August 30, 2016

Epic Cosplay Costumes: Happy Publication Week!

Epic Cosplay Costumes is set to be released in stores September 1st of this year, and you can get it on Amazon now! Go here to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Cosplay-Costumes-Step-Step/dp/1440245770



A Beginner’s Guide & Veteran Handbook

This week marks the official release of Epic Cosplay Costumes. I hope that you’ve all enjoyed a sort of preview of all the interesting things I’ve included in the book (asides from the many tutorials)!

I wanted this book to not only be a tutorial guide on how to make some basic types of costume pieces, but to also be a welcoming guide to cosplay itself. I’ve found there are a lot of people out there who are curious about cosplay, and want to start, but get intimidated or don’t think it’s “for them”. I wanted to show them that it’s okay, and it’s not as complicated as one might think.

At the same time, I wanted to make a book that would be useful for the more ‘veteran’ cosplayers out there. Those of us who’ve put together our own costumes, but looking for more information, or a guide to help out. I designed all the tutorials with an easy-to-follow customizable sizing layout, but at the end of each project I added tips on how to alter these items. In fact, I STRONGLY encourage it! Mess with the patterns, experiment and alter them to make the costumes of your dreams!

All the Things to Learn & Grow

I would like to leave you all with some food-for-thought, though really it’s me kind of getting a little mushy about the whole thing. Cosplay is an amazing hobby. You learn all sorts of wonderful new skills (all the time, don’t worry you’ll ALWAYS find something new to figure out), meet cool people, and it even can help you boost your own confidence!

The TL;DR list of neat things you learn (just in case you get any naysayers ;) )

Puzzle Solving/Problem Solving
AKA “how do I make THAT”

Research Techniques
Finding your reference images, looking up styles of clothing, how things are made, trying to find that tutorial that’ll help you make that one odd thing

Following Directions
Making stuff with patterns and following the instructions provided. Following tutorials.

Sewing
You’re putting fabric together! This includes all sorts of stuff from plain seams, to ironing, buttons, spacial awareness, and so much more.

Instructional Writing
A lot of us write up about how we made our costumes – for other cosplayers to find and use our tutorials!

Event Planning/Scheduling
How to coordinate a group project, travel planning (going to conventions), event coordinating (signing up for things like Masquerades)

TIME MANAGEMENT
AHAHAHAHAH sure. Yes. We totally learn this.

Budgeting
You learn how to save up monies for that fabric you really want, or that show you want to visit, you learn to clip coupons and wait for pattern sales.

Social Skills
One of the best parts of cosplay is how it can change your outlook on social interactions. It helps create great conversation starters, and helps you find fellow fans. It’s been known to boost social self-esteem, and I know I feel a lot more confident in a costume than in regular clothes when I’m at a convention.



You Can Do It!

The long story short here, is that cosplay can be a very fun, rewarding hobby, and if you’ve ever wanted to try it out – now’s the time to start! There are all sorts of information sources out there, and handy guides like Epic Cosplay Costumes to help you along the way.

Get out there and DO THE THING!


I believe in you! See you at the convention! ;)

August 23, 2016

Epic Cosplay Costumes: Convention Survival Kit

Epic Cosplay Costumes is set to be released in stores September 1st of this year, and you can get it on Amazon now! Go here to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Cosplay-Costumes-Step-Step/dp/1440245770

Cosplay is More Than Just Sewing

Epic Cosplay Costumes (ECC) is at it's core, a book about how to make costume pieces that can be used to create many types of cosplay. However, as you've noticed throughout the last several posts I've made regarding the book, I included a whole bunch of other topics that can be helpful in creating and wearing the costumes of your dreams!

I wanted to save this introduction for last, because it's one that I feel very passionately about:

Conventions.

That's right. You've probably seen em on TV, in the news, and so forth, but one of the biggest places people take and wear cosplay are to conventions!

So far, from my knowledge there is no actual "Stuff Con"
It a convention... about STUFF. Stuff you like!
Like anime. Or comics.


Convention Survival Kit

Conventions can seem big, scary, and intimidating, but many of us want to visit one(and cosplay too). To a fledgling con-goer (or their parents), all the sign ups, travel and set up to even get ready to go to a convention can be very confusing or overwhelming.

