Whenever I judge craftsmanship, I make an award for my judge's choice. It's a small, tudor rose inspired design. I make them using the convention's own color scheme in flat silk and Japanese Goldwork thread. Can you guess which con will be the first this coming year?

We're close enough now to #magfest that I think it's safe to say I've locked in my cosplay lineup. I'll be bringing three costumes with me, and (thanks to groups) they all ended up being designed by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social 😅I'll be pretty busy on Friday judging. Can't wait to see folks!

Cosplaying with one of my best cosplay friends, @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social is always a lot of fun. We’ve been building costumes for cons together for a few years now, and having her with me makes every project feel a lot more fun. Design by @hannah_alexander_artwork 📸 @adoylible.bsky.social

Figuring out the shapes for the cloak for Ladybug and how they’d actually sit on my body took way more trial and error than I expected. There were a lot of mock-ups made before anything actually started to make sense to me. Design by hannah_alexander_artwork Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

With MAGFest coming up again, here's a little throwback to last year, when I cosplayed Hannah Alexander's Ladybug. I still love how bold the colors and details turned out. Design by @hannah_alexander_artwork Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

Nearly done now! Just need to finish adding all the sparkle to the lower skirt/pants and then it's ready to costest. But that means all my Magfest costumes are now done! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Little back in time moment, but while the wig is before all the styling, wanted to also show off the little hat and shoes. I'm deviating for the shoe design from brown boots to more comfortable sneakers I thrifted. And of course added bling to. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Working on the accessories while I wait for more pleated fabric. I hate wig work the most, but it is pretty satisfying to see the cheap wigs take on new life with steam and crimping. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Don't think I showed it. But got the top dress all finalized! Just need to steam it again. That one spot on the back loves to wrinkle when I'm scrunching it up to hand sew. Probably needs a good starch at this point. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Bling time! The skirt part of the skirt/pants is sewn enough so I can start really adding all the shells and beads to it. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Now that the top is done, time for the skirt. Well, only part of it's a skirt. My vision is to make these secret pants, complete with pockets! But the top most tier will be a skirt. It's weird, but having fun with the challenge of it. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Got the skirt layers pin to check the drape, gonna need to add some darts in but I'm very happy with the level of sparkle we have going on. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Time to start on the skirt bling. It's always super difficult to be random in the placement of rhinestones, but having them in different sizes helps a bit. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

We got a waistband going now! Originally, I was going to do a side zipper, but testing how I could get in/out of the cosplay I swapped instead to a stretchy shirring panel as a godet on the side. Much more comfortable now! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

It's starting to look more like a top now! I used stretch Satin for comfort, though it needs a lot of steaming still. But it provides a nice base for the top! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Halloween always became lazy night, and this year is no different!. At home, corny Halloween specials, apple cider in hand. I look at the effort I put into cons and just... NOPE, not tonight. Time to curl up and stay cozy. Any other cosplayers joining me? Winifred 📸 @munchkin_photos

The over-engineered sleeves are almost done! Just need to go back and slip stitch the band lining in and steam them. But it was definitely a fun challenge figuring out where to anchor the wings so they had the look I wanted. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Getting everything figured out on the dressform, including those very overcomplicated sleeves. I added padding in a few places to keep the look while offsetting the weight of the wing panels. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

One thing I absolutely love is a good clean bias tape finished with a slip stitch :D Got the rhinestones all glued in so assembly will be next! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

For the details, I decided to go with a combination of HTV and Rhinestones, for extra sparkle. The bad news is I have to apply everything flat before I can assemble, so it'll take a bit of time to sit and apply each cut star and each rhinestone by hand. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Now, it's time to charge full steam ahead with Gulliver. Starting with his sailor collar. I'll admit to playing a bit fast and loose with the construction, even if the final result is polished. I did most of it by draping Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

And we've got a dress! Pretty happy with how quickly this came out. No costest though, that will have to wait till Magfest! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Jolteon isn't my only Magfest (or SunsetDragon ) design in the works. I'm also working on Gulliver, though I want to take my time with this one a little more. So, starting slow with the scalloped applique sections. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

For the skirt, I'm using left over bits of HTV to create the design. Been playing with shapes and the design layering. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Let's get the puffs started! Just basted in for now to check the fit, but I'm pretty happy with the way they're shaping up. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Ignore the terrible backdrop in this photo of @ladycels.bsky.social as Commander Shepard from the Mass Effect games, taken Sat., Nov. 1, 2014, at Rhode Island Comic Con. #commandershepardcosplay #masseffectcosplay #ricc2014 #cosplayphotography

For the sleeves, I decided to make a small change. I shift the laces from the inner to the outer panel, so they don't get caught on things and make it easier to move around in. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Got some little sleeve caps going, boy were the little sharp scallops tricky to press out. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Social media 100% distorts how long it takes to do something. So, it's an important reminder. I don't take commissions for this reason. Even for an outfit that's fast, say 20 hours of work. At minimum wage (not even skilled labor wage, which it most certainly is to do it faster).

