Out now!
The Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Armor & Props
Yes! The time has come! The new book is finally available 😀
Joyce van den Goor, founder of Pretzl Cosplay, is here to guide you on your epic cosplay journey. Learn all the best tools, materials and trade techniques–such as sanding, shaping, detailing, painting and so much more–to craft epic armor and lightweight props for your dream cosplays out of EVA foam.
Both cheap and easy-to-handle, this material is perfect for total newbies and experienced cosplayers alike!
This new book that’s filled to the brim with step-by-step projects to make at home is completed with all the crafting templates you need to create all of these 22 beginner friendly armor and prop projects.
Everyone can cosplay. Yes, you too!
- 192 pages filled with cosplay crafting goodness
- 22 easy to follow projects to create your dream cosplays
- Pattern enveloppe with fold-out crafting templates
- Smaller patterns are included as printable PDF's to print at home
Get your paperback or digital copy today from your favorite book store:
This list is not definite, but it’s what I’ve found thusfar:
United States
Canada
UK
The Netherlands
Germany
Rest of Europe
Rest of the World
What other people say:
"The Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Armor & Props is a wonderful introduction to the world of foam crafting! Joyce gives you a great start and introduces you to basic tools and materials! Here you'll find plenty of easy to follow tips and tricks on how to create your very own foam armor and weapon!"
"A really good tutorial book if you want to get started with foam crafting, but even if you are an advanced costume maker it's great to extend your knowledge. Joyce is a true magician in foam crafting and is teaching you everything you need to know to bring your own creation to life."
"Pretzl’s instructions and patterns are so easy to understand and follow! For anyone wanting to work with EVA foam, this book is invaluable!"
"Not only does she cover the basic tools and techniques in this book. You also get free patterns and step-by-step instructions. What a great introduction to the wonderful world of Cosplay."
22 epic step by step explained projects to create full costumes with props
With 22 different projects to test your skills, you’re sure to impress at your next comic-con, Renaissance faire or live action role-playing event.
From a medieval warrior’s armor to a woodland elf’s iconic ears to an enchanting sorcerer’s handy spellbook, these pieces will serve as the perfect addition to your work-in-progress costume, or you can combine them all to create three full cosplay looks.
All the armor pieces and props for the three characters you see here are described in detail in the book. Even complete with traceable crafting templates!
Complete with crafting templates for all projects described in the book!
The book contains traceable patterns for each project as well as detailed step-by-step images and plenty of ideas for variation.
You’ll find all of the large fold-out patterns conveniently included in the back envelope, while the rest are the perfect size for printing at home. To make the projects work for as many people as possible, Joyce gives tips about how to resize or alter the patterns to make them fit perfectly and comfortably on your body. Some of the projects in the book are quite femine shaped. With these projects, there are also guidelines on how to alter the patterns to make them more gender neutral shaped or more or less curvy for example. So everyone can use these templates to create projects for themselves.
Take this comprehensive guide, and you’ll have everything you need to bring your nerdiest dreams to life with just some EVA foam and a bit of fairy dust (oh I mean creativity of course!).
There's many awesome things to be found Inside the book:
- Introduction to EVA foam
- What tools and materials to use
- How to work with foam
- Learn how to cut, glue and shape EVA foam
- Find out how to add wonderful details to your EVA foam project by using different techniques
- Get to know the various ways you can prime, paint and finish your EVA foam creations
- Learn how to craft armor and how to make attachments so you can wear it
- Make epic props for your cosplays by following the step-by-step instructions
- 4 projects for headwear
- 3 projects for shoulder armor
- 4 projects for arm and hand armor
- 4 projects for torso and waist armor
- 3 projects for leg and foot armor
- 4 projects for props
- 22 detailed crafting templates (both on large folded sheets in the back enveloppe, and downloadable to print at home)
Secure a copy of the book now by ordering from your favorite book shop, or right here on my website
When will the books be shipped?
The USA release date for the book is the 5th of December, 2023. For the rest of the world, this date will be later. Depending on the store and country where you buy the book from, they will be shipped out on a date closer or later after the book is released.
What other people say:
"Joyce has taken her epic talent for foam crafting and transformed it into an easy to digest, informative guide which is essential for new and experienced foam crafters. If you're looking to dive into the wonderful world of foam cosplays, this book is for you."
"Pretzl has been such an important figure in the cosplay community! When I first started she was already inspiring the community and helping them with her beautiful creations and patterns! Always ready to help others with that same passion. Super excited to see this book happen and im sure it will help many starting cosplayers to set off on their own amazing cosplay journey!."
"Cosplay is for everyone, but it’s often hard to get started. “be brave and try it”. For me, this is the perfect slogan which Joyce will pass on to you. With the simple words and clear steps Joyce will introduce you to the world of cosplay and crafting with foam in this book."
"PretzlCosplay is a very talented costume and prop maker! So this book is definitely recommended if you want to start making creative EVA Foam costumes or props yourself!"
"A fantastic collection of information and projects showcasing the fundamentals needed to become a Foamsmith! "
"This book, like its author, is creative, clear, and able to open up a whole new world of projects you can make yourself. A helpfull guide full of important information for those of us who want to get better at building, and have a better understanding at the process behind it. Read this book and learn from one of the best. "
"Pretzl has done it again! She has created a must read for anybody starting with their cosplay."
22 Easy to follow step-by-step projects
There are 22 projects included in this book, complete with detailed step-by-step instructions with images and crafting templates to help you create your very own costume.
The projects vary from cool headwear like horns, a helmet or headpiece to chestplates and even armor to wear for your legs and hands! But that’s not all, just take a look at these three characters (Woodelf, Knight and Sorceress) to see what exact projects are included in the book.
Create one (or all three!) example characters by closely following the step-by-step instructions in the book, or give the projects your own unique style by altering the shapes, designing different details to decorate them and by finishing the projects with a total different paintjob. It’s all up to you!
Afraid that you won’t be able to make your own designs so your costume will be totally unique? Don’t worry! With every project, Joyce gives lots of tips and ideas for alterations and variations to make each project absolutely unique and personalized.
So yes, also YOU can cosplay!
Wood elf projects:
Knight projects:
Sorceress projects:
Excited to get started with creating EPIC Fantasy Costumes & Accessories with EVA foam?
Order your copy of the book today!
Specs:
- Publisher : Page Street Publishing (5 Dec. 2023)
- Language: English
- Paperback: 192 pages
- ISBN-10: 1645678148
- ISBN-13: 978-1645678144
- Dimensions: 19.69 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
