Flip my cosplay!

Hi, I'm the Menma cosplayer that submitted a while ago and just wanted to say sorry! I'm assuming because mine didn't get a critique it didn't need one? I wasn't looking for an ego boost, I'm just a super beginner cosplayer and I was lurking forums full of elitist cosplayers so I was paranoid about looking bad! But anyway, thanks for this blog and if I make a cosplay that could REALLY use a critique, I'll send it to ya. =)

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:13:49 -0400

I don’t remember this one specifically. But we must not have thought there was much else to do with it. In the future we’ll make sure to reply to everyone even if it’s to say, “Good job, you don’t need us!” :3

-Doctor

Thank you so much for your clarification!

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:58:03 -0400

No problem!
Remember guys, you can submit any time you want regardless of activity! If we didn’t want to do this anymore we’d simply delete the blog.
-Doctor

Not to be rude, but are you guys still active?

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:49:20 -0400

Not rude at all, m’dear! Just a complete lack of flippable submissions. We’re not here as an ego boost, we’re here to give real cohesive help for noticeable improvement. We got submissions that we really see no problem with, so there’s no reason to post them. That and we’ve only gotten like five submissions ever.
-Doctor

Hi, I was just wondering if you guys recieved a cosplay of Menma to be critiqued? I'm not trying to rush you to critique it but I wanted to make sure you got it. =) (anon b/c i dont have a tumblr)

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:10:16 -0400

We did! Doctor is at a convention right now though, so we’re going to be a bit slow in getting to it, as we go over the costumes together to make sure we don’t miss anything. (:

- Sasha

Here we have dreamydemon with an original version of Dark...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:57:59 -0400

Here we have dreamydemon with an original version of Dark Link!

Overall, it looks like the costume itself is well-made and fits your body properly (as far as tunics go!) This is great, since that’s a huge thing you don’t have to worry about.

The first thing we noticed, though, was your shield. It appears as though you’ve created a version of the Mirror Shield. If that’s accurate, then perhaps painting it in such a way to make it actually shiny would add a LOT to the prop, since the mirror shield is meant to be reflective.

On the topic of the shield, the black border is sort of sticking out, since it looks to be made up of individual pieces, instead of looking like one solid piece like it’s meant to. If you don’t want to scrap it completely (which you shouldn’t have to, since overall the construction is very nice), I’d recommend filling in the cracks with something (like paperclay or plaster or something of the like), sanding it down smooth, and then painting over it so it has a more unified feel to it.

The only other thing we noticed were your boots. While those boots are the correct color, the style and material are not accurate to the time period the games reflect. We highly recommend replacing them with something more fitting of the character. If you’re unable to find a pair that look correct, you can always get a cheap pair of shoes from the thrift store and make your own covers for them.

Good luck with your renovation and future cosplays!

- Sasha

Just saying, I'm planning on submitting my cosplay for a critique! It's my first self made one and I should be finished by next week. Please don't give up on this blog, I like you guys. :)

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:22:10 -0400

Thanks for the heads up, we were getting worried that we had fifty lookie-loos!
-Doctor

I plan on it. I'm just not sure what you need. Do you need a picture of the character or can you find that? Are you going to account for budget and skill level?

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:58:00 -0400

We can usually locate images of characters, but it would certainly help us out if you include it yourself.
As for skill, that’s more of something you have to judge for yourself. Recognize what you are capable of yourself. If your dream cosplay is too tough for you, try more simple things as you improve your skills and build up the skills needed for that epic costume.
As for budget. Well. Cosplay is an expensive hobby. There’s only so many corners you can cut before you have to use quality materials. Little things add up fast. So I can’t always help you in that department. Just know your limitations before getting into things.
-Doctor

Hello again.

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:53:01 -0400

Just wondering if anyone is planning to submit in the future, or even just have singular items they’d like a critique on. We do props too!
Please don’t be shy.

-Doctor

Hey guys!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:22:34 -0500

As a note, when you guys submit a cosplay, you can choose to be anonymous, just let us know!
We understand the embarrassment you might be feeling and will respect that by omitting your name. We can even censor out your face if you haven’t yourself.
So please don’t be afraid to submit. Seriously, just let us know if you’d like to be anonymous.
We’re here to help!
-Doctor

Today we have zanreosauce as Ika Musume.Let’s start at the...

