Week 1: Getting Started and The First Crafting Session

Good evening Geeky World!

First things first:  A good cosplay can only start with a good source picture.  I did a Google Image search and found a picture of Link I really liked.  I'll be spending three weeks pouring over this picture so I wanted it to be one I really liked.  I chose this one:

I'm not crazy enough to think that my efforts will produce an exact replica of this version of Link but it can get close.  The key is to craft what you can, purchase what you can't and simplify, simplify, simplify.  There are going to be a ton of people at the Con.  No one is going over this outfit with a micrometer.  I just want people to be able to recognize that I'm paying homage to a beloved character.   

As I mentioned in my last post I completed my first shopping trip for this project.  I found a fantastic green linen for the main tunic, some lovely faux suede, and some grommets (or eyelets).

I decided to start with the vambracer.
To complete this part of the project you will need:

• A Base 
• Craft Foam
•  Material for Straps
• Velcro
• Mod Podge and Brush
• Sewing Machine/Needle and Thread
• Paint
• Hot glue gun

 I purchased a pair of soccer shin guards to use as a base for Link's vambracer.  A vambracer is a a small piece of armor that protects your unshielded arm.  This pair was only $4!  You can't beat that!

This pair of shin guards replicates the silhouette of Link's vambracer

 I began by tracing the shape of the shin guard onto a piece of paper:

Then I folded my template in half and traced the design onto one side:

I drew the boarder and the design.

Then I traced the main section onto one piece of craft foam.  I then cut out the border and the designs.  In order to create the depth of the designs and border I cut double of what I needed and glued the pieces together. 

Laying out the designs

I wanted to make use of the air vents in the shin guards.  I measured my arm at the places I wanted the straps to go.  The measurement closest to my elbow was about 9 inches and the one closer to my wrist was 6.5 inches.  You will need some overlap to connect the Velcro.  I chose a 1.5 inch overlap.  I also wanted the straps to be 1 inch wide.  I cut one rectangle 10.5" by 1.5" (taking into account a .5" seam allowance) and the other 8" by 1.5".  Fold these right sides together and sew them into little tubes.  Leave one side open so you can turn it right side out.  I then chose to sew these to the first and last holes on the shin guards.  The air vents gave me somewhere to sew my straps.

 I then sewed little strips of Velcro to the ends so I won't have to worry about any buckles the day of the Con.  Once this is done I glued the border to the foam base and the foam base to the shin guard.  Once it was all glued down I positioned and glued the designs to the shin guard.  Before this puppy can be painted, the craft foam has  to be sealed. Craft foam is much too porous to skip this step.  If you do you will still be painting this thing after the Zombie Apocalypse takes place and the rest of your family has taken refuge with Rick, Daryl, and the gang.  To seal the craft foam paint layers of Mod Podge onto your craft foam pieces.

First layer of Mod Podge Done!

 I plan on painting at least two coats of the Mod Podge before I go in with some brown spray paint.  I'll update everyone in the next post.

-Mal