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

The other major detail about this costume that I love is all that crushed velvet. Which, is actually not crushed velvet! It all carefully stenciled and painted using a semi-translucent pearl fabric paint to create the illusion of damask and brocaded velvet. 📸 @adoylible.bsky.social ✒️ @pem_designs

As someone who always runs hot, there are only so many times in a year for me to wear the big flashy costumes like Wailord. I absolutely love making multi-layered costumes. I just wish it was colder longer to wear them! Photography by @aleestudios.bsky.social Design by @3liemarie.bsky.social

Took a chance and entered the county fair with some of my embroidery work, and was pleasantly surprised I took home a number of wins! Two of my embroidery pieces took home first prize! Along with Nowhere King's woven shawl and a demo plushie. I also got 4 second place ribbons and 2 third places!

By popular demand, I'm going to be livestreaming three of my panels from this summers series of conventions over on Twitch! Mark your calendars if interested! Twitch.tv/ladycels

Did you know, that for Cruella I actually went with cow print for the jacket? I'd looked at Dalmatian, but the patterns were always too busy for me, so I think it reads a little better. Photography by @munchkin_photos_by_heather Photo taken at @dccosplayphoto event

I'm usually very unsure of my body in costumes like this, but it's comfy feeling and the boots make me feel powerful. There's always stuff I feel I could have done better Photography by @bradbehlesphoto.bsky.social and @munchkin_photos_by_heather Patterns by @pretzlcosplay

I made Witch Link previously, but it's a fun costume and easy to bring back out. It has, however, found a new home and new life with @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social Of course, I'm an old grandma, so no late night shenanigans (honestly, I'd be the first to fall asleep😅).

A couple Novembers ago, right before winter really hit, we visited Brookside Gardens, Montgomery Parks to shoot my Milotic Pokemon Gijinka. This was such an ethereal shoot and one of my favorites! Photography by @adoylible.bsky.social

The amount of time we had to stare at each other and not start giggling was the most challenging part of this photo. But the results came out so sweet and adorable! Lightfury: @ladyikaricosplay.bsky.social Design: @sunsetdragon.bsky.social Photography by @amiephotos.bsky.social

I'm going to be taking a slight crafting hiatus. July has been an absolutely crazy month of travel thus far. So I'm going to be showing off some previous work while I rest and recover! Starting with my Witch Unbreon! Photography by @hailthenaninator

Finally managed to do a reel at a con! Figured Strawberry Shortcake counted at least a little as a magical girl, right? Right??? I had a ton of fun at Connecticon and full recap coming on Friday (Please excuse the neck swelling, I had a reaction to something and puffed up like a bullfrog).

It's almost time for #Metrocon ! I can't wait to see folks, and I've finally got a schedule to share with you all. Can't wait to see everyone!!

Working on getting all of my patterns transferred to the Silk/Linen pieces, first by carbon paper then by basting stitch, but wanted to take a second to check and see how it draped. Design by @hannah_alexander_artwork