Cosplay US 01612

ARMOR PATTERNING with Arda Wigs

TEXT BY KYLE MATHIS

Armor costumes have grown in popularity exponentially over the past few years. Much of this has been attributed to the growing availability of higher quality thermal plastics and foams for armor and prop construction. As more people take interest in this creative hobby, the need for instruction has grown as well. So how does one begin making armor? Unlike regular clothing, fantasy armors have very different structures, and require their own unique guidelines to create them. Today we will delve into the process of patterning out armor for costumes. Patterning is the foundation for any outfit, whether it be cloth, plastic, leather, metal, or otherwise. To create a pattern based on an existing design, look for as many reference pictures as possible. It could be concept art, fanart, screenshots, etc. If someone else has already tackled the costume, you might draw inspiration from them as well. Full body shots for the front, sides, and back are excellent, but it’s also a good idea to obtain references for unique angles and fine details. Be aware of any inconsistencies that may occur between different types of references. For example, a concept sketch for a video game armor may have different details or proportions than the 3D render finalized in the game. This tends to be a blessing rather than a curse, as it offers more freedom to choose what you like and don’t like between your references. Take note of these inconsistencies so they don’t potentially throw you off course later. As you work on the project, you can figure out which references are most helpful to hold onto if things get overwhelming. But it’s safer to start with more than you might need.

TO MAKE A PATTERN, YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

• Glad Press’n Seal, or a plastic wrap of some kind: This is to wrap around parts of your body to create an initial patterning shape. • Paper: I prefer large pieces; Home Depot carries large rolls of brown builder’s paper. • Pencils and erasers: You will probably be making adjustments to your pattern sketches, so pencils with erasers are ideal. • Rulers and straight edges: I recommend investing in a larger ruler and/or T-square from Home Depot to help with longer lines. Curved and shaped rulers can also be beneficial if you aren’t as skilled with organic lines. • Scissors: Cheap scissors are fine, though more industrial scissors will be easier to use for thicker materials. Designate these scissors as exclusive to your crafting materials. Do not use them for cutting fabric or wigs. • Masking tape: Use to connect pattern pieces together as you test them out. • Camera: This is optional, but documenting your work as you go will help retrace your steps in later projects. Sharing your progress on social media is also an opportunity to gain support and energy from your friends and fellow costumers. • You will also need a decent table or floor space to work on. This may seem like common sense, but finding the right space for a project can sometimes be difficult. Give yourself enough room to spread out and get potentially messy.

COSPLAYCULTURE 53