Articles

Here on Cosplay Island as we're hoping to bring you the best, most interesting and useful coverage of the UK cosplay scene. If we don't quite manage that we'll probably at least manage a passable approximation.

So here in the articles section we've got written and video reports of all the recent major UK cosplay events. We've also got a selection of tutorials written by some fantastically skilled costume makers.

If you've learned something interesting while working on your latest masterpiece and would like to share it with the community or have some other cosplay related articles you're burning to write contact us and we'll be happy to consider your article for inclusion.

Latest Articles
Tutorials
Reports
Videos

15 Latest Articles

Included below are the 15 latest articles uploaded to the site. Use the tabs above to view the archives of specific article types.

Type	Title	Author	Added
Tutorial	Walkthrough - How to make skin tight gloves	KhaosKreator	14 weeks 6 days ago
Tutorial	Walkthrough – Build Your Own Vacuum Former	theKillingDoll	40 weeks 2 days ago
Tutorial	Guide - Essential Glue Review	Ilpala	1 year 44 weeks ago
Video	MinamiCon 17 2011	PerrinAshcroft	2 years 8 weeks ago
Report	European Cosplay Gathering - March 2011	sjbonnar	2 years 11 weeks ago
Report	Grand Cosplay Ball - November 2009	nert	2 years 45 weeks ago
Report	London MCM Expo - October 2009	nert	2 years 45 weeks ago
Tutorial	Walkthrough - Classic Tutu	Ranma1-2	2 years 45 weeks ago
Tutorial	Walkthrough - Boot Covers	Ranma1-2	2 years 46 weeks ago
Video	Grand International Cosplay Ball 2009	PerrinAshcroft	3 years 15 weeks ago
Tutorial	Walkthrough - Silk painting and Gradient Dying Video	Sands	3 years 21 weeks ago
Video	Aya Revolution Masquerade Intro	PerrinAshcroft	3 years 28 weeks ago
Video	Oxford Circus Crossing Openning	PerrinAshcroft	3 years 29 weeks ago
Report	Aya Revolution - August 2009	nert	3 years 30 weeks ago
Report	London MCM Expo - May 2009	nert	3 years 38 weeks ago

Tutorials

Walkthrough - How to make skin tight gloves

Tutorial by Tab Kimpton (KhaosKreator) posted Friday 8th February 2013

I hate gloves. Every costume maker does, they’re fiddily and a bad fitting glove will show up far more than a bad fitting jacket will.

Here’s how I make lycra gloves, with a helping hand from my friend- freezer paper!

How to make skin tight gloves (Hosted by Khaos Kostumes)

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Walkthrough – Build Your Own Vacuum Former

Tutorial by Dr Bish (theKillingDoll) posted Tuesday 14th August 2012

This is a brief outline of how to construct a cheap vacuum-forming machine and use it to vacform plastazote, the results of which can be seen in parts of my Priss Asagiri hardsuit.

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Guide - Essential Glue Review

Tutorial by James Funnell (Ilpala) posted Friday 15th July 2011

It’s pretty common to look on cosplay forums and see people asking basic questions about what glue to use for what. If you pop into a DIY store you will find a bewildering array of glues but really there’s only a few that you need in your cosplay toolbox and often they can be used for more than just sticking stuff together.

So here’s a rundown of your essential glues and what you should be using them for!

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Walkthrough - Classic Tutu

Tutorial by Stephen Pryce (Ranma1-2) posted Wednesday 7th July 2010

Quite a few people ask me how I made my tutu for Princess Kraehe and what pattern I used so I have made this tutorial to help anyone with the same questions.

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Walkthrough - Boot Covers

Tutorial by Stephen Pryce (Ranma1-2) posted Friday 2nd July 2010

As some people have asked me, here is a detailed walkthrough for how I made the thigh-high boot toppings on my Catwoman costume.

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Walkthrough - Silk painting and Gradient Dying Video

Tutorial by Laura Sindall (Sands) posted Tuesday 22nd December 2009

This was originally a hand written tutorial that was published in NeoMagazine. I decided to make this a video tutorial for those who may not have seen the original article. I'm sorry I don't have any videos of the dying process, but I hope this helps anyone who is looking to do gradient dying or silk painting.

I used this technique to create my obi ribbon for my Ayane costume from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

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Walkthrough - Steampunk Fascinator Hat

Tutorial by Louise Collis (GunstarVixen) posted Sunday 19th April 2009

I was recently asked how I made my fascinator hat for my Lady Gunstar costume, as they can be incredibly expensive to buy, and often come adorned with feathers etc, which as any steampunker will agree, just doesn’t work!! (most of the time anyway!)

This can be adapted to any size hat (potentially a full size hat, but I have to try that) the only limitations are your imagination (and well, your budget!) My version cost less than £5 – not including the watch parts.

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Walkthrough - Making a Headdress

Tutorial by Laura Sindall (Sands) posted Tuesday 9th December 2008

This is just a general tutorial on how I make the basic shape of my headdresses, with a few suggestions on how to make various accessories that may protrude from your headdress.

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Technique - Female to Male Crossplay

Tutorial by Annette Wilkinson (Odangochan) posted Thursday 12th June 2008

There are a number of things to consider when attempting an effective female-to-male crossplay. No matter how androgynous both you and the character you intend to cosplay may be, it is always important to make an effort if you wish to pull off a truly convincing crossplay. This tutorial will discuss a number of the things that should be taken into account to effectively masculinise yourself.

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Walkthrough - Budget Prop Making - Zabimaru

Tutorial by Pheebs Wouldn't you like to know my surname? (Odd-One-Out) posted Wednesday 11th June 2008

Hello all! I am sure that some of you do not have access to proper metal or wood tools, and that some of you simply don’t have the money to build props after an exhausting day at Fabric Warehouse. I enjoy constructing things out of cheap or even free materials such as cardboard and newspaper. Never underestimate the power of these materials!

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