I wanted to use this section to give the general ins and outs about what it takes to actually get to and participate in an actual convention. While they're all different, there's a lot of similarities between the hundreds (if not thousands) of conventions out there!


THE INTERNET.


Topics include:

  • Signing up to attend
  • What sort of events they'll have
  • Where to find information like cosplay and convention rules
  • Traversing the hallways (and watching for attendees so your costume and/or props stay in one piece)
  • Getting photos
  • ...and more! 
Some of it's technical know-how mixed in with some general attendee etiquette - this includes what you, as a cosplayer, should be aware of, as well as what attendees should know regarding cosplayers and convention behavior too!

This section is devoted to helping make YOUR experience at a convention as smooth and stress-free as I can through text. I want to not only see you all make great and wonderful costumes, but I want to see you wear them with confidence. Conventions aren't as insurmountable as you think - in fact, they can be a very fun and rewarding experience!

So go on! Go sign up and get out there, meet other cosplayers and fans - have a great time!

August 19, 2016

Super Tiny Recap: JAFAX 2016

We're back with another Sort-Of-Retro-Recap-Because-I-Was-So-Busy-Traveling about yet ANOTHER convention!

This week's recap is JAFAX.

more information found at jafax.org


I only ended up spending a single day there due to traveling logistics, but I wanted to chime in on the new location and show!

For many many many years, JAFAX has been a small anime convention taking place at Grand Valley State University's campus (and I'd say is responsible for me really getting into the convention scene in general). Over these many many many years, the number of attendees has grown what feels like exponentially. And grow it did, so big that it could no longer be contained on a campus easily.

And thus they took a year off, and relocated to downtown Grand Rapids and the DeVos Center.

Check In & Entryway

Finding the show wasn't too hard - the DeVos Center is directly off the freeway, so for us single-dayers or commuters, it wasn't too hard to find. The center itself is HUGE and so very pretty. I hadn't pre-registered because I am basically a giant doofus, and I figured they're really expedient with other stuff, this should be okay, right?


I later discovered this further wrapped around around the corner!


When I got in to the show, the line was IMMENSE. And while yes, it was a bit of a bother waiting (because I was a panelist I got to flag a volunteer to help me out. I wasn't even able to drive up until the early afternoon due to scheduling and I felt so bad about it! That's all on me though), I was so happy that there were so many people trying to get into the show.

And JAFAX handled it as best as any show could! They knew things weren't working right, the system was running extra slow so check in wasn't working as efficiently as planned. But they worked with the attendees, providing next day badges and the like. Because that's the kind of show they are. I'm proud to know them.

Dealer Hall

I didn't have a lot of time to spare, so I quickly dashed to the Dealer Hall, which had a very nice set up. It was in a big ballroom type room, and had carpeted floors and sound absorbing walls. I can't tell you how happy that makes me, because sometimes the din of crowds and people talking make my head hurt.

ANOTHER TRASH CAN I AM SO BAD AT PHOTOS

The artists and the vendors were vaguely separated into areas, but in a way, also interspersed, which worked for the smaller nature of the vendor hall.

Other Stuff

Check in for panels was great - staff was really nice. The panel rooms themselves were lovely!

They also had a couple of food booths set up by DeVos center themselves, and I am always so happy when conventions have instant ramen bowls available. I will eat that in a heartbeat over fast food at conventions!

I got one of the last spicy bowls. MWAHAHAH. It was DELICIOUS.

I was literally only there for a handful of hours, as I drove home immediately (as in 3 days I was driving to Texas), so I can't really comment much on the good, the bad, the suggestions like I normally do.

I really liked the new center. It had a LOT of potential for future shows, and I hope next year to attend the full weekend! This show has a lot of space to grow into, and I bet it can. I can't wait to see what it turns into!

August 15, 2016

Epic Cosplay Costumes: Cosplay Wigs

Epic Cosplay Costumes is set to be released September 1st of this year, and you can pre-order it on Amazon! Go here to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Cosplay-Costumes-Step-Step/dp/1440245770

Other Pieces of a Costume

Many people see photos of fantastic cosplays and they get a tad overwhelmed, or unsure of how to create the same effects on their own. A common question I've gotten is actually about something OTHER than the costume pieces to make.

