Craft Blog: Updating and Upgrading Old Cosplays

This is a bit different than the usual craft blog. I wanted to talk about how and why I re-make or update older cosplays.

Why Update?

I'll often update a cosplay if I a) love the character and b) feel that I could improve the costume significantly. I've updated most of my Final Fantasy cosplays because I love FF to death and really want to do the characters justice. Many updates I've done really show my growth and improvement as a cosplayer too, which is important to me.

Another reason is money. Its much cheaper to update an older cosplay than build one from scratch.

Modify/Improve Existing Parts

First things first, I look at what I could keep on the cosplay, or what I needed to change very little of. 

For Rinoa I kept the undershirt, the same wig, and the Shooting Star. Those three things needed very minor adjustments. The wig was just re-cut and styled. I also added a few more streaks. The weapon got a new base and buckles so it clips to my arm.

For Selphie, I kept the boots and Nunchaku. The boots were just weathered, and the nunchaku got more details and a new chain.

The rest of the parts I either threw out completely or used them for patterns.

Re-Purposing Costume Parts

Instead of making new patterns for your update, just use your old ones. I did this for Rinoa's duster and arm warmers. The only changes I made were to add only dart seams at my waist on the duster (so that there are no seams seen on the underside of the duster) and I doubled layered my new arm warmers. 

I also did this for Selphie's dress. I cut out the dress panels, making them longer on both the top and bottom. I also used a stretch fabric for her new dress, instead of the cotton non-stretch I used before. Using the old dress as a guide I sewed up my new one, even doing similar seams.

Making Brand New

Anything that was too poorly made or just looked wrong period is usually trashed.

I threw out my old Rinoa arm ribbon and shorts, and made new ones (although my shorts need another revision.. they are a little too tight and I don't like the bias tape zipper).

Selphie's wig was all wrong, so I used my old Shanalotte wig and styled it. At first I couldn't get the flip quite right. I ended up leaving it and trying again the next day. I teased the areas I wanted to flip out and used tones of hairspray and heat to shape the flips.

They sort of stay in place, but this is a wig that I have to really style before each wear.

I also redid her blue ribbon armband.

More of my Cosplay Re-Makes here:

Photo on the left: Undiscovered Photography

Photo on the Left: Unknown

Photo on the Right: Eurobeat Kasumi Photography 

Both Photos: David Ngo 

Photo on the Left: Mike Wu Photography

Photo on the Left: The Will Box