What’s the first thing you think of when you think of an anime convention? That’s right, cosplayers. Every year, thousands of cosplayers pack into crowded gatherings to show off their latest ensembles.

Cosplay can be a difficult hobby to get into, though, especially if you want to make your own costumes. If you can’t sew, “difficult” suddenly becomes “impossible.” Because of this, there are many who flock online to purchase their duds.

Earlier today, Geek & Sundry’s Sachie posted a fantastic “how-to” for those who want to buy their costumes online. She goes over everything, from the best practices, to common pitfalls to avoid. If you’ve ever been interested in entering the world of cosplay, but unsure of where to begin, this is a good place to start.

If you’re looking for the very basics, then Sachie has you covered there, as well! About a month ago, she posted a “How to Start Cosplaying!” video that explains a lot of the basics.

Her entire series, which is up on YouTube, does a fantastic job of explaining the basics in plain English. They’re definitely worth a look if you’re new to the world of cosplay!