Regan Cerato - Fabulous Cosplay Footwear: Create Easy Boot Covers, Shoes & Tights for Any Costume

PUBLISHER: Amy Barrett-Daffin

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Gailen Runge

ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: Roxane Cerda

MANAGING EDITOR: Liz Aneloski

EDITOR: Beth Baumgartel

TECHNICAL EDITOR: Helen Frost

COVER/BOOK DESIGNER: April Mostek

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Zinnia Heinzmann

PRODUCTION EDITOR: Jennifer Warren

ILLUSTRATOR: Mary E. Flynn

PHOTO ASSISTANT: Lauren Herberg

MODELS: 16bitsami, Coffee Cat Cosplay, Giorgia Costumes, Ivorivet, and Sarcasm Him

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY by Charles Lan Photography

INSTRUCTIONAL AND SUBJECTS PHOTOGRAPHY by Regan Cerato and Kelley Kullman, unless otherwise noted

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY copyright 2021 by Alexandra Lee Studios, Amie Photos, Charles Lan Photography, Katya Perin Photography, Para Para Productions, Sam Saturn, Sinizstersnaps, Two Frame Studios, and The World of Gwendana

GRAPHIC ELEMENTS PROVIDED BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM: Jenn Huls Artefficient

Published by FanPowered Press, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

dedication

With special thanks to the people who made this book possible: Sam, Theresa, Giorgia, Cat, Sami, Emilia, Kacie, Kyle, and Amie.

And, of course, forever love to our Cow Clan familywell see you all at a convention soon!

COSPLAYER: Cowbutt Crunchies Cosplay

COSTUMES: Princess Bubblegum and Marceline from Adventure Time (an original cosplay design)

COSPLAYER: Sarcasm Him

COSTUME: Sewing Machine from Sakizo Art Book

INTROduction

Where am I going to get knee-high high-heeled boots in pink glitter zebra print with gold trim?

If youve ever asked yourself a question like this, you just might be a cosplayer! Cosplay is the art of dressing up as your favorite fictional character, and it is a growing hobby for people all over the world. Cosplayers set out to recreate characters from games, movies, TV, and more; however, bringing those characters to life might be trickier than you think! It takes creativity and patience to transform fantastical, one-of-a-kind designs into a head-to-toe cosplay, and sometimes that journey ends with

Nobody sells shoes with giant bat wings and pink bows. I guess Ill just wear something close enough.

Footwear is often a struggle for cosplayers. While many learn to manipulate fabric and foam to perfectly recreate clothing that represents their favorite over-the-top, elaborate characters, making shoes remains a far frontier for all but a handful. Real shoemaking requires special tools and can be expensive and time consuming. So, for many cosplayers, whatever they can find thats close enough becomes good enough.

Not anymore! This book breaks down ways to customize and create custom foot and legwear for a flawless finish to your costume. Follow along with veteran cosplayers Cowbutt Crunchies as we demonstrate how to make every type of leg covering a cosplayer could ask for, from removable boot covers to custom tights to thigh highs that dont roll down! Complete with two patterns, this handbook is sure to put some pep in your step!

COSPLAYER: Cowbutt Crunchies Cosplay

COSTUME: Button Knight (an original cosplay design)

HOW TO USE this BOOK

We suggest reading this book from beginning to end before getting started. Like many cosplay skills, footwear-making techniques build on each other. Looking through each chapter could provide ideas, tips, and tricks that will work for any costume.

COSPLAYER: 16bitsami

COSTUME: She-Ra from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

This book includes:

TWO PATTERNS FOR BOOT COVERS AND ILLUSION SHORTS, given in a reduced size for enlarging, as a tinyurl to download and print, or with a QR code.

THE TOOLS AND MATERIALS CHAPTER, which provides a comprehensive list of everything you need to assemble your project materials.

PROJECT CHAPTERS, which provide step-by-step instructions with photos to help you create your fabulous, fantastical, fandom footwear! Instructions are provided for modifying shoes and boots with paints and embellishments, making boot covers, customizing tights, and making illusionary thigh highs.

GENERAL SEWING INSTRUCTIONS

preparing the patterns

The two patterns are given in a reduced size on the book pages for enlarging, as a tinyurl to download and print, and with a QR code (see ).

Use the patterns as master copies by placing a piece of tracing or tissue paper over the pattern and carefully tracing your desired size. This copy can be modified as needed, it is easier to pin through, and it allows you to reuse the masters over and over.

preparing the fabric

Prewash your fabric before cutting. Most stretch fabrics should be washed in cold water and machine dried on low heat.

sewing stretch fabric

THE STITCH: Most cosplay footwear, except for the shoes and boots, is made of stretch fabric, which should be sewn with a stretch stitch.

We suggest using the zigzag stitch wherever a stretch stitch is called for. In general, the wider the zigzag, the more the item can stretch. Typically, the default zigzag stitch setting on your sewing machine can be used unless the instructions call for a wide zigzag.

A default machine zigzag; a wide machine zigzag for extra stretch

THE NEEDLE: Use a stretch or jersey needle, designed specifically for sewing stretch fabrics. A regular universal needle can lead to skipped stitches and tension issues.

THE PINS: Use plenty of pins! Layers of stretch fabric can be tricky to keep pinned. Look for ball-point pins for best results.

SEWING: Be careful to feed the fabric evenly so it doesnt stretch out of shape. If you find your fabric is stretching as you sew, place a piece of tissue paper between the fabric and the machine. Simply tear the tissue paper away after you finish sewing the seam.

base SHOES

CHOOSING SHOES and BOOTS

The first step to choosing the perfect shoe or boot is to consult your characters reference images. Ignore the color of the shoe and instead focus solely on the silhouette and shape. Is your character wearing a recognizable type of shoe such as a boot or a sneaker? Is it chunky or lightweight? Does it have a high or low heel? These can be great starting points, but dont feel obligated to follow the reference images exactly if you prefer a shoe thats easier to wearyour comfort is more important than complete accuracy.

Once you have a general idea of what you need, its time to hunt for a close match. Local discount shoe stores and online retailers are a great place to start, and even cheaper footwear can be found at second-hand stores or on auction sites such as eBay. Try on your shoes before modifying them or making covers, because you never want to sacrifice comfort for cosplay accuracy. Convention days are long, and comfortable feet are happy feet!