Helpful Tips About Advanced Four-Legged Creature and Upright Creature Cosplays!

In this blog, I'm going to show you how to go further in your four-legged cosplays and also show you how these two patterns will make some upright creatures, like Knuckles the Hedgehog, can work wonders for your cosplay! We'll first go into the advanced four-legged creature before the Upright creature cosplays.

Just a friendly warning, you must use these patterns for the creature's main costume or you'll freak out on not knowing how to create a mascot suit with very little to no sewing experience. I'm just helping you out in terms of not panicing. Not only is this going to be fun, but it's also a great way to really improve your skills, so when the time comes to creating the mascot suit, you won't freak out as much. This is only to help you to make your creature cosplays look awsome and also professional if you so choose to enter a cosplay contest at a con^^

Tip:

If you did not read the first blog about this subject, then I'll give you the patterns. Use the Kwik Sew patterns 2341 (view A) and the pants pattern 3455 (view B). ALWAYS USE THESE PATTERNS FOR YOUR CREATURE COSPLAYS WHETHER IT'S FOUR-LEGGED OR UPRIGHT!!!!!!! Now, the only exception to this would be if you were to cosplay an actual human character like the Aeon Shiva from FFX or Mario from Super Mario Brothers. This is said because they are both human or human-like, so there is no point of using these patterns.

FOUR-LEGGED CREATURES

SOLID COLOR TYPE WITH PATTERN(S):

Now, for those of you who haven't read the first blog regarding this subject, a solid type is just basically a creature that is one color all the way around. In this section, it's going to be the same thing, the only difference will be that the creature would have patterns on it. A perfect example would be the Pokemon Umbreon (one of Eevee's evolutions).

Now, look at the reference picture of Umbreon. DON'T PANIC!!!!! He just looks scary to create because of the pattern that he has. Close your eyes, relax, and imagine Umbreon WITHOUT his patterns. Once you pictured Umbreon without his patterns, he's just a solid color type.

Okay, once the leotard and the pants are completed, start studing the paws. For a paw and paw feet tutorial, go to:

http://www.matrices.net/

This site has an awsome tutorial on paws and paw feet. For more info on how to create the toes, go to the first blog I created on this subject. Now, after the paws and paw feet, start making a solid plush tail. Then create a sturdy cap so it won't come loose. Once the ears have been thourghly studied, create them and sew them onto your cap.

Alright, the main aspects are done, now what we have to do is study the patterns on Umbreon, meaning what shapes are they, what sizes are the shapes, and where to place them. Remember, acceracy is key.

MULTI-COLOR TYPES WITH PATTERN(S):

Okay, the solid color types are somewhat easy, but let's try the multi-color types!!! If you decide to try a multi-color type with patterns, YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS OR WILL IT NOT ONLY LOOK AWKWARD AND STRANGE, BUT IT WILL ALSO LOOK UNPROFESSIONAL!!!!!!! The Pokemon Arcanine is a perfect example of what I mean.

Okay, PLEASE DON'T HYPERVINELATE ON ME!!!!! ><; Like we did with the Umbreon picture, just close your eyes, relax, and imagine Arcanine WITHOUT his detailed pattern. Without his patterns, he's just a multi-colored type.

Now, study Arcanine really well for all of his features. Once the leotard and the pants are completed, then we can worry about the ears, paws, paw feet, and tail. With BOTH of these examples, be creative with the construction and see what happens.

We'll worry about the little flowy fur where the feet are later, but right now, the main concern with this example is having accurate pattern designs.

Tip:

For BOTH examples, before you go to crazy with the patterns, it's always safe to double check with more 360 reference pics and even video and/or video game reference. You don't want to have any sudden mishaps when you think you're on a role of finishing.

Tip:

For BOTH examples, when you have the pattern pieces ready to be sewn onto the main costume, if your handstitching is really up to par, then pin the pattern design pieces on the main costume and CAREFULLY base them with steady and neat handstitching. Remember to keep this professional as possible!

UPRIGHT CREATURES

SOLID COLOR TYPES:

Now, it's time for the upright creatures, meaning the creatures are walking and running upright like humans. Believe it or not, these Kwik Sew patterns will also work for these types of creatures too^^ Knuckles the Hedgehog is an excellent example.

