With three and a half months remaining in 2013, I have yet to start on a single costume for 2014. I have compiled a lot of reference, but I have yet to compile a single piece of equipment or material. Why is that? It’s really quite simple.
Costuming is expensive as all get out.
The problem is, I can’t just choose an outfit that I can get items for from the thrift shop. Oh no, I have to decide that I need to make costumes like the X-Wing Pilot, which requires a modified replica of an APH-6B Flight helmet, modified flight suit, and about a half dozen other pieces. How about the Star Trek: Enterprise uniform? Sure, I have the basic cloth and pattern, but no sewing machine, or even sewing skill. Fallout Vault Dweller? I’m doing fine until we get to the Pip Boy. Mass Effect/N7 Armor? Don’t get me started. Every last bit of that needs to be built using methods that are foreign and unfamiliar to me.
Let’s break down the list of what I feel is the basic equipment that I need, right now, to get started on most of these items:
- Dremel. The most basic of any prop or costume builder’s tool kit.
- Hot Knife. Used for cutting foam. For the N7 project, there will be a LOT of foam cutting happening.
- Hot Glue Gun. Gotta get crafty, and cyanoacrylate eats through many of the building materials I’m looking to use. Also, see Glue Sticks.
- Respirator. Okay, seriously: Safety is important. I smoked for 15 years, and I don’t want to tear up my lungs any worse than they already are. A good respirator for dust and fumes is well worth the money, and savings in future health care costs.
- Safety Glasses. My eye sight is poor enough without me getting a shard of something thrown into my eyeball.
These are just a few, basic items, I need to get started. This isn’t even including any foam mats, detailing tools, sealing tools, paints, or anything like that. No actual building materials, just the stuff I need to build.
This is the part where I come to you, hat in hand, asking for help.
As I’m building this stuff, I want to put it up on YouTube, and on blog posts, and be able to answer questions and help out readers on completing their own stuff. However, without this equipment, I can’t even get started. So, I’m starting a GoFundMe campaign for Costume Initiative 2014. GoFundMe has a constant funding option, and a wish list, so I am thinking about going “I need this. Help?” and if I’m able to get the money/item, then post a video on YouTube grovelling and thanking those who helped make it possible. Once I get started, then I’ll be able to post more videos, and I’ll start specific sections for the specific costumes.
Am I expecting to raise one red cent doing this? Honestly, not really. However, I am getting desperate to get started, and this would help me get this off the ground.
If you feel like helping, awesome. If you are rolling your eyes, that’s cool too. Either way, know that I am rolling on this, somehow, and I hope that you’ll still follow me on this journey.
Thanks for sticking with me,
Tony
It’d be cool if folk could group together, pool resources, & share expensive equipment.
When I used to live in California, we would have “build days” at friends houses and garages where we would all work on projects, sharing resources and information, and just having good fellowship and conversation. I’ve occasionally heard of that happening out here with the 501st to help each other build armor, and with some of the prop makers, but not having a place to host something myself, I haven’t looked into it much.
If only we knew someone with a stupid big house and a husband who buys ALL the tools…
Wait…. what?
Yes, it’s MY blog, and if I want to leave something in the comment section that’s just the words “Wait…. what?” then I’m allowed!
Have you tried going to Club Cyberia? It’s the local makerspace. They have all.these tools and more available to their members.
I now have something to Google when I get to work. We have a makerspace? Sweet!
I totally agree with you, Tony. While I love Cosplaying, it is super expensive. My dress, hair and sword for GenCon cost almost $200. Granted, it’s my real hair and I love the color, it killed me to pay $80 for a dress like that.
Aye, if I think about the amount that I’ve dropped on equipment and supplies over the years, it is mind-boggling. Luckily, Shannon is going to be able to access our storage unit in the next few weeks, and she’s going to try to get some supplies shipped out here to Indiana! WOO HOO!