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Molly K

Need Advice On Highly Unusual Fabric Needs For Cosplay.

Hello. I am looking to throw together a cosplay of Akizet from corru.observer. I'm asking today for advice on how to make her robe (depicted by the first image I attached). I already have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to accomplish the robe itself. I'm going to do it as a hoodless cloak type deal without a front opening, and it's going to have a second piece that drapes over the front with the emblem on it. The fabric will be black. I will likely cut up a turtleneck for the robe's neck. The question, then, is how am I going to get the color onto the main part of the robe? I desire to emulate the game's dithered art style, or at the very least, what the undithered robe (the second image) looks like. In either case, how do I get shimmery flecks of pure cyan and magenta (ideally with a fading gradient towards the sides) onto a black garment? Bear in mind that I really, really do not want to do any kind of printing or fabric painting, both because I don't think it'll look good, and because I worry it'll fade really fast. Would getting something custom woven be an option? If so, what are good services for that? I'll take any suggestions! (note: whatever method is suggested, I would like it so that however i do the front emblem and the neck coloring, they match)

· 3 weeks ago
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AnnieRose's avatar
AnnieRose

Hello again! My suggestion with the colours would be to get either:

some sort of shimmery fabric approximating to the colours

or, layer voile fabric in different colours to get the effect.

If it was me, I would make this as a separate panel, and layer the voile over the black, which will enable you to get different colour effects and fades. Use dabs of fabric glue to hold in place, then sew the panel in.

You can try this out with very cheap fabric or an old sheet - simply cut out the panel as you want it, add 1cm seam all round, and then sew together.

Otherwise, you can apply with very light double sided interfacing (as mentioned in my previous reply

I would trawl the charity shops (do you call them Goodwill?) looking for garments that you may be able to hack.

You can look online for fabric (make sure you ask for samples). Here is one from the UK, giving an idea of what to looks for: https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/dance-fabrics.html

· 3 weeks ago
Molly K's avatar
Molly K

hmm, interesting! how would i go about layering/fading? I'm familiar with blending colors in a painting context, but the method is unknown to me in the fabric world :)

· 3 weeks ago
AnnieRose's avatar
AnnieRose

You would use voile - see the link I sent - very thin, near transparent fabric. Or Hayley suggested tulle (netting). You can sometimes buy it in graded colours, but assume you have single colours.

On your black panel, I would lay say one layer of purple, dab into place with fabric glue. Then cut , say, half a piece of blue and layer it over half. Then maybe, fold 3 or 4 layers of blue to get the brighter effect. I would hold in place with firstly glue then small stitiches, or double sided interfacing.

Or I might get a shimmery blue fabric for one band, then layer it with purple voile / tulle.

Tulle is easy to stitch. You may well find that you do something like: a blue band of shimmery fabric, some purple voile, and blue tulle over all. You'll only know when you try.

I would find a big fabric shop that says it has a dance / carnival or similar section. Go at a quiet time if possible, with your black fabric, and ask the assistants to help you find the effect you are looking for. Also ask them how they would sew or attach whatever you get - they will have experience in this. When buying your cloak fabric, I would make sure you have extra for playing with this stuff - it will take awhile to get what you want.

I should say that I am veteran of fancy dress, school drama & carnival costumes, but not the detail that most cosplayers go for.

· 3 weeks ago
SewHayleyJane's avatar
SewHayleyJane Admin

Ooh wow this is an interesting question - I've never delved much into cosplay but some of the creations I see people making blow my mind!

I agree with Annie that layering up some blue, green and purple tulle on a black base might be your best bet if you don't want to try dying or painting the fabric.

For custom printing you could try Spoonflower, they have a section on recommended fabrics for costumes and cosplay with some already printed but you can add your own. I've never used it before myself but have heard good things

· 3 weeks ago
AnnieRose's avatar
AnnieRose

A useful fabric for your cloak might be fleece. You can buy quite thin versions fairly cheaply, and it doesn't need hemming (I made a Paddington duffel coat very quickly using this)

· 3 weeks ago
Molly K's avatar
Molly K

honestly i'm so paranoid about fraying that i would probably finish the edges on fleece anyway haha i am fighting entropy stitch by stitch

· 3 weeks ago

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