Schedule

Ever wonder why your costumes don’t look as sharp as the ones on the front of the pattern? Our panel will discuss how to select the right fabric, why interfacing exists, the importance of ironing, and indispensable finishing techniques.

Gain confidence in sewing for everyday wear and cosplay! Learn how to adjust a flat pattern to fit before cutting your fabric. This workshop will cover fitting patterns from the hips and up. We will cover full bust adjustment, narrow and wide shoulders, protruding abdomen, dowager hump, large biceps, and many more fitting issues. If time allows, we will also discuss how to spot fitting issues in a sewn garment. A supply fee of $15 will include a workbook and enough worksheets to make a sample of each pattern adjustment. Students will go home with a completed workbook of samples.

What did it look like when our ancestors created and wore costumes? The panelist will discuss knowledge derived from theater, historical art, costume parties, tableau, pageants, and early photography.

Crafting, making, and cosplay all take space for equipment and materials. Panelists will discuss different approaches for finding space in your home for your projects—from unique storage solutions, to creating dedicated makerspaces in garages and basements. What are the pros and cons of using community makerspaces?

From horse-drawn felts to drop spindles, bone needles to stone loom weights, our experts consider how historical fabric art processes developed across various regions and what impact fabric technology had in the lives and products of historical peoples. Join art historians and fabric arts specialists as they talk about their favorite historical examples and coolest research discoveries.

Duct tape, old buttons, tin foil, paper plates, glitter, glue sticks… We’ll supply the junk, you bring your imagination! We’ll help you make a costume from everyday scraps. No sewing skills needed.

From the royal purples of the Mediterranean to sumptuary laws, what people wore (or were allowed to wear) was a political statement. Join historians in a discussion of the politics of clothing. Let’s talk about textiles, clothing styles, adornments, and politics.

The Worldcon Masquerade is a time-honored tradition going all the way back to 1940, offering costumers and cosplayers the chance to showcase the most amazing costumes in fandom. Come and see some of the best costumes from around the world on our stage.

Masquerade with ASL.

Your costume looks great, but where will you put your keys and cell phone while walking the convention floor? Panelists will cover ways to add pockets to your garments, along with other creative ways to carry your stuff, eat, drink, and handle other sometimes-overlooked necessities.

Unapproved use of licensed material, traced artwork, copied costume patterns, digital manipulation–there are so many ways for artists to cross the line into unethical behavior when using another artist’s work as source material. How do we distinguish between inspiration, homage, and borderline theft? If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, how should artists feel about seeing their work duplicated elsewhere?