FAQ

These are some of the questions I get asked alot. Some questions and answers I probably won't have on here, but if you really want to ask me something, contact me by:

email: anbu.ricehats@gmail.com
AIM: YWeret Hekau



+When did you start cosplaying?+
-Anime Expo 2004. I was like...15 years old >_>

+What was your first cosplay?+
-Officially, it was Squall Lionheart from Final Fantasy VIII, which I wore to AX 04. Bascially my first costume (some) handmade-put-together, intentionally made for a convention.

+Where is Anime Expo?+
-I don't know why so many people ask me this, but visit anime-expo.org for all the updates. XD

+Did you handmake your costumes?+
-Everything is handmade and sewn, usually made by my mom and I. (she taught me how to sew, and theres still way more things i need to learn and improve on)

+Do you ever buy a costume?+
-No. I'm against buying cosplay outfits, unless if its for something like Halloween. (I don't really wear anime costumes for Halloween anyway XD) Any kind of clothing I buy are regular t-shirts that I would modify of, socks, etc. One except though, I did buy a Kiryuu Zero costume from a friend who had his custom-made in hong kong, but it didn't fit to his size so he sold it to me xD

+How did you do the arm things and leg things for the Uchiha Sasuke black outfit?+
-Basically, its gauze bandages and black velcro. If you can wrap the gauze bandages perfectally enough, use the (spikey) side of the velcro and wrap around the leg that has the bandages around it. Also, another tip, (this is one mistake I've done) don't wrap the velcro in the same continuous pattern. His black...er...wrap thingies are pretty much wrapped in random...like...don't wrap in continous, even wraps that it looks like a black and white striped sock. XD;
The velcro sticks on the gauze bandages. The brand I used is "Johnson & Johnson", but you don't have to necessarily use that brand.
Also, I'm not saying this is the most effective way ever to do Sasuke's arm and leg wraps. In all the 4 days of AX 05, they were pretty uncomfortable, even though they stayed up most of the day. I'm still trying to make a much better method.
Another thing- sometimes if the velcro pieces you buy aren't long enough, just buy few more and (machine) sew them together at a desired length.

+Did you make your kunai/katanas?+
-No way XD Props are one of the few things I actually buy. Unless if they totally have to be customized. (Like Temari's fan, but I don't cosplay Temari :P) Actually, I did make my Gunblade for Squall but it was the crappiest Gunblade ever, made under 12 hours the day before AX. I'm not even going into detail about that. Some of my other props are made by friends~

+How did you make your hair like Sasuke's?+
-I used a method from the Cosmode magazine actually(method for huge spikes). Basically its: Hardcore hairspray + blowdryer = SASUKE'S HAIR~ Be neat and careful though, don't just go berserk on the hair and hairspray the entire area of your head at once. One tip: When you hairspray the hair and the white hairspray appears visibally on the hair, COME/BRUSH IT THOUGH THE HAIR *BEFORE* BLOWDRYING IT. If you don't, the white might stay there and it'll show in your hair horribly in pictures! D: Also, I had to have a friend spike my hair with this method...do NOT do this yourself. XD Oh and remember....STRAIGHTEN YOUR BANGS. -3-

+How did you remove/put on the ANBU vest?+
-Used velcro for either side of the vest. Easily taken off. :3

+Are you a girl or guy?
-Not sure why I get asked this so many times, but I thought its kinda obvious what my gender is XD

+Would you make cosplay outfits for me, if I commissioned/paid you?+
-I'm really sorry, but its the amount of time I have thats the problem. Its often hard for me to even make time for myself and make my OWN costumes, plus I'm only helping close friends with thier costumes now. School is a problem- I usually start making costumes in the 2nd semester of school, so I have to find time to cram 3-4 months of making costumes before Anime Expo starts. I'm sorry >.>;;;

+Can we meet and hangout at AX?+
-Sure we can meet~but I'm not sure If we'll have enough time to hangout :x Since I'm going around with a huge cosplay group, and meeting other old-friend cosplayers there.

+Are your wigs customized?
-Every wig me and my friends buy are customized/styled by me. I'm the hair stylist of the group xD

+How did you do Naruto's wig?
-Naruto's wig i'm super super super proud of...partially because it was my first ever wig I ever customized XD I bought a 20$ woman's wig at the swapmeet...lmao. I liked it because it wasn't too blond all over- it had different hues of blond streaks and I thought this would make Naruto's wig look more realitic then just "bright yellow". This wig was shoulder-lengthed. I can't really explain the process of making wig, i was just cutting the wig like crazy and used hair gel. XD (I used the Bed Head manipulator but other strong hair products work well too)

+What fabric did you use for your Gintama cosplay?
-Honestly I have no clue whats it called, but its very similar to the fabric they use on blazers, I think, but alot thinner.

+Where did you get your katanas?
-Tokyotown downtown L.A...haha. You'll most likely find them also at swap meets...

+I can't sew this and that etc etc please give me tips
-First of all I can't give you tips if you don't know the basics of sewing. I'm tired of people asking me tips and advice and then they eventually tell me they can't sew for crap. Kaay your own problem that you can't sew, don't expect me to come over to you and magically give you sewing ablities. And know what a pattern is! :O