Wigs.
FUN FACT: Some of these wigs are based on ones I own ;)

The world of cosplay wigs has transformed from scrounging around on the internet and in Halloween stores hoping you can get something to vaguely work with (and use mysterious things like caulk or heat sealers - it was a dark time) to a big business! Technology has advanced so much that cosplay wigs are extremely easy to come across these days and can make your costuming even easier!

I wanted to introduce cosplayers who might not be familiar with some of the terminology or basics of wig finding/wearing. Let's be honest here - you can write an entire book on wigs alone (in fact, some people have!) - so I didn't want to get too mired in in-depth explanation, but more of a general overview so it's not so scary!

Side Note: I also wanted to mention that in this section I also talk about the fact that you don't have to wear a wig if you don't want to. This chapter is merely to introduce the inexperienced wig users with some handy info on how to wear and care for their colorful hairpieces!

How to Wear & Care For a Wig

This particular section in the book, while smaller, is here to provide you some interesting general information regarding wigs and their wear and care!

Throughout the chapter, I talk about supplies you'll want to have on hand if you're going to be wearing and/or styling wigs, as well as how to put ON a wig.

That's right! I'm going to tell you how to put a wig on your head - because I'll be the first to admit, I had no idea what I was doing back in the day. I explain what to do with your hair underneath (wear wig caps, people!), how to place a wig onto your head, even where you can sew in snap clips or where to place bobby pins.

THE FUTURE IS NOW!
Heat Styling! OH MY!

It's Not That Scary!

Cosplay wigs aren't as much of a scary thing any more, and they've made it 1000 times easier to find and style them than way in the past. I hope that when you peruse through this section, perhaps you too will find that cosplay wigs aren't as daunting as you once thought!

Places to Find Wigs

Here's a couple of my favorite online stores, with tons of colors and styles available!

Arda Wigs

Epic Cosplay Wigs


NEXT WEEK: A Special Section about Conventions

August 12, 2016

Retro Recap: Indy Pop Con 2016

Indy Pop Con 2016 was mostly a blur to me this year for a couple of reasons. I was giving a whole host of instructional panels (one of my favorite things to do!), but more importantly I had literally gotten back from Europe about 3 days before the show. I was super jet-lagged the day I got back, and never had the chance to actually just rest.


My Day of Rest was actually Re-Writing Panels and
Designing Booklets for 14 hours straight.

Word to the wise, this is NOT a smart idea. I think I still managed to teach pretty darn well at all my panels and much fun was had! But I'll talk about that in a little bit. Time for another Retro Recap (mostly because it happened like 2 months ago and I'm super behind in my recaps)!


INDY POP CON 2016



I had ended up missing last years IPC due to conflicting events, and I had longed to vend at this years show but stuff and timing just didn't end up working out as I had hoped. BUT! I was presented with the opportunity to present make and take workshops all about drawing and artwork, and how could I resist?

I did spend most of my time in a panel room, or behind a booth helping my art pal Tiny T-Rex Studios watch their stuff. (and making buttons on the spot for people!) So I didn't see nearly as much of the show as I'd like but I have my general thoughts on how it went, and my suggestions and feelings on the show!


I am a great dinosaur babysitter.


Click the READ MORE for the rest of the post!


August 9, 2016

Epic Cosplay Costumes: Building New Skill Sets

Epic Cosplay Costumes is set to be released September 1st of this year, and you can pre-order it on Amazon! Go here to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Cosplay-Costumes-Step-Step/dp/1440245770

More Than Just Tutorials


When the idea for the book Epic Cosplay Costumes (ECC) was pitched, obviously we wanted to have a handful of tutorials on how to make some standard costume pieces that can make all sorts of costumes. But I had even more I wanted to teach people. I wanted to set readers along the path of how to make changes and costume parts on the fly!

Toolbox Illustration Sample

But how on earth was I going to tell people to just "add some things" and that's when the "Sewing Toolbox" section of this book was born.

A Different Type of Toolset

Thinking of a Tool Box, you're probably thinking of things like having a sewing machine, iron, pins, etc (and don't worry there's a whole section with illustrations for those things too!), but it's something entirely different.

One of the "gathering fabric" illustrations

What I intended to teach readers is a whole host of creative techniques that can be applied to most any costumes you come up with. This includes simple things such as ironing seams down flat or gathering fabric, and all the way up to "how to add ruffles" to things like skirt edges, and a popular technique called "Stitch in the Ditch".

