The last weekend in September I was up in New York City as a judge for the New York Anime Festival. I had a great time, was pleasantly surprised at the number of cosplayers who knew me or knew of me. I...costume historian" though.) If you haven't already read the article here is the URL: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-SPE-Crafts-Sci-Fi-Costumes.html Marty (posted on Marty's behalf

Coming soon, to an Internet near you... CC27 Tours and Excursions!!! That's right! You - yes, YOU - can provide input right now and let me know what sorts of things you'd like to do during your stay in lovely suburban Baltimore (and points throughout the region). I've already got some potential options in line, but in general I'm looking for: * Ideas and suggestions (what/where) * Tour...

I just heard from Andrea Schewe. Simplicity is offering $250 for first prize and an asst. of patterns and a Side Winder (bobbin winder) for 2nd and 3rd place. For the best use of a Simplicity pattern...Simplicity prize for adapting one of their coat patterns to make her SS Officer's great coat. Let creativity flow, but be sure to document which Simplicity pattern you are starting with. Mart

Good morning Sunshine!! I am very excited about the Bobby Gear Memorial Quilt Contest that we are planning for CC27, and I would like ALL COSTUMERS (and non-costumers too!) to join in. Rules are very simple--THERE ARE NONE!!! except that the maximum size is 36" X 36" for the finished quilt. Anything up to that size is eligible. To enter you must have AT LEAST a supporting membership. But we'd...

This is a friendly reminder that there are just over two weeks left to the deadline for the Costume-Con 27 Fashion Design contest. Rules are on the CC27 site here: http://www.costume-con.com/cc27/future_fashion_folio.htm You do NOT have to be a member of the convention to participate. And yes, you can submit designs via email if you need to to get them here in time. Your images need to...

Only 254 days 'till Costume-Con 27 begins! Have you figured out what you want to wear? Have you entered the Future Fashion Folio (deadline is October!)? How about a quilt? There is so much to see...century Market Fair and Rendezvous- a re-enactor's shopping heaven! For fabric shopping we have G-Street Fabrics in Rockville, and Discount Fabrics in Thurmont (on the way to or from Gettysburg!).

... It's less than TWO MONTHS to the October 1 deadline for this contest, so I am trying to contact as many groups as possible to try to get the word out. Rules are here: http://www.costume-con.com/cc27/future_fashion_folio.htm You DO NOT have to be a member of the convention to submit designs. You DO have to be a member of the convention if you have winning designs and want to make them up for...

Now that I'm in charge of Single Pattern, have two costumes to make for Science Fiction and Fantasy, and have to pull together two workshops for programing, I think I better get started making my own Single...no matter how hard I try, every "masculine" idea using the coat pattern manages to morph itself right back to the "La Cage" costume. *Sigh* I was so looking forward to making that "La Cage" dress..

The rules are up on the CC27 website . I'll post them here also (under an Lj cut!), but the quick upshot is that they are pretty much the same as the last few years with one exception: If you are entering as Historic Interpretation, submitting documentation and going to workmanship judging ("pre-judging") are optional ! However,  if you don't participate in those areas you obviously aren't eligible...

plans for CC27 are coming along wonderfully! For example, did you know that you can already reserve your room for next year?? We have cool info about the stage for you. First of all, the stage will be 16' deep, 24' wide, and 2' high  - and that's useable space - not shared with the MC podium or light trees or anything. And we expect to be able to cover it with a seamless "dance surface", so no...