Guide To Being A Txantsan Cosplayer

[apache_blanca]

Originally Posted by MOMS Ball Avatar

Apache got her blue bikini today. It looks very Na'vi color

ohhhh give over!! well yes, yes, I got it! it's true. It's Na'vi blue with tiny rhinestones actually I just need to paint cobalt stripes on it.

I saw it last year in a Chinese shop - when I was still under a huge impression caused by Seattle 2011 Meetup thread, and Sarah's cosplay outfit (if 'outfit' is the right word for body-painting + everything else). But at that time I wasn't sure whether I would go to Seattle 2012 at all - and even less sure of whether I would dare to bare!
It only took me about a year to decide to cosplay... ! For the reasons I cannot fathom I DID find the Na'vi blue bikini in that shop a year later: What was the chance that they would have summer stuff from the previous year? about 1%?. Go figure. It must be fate...

About tails - I thought about attaching mine to the bikini actually, but, ahem, the bathroom question becomes a bit complicated then. So a tail attached to a belt (or a velcro /string, or something) seems a better idea... I will be trying

[Human No More]

Probably the easiest way would be to attach it to the loincloth.

[apache_blanca]

^^^the idea is good, but that depends on the loincloth - and the tail! the latter has a certain weight & length; will the loincloth (its strings, or whatever is there at the back) be able to hold it in place? How do you attach it - will you sew the tail on it (its strings (or whatever) must be broad enough then)? or glue it on? Last year MOMS Ball Avatar had a rather broad leather belt with a hole for a tail in the back; that + some medical adhesive (? right, MOMS?) seemed to have done a good job for a kxetse. I don't remember what Sarah did with her tail, but she has a complete costume breakdown + tutorial in her cosplay thread, I reckon it is worth it to have a look.

As for me, I am contemplating to borrow my kxetse from... Neytiri's birthday suit that I have! & sew in on the loincloth, or rather, a hipwrap that I would be wearing (hope Neytiri wouldn't mind ) still thinking

[Fiyerwall]

Apache, I'm making a belt for my loincloth. Then I'm sewing my tail to a pair of chaps that I'm making that resemble Neytiri's when she's riding her ikran. If you need any help with anything, message me and I'll do what I can.

[apache_blanca]

I guess it's a good idea about a belt for the kxetse. Methinks, I'll make a 'hidden belt', or rather, a waistband with velcro, & attach the tail to it + the hipwrap that will hide this arrangement and/or the belt to keep the whole thing in place... Unfortunately my beautiful beaded belt bought specifically for this - cosplay - purpose happens to have a lousy fastener, & it opens at a any more or less sharp twist & turn... I wouldn't want to pick it up off the floor all day! ah well. It just shows how wise it it to try your cosplay outfit on Long before the cosplay day!!

What to do...? I might make a... crocheted belt of coloured yarn... the Na'vi have weavers in their clans, right? or maybe I'll find another native-looking belt...

Oh, Fiyerwall, thank you for the chaps! now I know what they are...

[mikkowilson]

Originally Posted by apache_blanca

Na'vi have weavers in their clans, right?

The Omatikaya are master weavers.

While other Na'vi clans on Pandora organize themselves around carving or pottery, the Omaticaya are renowned for their brilliant textiles.

Omaticaya Clan - James Cameron's Avatar Wiki - Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana


- Mikko

[Fiyerwall]

Originally Posted by apache_blanca

Oh, Fiyerwall, thank you for the chaps! now I know what they are...

You are very welcome, ma tsmuke.

[apache_blanca]

Originally Posted by mikkowilson

The Omatikaya are master weavers.


Omaticaya Clan - James Cameron's Avatar Wiki - Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana


- Mikko

oh, great. Do I have the Omaticaya blessings then?

& I loved this Na'vi concept of Eywa being a cosmic weaver

[Fiyerwall]

Well, I think that I might actually be finished with my outfit. I'm working on another pair of chaps to act as backups in case the the originals decide to rip. Is anybody else making any 'extras' for their costumes just in case of an emergency?

[Human No More]

Mine isn't complicated enough to warrant that...

[MOMS Ball Avatar]

Yes. In fact if all of my original costume holls I will extra nose, face, tail and wigs to lend.

[Tompa'Ivong]

I have a good example of the tail, I done my loincloth out of elk , and beadwork on it, here's a photo of it. I made the loincloth out of elkskin, treated it with mink oil.

As far as the design went, I scaled it up to size, literally tracing it off my monitor, and then sketched it onto 2 transparent document protectors, which then left a perfect outline in the leather for me to lay ink on, then I did the beadwork over the motif.

For the loincloth I pieced 4 pieces of braided elkskin together for a sturdy anchor. The tail I bought off a costume, I reinforced the foam core with galvanized wire, and did the anchoring on it.




Both back and front images, beadwork on both sides are unique patterns

[MOMS Ball Avatar]

Thanks beautiful work.

Irayo for sharing

[Human No More]

Beautiful indeed... Mine isn't going to be anywhere near that good

[Fiyerwall]

I love the feathers on the end of the tail. Very unique.