Replica Props Forum user Jhonny Matiu recently posted about his first ever attempt to make a costume. He’s working on a Blade cosplay and has never sewed before. He says he’s mostly enjoyed the learning process and sees why people get addicted to cosplay. It’s all about building up skills, and the best way to start cosplaying is just to dive in. Matiu took tons of pictures as he went so you can follow his steps exactly. He began by making a duct tape dummy and making a pattern for the vest from cardboard pieces. He transferred the cardboard pattern to felt and then finally to vinyl (that’s an easier material to sew than leather). He figured out how to use a sewing machine to assemble the vest and from what I can see in the above picture, he nailed it.

See several more in progress photos over at Jhonny’s Facebook page.

via The RPF