Cosplay Safety - Planning

This Article is part of the
Cosplay Safety Project

Arguably the most important step in creating a costume, not just in terms of safety, is the planning stage. Here is where you decide how you are going to construct the garment(s) and accessories that will make up the costume, and what (if any) changes need to be made to the design. Now, in a culture where degree of detail and accuracy is so highly praised departing in any way from the original source material may seem counter-intuitive, but it is actually quite common and accepted – when done well and for the right reasons. Two dimensional drawings don't have to adhere to the laws of physics like a three dimensional garment or prop does. Furthermore, not all of us have the same body type as the characters we choose to portray, especially if said character is not human. Really though, there can be any number of right reasons to take “creative license” when creating a fan costume, any of which will be more or less accepted by the greater community. The point is, it's you're costume and you should be able to make it however you please (though I personally argue you should always have a distinct reason for making a change...but I'm getting off topic).

Sometimes design changes must be made for a matter of logistical safety. Most often these are cases of very large aspects that would be difficult to handle at full scale. For example, were someone to create a full scale replica of, say, Sephiroth's wing it would first take a great deal of strength to balance, second not likely fit through doorways, and third cause a hazard for those walking around nearby. That is not to say seeing a full scale wing wouldn't be impressive, but we need to remember that convention halls are not a controlled environment. We have no idea what will be going on around us or how crowded the space will be, though I usually assume the worst case scenario of hyperactive teenagers running around in a densely packed crowd. If you are really dead set on creating a full scale replica of something large, I would suggest using it in a private photoshoot somewhere other than a convention where you have more control of the surroundings, and if you wish to wear the costume at a con simply make a smaller version of the large part that will be easier to manage.

Another area you want to look at, besides large parts of your costume, are the shoes. Some of the more intricate or ornate footwear found in cosplay source material is incredibly impractical. Remember that anything worn on your feet will need to bear not only your weight but that of your costume as well. Take care with any sort of platforms or high heals that the weight is distributed such that you can balance well, or you could run the risk of twisting or even breaking your ankle. You also want to avoid anything that will cause serious blisters, or else add padding to limit irritation. Don't forget to include comfortable soles if at all possible, as this will help against fatigue if you are on your feet the whole day as many of us are apt to be at conventions.

Equally as important as any design choices is your choice of materials. This will be partially informed by the source art, but you also need to consider the environment you will be wearing the costume in and what effect it's comprising materials will have on your body. For things like armor or prop weapons you should should choose based on weight and durability, finding the lightest material you can possibly go with without hindering structural stability. After all, what's the point in having a replica of InuYasha's Tetsusaiga if you can't even lift it? Just remember that any materials layered atop each other in large quantities will increase in weight; consider making things hollow if possible.

You also need to take local temperature into consideration. This comes into play both in terms of what costumes to bring to which events, as well as what materials to make any new costumes of if you have a specific event in mind to debut them at. If you are wearing a costume at, say, Otakon, which is held in Baltimore, MD in the middle of summer, you probably don't want to wear anything made of heavy wool or non-breathable pleather or anything else that will insulate your body heat. Contrastingly, at Katsucon in Washington, DC in February (often nicknamed Katsnocon in the occurrence of snowstorms) you probably wouldn't be too comfortable in a bathing suit or silk dress. Granted most convention venues usually have good temperature control, but you don't always have the luxury of staying inside, particularly when it comes to finding the best photo backdrops.

Once you know what you want your finished product to look like, and what materials you will be using, you need to figure out what methods and tools you will use to put your costume together. There are countless options that differ more or less depending on what materials you use – far more than I can go through here. Whatever you choose to do, however, be sure to research anything new to you and make sure you follow any suggested safety guidelines.

Cosplay Safety - Your Work Space

Your work space is the foundation for creating your costumes. Keeping things safe and organized will not only save you from potential harm, but will also make your life as a costumer much easier as well! Depending on the space available to you will dictate how exactly you organize your tools and supplies, but there are a few common points you should follow no matter whether you have a permanent sewing room or need to take over your dining room table for a few weeks before each convention.

