Leafeon Gijinka Cosplay Build

Pokemon has been a BIG player in nerd culture since the early 90's. As such, when cosplay began to expand in the USA 10 years ago fans decided to humanize their favorite Pokemon. These humanoid Poke Characters are called "Gijinka". A group of friends and I decided we wanted to be the Eeveelutions but with flare. As such, we used Sunset Dragon's Eeveelution designs that are a merging of Dungeons & Dragons classes with Eevees. I opted for Leafeon and thus this tutorial came to life...in my mind...where all things start...right?

Anyways, idea generation aside here is what will be covered in this tutorial...

• Pattern drafting
• Sewing / Tools
• Materials
• Tips/Tricks
• Pokemon Ear Fabrication
• Creating a Textile
• Using Found Objects
• Etc.

This costume was made in five days for under $100. The Worbla's KobraCast Art used on the ears was supplied/sponsored by CosplaySupplies.com.

Let's get started!

Materials

• 2 Way Stretch Polyester
• Poly Poplin/ Cotton Blend
• Belt Accessories
• Buttons/Beads
• Velcro (sew on)
• Bias Tape (for Hem/Seams)
• Thread (Cotton & Embroidery)

Tools

• Sewing Machine
• Tailor's Chalk
• Fabric Scissors
• Fabric Clips / Pins
• Needles (Machine / Hand)

SHIRT

I started by taking the following measurements...

• Bust Circumference
• Waist Circumference
• Hip Cicumference
• Height from Pelvis to Cleavage
• Height from Shoulder to Pelvis
• Shoulder Width
• Arm Circumference (around arm pit area)

Once I had these measurements I drew a rectangle that matched half of the hip circumference and matched the Shoulder to Pelvis height. From there I drew in the curves for waist and bust (at half the circumference) then measured for the arm holes. You can always buy a pattern OR use an existing t-shirt folded flat to create a rough pattern for costumes. As I do not have "conventional" measurements I opt to create my own patterns. With my pattern drafted I cut two, sewed the sides together with a single, loose stitch and tried on the shirt.

It was here that I discovered...

1. My arm holes were WAY too big
2. The shirt was WAY too long

I corrected the shirt length by removing 2 inches from the center and sewing the pieces back together. The extra seam would be hidden by my belt so I did not mind it's presence. If you do not want extra seams I suggest creating a mock up pattern using spare fabric OR muslin. Now that I had the fit corrected (I tightened the arm holes) I french seamed my shirt and added pre-made white bias tape to the hem of the shirt for clean ends. You can always do a double or rolled hem, I simply prefer bias tape as it is quick, simple and often more durable.

Next I grabbed a gold button and sewed it right underneath the cleavage. Thus the shirt was complete! I did change the design a bit to fit my comfort level.

BELT

I drew a triangle whose bottom matched the same circumference as my waist. I cut two triangles then sewed them together. Once sewn I hemmed them and added loose pleats by folding the fabric in three sections and adding a straight stitch on the inside of the belt. For securing the belt I added velcro to the front along with a false belt buckle. The buckle served as detail from which I could hang my heart pendant AND add my golden button to.

Materials

• Poly Poplin / Cotton Blend Fabric
• Green Pre-Made Bias Tape
• Velcro (glue on / sticky)

Tools

• Sewing Machine
• Fabric Clips / Pins
• Cotton Thread
• Machine Needles
• Fabric Scissors
• Tailor's Chalk

CAPE

I measured from the nape of my neck down to my feet to get the length of the cloak. For the width, I started with the width of my shoulders and slowly tapered outward (creating a rhombus like shape). With my Rhombus created (on one side only) I drew in the leafy details of the cape. I cut out one side then carefully folded and clipped the middle to trace the same design on the opposing side. Once both sides were cut out (I used only one layer of fabric) I carefully clipped/pinned over 9 yards of bias tape to the edges for a clean hem. After the hem was sewn on I added velcro to the neck to keep the cape on.

