Front
The build journal for serious cosplayers.
Track armor builds, fabric patterns, and convention deadlines in one workspace. From first foam cut to con floor.
Designed for cosplayers
Your data is private
Joined by cosplay makers
See it in action
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
01
Character research
Collect the exact angles before you cut foam.
Save front, back, side, detail, and material references from screenshots, wikis, art books, and creator posts. Keep accuracy notes beside the image they came from.
02
Con deadline plan
Work backward from the badge pickup date.
Split the build into armor, sewing, wig, props, paint, strapping, and wear test milestones so con crunch does not hide the next blocker.
03
WIP build log
Track every test fit, material swap, and seal coat.
Log EVA, Worbla, contact cement, primer, paint, mobility, visibility, and repair notes while the details are still fresh.
04
Share
Share WIP photos without opening the whole project.
Send a focused project link to friends, handlers, photographers, judges, or commission clients with only the sections they need to see.
Templates
Start with a cosplay template.
Browse milestone plans, starter materials, and timelines for cosplay projects without starting from a blank page.
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
+
−
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
Commission workflow
Take cosplay commissions
without the DM chaos.
Character refs, armor measurements, progress photo approvals, and payment milestones. One workspace from first message to final fitting.
Intake
public form
Approval
token links
Tracking
no payment fees
30 days free, then $19/mo. Cancel anytime before the trial ends.
Collect the request
Studio workflow
Commissions
Client intake workflow
IntakeQueueProjectUpdateShare
Ayla Studio
Commission inquiry form
References
3 filesRequest queue
3 newMina Chen
TodayArmored waist cincher
$650–$900
Rae Ortiz
YesterdayProp sword + finishing
$320–$480
Jules Park
YesterdayFull armor chest piece
$1,100–$1,400
New request
Armored waist cincher
Mina Chen · $650–$900 · Sep 18 deadline
Sizing
Complete
References
Complete
Shipping
Complete
Maker notes
Good fit for September. Confirm waist measurement and tooling color before quote.
Commission project
Mina waist cincher
Quote
$780
Due
Sep 18
Deposit
Paid
Hours
12h
Project plan generated
4 milestonesPatterningAssemblyFinishingShip
Quote started
Your project is underway. Here is a link for you to track my progress and approve milestones.
costumary.com/track/mina-cincherClient update
Message
Client timeline updated
Previous updates
Material sourced
2 days agoVeg-tan leather ordered from Tandy. Expected delivery Thursday.
Quote sent
5 days ago$780 quote sent to client. Includes leather, hardware, and tooling.
Done
Quote
Done
Patterning
Next
Photo check
Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference 3
Note
Floral tooling pattern on front panel. Brass hardware only, no chrome.
Colors
WalnutTanEspressoBrass
Build checklist
Pattern layout
Leather sourced
Tooling test
Assembly
Boot detail
+
−
Ayla Studio
Open for requestsI make armor, corsetry, and leather goods for cosplay and stage. Every piece is built to move in and last. Share your vision below and I will get back to you within 48 hours.
CosplayArmorLeather
Past work
Pricing
Armor starts at $400. Leather tooling from $600. 50% deposit to begin, balance before shipping.
Turnaround
Current queue is 6-8 weeks. Rush available for simple pieces.
47
Completed
2
Slots open
Request a commission
Share enough context for a real review. You can refine details later.
Your name
Mina Chen
mina@example.com
Project title
Armored waist cincher with floral tooling
Brief
Structured waist cincher with floral leather tooling on front panels. Needs to move well for stage combat choreography.
Budget range
$650 - $900
Deadline
September 18
Reference images
I accept the terms and understand the deposit policy
Request sent
Thanks, Mina. Ayla will review your request and get back within 48 hours.
Free tier
Start free before the build thread 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 cosplay build without paying up front.
Want to see the planning side first? Read how the cosplay planner handles references, materials, budget, and con deadlines.
Starter includes
2 active projects for real planning and testing
100 reference uploads to keep everything together
Build diary and WIP documentation
Upgrade only when you need more projects, uploads, or assistant messages.
Start freeFree tools
No account needed. Run in your browser.
