When did you start cosplaying?
You could either say 1998 or 1999, depending on how strict your definition of “cosplaying” is. See next question….
What was your first cosplay?
1998 I put together a costume based on my own comic book character. It was the first time in a few years I’d actually made an attempt at a Halloween costume and it was somewhat last minute and a lot of closet pieces, but I was happy with it. 1999 was my Quistis costume.
Do you still have pictures of it?
I don’t still have pictures of the 1998 costume online…. I THINK I still have some film photos that could be scanned if I could find them.
Quistis – of course. I just took new photos of it last year. But — I’ll go ahead and embarrass myself — I do also still have the film photo from Halloween 1999 itself.
Simplest cosplay?
My second Rally Vincent since it was all closet stuff plus the wig I’d already done, Integra and Sana both was just altering stuff and making a few little things. More recently, Zatanna was mostly just alterations again, Julia was just creating accessories for the suit I already had, and Fluttershy was just making a skirt.
Hardest cosplay?
This one is actually kind of hard to answer because “hardest” is relative to how experienced I was at the time.
Beatrix and Lulu were both really hard and probably would have benefited from being put off a couple of years. Lina was an adventure in learning to make armor, this Padme was pretty difficult, Yuuko was a pain in the ass, Boushh was a lot of hard work, Ame-Comi Wonder Woman because we had to overcome some crappy obstacles at the last moment, Marie Antoinette just because I can’t remember the last time I had to actually pay attention to and try to understand pattern instructions, the Time Lords just because the fabric was a butt, and Glimmer because I had issues that I still actually don’t really know how to fix.
Biggest cosplay?
I’m going to assume this means literally “big” — Belldandy with the angel wings, Funeral Padme‘s cape is just gigantic, Kingdom Come Wonder Woman with the wings, Lady Gaga with the giant skirt.
How many cosplays do you have planned?
I’ve bought fabric for two, so that means they’re “officially” going to be done. I have about 19 other things in my “maybe” folder for this year.
Have you cosplayed any of your dream cosplays?
To the point I don’t really have many “dream” costumes left – All of my Padme lake dresses, Amidala’s Parade dress, Belle, Kingdom Come Wonder Woman, Anne Boleyn, Marie Antoinette, the Hocus Pocus group.
Who/what is your dream cosplay?
I don’t really know. Maybe Sarah’s dress from Labyrinth? That’s been one on my “want” list for years and years but I’ve never done it.
Are you currently working on any cosplays?
Elsa from Frozen (like everybody else) and Johanna from Catching Fire.
Are you embarrassed by any of your cosplays?
Uh YEAH…. a lot of my early stuff — which isn’t really related to the costume so much as just old pictures of me. I once did a femme-Wolfwood (from Trigun) and that was pretty embarrassing.
Most recently – I was really disappointed with how my Glinda of Oz (book version) turned out. I always planned to redo it fix the issues, but at this point I don’t know.
Have you cosplayed a huge mainstream series? (ex. Homestuck, Attack on Titan, etc.)
Most recently Doctor Who, Adventure Time. Disney and comic books costumes have been really steadily popular the past few years. I did several LOTR and prequel Star Wars costumes back when the movies were coming out, and stuff like Evangelion and Sailor Moon back in the day.
Do you prefer to cosplay animated characters or non-animated?
I don’t have a preference. It’s fun to do animated stuff because you can take some liberties with it and add some detail, whereas with live-action you have to try to match fabrics and patterns and whatnot. But sometimes that’s part of the fun.
Have you made an armor cosplay?
Glimmer, Valkyrie -if boob armor counts, Hippolyta, Magik, various Wonder Woman costumes with chestpieces and armor I’m too lazy to link them all, Boushh, Yuffie and Lina if shoulder armor count. And my Stormtrooper and Mando too, I guess.
Have you done a mascot cosplay?
No but I helped do my friend’s Stitch costume and my husband’s Beast costume.
Have you done a gijinka cosplay?
Just Fluttershy. I guess some people would count my TARDIS costume but I consider that Marie Antoinette as the TARDIS, not the TARDIS itself.
Which do you like more? Sewing, prop making or wig styling?
Sewing. I love sewing. I HATE wig styling.
What’s the biggest prop you have made?
Hm. I guess that would be my Valkyrie sword my husband made. I don’t really care for carrying around giant props.
What was the hardest wig for you to style?
It’s hard to separate “hardest” from “most annoying” — Hild’s was a pain in the butt and really heavy so I’ll go with that.
What’s the hardest piece that you’ve had to sew?
I’m going to go with what’s fresh in my mind and say my Glimmer boot covers because they caused a LOT of cussing and frustration last summer.
Have you bought/commissioned a cosplay?
Back in the day I bought a Sailor Mars costume, and my Asuka sundress, and my Rogue movie suit was bought on ebay.
Have you commissioned a wig or prop?
I once commissioned a prop and it was a completely disaster and I will never do it again.
I’ve bought a handful of pieces from other costume and prop makers – my Batgirl cowl is from ReevzFX. But after the experience I had in 2008 I have trust issues LOL
What is your favorite prop?
My Kingdom Come Wonder Woman helmet, which get to live in our living room. I also love my Yuffie armor, my Ozma crown, my Ame-Comi Wonder Woman sword and shield, Time Lord collars and Glimmer staff.
Favorite wig?
Pretty pleased with my new Belle wig, Marie Antoinette, too.
Fresh out of the bag, unstyled wig is my Blonde wig I use for everything. Because I love it. I’ve used it for Supergirl, Emma Frost, both Ms Marvels, Lady Blackhawk, Julia, Wonder Girl, and Black Canary.
Favorite costume?
I have to go by year.
2013: Romana I
2012: Can’t pick. Too many I liked. Three way tie between Hocus Pocus, Time Lords and Belle, but if I had to pick one to wear right now it’d be Belle
2011: Marie Antoinette
2010: Ms Marvel
2009: Anne Boleyn
2008: Padme’s Lake Dress
2007: Kingdom Come Wonder Woman and Padme’s funeral dress
2006: Hoth Leia
2005: Belle or Queen Amidala
2004: Ozma
2003: Arwen or Belldandy
2002: My first Padme lake dress
2001: Utena
Who are your favorite cosplayers?
I don’t ever answer this question because there’s too many and I’m afraid I’ll miss one. Go look at my facebook page’s follow list.
Who do you consider to be cosplay masters/experts?
Oh gosh, I don’t know.
Who is your cosplay inspiration?
everybody I follow is an inspiration. I love seeing my friends’ work-in-progresses and see what they come up with.
Who is/are your cosplay senpais?
Ok now I feel old and out of touch because I don’t actually know what a senpai is and I’m too lazy to google it.
What’s your favorite part about cosplaying?
Wearing silly clothes
What’s your least favorite?
Competitiveness. And