First, where will you be working? The logistics of your living space will dictate a lot. For most projects you will at least need a place for your sewing machine, a large flat area to lay out and cut your fabric, and someplace to put an ironing board. I keep a table in my office/spare bedroom for my sewing machine and place a cardboard pattern-cutting board on my bed for cutting, and keep my ironing board by the wall so it's not in the way. I've just as easily, however, used a dining room table as a temporary space for my machines and a (non-carpeted) floor to cut, and unfortunately I don't always have the luxury of keeping my ironing board out if I can't keep it out of the way. If you don't live by yourself make sure you check with your roommate(s) or parents before taking over any area for your sewing.

If logistics allow it is important to consider the height of the table(s) and chairs you will be using. If you have the luxury of making your own cutting table make sure it is tall enough for you to work on without bending over too much. Similarly choose a chair that matches the table for your sewing machine well and which has good back support. Keeping these things in mind will help avoid back pain.

Second, and equally important, is where you will be storing your supplies. I like to use a series of tote bins and tool boxes. It's important to keep things within boxes organized, though; for example pins and needles can't just be loose or you might turn your hand into a pincushion every time you reach into your tool box! Pins and needles usually come in little plastic boxes; it's not a bad idea to store them that way. If you have a flat surface or tray to keep it on, you can also use a pincushion or pin magnet. Needles tend to get lost in pincushions, so I like to store them in a scrap of paper or fabric or with a thread through the end. Similarly dangerous can be scissors. If your scissors are loose enough that they'll fall open when not in use, get a screw driver and tighten them (but no so much you can't use them!) or better yet get a sleeve to hold them closed. Take similar precautions for any and all sharp or pointy objects in your sewing kit. Beyond that, the most important thing about your organization system is to figure out something that works for and makes sense to you.

Once you start to sew there are a few standard tips to remember when working with your sewing machine. Read the manual for your particular machine so you know how to properly thread it, wind the bobbin, and set the tension. When pinning garments together before sewing line up the pins horizontally along the edge. This way when you run the garment through your sewing machine your pins are easier to remove, and if you miss one there is less chance it will be hit by the needle. It is safest to avoid running pins under your needle, though, as they can break or damage your needle. If you notice your pins or needles (hand or machine) are looking dull or nicked replace them – a dull needle can more easily break or damage fabric by creating pulls.

Both during and after sewing you need to remember to keep your machine(s) and space clean. Clutter can trip you up, hide sharp objects, and cause you to loose track of things you may need, which is both unsafe and annoying! If a needle of pin falls on the floor ALWAYS attempt to find it so that no one steps on it (speaking of which, it's a good idea to wear shoes whenever in your sewing space). Vacuum or sweep regularly to keep lint, thread, and fabric scraps under control – this is especially important if you have a rolling chair as such debris can clog up the wheels. You should also learn how to properly clean your sewing machine(s), especially if you have a serger as these can get clogged with lint very quickly. If something seems to not be working properly in a sewing machine don't hesitate to take it to a specialist who services and repairs sewing machines. Sewing machines do need to be serviced every now and then to keep them in working order. Sergers and embroidery machines tend to need more frequent tuning than regular straight-stitching machines.

Finally, as with any aspect of safety, always use your common sense. If something doesn't seem right, then take the proper precautions and always spend the time to plan things out and leave enough time that you don't have to rush. Sloppiness causes carelessness which can be dangerous. A little forethought may seem like a waste of time at the start, but in the long run it will save you time and make whatever you're doing come out better, as well as keep you safer.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions to improve this article please don't hesitate to contact me!

Cosplay Safety Index

This post will be edited as I work on and develop my Cosplay Safety panel and article series. Listed here will be all topics I have or plan to cover, and applicable corresponding links to articles. Articles will cover more topics and go into much more detail than the panel.

Part One: Costume Construction

Your Work Space

General Tool Tips

Hot Tool Tips

Hair & Wigs

Make-Up

Cosmetic Lenses

Part Two: Attending Conventions

Your Valuables

Prop Handling

Size Matters

Food & Hydration

Hygine

Personal Safety