Thank you, this was very helpful. I was planning on making Nanoha's staff (raging heart) from Nanoha's A's and this technique will be a lot earlier than some of the other methods I have seen.
I just started sewing and I really want to cosplay Diana D: I was happy I saw this but I couldn't understand a lot of things >< What are those lining thingies? How did you make them and how did you sew it on? D: Your reply will very much be appreciated!