14 replies to this topic

[moshing_mango]

Hello

I've looked on Ebay for a Sailor Moon (Serena) costume, but for around US$30+ not including s/h, I think I should try look closer to home. Does anyone know where/who can make a Sailor Moon costume in Brisbane?

Kiki

[morgan-aleghieri]

Ummmm, I think you'll find that $30 USD is fairly cheap for a half decent costume.

[Chastangela]

For Sailor Moon's fuku, I'd say that 30 dollars US plus shipping is VERY cheap. At that price, I would be double checking the seller's feedback to make sure there are no complaints as I would be worried slightly about the quality of the product.

[Starfire Phoenix]

That is really cheap. I doubt that the price would cover the cost of materials here.

[morgan-aleghieri]

Unless one used really yucky fabrics of course - and that definitely wouldn't include accessories (hair, boots, gloves, wand, donuts, etc...)

[Last_Chael]

Yup, I'd echo what everyone else has said. That's a really good price, but just double check the quality of the work! I highly doubt you'll find anything cheaper unless you make it yourself (and even then, I don't know if you'd even get the materials for that!).

[Silver Moonblaze]

If buying doesn't work out, there are plenty of people here who could offer you good advice in making your own

[MachV]

what everyone else said...

but if you really dont want to ship i know someone who can do it up there but it will cost at least 100. And that is skimping on materials

[moshing_mango]

Well, altogether it would end up costing over $100 AUD (costume, shipping etc.) on ebay, most not including any of the other items. My main worry IS the quality, as many of them are 'custom made to fit'. The cheapest I can find is just over $30US, but the price goes up to around $70+US, then the shipping is around $40US-$50US.

so what would everyone suggest when it comes right down to it?

[MachV]

ask for advice on how to make it yourself? A lot more satisfying!!!

THis is what this forum is more made for, rather than giving directions to buy stuff...

Edited by MachV, 22 September 2007 - 11:49 AM.

[moshing_mango]

beacuse i assume that the majority of people on this fourm have experience in this area, I thought I'd ask. I was hoping more for advice and/or anyone who could point me in the right direction. I cant make it myself, I dont have that skill level.

Thanks anyway

[MachV]

Dont give up that easily! THe best way to learn and improve is the try!

[poisonedkitty]

It's not that hard a costume to put together without sewing. A white leotard, a short skirt (try supre) make the sailor shoulder section out of cardboard. Some gloves and boots and you can make the wig out of yellow wool.

[Metanoia]

I cant make it myself, I dont have that skill level.

Before I began determined to have [insert each new costume challenge] I "couldn't" make things myself either... but I kept having a go and now I'm getting more and more confident. You can get cotton fairly cheap, and there are patterns available for sailor fuku (the japanese uniform kind of pattern). You won't know your abilities unless you give it a go.

$100 for a complete costume is extremely cheap. My dejiko came in around this because I was able to get a wig for about $30-40 and the shoes only cost me about $15 cause they were made out of really cheap slippers covered in material, also the bell accessories cost me a grand total of about $3.50 cause I made them myself. On the other hand my Magical Girl Rin costume cost over $400 including an $80 wig and $90 shoes (and that was on sale). It really depends on what you are willing to compromise on. I haven't had a costume come in under $100 yet.

A guide...
1. You can have it NOW
2. You can have it CHEAP
3. You can have it ACCURATE

But you can only choose two of those, so choose wisely... eg if you want it NOW and CHEAP you will have to compromise on your accuracy meaning that it probably won't be out of nice material and your accessories, wig etc will probably be cheap and nasty and you might have to cut down on the details and accessories.

You'll find the majority of this forum are actually amateur-intermediate level constantly learning and trying new things. A lot of people who arrive here have never sewn before either. But we have a good amount of experienced people - some with formal training - who are happy to give advice and answer questions.

Edited by Metanoia, 23 September 2007 - 03:54 AM.

[papa_travaal]

Personally I would not buy stuff that is "custom Made" on ebay, but that is just a suspicious reflex on my part - I just tried searching "Fuku" instead of "Sailor Moon" and came up with "Genuine Sailor Fuku Japanese School Girl Uniform Navy" from an *australian* importer for $au67.50 inc postage. - I find hunting for stuff on Ebay (or just the internet) it helps to search under as many different names for things as possible. Yous could also try searching for the individual bits as well. Or make the simple bits and buy the trickier ones