too realistic here if you plan on heading into public!
Advanced Cosplay Prop Making: Guns & Rifles
Worbla ond wonderflex take a little more skill, but they are another option other than EVA foam
Cosplay Armor Making: Worbla & Wonderflex
Document your crafting! Photos are a lot easier to carry around than an entire cosplay :D
The Book of Cosplay Photography
LEDs are a great way to level up your cosplay game, and Kamui makes it so easy to get started!
The Book of Cosplay Lights: LEDs Guide
More lights!
Advanced Cosplay Lights: Animated LEDs
3D printing has been a massive upgrade for cosplayers everywhere, this will help get you started
The Book of 3D Printing: Modeling & More
Time to move onto helmets!
Advanced Cosplay Armor Making: Helmets & Pauldrons