Prop and armour making - good idea or bad idea?

So... With my decision (literally during my first viewing of the film) to cosplay as Astrid, I had to decide if I was going to have an axe.  Apart from a rather epic giant spanner when at an 80s cartoon fancy dress party (Gadget from Rescue Rangers ftw) I have never really had a prop of any sort; it's all been about the outfit in my previous cosplays.

To be honest, the reason I liked Astrid, apart from my love of the character, is that her outfit allows me to practice other skills... Armour, leather(ette) and props... Without it being the ENTIRE costume.

When I initially started thinking about 'branching out' into more than just sewing I went where every good person goes when wanting to learn something... THE INTERNETS!  I've been inspired by so many different cosplayers and photographers but the main person I have been most inspired by when thinking about armour and props is of course the wonderful Kamui. 

Seriously, who doesn't think that her Protoss Wizard is incredible?! I have downloaded both her ebooks and would definitely recommend them! Looking forward to the prop book when it comes out to complete my collection.

Obviously I'm not going to run before I can walk, though I do occasionally bite off a bit more than I can chew, hence deciding on a little bit of armour and a 'simple' prop.

So after some fairly extensive research... When I say extensive, I mean... reading the ebook, watching a few videos and saying to myself "Yeah! I CAN DO THIS!" I finally took the plunge into making my first bit of armour and my first prop!

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This post is the first in a series about me attempting to make some cosplay armour and a prop weapon.

Astrid Progress 2

I've been really getting on with Astrid this week.  Not as much as I would like to because of gardening and worrying and all that usual stuff building up when what you ought to be doing is fun, mind healing things.

Like making axes and the like.

Pictures 1. Armour patterning 2. Skulls drying on the windowsill 3. Axe sketching and enlarging 4. Axe waiting for a layer of expandable foam :)

Astrid Progress 1

I only saw How to Train Your Dragon a few weeks ago after being introduced to it by a friend. Choosing to watch it was the BEST decision - I loved it.  Such a cute movie, great animation and like hello... dragons!

As soon as I saw it, I loved Astrid, strong and cute but also, obviously, gets a great guy (boy really!).  I had to cosplay as her.  Cue the usual Pinterest planning.

Follow Lauren's board Astrid Cosplay on Pinterest.

Then... Disaster struck and I started getting excited about HTTYD2.  I much prefer her outfit in the sequel, particularly the extra fur and updated colours.  So I started having a scribble and working a few things out.

After a searching around the town centre for some suitable pleather (and failing) I thought about upholstery fabric; I managed to find some perfect stuff in Dunelm Mill.  I spent an evening cutting strips and distressing them with sandpaper and black acrylic paint... Lots of fun.

And then today.... Stretch fabric! Slightly scary, but actually after cutting a rough vest shape and then pinning it around my dress form, I now have a pretty good base for Astrid's top.

I can't believe how much fun I am having at the moment with sewing and costuming, especially making something from nothing.  Just wish I had an overlocker... One day.