From looking at Knuckles, you would think that this cosplay can be fixed by a red sweatshirt and red tight jeans with a tail and red dreadlocks, right?

Well... you could do that if you wanted and not have the headache of creating from scratch, but it won't look professional looking and it'll look like that you didn't care. When it comes to cosplay contests, people like the judges, are looking for professionalism in sewing skills and craftsmanship. If you actually tried, then they will give you credit in appearance.

ANYWAY, back on topic! If you're planning on doing a Sonic the Hedgehog group cosplay or just want to do Knuckles here, then go for it! Again, use the patterns 3455 (pants view B) and 2341 (view A).

Tip:

Here, Knuckles doesn't seem difficult at all! In fact, the only thing you should worry about is if the leotard and stretch pants will fit you. If they fit, then let your creative juices and cleverness fly!

MULTI-COLORED TYPES:

Out from the solid color types and into the multi-colored types. There are some Pokemon that walk and run upright like a human; however, they are still creatures. A great example would be the Pokemon Raichu ( the one that Pikachu evolves into).

I know, you're probably thinking, "what the crap?" right? Actually, yes Raichu because for those extreme dieheart Pokemon fans that remembers the first Season of Pokemon and you saw Lt. Surge's Raichu, it was standing and fighting on two feet.

Now, again, same aspect here, the only difference would be to make the front of the leotard white. Right now, the tail and the ears are not our main concern. The only concern at the moment would be the hands and feet. Study his hands and feet. It's TOTALLY different from the four-legged creatures, huh?

Again, no throw on clothes are allowed in this one either. You could if you wanted something quick and easy with no hassel, but once again, it's not going to look professional. If you're entering in a cosplay contest, people in that category are going to want professionalism in sewing skills and craftsmanship.

Like Knuckles, Raichu doesn't seem difficult at all! In fact, just make sure that the leotard and the stretch pants fits you. If they do, then let the creativity and cleverness fly!

Alrighty then, this should help you ease your mind and hopefully help you for making the Pokemon cosplays and any other creature cosplays more professional looking^^

Helpful Tips About Four-Legged Creature Cosplays

Okay, if you're a Pokemon cosplayer, as in the Pokemon themselves, or if you want to try a four-legged creature, as in Pride Lands Sora from KH2, then listen up! I have a more creative way for your creature cosplays to come out fantastic and professional. Since creating a mascot is more in the expert category of cosplay, I'm going to tell you how to make your four-legged creature cosplays WITHOUT a mascot suit.

Tip:

ALWAYS USE THE KWIK SEW PATTERNS 3455 AND 2341!!!!! ALWAYS USE VIEW A IN PATTERN 2341 AND PANTS VIEW B IN PATTERN 3455!!!!! These patterns are the main aspect of your four-legged creature cosplay. Now, depending on WHAT you're cosplaying, you may have to get different color fabrics for the front and the back. Here, I will give

out two perfect examples of both types I'm refering to.

SOLID COLOR TYPE:

The solid color type is basically a four-legged creature that is just one color all the way around. A perfect example of this would be the Pokemon Persian (the one who evolves from Meowth).

Alright, this picture here is a better reference than the second one. See how Persian is only one color? When purchasing the right fabric, all you need is this one color all the way through. So this means, no more color hassals^^

Here, he's a little more yellowish than the previous reference. My strong suggestion is if you see the exact same creature only a different shade of color, get them both and have a strong jugdement because accuracy is key in the cosplay realm. So, for Persian's sake, we'll go with the first picture for the color of his fur.

Now, study the paws and the paw feet that Persian has. As you can see, he has only three toes. YOU MUST GET FUR FOR THIS! (or at least try to^^ If there's no luck for the color or availablity for the fur, then just make sure you have plenty of fabric that you purchased). For creating paws and paw feet, go to:

http://www.matrices.net/

When you see a hand paw and feet paw tutorial, for Persian's sake, make only three toes and not the full five. So be real clever on your cosplay and get creative while doing so. Since Persian only has three toes on the front and the back, make the glove first. Then separate your pinky finger from the second finger and your index finger from your middle finger. Make your pinky finger an individual toe and put the middle finger and the second finger together to make the middle toe. Lastly, make the index finger a individual toe.

