Trying to find a specific post in this pile of leaves? Search letting you down? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Here is the master list of the tutorials and advice posts I’ve written, sorted by categories.
You can also find tutorials sorted by budget and by skill level.
Looking for my panel presentations? You can find them here: Panel Presentations
Getting started
Sewing Machine 101
- Hand and foot positions for your sewing machine
- Start sewing with the straight stitch
- Mastering your sewing machine
Patterns 101
- How to read the pattern envelope
- Interpreting fabric requirements on a pattern envelope
- How to use the pattern piece guide in pattern instructions
Accents
Bits and bobs for decoration
- Adding gradients to tassels with alcohol markers
- Coin shapes made out of Worbla (and how to chain them)
- Dyeing plastic ornaments with food coloring
- Make your own tassels!
- Resin-free glitter gems
Accessories
Bring your cosplay to life with cool accessories
General techniques
Bags and pouches
Belts and waist
Gloves and armbands
Hair accessories
- Camilla’s crown (with pattern!)
- Decoupage mini crown
- Fabric-covered Chinese topknot ornament
- Large stiff hairbows
Jewelry
- Beaded garlands for jewelry
- Plastic tubing for jewelry and accessories
- Wrap-around ear cuffs with Worbla
Shoes and Legs
- Adding extra space and zippers in boots
- Basic shoe covers for flat shoes
- Winding wraps and bandage wraps that don’t move
Budget-friendly Cosplay
Cosplay on a dime that doesn’t look cheap
For a comprehensive list of budget-friendly cosplays, see Tutorials Index by Budget
Character tutorials
Character-specific techniques and tricks
- Final Fantasy XIV: Cutouts with Ryne
- Fire Emblem Heroes: Camilla’s crown (with pattern!)
- Fire Emblem Heroes: Floating straps with Adrift Camilla
- NieR Automata: Segmented Worbla finger armor attached to gloves with Adam
- Persona 5: Paper mache poleaxe with Persona 5 Noir
- Pokemon DPP: Paper mache Poketch
- Pokemon ORAS: Colorful rainbow and gradient skirts with May
- Pokemon ORAS: May’s Gravity-defying skirt part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3
- Princess Tutu: Kraehe’s backless corset
- Princess Tutu: Seamless tiered Isis wings with Mytho
- Super Mario Odyssey: Modifying plastic festival masks for Peach’s kimono
- The Untamed: Adding sideburns into a pulled back wig for Wei Wuxian’s wig
- Thunderbolt Fantasy: Fabric-covered Chinese topknot ornament with Lang
- Utena: Making oversized puff sleeves
- Zelda: Puffiest of stand up collars with Master Kohga
Looking for a more comprehensive list of tutorials with my builds? Check out Character Builds!
Pattern Making & Tailoring
Techniques to customize your cosplay look
Pattern making and modification
- Lets make fake tatas!
- Kraehe’s backless corset
- Oversized puff sleeves
- Seamless tiered Isis wings
- Tear-away transformation dress for short dresses
Tailoring
- Making and attaching a sleeve head roll
- Making and attaching properly-fitting shoulder pads
- Taking in sleeveless tops, vests, and jackets
- Turning a saggy velcro obi into a wrap-around obi
Plush things
Plushies, plush props, and other plush things for cosplay or for fun
Props
Painting, detailing, techniques and construction
- Belt-mounted prop holder for sticks and swords
- Making a prop out of a kite
- Paper ofuda with sticker vinyl
Decoupage
painting and detailing
- Painting weathered metal with a makeup wedge
- Making weathered wood out of EVA foam
- Making wood and branches out of EVA foam
Paper mache
- Paper mache for props and accessories
- Poleaxe with Persona 5 Noir
- Raised details with paper mache
- Wrapped handle effect with paper mache and a PVC pipe
Sewing
Sewing techniques to make your cosplay look cool
- Lets make fake tatas!
- Seamless tiered Isis wings with Mytho
- Using the one-step buttonhole option on a sewing machine
Accents
Accessories
Bows
Collars
- Adding stripes to a lined sailor collar
- Decorative cutouts with Ryne
- Puffiest of stand up collars with Master Kohga
Dresses
Skirts
- Colorful rainbow and gradient skirts
- Fluffy idol petticoat on a budget
- Gravity-defying skirts
Sleeves
Shoulders
- Fabric stand-up shoulders
- Making and attaching a sleeve head roll
- Making and attaching properly-fitting shoulder pads
Techniques
- Cutouts in stretchy shirts with privacy panels!
- How to sew a scalloped hem
- Turning long tubes of fabric right-side out the easy way
Tops
Trims
- Adding stripes to a lined sailor collar
- Scalloped trim out of satin ribbon
- Sewing bead chains to fabric
- Stripes and details with satin ribbon
Textiles
Fabric techniques and manipulation
Painting and Dyeing
- Making your own fabric spraypaint with acrylic paint
- Painting faux suede with acrylics
- Scribbling with Shiva Paintstiks
- Stenciling with Shiva Paintstiks
Wigs
Wig modification, care, and construction
Alternatives
- Felt wig alternative for short-haired characters
- Paper raffia wig alternative for characters with wavy hair
Modification
Worbla projects
Fun and cool things to do with Worbla
Leafnin Cosplay 