SCARF/COWL

I measured my neck then added 4 inches so I could drape the rectangle I was creating. The rectangle was: my neck measurement + 4" wide x 3" tall. I cut two rectangles then sewed three sides together before flipping the fabric inside out and folding in the final seam to hem. Next I clipped the rectangle around my mannequin's neck (you can use your own) to test the drape. Once it was set the way I liked I grabbed sticky velcro and added it to the areas where I wanted the scarf/cowl to secure.

Materials

• Poly Poplin / Cotton Blend Fabric
• Stretch Polyester Fabric
• Cotton Thread
• Acrylic Paint
• Spray Matte Mod Podge
• Gold Buttons
• Elastic

Tools

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Needles
• Fabric Scissors
• Tailor's Chalk
• Fabric Clips / Pins
• Paint Brushes / Palettes

SHORTS

I created my very own fabric textile as I COULD NOT find fabric with stripes that matched the design of this character. I started out by following THIS TUTORIAL for creating bloomers. Next, I traced out the pattern I drew onto green fabric. I cut two of the fabric (for the two legs) then divided the shorts into 2" strips. I repeated this action on my tan fabric. Finally, I separated the legs and placed all of the strips together so I had one leg each in a green/tan strip pattern. I clipped all the sides and sewed each strip of fabric together individually.

Once I had the general form of the bloomers sewn together I measured the elastic for the waistband along with a rectangular strip that was my waist measurement + 4 inches (it matched the waistband of my shorts). I created a tube out of the rectangle by sewing the longest sides together. Next, I sewed the waist band (without the elastic) to my shorts. Finally, I added the elastic by using a safety pin to feed it through the waist band tube. I secured the elastic onto the shorts and evened out the gather it created.

I repeated this process for the bottom of each leg so that my shorts were gathered at the bottom and poofy in the middle.

SHOES

This was fairly easy. I purchased $5 shoes from a thrift shop that matched the design. Next, I repainted them using high quality acrylic paint. Once they were painted I sealed them with a Matte Mod Podge spray sealant. Finally, I sewed on the center gold buttons.

Materials

• Poly Poplin / Cotton Blend Fabric
• Stretch Polyester Fabric
• String of pearls
• Elastic
• Cotton Thread

Tools

• Fabric Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Tailor's Chalk
• Needles
• Fabric Clips / Pins

SLEEVES

I started with the poofy sleeve first. I cut two rectangles that were two times the circumference of my upper arm by 3" tall. Next, using the same technique I crafted for the shorts, I generated the striped pattern for these poofs. I sewed everything together then added elastic to the top & bottom by folding over extra fabric to create a channel that I could feed the elastic into. Finally, I took pearls off of a necklace and hand sewed them to the bottom of the poofs.

For the tan arm covers/sleeves I drew a rectangle that was as long as my arm and as wide as my elbow. I tapered it at the wrist then did a rolled hem for the bottom. To the top of the tan sleeve I added non-stretch green fabric and inserted thick elastic into a channel I created by folder over the fabric. The green helped make the poof sleeve and tan sleeve look seamless.

Materials

• Worbla's KobraCast Art
• Armature Wire
• Amazon Wavy Wig
• Faux Fur Rug from Ikea
• Alcohol Air Brush Paint
• Matte Mod Podge Sealant
• Dollar Store Fabric Flowers
• Hot Glue Gorilla Glue
• Acrylic Paint
• Sharpies
• Clear rubber bands

Tools

• Heat Gun
• Cutting Shears
• Hot Glue Gun
• Airbrush
• Paint Brushes / Palettes
• Hair brush

EARS & WIGS

Since this was VERY involved I have included a video that reviews the process for creating these ears. For the wig I just parted it carefully then added two braids on each side. I also airbrushed the wig a bit to help it blend in with the ears/foliage.

The final result was a completed costume that I could wear comfortably in a hot or cool environment (It was 105 degrees Farenheit the day I wore this). There are some adjustments I intend to make (like altering the color of the shirt, fixing a broken button and stabilizing the sticky velcro) but overall I was quite pleased with this outfit.

Best of luck to you and happy crafting!

Photographer Credits: Kincart Photography & Eurobeat Kasumi Photography.