Bodice is getting there! I wanted this costume to be a bit more comfy, so I ended up going with a shirring panel in the back for stretch and comfort. Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Time to really get going in earnest on Magfest costumes! Starting with SunsetDragon's Tapestry Jolteon! Going to be stash busting project, diving in to my trim collection! Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

Throwback to Katsucon 2019, when I tried to go kinda literally big with my Thumbelina Beetle Ball gown. The costume definitely let me explore my want for a giant poofy organic petticoat (which the hotel ripped in transport 😭)it was fun doing such a nostalgic character. 📸 by @amiephotos.bsky.social

Mothra reminded me how much I really love painting as a means of fabric modification. While HTV and applique can have their place, there's something deeply enjoyable about the process of painting/dyeing fabric 📸 @amiephotos.bsky.social Wig by @demholycal.bsky.social ✒️ @btanselanoican.bsky.social

Reworking costumes is something I do enjoy! An example is my Yu'lon costume. I originally made it as the head being the focal piece and the costume itself more of an after thought. Yet between Otakon and Katsucon 2019, I completely remade the dress Photography by @purpledolphinphotography

Down the rabbit hole we go! I absolutely love this photo, it's my favorite of the set. Even if it's more storytelling than showing off the costume :) Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @mahou.shoujo

One of the things that infuriates me the most, the right causes real world pain because of imagined harm from the left. Rinse and repeat

Deep and rich darker blues are definitely my favorite color to cosplay (Well, except black). My Dragon Age Warden is definitely still on my list to revist again, and is one of the few costumes that survived my move from Connecticut. Photography by Altaira Guendert

Sakizo Photoshoot! Molly was an absolute sweetheart to work with, so let's throw back to our very first collaboration! I've worked with her almost a dozen times since and every time she makes me feel some of my most comfortable in front of a camera <3 Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

Articuno was a fun if challenging cosplay to make. It pushed me to work on a skill I hadn't used since undergrad, silk painting. Though she turned out a little too ambitious, I think! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @sunsetdragon.bsky.social

I've always been bad at cosplaying well-known designs or characters, but it's mostly because I'm attracted to designs that look cool and fun to make over popular characters. It's the love of the craft for me! 📸 by @amiephotos.bsky.social Design by @dessidesu.bsky.social

After resting up from my crazy con schedule this summer. I got picked up as PT Faculty/Professor teaching costume/makeup at the local college, so I've dipped offline for a fair bit. I should be starting posting WIPs later this month. I've got 2 costumes in the works for Magfest, can you guess who?

Won't you come this way with me? Lillet was one of the first cosplays I made after graduating my master's program and moving out of Connecticut. She was simple, but a lot of fun to make (I definitely need to build more like her). Cosplay: Lillet Grim Grimore Photography by @chezphoto.bsky.social

We shot these photos at Brookside Gardens, which is a fantastic local garden! It's actually the same place we shot Milotic, but there are so many different style gardens here! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @noflutter

This was my first time ever doing photos in a rain room, but holy crap it was fun! I also tried my hand at a little age makeup (trying my best to replicate Bettie Midler's movie makeup), which was a little freeing when the makeup didn't have to be poreless and flawless :) 📸 Munchkin Photos

Bunny suits and fitted cosplays are definitely something outside my comfort zone, but I'm glad I sucked it up (especially after Tamamo no Mae didn't work out) to give it another shot! Photo by @amiephotos.bsky.social Design by @noflutter

Photography by @vagabondportraits Lagombi Armor - Monster Hunter Honestly, this is the best time of year to wear this costume. It's all polar fleece and faux fur, so it's super warm. The cold February weather is no match for it's coziness.

Reminiscing about She-ra and the competition that marked my return to competitive cosplay. This was my last event before everything shut down. I had worked very hard to overcome (or at least manage) my stage anxiety. 📸 @amiephotos.bsky.social

Gonna be honest, I was initially very unsure of my body in this. It wasn't until I got to the shoot and the Molly-hype train pulled in that I started to feel like I did a good job. Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Design by @dessidesu.bsky.social

I'm not much of a designer when it comes to cosplay. I'm usually much better at recreating something than trying to create a design from scratch. I let the fabric just kinda dictate the design :) Photography by @honeyandheatherphoto Cosplay Met Gala Look for Darwin from Amazing World of Gumball.

Flower Knight was a challenge to both wear and build, but it was a lot of fun to go for an opposite to my usual costume vibe. I gotta find more opportunities to pull it back out and wear it again. Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social Flower Knight from Kingdom Death