Create a Unique and Detachable Upright Tail for Cosplay
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Materials Needed
- Creating the Foam Base
- Making the Fur Cover
- Attaching the Fur Cover to the Foam Base
- Painting the Tail
- Creating the Harness Base
- Making the Harness Frame
- Assembling the Harness
- Wearing the Upright Tail
- Conclusion
🦊 How to Make an Upright Tail for Cosplay
Have you ever wanted to add a unique and eye-catching element to your cosplay? In this tutorial, we will show you how to make an upright tail using foam and faux fur. This tail is not only cool and different, but it's also detachable, allowing you to reuse it for different costumes with different color covers. So, let's dive into the step-by-step process of creating this extraordinary cosplay accessory!
Materials Needed
Before we start, let's gather all the materials you will need for this project. Here's a list of what you should have:
- 5mm EVA foam
- Foam tail pattern
- Sharp crafting knife
- Contact adhesive
- Plastic wrap
- Duct tape
- Faux fur (35mm long)
- Craft knife
- Slicker brush
- Sewing supplies (pins, needle, thread)
- Velcro
- Airbrush and airbrush paints
- Aluminum flat bar
- Expanded PVC foam board
- Chicago screws
- Fabric straps
Now that we have everything we need, let's begin creating our upright tail!
Creating the Foam Base
To start, we will create a base structure using 5mm EVA foam. Trace the tail pattern onto the foam, making sure to include all the registration marks. Once traced, carefully cut out the foam pieces using a sharp crafting knife. Glue the foam pieces together using contact adhesive, ensuring that you line up the registration marks for the desired shape. Continue gluing together the foam pieces until you have both halves of the tail constructed. Lastly, cut a hole in the circular base of the foam for the tail and glue the final piece into place. Your foam tail base is complete!
Making the Fur Cover
Now it's time to create a fur cover for your foam base. Start by wrapping the foam tail in plastic wrap to protect it. Use duct tape to cover the foam tail on one side only if it is symmetrical. Draw lines on the duct tape for the seams and registration marks using your pattern. Remove the duct tape and cut out the pieces. Trace the pattern onto the back of the faux fur, ensuring you avoid using scissors to prevent damage to the fur fibers. Instead, use a craft knife to cut around the pieces, leaving a seam allowance. Brush the fur inwards and away from the edges using a slicker brush to prevent it from getting stuck in the seams. Pin the fur pieces together, line up the registration marks, and stitch along the edges to join them. Trim the excess fur and pin the pieces together with fur facing inwards. Sew around the edges, leaving an opening at the bottom of the tail. Turn the tail inside out and slide it over the foam base.
Attaching the Fur Cover to the Foam Base
To ensure a secure fit, we'll attach the fur cover to the foam base. Cut a strip of Velcro and glue half of it inside one edge of the opening at the bottom of the tail. Trim away the fur where the Velcro needs to be placed and glue the other half of the Velcro on top of the fur. This will close the opening and hide the join. The fur cover can be easily removed at any time, allowing you to reuse the foam base for different colored tails.
Painting the Tail
If you want to add stripe markings to your tail, you can paint them using an airbrush. Begin by masking the stripes with pieces of paper pinned onto the tail. Spray a dark blue paint to create shadows around the lines. Once the paint is dry, remove the paper pieces and comb through the fur to restore its fluffiness. To create a gradient effect, airbrush around the base of the tail to darken it. Now your fur cover is complete and ready for the next step!
Creating the Harness Base
To make the tail upright, we'll need to create a harness base. Cut out two 10 by 15 centimeters pieces of 3mm PVC foam board. Use super glue to join the two pieces, making the base thicker. Sand the edges for a smooth finish.
Making the Harness Frame
Next, we'll create the frame for the harness using an aluminum flat bar. Drill three holes in the bar and bend it into a 90-degree angle over one of the holes. Use the bar as a template to trace matching holes onto the bottom of the harness plate. Drill holes through the PVC foam board and attach the bar using Chicago screws.
Assembling the Harness
Measure around your waist and cut a piece of fabric strap accordingly. Sew small darts into the strap to make it curved, then attach a piece of Velcro to each end. Glue the center of the strap onto the top of the harness base. For added comfort, glue a piece of upholstery foam to the inside of the harness. Take the Velcro pieces glued onto the foam base and attach them to the harness, ensuring they line up with the foam tail. Your harness is now complete!
Wearing the Upright Tail
To wear the upright tail, put the harness under your cosplay costume with the bar and Velcro through the opening at the back. Then, attach the fur tail over the harness, securing it in place by pressing together the Velcro tabs. And voila! You now have a sturdy and lightweight upright tail that seamlessly complements your cosplay!
Conclusion
Making an upright tail for your cosplay can add that extra touch of uniqueness and creativity to your costume. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial and utilizing the right materials, you can create a tail that not only looks impressive but is also detachable and versatile for future cosplays. So, go ahead and experiment with different colors and designs to unleash your creativity in the world of cosplay!
Resources:
- Kimpatsu Cosplay: Website
- Tutorial Books and Patterns: Link
