Cosplay hacks! Masking/duct tape and cling film

Happy New Year guys!

I secretly had this tutorial prepared for you guys since Boxing day as I couldn't help but to want to start the New Year with new content. Thankfully I had most of this written already considering I have been nursing a hangover today.

The patten I made for Hikaru's bodice using this tutorial

I know it sounds odd but masking tape and cling film are pretty handy for certain cosplay techniques, especially if you are make form costumes such as non-stretch leotards and maybe even corsets. Here are some examples to how to make your costumes easier to make.

Sometimes normal pattens can be hard to come by or a deadline is getting close so you cannot even consider buying one so you will have to improvise. You come up with a draft but its not going to plan. It needs to be close fitting and it needs to be perfect. Try wrapping yourself in cling film! I know it does sound kinda awkward like some creepy BDSM practice but it is a very handy and accurate method getting patterns quickly. I am defiantly not a fan of maths and measuring tapes but I can reassure you that they are really easy and you can alter and reuse the patterns. Sadly I didnt have any photos of the process a few months back so Ill do my best to explain :'D Sorry guys! However I did manage to save the patten I managed to create using the method. 

These methods are really simple and the materials are as cheap as chips and easily found in many shops! You will need the following for all of them:

• Cling film
• Masking/duct tape
• Permanent marker
• Scissors (make sure they are thin!)

1) Pattern making

Say for example you want to make a bunny suit (a classic example for this method). Unlike most leotards they are often made out of a none-stretch fabric such as PVC in the cosplay world and they would often have complicated pattens if you were to go with the usual design. It can be possible to do this alone like I had to with my Hikaru cosplay but if you have a friend to help you it would be much easier.

1. To do this, you begin by wearing whatever underwear you plan to wear on the day (this is important as shapewear could alter your figure slightly). 
2. Wrap your torso with a few layers of cling film in the areas you wish to pattern on your body. Make sure you add a few inches as masking take can get annoying with contact to skin.
3. Repeat step 2 with masking tape.
4. Get your marker pen to mark where you would like to cut. Think about the best places to add the seams.
5. When you are happy with that, carefully cut yourself out along one of the marked seams. It feel likes you are removing a suit of armour at this point.
6. Cut the rest of the seams.
7. You should now have a patten! Draft it onto some spare fabric to make a mock first to ensure you are happy with the measurements. Don't forget to add seam allowance!

2) Making a cast

If you have a lot of complicated bits of thermoforming to do for some accessories but the heat would be a bit much and you may need somewhere safe to put them in between making them. 

Arms and legs are much easier to add clingfilm and tape on than torsos. You can easily do it yourself. Taking the arm for example:

1. Wrap your arm with cling film.
2. Repeat with duct tape/masking tape
3. Draw a line from one end of the arm to the other. This will act as a line to cut your arm free.
4. Once it is removed, get some additional tape and reconnect the cut to make a tube.
5. Carefully seal one of the ends but try not to distort the shape. 
6. Using any scraps you can fun (paper, fabric, even bits of tape) stuff the hell out of it!
7. Seal the other end.
8. DONE!

3) Duct tape dummy

Just imagine the steps above but it concerns the body from the neck down (or just your torso). I already have a second-hand mannequin so I never really had to take this step but I feel that is it very handy to know should you feel it is of use. If you have no access to a mannequin (they are pretty expensive) they are a much cheaper alternative and you can be sure to get the measurements right. The end result should resemble a shell-like bodysuit with stuffing.inside.

Due to my lack of experience and your safely, I will cover the basics but I'd suggest looking into researching proper ways to make these. You will need a friend or 2 for this so it will be a good laugh! Be sure to use the bathroom first as the process may take a while.

1. Get some old clothes that covers every inch of your body. Painter's coveralls are ideal and really cheap. Please note whatever clothing you wear will get destroyed in the process so old and unwanted clothes wiil work best.
2. Cut the tape into short strips! Make sure it is heavy duty tape. Begin at the torso around the stomach.
3. Make your way around the body and keep going.
4. Once you are done use a marker to mark out any costume construction details.
5. Carefully get cut out and use some additional tape to repair the cuts.
6. Stuff the turkey!