Ukraine cosplay help/Japan help please?

[airmanshadsie.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone~ I have two questions:

First, I would dearly love to cosplay as Ukraine (especially her uniform), and may have done so already if it weren't for the rather inconvenient fact that I can't sew to save my life. D: I know that most of you probably sew your own costumes, but if there's anyone that could point me in the direction of a good, reliable person/company/whatever who could help me out, I'd love you forever.  Also, if you have any tips for little details, that would be nice as well if you're willing to share~ I've never cosplayed before, so I need all the help I can get.

Second question is only vaguely Hetalia-related, so I'll just link to my own journal: Those who are familiar with or live in Japan--if you could help me out with this one, I'd appreciate it.

Comments

A few tips, as you requested

[lamunut.livejournal.com]

I myself, live in the philippines so I have the benefit of being able to have a costume made for cheap prices. If you live here i can direct you to an excellent seamstress hahaha xD

Tips:
1.Unless you have hair practically identical to your character you NEED a wig
2.Glue your reference on your forehead, be as accurate as you can.
3. Try not to be too cheap, if ever you want to save money make sure you have the means to still look like your character with stuff from your closet.
4.If you go to a seamstress to have your costume made be insistent on exactly what you want. even if you sound pushy. That way you can avoid any mishaps.
5.NEVER FUCKING USE SHINY FABRIC It's ugly and comes out terribly on pictures (unless you want to look like a pixie) even if you're cosplaying a kawai desu uguu magical girl.
6.Learn to pose before hand, just study your character and make sure you get their mannerisms right.
In Ukraine's case you can be a bit more dotty and not very self confident.
7.Accessories are nice for pictures and cat walks, but be careful not to drag them about the convention (if applicable)
8. Good makeup is essential for both boys and girls, Cosplay makeup means you conceal any blemishes or imperfections that are visible. You can find many very good makeup tutorials on youtube.
9. It's always good to have a friend with you who can help you out, especially if it's your first time.
10.At convention, you are allowed to decline that people take your picture. Occasionally though, not all the time because the point of copslaying is ,in a way, showing off a costume.
11.Ordinarily I'd tell you "don't bother with what other people say about how you look", but we're talking about cosplay, which means precisely to appeal to everyone with , what can be described as, "eye-candy" (though not in a sexual way). Make sure you're physically built to fit the character you are cosplaying as (or close too at least) if you're not, in most cases, you can slim down or fatten up. But you can't shorten down, so if you're tall, chances are you wont be cosplaying as petite characters.

I hope this helps *u*

Re: A few tips, as you requested

[airmanshadsie.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, I didn't expect this much information. XD Thank you! This is all very helpful! I don't live in the Philippines, though. Thanks anyway! :3

[bigfangirl.livejournal.com]

Ballons (party size ones) make good fake boobs if you're too flat for her. My friend cosplays her a lot and always uses this method as she's a b-cup.

[bigfangirl.livejournal.com]

oh, the balloons should be filled with sand BTW