Costume Con in a Nutshell

[anotheranon]

I thought of doing a blow-by-blow like I did last year, but decided that if I tried, I'd surely never finish! Costume Con is only 4 days (3 if you consider that Thursday and Monday are only half days), but as fun as I find it I always come out feeling exhilirated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It takes far too long to process into a coherent narrative and isn't linear in my mind, anyway.

The highlights (in no particular order):

• Seeing old friends and making new ones! It is difficult to describe that wonderful "mind meld" when you're with others of similar interests, but I'm sure we've all experienced it at some point. This is my yearly fix :)
  
• The incredibly creative costumes and costumers. Everyone is so inventive and talented, and I'm not just saying that - it is very good for me to be around people who exceed my abilities in every way - it gives me something to work towards :)
  
• The Ecclesiastical Garments and Fabric Manipulation classes gave me some really good ideas - at last, a use for those "what was I thinking?" scraps! Also good was the Simplicity Q & A - how many corporations actually ask their customers what they want?
  
• The competition - by Sunday I was mentally/emotionally fried and I hope my silence didn't spook my co-conspirators too much. The "competing" aspect still hasn't really sunk in, and probably won't until I see photos (my own camera ran out of memory before the historical masquerade, so I'm waiting on friends to get back to me). We have agreed that we should compete again one day - but emphatically not next year :P
  
• "Playing tourist" in my own home town - Decatur is a fun little neighborhood.
  
• The realization that anyone looks like a drag queen when wearing a wig cap
  
• Cats make gravity work better.
  
• The Ramones are perfect road-tripping music - short, fast, and you can sing along (even if you can't sing)!
  
• Cafe Lily - if you're ever in town, go. Much yumminess.
  
• Mirage Sarees in Atlanta - $0.99/yard china silk just isn't to be beat!!
  
• Embellishment, trim, and accessorizing is key for almost every single time period except this one! I must break out of my minimalist habits, at least when pursuing historical gear.
  
• The inevitable brainstorming for new costumes which you can
  
  
  
  • I definitely need more "hall costumes" - all I have is the Farscape duster and my peasant kirtle, so I feel rather like a poor country cousin compared to the folks who brought multiple fun and fabulous things!
    
  • What with POTC, if there is a time for the Adam and the Ants "pirates n' indians" look to revive, it is now. If anyone can find a picture of the back of the hussar's jacket, let me know 'cos I've got a plan...
    
  • Speaking of POTC, Simplicity is coming out with a pirate pattern this summer. I love the skirty jacket - I'm thinking burgundy velvet or a gold and blue brocade. Or something. Besides, it will look good with my saber :P
    
  • For D: loose Indian robes, possibly also Byzantium. Will finally need to start Tudor as his weight is stabilizing.
    
  • Red Dwarf - Green changeable taffeta Rimmer, I think.
    
  • Really should make another Farscape - I've been sitting on that red vinyl for 2 years now.
    
  • Byzantium: two words: Shiny Things.
    
  • Must find local sari shops.
    
  • Must make more of an effort to meet and greet local ICG/Costume Con friends - it's ridiculous to live within minutes of each other yet only meet once a year in a far-off town.
    
  
  

Will type more as I think of it, and if I can squeeze it into words. Meantime, to more laundry.

Comments

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

I know I've seen online sari shops in my Australian Stitches magazines ... not in the CURRENTISH one I just flipped through (although there is dealer in kimono fabrics) of course ... will have a peek in some older issues (like I need an excuse :P)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Thank you :) Let me know if you find anything!

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Well, hauled out my box of back issues today and dumped 'em on the couch ... that's as far as I've got :P Realized that I neglected to give you the addy for the kimono fabric dealer ... now my conscience is clear on that one :-)

Since the currentish issue of Australian Stitches is still on my desk (I call it "currentish" because they're usually close to a year old by the time they're available here), I'll give you what's in it:

Fine Wools Direct
The Sewing Bug
Booby Traps

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Well, hauled out my box of back issues today and dumped 'em on the couch ... that's as far as I've got :P Realized that I neglected to give you the addy for the <a href="www.sanshi.com.au">kimono fabric dealer</a> ... now my conscience is clear on that one :-)

Since the currentish issue of Australian Stitches is still on my desk (I call it "currentish" because they're usually close to a year old by the time they're available here), I'll give you what's in it:

<a href="http://www.finewoolsdirect.com.au/">Fine Wools Direct</a>
<a href="http://www.sewingbug.com/">The Sewing Bug</a>
<a href="http://www.boobytraps.com.au/">Booby Traps</a>
<a href="http://www.cinderellafabrics.com.au/'>Cinderella Fabrics</a>
<a href="http://www.kraftkolour.com.au/">Kraft Kolour</a>
<a href="http://www.knitwit.com.au/">Knitwit</a>
<a href="http://www.kerrynsfabricworld.com/">Kerryn's Fabric World</a>
<a href="http://www.perpetualpatterns.com.au/">Perpetual Patterns</a>
<a href="http://www.allbuttons.com.au/">All Buttons Great and Small</a>
<a href="http://www.handdyedfabrics.com.au/">Melaleuca Grove Hand Dyed Fabrics</a>
<a href="http://www.silksewing.com.au/">Silk Sewing</a>
<a href="http://www.pitt-trading.com.au/'>Pitt Trading</a>
<a href="http://www.petitepluspatterns.com/">Petite Plus Patterns</a> (a Canuck company advertising in Oz!)
<a href="http://www.fabricfrenzy.com.au/">Fabric Frenzy</a>

Hmmmm ... was expecting there to be more (and, sadly, many yummy-looking ads have no Web sites) ... and then it dawned on me that I may have seen the sari fabrics advertising in either the Australian or New Zealand quilting/patchwork magazines in my stash. Darn ... more salivating over luscious stuff ***does best to look as if she doesn't ADORE doing this***

Will post more addresses as I find them ... do share with your other costuming/sewing lists!

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

For some reason the Petite Plus Patterns link isn't working in the above list (even though it DID work when I previewed the post before submitting it ***growls and crosses fingers for this time, which makes it darned difficult to type ;-)***