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:05 -0500

Today we have zanreosauce as Ika Musume.
Let’s start at the top. First, I can’t even see the hat, I’ll assume you’re satisfied with it, so let’s move onto the wig. I agree, it can stand to be filled out more. Other than that, it looks great from here.
Now onto the dress. Always tailor whatever you’re wearing to flatter your body. It doesn’t matter what shape or size anyone is, if you tailor a garment to flatter your body type you will look fab. Bending some aspects (within reason) of a costume to benefit you is always the best option.
Your dress here doesn’t seem to be bad, it just isn’t your size. Always measure whatever you can to ensure that your garment will fit you in the end.
The details along the bottom can stand to be more bold. As I mentioned in our last post, go bold. The detail you have here is a little too shy, bump it up a notch.
And for the boots. Well, I’m an advocate for diving around the thrift store for something very similar to your needs and altering from there. Having dedicated shoes for a particular costume can be very useful. If you can’t find something similar to what you need, at least find the shape. You can at least make a new facade for them. It’s a little tricky and takes a lot of trial and error, but if you study from examples, it shouldn’t take too long. Study the shapes of panels on shoes and where the seams fall. Don’t be afraid to make the whole thing with a glue gun if you have to, it might make learning less frustrating.
When making a permanent shoe cover (Or any shoe cover, I suppose). The shape comes from the cover, you can’t just drape fabric over them and expect it to look like a shoe. Tailor that material into a shape that’s streamlined and lays upon the shoe like a glove.
When I look for a shoe to revamp, I look for a decent shape and a sole similar to what I want. Never cover the sole, just find something similar. It will look cleaner when you line up and glue the new cover on. Plus you won’t slip when running around the con. Nothing beats a real shoe sole.
If anyone else has tips on this, please feel free to mention them. I’ve only attempted shoes a couple of times myself, so even I am still learning. We’re always learning after all.
I hope this helped, good luck in your adjustments!
-Doctor

First up, we have kirsakarasu with a gender bent Soul!...

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:05:00 -0500

First up, we have kirsakarasu with a gender bent Soul! -clapclapclap-
First I notice the application of the pockets and emblem. There’s two ways I would go about fixing this.

For the pockets, I suggest studying some jackets you might have laying around already, this would be more helpful in learning the construction than looking at images on google. Whether they’re real pockets or not, it’s generally the same fix. The strip of material needs to be larger so you can fold over all the edges under the piece.
For the emblem however, folding over would be much more difficult as it is entirely round. I suggest either making a new emblem out of felt and stitching around the edges to close it off. Felt won’t fray as this material did. If you chose to reuse the existing emblem, it would take a lot more time and tedious stitches to seal up the edges, it has to be TIGHT. Felt is more forgiving.
AS for the construction, the most obvious thing I notice is that Soul has buttons rather than a zipper. Rather than ripping apart your work, you can try to attach a faux button strip to hide the zipper. This would be the easiest option. To make it into an actual button up might take more work than just making a simple coverup.
The collar looks to be a folded over stretchy athletic trim. To cut corners, you can just make this out of the same materials you have been using. Just study anything with a collar to figure out the shapes you need to cut out for it. Learning by example is the best way to learn.
Stemming from the collar though process, let’s talk about those black bands. A single stitch around the hem just won’t cut it in this design. You need to make black strips and attach them accordingly. Be bold.

Always always study your character designs thoroughly and think about every detail individually. Skimming over things will leave you with much to be desired in the finished product. If you don’t know how to do something in particular, find something you can study from. Don’t be afraid to google sewing tutorials for specific design elements And please don’t be afraid to send an ask to Cosplay Help.

Send us more submissions, don’t be shy. We won’t bite!
-Doctor

BRING ON THE INQUIRIES.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:28:00 -0500

BRING ON THE INQUIRIES.

Oh gosh tumblr is eating asks!

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:14:20 -0500

To the person that asked, thank you for the offer to help, but with how small we are, we’re fine for now!

If it becomes overwhelming, we might put out a word, and if the time comes for that, you’re more than welcome to apply. c:

Though I think we might stick with people we trust! Doctor and I are a little paranoid about that sort of thing.

- Sasha

Hey.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:08:00 -0500

This is the Doctor. No not THE doctor, I’m just a raptor.
I observe and analyze through the wondrous tubes of the inter-butts.

I twiddle my raptor claws in ponderation; calculating errors and engineering of sewing and the fine practice of arts n’ crafts.
I’m here to help YOU, the cosplayer, learn and grow and become better.
Lay upon me your frustrations through examples and you shall receive.
My brain allows me to be quite skilled in tailoring and crafting. So if you’ve got an issue with clothes or props, I’m your raptor.

So, HELLO. Let’s be friends and make the world of cosplay a happier place.

-Doctor

Hi there!

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:54:00 -0500

I am Sasha, one of the admins here.

Welcome to Flip My Cosplay!

What is Flip My Cosplay you ask?

We are a costume critique blog.

Some of you might recognize me from GreatCosplay and Cosplay-Help.

Others don’t know who the hell I am, and that’s okay too.

Now, I could tell you about myself, or I can let you guys ask questions to get to know us better, while also submitting your cosplay for a critique.

Just remember, don’t ask if you can’t handle it!

Ask if you want to improve!

WELCOME TO ZEE BLOG.

- Sasha