Okay, not so much as a tutorial as some notes, but I hope it helps.

I just completed the Ubersaw for my Team Fortress 2 Medic. I decided to make it ‘dirtier’ than the in game version because I plan to make my Medic more demented.

Policies

1. You must provide me with at least four or five reference images of the costume or wig you want before I will give you an estimate. I will base my estimate on the detail provided in those images and will produce the costume based on those images. If you provide me with inaccurate, blurry, or tiny images, you will not get an accurate costume.
2. You must specify an exact deadline. Allow 2 or 3 months at the least. Costume commissions requested with less than 1 month before the deadline will have a $5 rush fee applied to each man hour.
3. You must specify materials if you have specific ones in mind. If you do not specify, I will make the costume out of the most accurate and least expensive materials I can find.
4. If you have any special requests or changes to a costume, decide on them before requesting a quote. I will happily change colors, add zippers, make skirts longer, make a matching bag, or add other such touches as long as I am told beforehand. If you tell me after I have started a costume, the changes will incur a $25 fee in addition to the cost for the man hours required to implement these changes.
5. Make sure the measurements you send are accurate. This includes your bust, chest, hip, and waist size. Don’t guess. There are resources available to help you take the best measurements possible. Take advantage of these. Accurate measurements help me estimate material fees and make sure your costume will fit. I WILL NOT give a refund on a costume that does not fit due to inaccurate measurements.

How Estimates Are Determined

1. When I have received your reference images, personal measurements, and any specifications, I will do a general search for supplies. This will be the estimated materials cost.
2. Next, I will estimate the amount of man hours and multiply this by $10. (Remember, this is an estimate and the actual required number of man hours may change before the final price of the commission is calculated.)
3. The shipping estimate is $20 for costumes and $15 for wigs.

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Panels

Would you like us to do a panel at your convention? Drop us a line via the Contact Us page.

Parents and Anime

A panel for both convention attendees looking to talk with and help their parents understand their hobby and parents who want to learn more about their childrens’ activities. This panel will focus on explaining the basics of anime fandom in America, how to communicate the positives of participating in fandom, ways to get parents involved and how parents can obtain more information. Informational ‘cheatsheets’ will be provided. (Handout for Parents and Anime)

Otakon 2008

Cosplay 101: Cosplay for n00bs

A beginner panel. An introduction to cosplay. Topics covered include:

1. Planning your costume
2. Planning for a convention
3. Resources for beginners
4. Surviving criticism

Setsucon 2007, Setsucon 2008

Cosplay 201: Primping and Posing

A beginner panel for cosplayers and beginning photographers. An introduction to posing and techniques to take a good photo. Topics covered include:

1. Make-up
2. Proper Posture
3. Posing
4. Photographer etiquette

(Setsucon 2008)

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Fan Panel

A Live-Action Sailor Moon panel. Topics covered include: actors, comparison to anime/manga, merchandise and more. Done in conjunction with BSSM:LA Fanlisting.

Otakon 2007

Commission Schedule

The schedule states whether or not a certain month is open for delivery of a costume. Remember, the earlier you book me, the better I’ll be able to fit you in. “Other” means prop, button, parasol or other item.

Current

Harley Quinn - Dani - October ‘08

2008 Convention Schedule

or “How not to look like an overstuffed sausage”

Here is a tutorial on how to properly wear a stretchy costume. This will go in a sort of chronological order from the first things you should do to what to do while wearing the costume.

1. Have a realistic body image and be comfortable with your body.
While I’m the last person on earth to tell someone that they can’t wear something, take a good look at yourself and make sure that YOU think you should be wearing spandex. If you are uncomfortable with your body, it will show.

2. Get thee to a nunnery gym
Skinny girls, this especially applies to you, because thin does not imply fit. The emphasis here is not on losing weight, but on toning muscles. Whether you have 4 months before you plan to wear your costume or 1 week, a little goes a long way.

3. Don’t buy or make a too small costume
This is where most people fail. If you don’t want to look like an overstuffed sausage, then make sure you aren’t stuffing yourself into too small a casing.Yes, spandex/lycra should stretch, but it can only hold so much. If the fabric is stretching so much that you can see whatever is underneath, the costume is too small. If the costume is so tight that it is uncomfortable, the costume is too small. If the costume forces flesh to bulge out where the fabric ends, the costume is too small.Conversely, make sure the costume isn’t too loose. A little bit of sagging or wrinkles on a properly fitted costume while sitting or resting is unavoidable, but if you find any truly baggy areas while posing, then it’s time to alter the costume.

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Yomiko

Name: Yomiko Readman
Series: Read or Die
Debuted: Tekkoshocon 2007
Status: Active

Notes

Originally, I was just going to make a costume for myself, but at the last minute, I went ahead and made a matching vest so that Kali could go as Wendy. While she’s a minor character in the OVA, she has a much bigger role in the TV series.

I made the coat and vest for this one from scratch, but I bought the skirt, shirt, tie, glasses, and other accessories from stores. The shoes I found in the back of my closet, and the book I got from my own collection. (I’ll admit right now that I own well over 800 books. Stop looking at me like that.)

Yomiko is near and dear to my heart because I too am addicted to reading and books. However, I have yet to exhibit any paper using abilities, and I have to work around a much smaller budget. Such is life.

White Mage

Name: White Mage
Series: Final Fantasy
Debuted: Setsucon 2007
Status: Retired

Notes

Okay, this isn’t actually MY costume. My mother made this for and wore to Setsucon 2007. That shiney ribbon in the first picture is a second place ribbon. Because my mom is awesome.