In terms of the feet paws, all you have to do is make three toes. If the creature has claws showing the entire time, then add the claws, it won't hurt it.

Tip:

Depending if your four-legged creature, some have tails and some doesn't. If your creature DOESN'T have a tail, then don't worry about it. If your creature DOES have a tail, then please listen up! As you should know, there are hundreds and thousands of differnt type tails. In this case, Persian just has a bit of curl tail. No problem. Now, study the length and design of the tail.

Okay, my strong suggestion would be to make it a plush tail, meaning make a pattern of the tail so it can have two sides, sew it, and add stuffing in it!

Tip:

It's now time for the face aspect.

Looking a Persian's face and head, all he really has is a jewel on his forehead and real 3-D whiskers. Now, for his ears, all I can say is measure the circumfrence of your head (as in the circular motion and not the long ways) and create a sturdy cap, like a swim cap or a wig cap. If you have long hair, then put it up in a pony tail and (if necessary, a bun) make sure that the cap that you created is extremely tight so it will not come loose. Don't make it too tight to where you get actual headaces. Once the cap is created, then study how big, long, and what the shape of his ears are.

Tip:

As for the whiskers, you have 3 choices:

1. Hand paint them on your face.

2. Create a face mask up to the eyebrows with the whiskers in tact (including his facial features: eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)

3. Create the 3-D whiskers and have some sticky substance, like double stick tape, so can be less painful to put on your cheeks

MULTI-COLORED TYPE:

Now, the multi-colored type is basically a creature that has more than one color. The perfect example would be my most recent cosplay, Pride Lands Sora from KH2

This is the cosplay that I've completed and people LOVED IT^o^ Okay, as you can see, he's a little more detailed than Persian, but don't be scared of it. Now, did you notice what's on top of his head? That's right, he has some sort of a little mane like a lion (well.... technically he is^^) but don't worry, it's not that difficult, but a the same time, it's not easy either.

Here, you look for a dark brown (like earth brown color) and white. The white will be your front because that's his stomach. Make sure that the front neckline of the body suit is white and not brown. Just because you practically don't see it most of the time, doesn't mean that it's not important!

Once the body suit and the stretch pants is completed, then it's time for the paws and the paw feet. Scroll back up for the website and follow those paw and feet paw instructions. The only difference is that you add four toes and not three like Persian. So that gives all four fingers, excluding the thumb, to be independant toes. For the paw feet, all you do here is add four toes and pay close attention to the coloring of the feet because his toes are white and not all the way brown.

Tip:

It's always good to go the extra mile by adding paw pads underneath the paws and paw feet. This just gives it an extra "umph" to your four-legged creature cosplay. Only do this if the four-legged creature HAS paw pads.

Now, since he has a little mane, my strong suggestion would be purchase a Cheapy-Spike wig (dark brown) from:

http://www.amphigory.com

Or at least a Tina Turner-like wig (brown or dark brown, depending on the shade presented best), and style it into the human form Sora hair style with a tutorial. Study how big, long, and what shape the ears are and then sew them onto the sides of the wig after you style the wig.

Whatever cut off wig you have left, then make those the little spiked hair part on his tail. In this case, his tail would be a semi-plush tail, meaning it's not fully plush, but has that little plush feel to it.

Tip:

For all tails, make sure that you handstitch the tail where you want it on the back. (A little above the butt area is perfect). This is so that you won't have to worry about your tail being on straight while trying to have fun at the con.

As for the Kingdom Hearts Crown necklace, that was bought at a con in 2007. Talk about luck on my part^^ If you can, try to find the necklace already made (now, mine has real chains, so it's got some weight to it), then get that first and see how that works. If you can't find one, then be creative in creating the Kingdom Hearts Crown.

Tip:

Just a fair warning about this particular cosplay. If you wish to do this cosplay, then may God be with you because this was one of the most challenging cosplays I've ever done. Please go all the way by creating (or purchasing a good quality) Kingdom Keyblade. Here, I created mine from scratch because not only was it a challenge, but also cheaper.

Here was the ending result of my Pride Lands Sora Cosplay:

Alright, I hope this helps you on four-legged creature cosplays. Have fun and Good luck to ya^^