Category Archives: Definitions and Advice

Cleaning and Storing Your Costumes

Confession time: I wash my costumes at little as possible. I always make sure I’m clean and awash in antiperspirant when I put a costume on, I take it off as soon as I’m done and rely on airing out and strategic spritzes of Febreze to keep things fresh. But, sometimes, sooner or later, something’s… Read More »

About Color: Perception Vs. Reality

What colors are these actors wearing? In these pictures, they’re wearing the same costumes, but in different lighting conditions. On top of that, post-production adjustments to photographs and video will alter the color even further. Determining color can be one of the biggest headaches for a cosplayer. Comics and anime have the advantage of a regulated… Read More »

About Sewing Machine Needles

Using the right needle for your project is important. If you use the wrong needle, you might end up with messed up fabric, dropped stitches or even have the thread break off when you’re in the middle of sewing a seam. In the absolute worst case, you can blow the timing to your machine, which… Read More »

Introduction to Fibers: Acrylic

Acrylic is another synthetic fiber made from various polymers that I can’t even spell, let alone pronounce. It was invented in 1941 by the chemical company DuPont, who promptly trademarked it under the name Orlon. It wasn’t widely produced until the 1950s whereupon it got used in practically everything, because it’s strong, warm and takes dye… Read More »