Front
Know what your last costume cost.
Most cosplayers spend $100–400 per costume. The ones who track every yard spend less on the next one.
Every build, remembered
Project reference group
Back
Fabric
Detail
Foam
Build note
Front trim needs sealing before paint. Match fabric edge to the darker swatch.
Seal foam edges
Log fit test
Add material cost
Material Sheets 6mm
Synced to materials and budget
$12.99
Ask with project context
Costumary workspace demo showing four core features:
- Reference board: drag and drop character images, group by costume piece, add color swatches, notes, and checklists
- Materials tracker: list supplies with costs, stores, quantities, and order status. Live budget totals update as you add items
- Project timeline: plan milestones for patterning, construction, painting, fitting, and packing with convention deadline tracking
- Build diary: log progress with photos, notes, and technique records. Track what worked, what failed, and what to try next time
Built for makers
Your data stays yours
Joined by makers across 10 craft verticals
01
Collect
Start with inspiration, not a blank page.
Gather references, sketches, swatches, notes, and links into one visual workspace. Share your board when you need feedback.
02
Plan
Plan the build before your deadline hits.
Set milestones, lock in materials, and track your budget so you always know what's next and how much you've spent.
03
Share
Share the build, then work together live.
Create a project link, choose what people can see, copy it, and bring collaborators into the same workspace when the build needs more hands.
Save references from anywhere on the web
Right-click any image on Pinterest, ArtStation, or any website. It lands on your Costumary reference board in seconds. No downloading, no re-uploading, no folder archaeology.
Free browser extension. See how it works
Find your reference
Web Clipper
pinterest.com
costumary.compinterest.com/cosplay-references
HomeCreate
Search for cosplay references
Save image as...
Copy image address
Open image in new tab
Save to Costumary...
Quick Save to Costumary
Save to Costumary
×Armor build
Reference name...
Set as default for Quick Save
Saved to “Armor build”
Fursuit head ref
Historical bodice
Boot construction
Fitted panel detail
Note
Floral tooling pattern on front panel. Brass hardware only, no chrome tan.
Colors
WalnutTanEspressoBrass
Build checklist
Pattern layout
Leather sourced
Tooling test
Assembly
New
Leather swatch
Clipped from Pinterest
Prop construction ref
12:34
Foam armor shaping tutorial
youtube.com
Antique brass buckle set, 12pc
etsy.com
$18.50
Paint weathering ref
Back panel closeup
Note
Budget cap $300. Check Tandy sale for leather straps before ordering.
Wig styling ref
Armor measurement guide
docs.google.com
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Build your story
WIP Book
Build DiaryPublished Diary
costumary.com/workbench/knight-armor/diary
WIP Book Studio
Knight Armor Build
Settings
Story pages3
Hero
Gallery
Timeline
Base structure
Painting session
Materials list
Editor
Preview
Publish
WIP book canvas
Knight Armor Build
Dark Souls III
14Materials
6Milestones
48Hours
Gallery
Drop image
Build Timeline
◆Pattern drafting
◆Foam base
◇Painting
◇Final assembly
Add a block
Story blocksProject dataTemplates
Hero
Text only
Split left
Split right
Full image
Gallery
Your diary is live
Anyone with the link can view it for free
Share link
Scan to view
Import from Build
Choose which data to import into your diary.
costumary.com/builds/knight-armor-build
Knight Armor Build
Dark Souls III · 6 week build
14Materials
6Milestones
48Hours
Progress photos
Build Timeline
◆Pattern drafting
◆Foam base
◇Painting
9:41
costumary.com/builds/gojo-sa...
Knight Armor Build
Dark Souls III · 6 week build
14Materials
6Milestones
48Hours
Progress photos
Timeline
◆Pattern drafting
◆Foam base
◇Painting
Share your WIP with anyone
Build a diary from your project data. Import your build logs, reference board, and materials. Pick a theme, hit publish, and share a link or QR code. Anyone can view your build for free, no account needed.
Free with any Costumary account. See example diaries
Free tier
Start free before your next project gets away from you.
Starter is free forever: 2 active projects, 100 reference uploads, and build diary with progress photos. Enough to organize a real build without paying up front.
Starter includes
2 active projects for real planning and testing
100 reference uploads to keep everything together
No surprise limits or forced upgrades
Upgrade only when you need more projects or uploads.
Start your first buildFree tools
No account needed. Run in your browser.
From the blog
Cost breakdowns, technique guides, and commission pricing advice.
Planning
Cosplanner Shut Down? 5 Free Alternatives
Cosplanner's app is dead and your data is stuck. These 5 free alternatives handle budgets, reference boards, and build logs without the 25-item cap.
10 min read
Planning
How to Budget a Cosplay Build (Without the Spreadsheet Spiral)
A real budgeting framework for cosplay builds, with actual cost ranges by build type, the mistakes that blow budgets, and a tracking method that isn't a 47-tab spreadsheet.
11 min read
Commissions
Ko-fi for Commissions: The Limits
Ko-fi is great for getting your first commission. It falls apart at commission #10 when you need milestones, material tracking, and a queue that doesn't live in your head.
9 min read
Tools
Milanote Alternative for Cosplay
Milanote makes gorgeous mood boards. But it can't track materials, manage commissions, or connect your references to an actual build timeline. Here's what can.
9 min read
What are you building next?
Start with a template, customize the milestones and materials, and build without losing track.
Foam Prop
~3wA prop weapon or accessory built entirely from EVA foam sheets. Covers patterning, laminating, heat-shaping, sealing, and painting. Works for swords, staffs, shields, gauntlets, or any hard-surface prop that needs to be lightweight and convention-safe.
1
Gather reference images and dimensions
2
Draft pattern on paper or cardboard
3
Source foam, adhesive, and primer
4
Cut and laminate foam layers
5
Heat-shape and bevel edges
6
Seal with Plasti-Dip or Flexbond
7
Prime, paint, and weather
8
Attach grip or mounting hardware
8 milestones·6 materials·8 refs·$25-60
Use templateArmor Set
~6wLARP-safe armor built from leather, foam, or thermoplastic. Covers patterning, shaping, riveting, finishing, and the strapping system that keeps it all in place during combat. Designed to survive event wear, not just photos.
1
Check event armor material rules
2
Sketch armor coverage and silhouette
3
Pattern chest, shoulders, or bracers
4
Source leather, foam, or thermoplastic
5
Cut and shape armor pieces
6
Install rivets, buckles, and straps
7
Paint, dye, seal, or weather
8
Check edges, flexibility, and snag points
9
Field test over garb
9 milestones·6 materials·8 refs·$50-350
Use templateSimple Garb
~3wYour first faire-ready outfit from scratch: a linen or cotton chemise (or tunic), a leather belt with pouch, and the finishing details that keep you from looking like you raided a Halloween clearance rack. Three weeks, basic sewing skills, under $120.
1
Research period silhouettes and faire dress codes
2
Choose era, color palette, and character concept
3
Source linen, cotton, or blended fabrics
4
Cut and sew chemise or tunic
5
Construct or source belt and pouch
6
Add closures, trim, and finishing details
7
Test fit and comfort for all-day wear
8
Pack garb, boots, and repair kit
8 milestones·6 materials·8 refs·$60-150
Use templateUsed by makers from r/cosplay, The RPF, Cosplay.com, r/Gunpla, and r/minipainting