Getting Ready For PAXAus 2014: Ms. Ausretrogamer’s DIY Lara Croft Cosplay

I had always wanted to make my own cosplay costume. I was inspired by all the awesome cosplay I saw at PAX AUS last year. To prepare for PAX AUS 2014 I dusted off my sewing machine and hot glue gun and embarked on a DIY cosplay adventure!

I did not have to think hard to choose the subject for my creation – I adore the Tomb Raider series, so Lara’s pistols and holsters were the obvious choice.

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Here is how I did it:

First I found the pistols – it took a bit of searching, but I eventually found some on Amazon.

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Next I got some black leather-look vinyl, strapping and clips for the holsters from Spotlight – the sales assistant asked me what I was making, and I initially said shyly ‘just a costume’ but when I realised how suspicious that sounded I explained it was for holsters!

To make the holsters:

  1. Cut 4 from the vinyl, glue 2 together and sew the top and bottom edges.

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  1. Fold into a cone shape around barrel of the gun and glue the long edges together.

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Then I attached the holsters to the belt (the belt was just $4.25 – thanks Salvos)

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  1. Cut and sew loops on the ends of 4 straps. The straps should reach from the belt to the middle of the holsters.

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  1. Cut and sew loops on the ends of 2 straps. These straps should reach from the middle of the holsters to the leg straps/bottom of the holsters. Sew together in a ‘Y’ shape.

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  1. Then glue the holsters onto the ‘Y’ shaped straps.

Finally make the thigh straps (with clips to allow for bio breaks!).

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To complete my outfit I got some leather fingerless gloves from eBay.

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And here is the finished product – now I’m ready for PAX AUS 2014. Don’t forget to stop by to say hello to the ausretrogamer team and play a game or two (or three) in the classic console area!

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Tomb Raider image source: TombRaiders.Net

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Editor and Researcher at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

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