When you start making cosplays, it's clear that you'll need fabric at some point. But maybe the real question is what fabrics you should use. I used to not know where to get cosplay fabric, but that was a long time ago. After a lot of experimenting and trying out new materials over many years, I came up with this list of my Best Cosplay.
A quick trip to help you figure out fabric
Fabric terms can be hard to understand. Keep in mind that when we call a fabric by its name, we are often talking about some of its qualities. Some of the most common ways to classify them are by the type of fibre used and the way they are woven or knit. They can also say what they are for, how much they weigh, or what design they have.
When we talk about cotton poplin, for example, we know that the fibre or material is cotton and that the way the fibres are woven together is called poplin. On the other hand, cotton jerseys would be made with cotton fibres, but they would be knitted using a jersey stitch.
Cosplay fabrics and the best ways to use them
Here is a list of my favourite fabrics. Once you get to know your materials better, you may find that you like to use different ones. There are many more that I didn't list, so I suggest you go to a store near you and try out all of these fabrics for yourself. Also, I gave you some options for each fabric that might give you the same results, but I probably wouldn't choose them first. The choice you make will depend on the project and how you like to work. These are the fabrics I like to use for cosplay the most.
1. Poplin for thin clothes
Cotton poplin is one of the Cosplay fabrics that can be used in a lot of different ways. It is easy to sew and handle because it has a flat surface, and it doesn't cost too much. When you think of cotton fabric, poplin is likely the first thing that comes to mind. This fabric is tightly woven, and most shirts and some skirts and dresses are made from it.
You can get poly cotton fabrics if you don't want to use cotton. These are made of a mix of cotton and polyester and can be a lot less expensive. Cotton or poly cotton fabrics are usually called shirting material or sheeting material, with the latter being of lower quality.
Linen and fabrics that look like linen are an alternative to poplin. Linen and fabrics that look like linen are made from the flax plant and have their own type of weave. Linen is a very light fabric that isn't woven as tightly as poplin. It looks more old-fashioned and works well for mediaeval and fantasy clothes. But I find it harder to work with and it tends to fray and twist much more.
2. Twill for a little bit of shape
Twill is a type of weave that looks like little arrows when viewed from the side. It is a strong fabric that is fairly thick and drapes well. It's very easy to sew the light and medium versions. It works well for uniforms, coats, and jackets.
You might know about chino, denim, or gabardine. All of these are made of twill fabrics. What changes in the thickness, how the materials are used, and how they are worked with? When you make your next garment, you might want to do a little more research as there are many options.
If you want a warm jacket, coat, or cloak, you might choose tweed. This rough, thick, and very warm twill fabric is made from wool. It can be hard to sew, so be careful. Also, it can change shape as you work with it.
3. Wear satin to a ball
Satin is usually made of silk or polyester, and one of its features is that one side is shiny and the other side is dull. It can be very cheap, but I find that cheap, low-quality satin gives cosplay a carnival-like look. Satin looks best on dresses and other formal clothes. In a pinch, you can even use the "wrong side" of the fabric to get a different texture. Most of the time, sewing is easy, but if your needle isn't sharp, you might pull some threads out of the fabric.
Sateen is a woven cotton fabric that is similar to satin, but it tends to be less shiny and less slippery than satin. It makes dresses that are sturdier and more beautiful.
If you want a shiny fabric with more structure than satin, you could also use taffeta, which is what I used to make Mulan's coat. This fabric is very crisp and has a plain weave.
4. Chiffon for clothes that can be seen through
There are a lot of light fabrics, but my favourite is chiffon fabric. It is very thin and see-through. It moves a lot and looks great as an extra layer on top of other fabrics. But it is hard to work with, and it won't work if you need to make a structured garment. The georgette is a fabric that is a little bit thicker and less see-through.
For a crisp alternative, you can use organza. It looks great on see-through bows and puffy, see-through sleeves. Also, it usually has a lot more shine than chiffon.
Don't forget to use a tulle, which looks like a net and is very cheap. It can be used to add volume and make petticoats.
5. Velvet for royalty and magic
Velvet is a very aristocratic material. I like to use it in some of my cosplays to make a difference and add texture. I really like that it has Spandex in it, which makes it stretchy.
Instead of velvet, you can buy cheaper crushed velvet. But it is very slippery and harder to control. Most of the time, the edges roll and curl.
Don't forget that you can make plush toys out of velour and fleece. They both feel soft, but they probably wouldn't work for many clothes.
6. Superheroes should wear spandex
It is a broad term for fabrics made with this very stretchy man-made fibre, which is also called lycra or elastane. It usually has a plain weave and can stretch in two or four directions. It is the most common material for bodysuits. This fabric is very hard to sew, but any superhero cosplay needs it. If you want to sew a bodysuit, you must have it.
Neoprene or scuba is made by mixing spandex with other fibres like cotton or polyester. Don't worry, it doesn't look like scuba diving suit material.
Knits, like jersey or ribbed knits, are another type of Stretchy fabric. But I don't really like these because they are hard to sew and come apart easily. They make great materials for T-shirts and sweaters, but most of the time it is easier and cheaper to buy these kinds of clothes.
7. Leatherette for your inner warrior
This fabric is perfect for animal lovers who don't want to use real leather. There are different kinds. I would be careful not to choose upholstery fabrics that are too thick because they are hard to sew and don't make good clothes.
Suede is another kind of fuzzy leather, and you can use fake suede instead. Suedette is an even cheaper alternative, but it tends to be thinner and can't hold its shape on its own.
Again, if you are against animals, remember that you can get fake fur. The more expensive deluxe fur is a game changer and does look like the real thing.
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