What Should I Cosplay?Budget CalculatorCommission Pricing CalculatorProp Scaling CalculatorProp Weight EstimatorSpray Paint Color MatcherMiniature Paint MatcherFur Color MatcherFull Fur Palette DatabaseFursuit Price CalculatorConvention Packing ChecklistConvention Budget CalculatorCommission TrackerConvention Profit TrackerCosplay Material WizardFabric Yardage CalculatorCircle Skirt CalculatorArmy Cost CalculatorPaint Scheme PlannerCarousel Composer
All toolsCosplay guides and cost breakdowns
Real numbers, tested techniques, and build planning advice.
How to Budget a Cosplay Build (Without the Spreadsheet Spiral)
11 min read read
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.
How to Plan a Cosplay Build Backwards from Your Convention Date
6 min read read
A practical scheduling method for turning one convention deadline into weekly milestones, material orders, and buffer days that actually prevent con crunch.
EVA Foam Basics: Cleaner Cuts, Stronger Seams, Better Armor
6 min read read
Simple habits that make foam armor look cleaner before you ever reach primer or paint — blade discipline, bevel technique, contact cement timing, and fit checks.
Check Your Materials Before You Shop Again
6 min read read
A quick inventory workflow that prevents duplicate foam, mystery fabric, and budget drift across cosplay builds.
Upcoming cosplay conventions
Find dates, packing checklists, and budget estimates for cosplay conventions near you.
New York Comic Con 2026
Oct 8-11 · New York, NY
The East Coast's largest pop culture convention, with major panels, artist alley, and cosplay showcases.
Anime USA 2026
Oct 9-11 · Washington, DC
A mid-size anime convention in the DC metro area, offering panels, cosplay, and Japanese cultural programming.
Tsubasacon 2026
Oct 9-11 · Charleston, WV
Sekaicon 2026
Oct 9-11 · Newark, OH
Ready to plan your next cosplay build?
Start with a cosplay template. Milestones, starter materials, and a timeline you can customize before the first work session.
Cha Hae-in
~5wSolo Leveling's top S-rank female hunter in her signature white fitted uniform with gold-trimmed shoulder and chest armor, knee-high boots, and her 48-inch longsword. This is an intermediate hybrid build combining a stretch-knit bodysuit with EVA foam armor pieces and a sword prop. The armor-to-bodysuit attachment is the make-or-break detail. Includes 7 components, 14 materials with cost estimates, a 12-step build plan, and a realistic 4-6 week, $110 to $280 budget.
14 milestones·14 materials·$110-280·
Use templateAgott
~6wAgott in the full Witch Hat Atelier apprentice outfit: the teal pointed hat with the white front triangle and gold tassel, the double-breasted front panel, the cape with the quilted white shoulder band and pompom ties, the cream underdress, and her short curly black-purple hair. The cloak patterning is the hard part, because the cape and front panel are separate layers that pull on each other. 8 components, 15 materials, ~6 weeks, $140-300.
14 milestones·15 materials·$140-300·
Use templateKafka
~6wKafka from Honkai: Star Rail built around a tailored wine-red blazer, fitted white shirt, shorts-skirt hybrid with decorative thigh straps, knee-high black boots, and 80cm wine-red wavy wig. The make-or-break detail is color consistency: the suit, wig, and trim all need to land in the same deep wine-red family, and they won't unless you buy the wig first and match everything to it. Includes 7 components, 14 materials, 12 milestones, 6 weeks, and a $130-310 realistic budget. Katana prop is optional but adds impact.
12 milestones·14 materials·$130-310·
Use templateMaomao
~6wMaomao's palace maid look from The Apothecary Diaries is a layered hanfu build: a muted teal-green inner robe with a crossover yi collar visible at the chest, a darker outer robe layered over it, and her signature dark hair pulled into side braids with bun ornaments. The make-or-break details are keeping the inner collar visible through the outer layer and getting the wig buns to hold through a full con day. This is an intermediate sewing build that rewards anyone who can follow a hanfu pattern, with some wig work and light prop making for character accuracy. Includes 7 components, 13 materials with cost estimates, an 11-step build plan, and a realistic 6-week, $110 to $280 budget.
14 milestones·13 materials·$110-280·
Use templateUsed by makers from r/cosplay, The RPF, Cosplay.com, r/Gunpla, and r/minipainting