Now each of these mini tutorials includes more of a "vague" set of directions as they are meant to be used in relation to whatever project your working on. It's kind of a small encyclopedia entry about a technique and how to do it. Along with a small description (and sometimes steps) on how to do said technique, they are also accompanied by illustrations demonstrating each technique.


Sample of "Stitch in the Ditch" tutorial images

All the illustrations were vectored by me as well - in order of showing readers nice, clear, easy to follow diagrams that can be applied to many different projects.

My biggest hope is that my readers will not only be able to make costumes with the tutorials included, but also learn extra creative techniques that will help them in their cosplay future! Get out there, and get CREATIVE!

NEXT WEEK: Cosplay Wigs

August 3, 2016

Retro Recap: Animecon (Netherlands) 2016

A Convention Halfway Across the world (for me)... Animecon!

Through a wonderful chance, I got to attend the one, the only Animecon taking place at the World Forum in the Hague, Netherlands. It's an amazing show that was hosting a whole ton of cosplay competitions all over the world. I was there as part of Karmaluna cosplay participating in their standard Group Category.

I wanted to just kinda give you all a view of some of the neat stuff I saw and did while I was at the show (and honestly some of the stuff I wish our cons here would do).

The actual show Animecon took place at a cool location called the World Forum - it's basically a fancy convention center with a huge auditorium connected to it.



(Click the Read More for the rest of the adventure!)


August 1, 2016

Epic Cosplay Costumes: Condensing a Process into Words

Epic Cosplay Costumes is set to be released September 1st of this year, and you can pre-order it on Amazon! Go here to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Cosplay-Costumes-Step-Step/dp/1440245770

"How Do I Make XYZ?"

I knew from the start that the book Epic Cosplay Costumes (ECC) would be featuring a bunch of step by step tutorials - as that is the nature of a maker's book, but I wanted to add something extra. I wanted to add value to the book as a guide for future projects and just what exactly the process of cosplay is. But that's kind of a nebulous idea, when you get right down to it - however it is one of the most common questions I receive from people.

People want to make costumes, but aren't necessarily sure what that first step it. And a lot of costumes can look... complicated. Confusing.

Such as, how to go from something like this concept art (left) to full on costume (right)

Photo by Elemental Photography
   



Because, for all intents and purposes, there really isn't a set group of patterns that's going to have exactly every character costume ever (though we're really trying to right now, and GOSH IT'S GREAT!). So my next big hurdle was how to condense 15 years of cosplay knowledge and techniques down into a single book. And that's when it came to me.

Breaking It Down

Every costume can be separated into easier to manage chunks, pieces you can get from various patterns or draft yourself! This is usually the first step I do. It might not be written down exactly all the time, but for me, it's the process of gathering the patterns I'll want to work with that represent bits and pieces of the costume I'm working on.

It's this process that I've written down, in hopes of helping cosplayers attacking those costumes they thought were impossible before! In the book there's a host of samples of types of garments you'll commonly see in costumes as well as regular patterns, along with some fun illustrated samples of costumes.

These costumes might light a little familiar as you read through the book - they're all the sample costumes photographed and placed in the book! So if you like one of the projects in our photos, we've got the breakdown for you (and they can all be made with projects included in the book!).


"Superheroine" sample image
Drawn by me!


Break My Directions!

Now, not only will you learn that it's not too scary to break down costumes into parts you're looking for, there's one other important skill I wanted to teach readers through this book: Altering The Instructions.

NOW. I'm not talking about forgoing the instructions in the book, but what I'm really referring to is how to take each project and change it to suit your needs. Be it the color/type of fabric, the shapes added to pieces, lengths of sleeves, and more. Each fabric project includes ways you can "alter" each tutorial to get a whole host of other garments!



Sample of other ways to alter the "Rectangle Bow" project

The only stipulation is that it's gonna require a little bit of bravery on your part. Due to space constraints I obviously couldn't go into extreme detail on how to make each change - but these images are here to spur on your imagination! To see the other garments types these projects can make.

And with that knowledge, you'll have the skills forming on how to make any costume your heart desires.

NEXT TIME: Sewing Toolbox