I have been sewing since I was very young and, though I have loved costumes all my life, I have only been doing actual costuming since 2015. Most of my costuming centers around Steampunk as I have a shop on Etsy (Steamtorium). I have made some forays into Regency and Victorian costuming and have recently expanded into making some cosplay items. I have been an attendee, teacher and volunteer at Costume College in Los Angeles for a number of years. I am the designer of the Steamtorium Teacup Holster sewn from fabric and wrote a pattern that I sell in my shop, along with a pattern for an Under Corset Belt. I have several other pattern ideas that I am currently working on.
Sessions in which Sherry Ramaila participates
Sunday 23 April, 2023
Don't have time to build a breastplate for your cosplay? Take a basic underbust corset and cover it in fabric to match or enhance your cosplay instead! Learn how to cover a basic underbust corset with cotton cosplay print fabrics. You will learn how to add fabric to two different types of corset panels, one with a straight side and a semi-curved side, and another with two curved sides. This class requ...
Sessions in which Sherry Ramaila attends
Friday 21 April, 2023
Saturday 22 April, 2023
Fixed, mechanical, animatronic, and light-up fairy and cosplay wings. This class will cover common methods and tutorials for making your own costume wings.
Conductive thread and washable components have made incorporating electronics into costumes much easier. By integrating lights, sound, and other effects, costumers can bring their outfits and props to the next level. Come learn what's out there and how to incorporate it into your material fantasies.
With the rise in popularity of cosplay general costuming has also rolled more into the mainstream attention. This results in a lot of companies putting out 'fast fashion' versions of the same things costumers have been making the 'slow' way for years. How does this affect your costuming process, access to materials, and the perception of costuming in general. What are some pros and cons of this trend? How would you like to see this trend change?
Shibori is an umbrella of historical dyeing techniques that involve stitching, binding, clamping (Itajime), and pole wrapping (Arashi). Participants will walk out of this workshop knowing at least two techniques.
Learn how to pattern a variety of basic costume armor pieces using EVA Foam with veteran cosplayers Evil Ted Smith and Downen Creative Studios! Beverly and Ted will share many of their tips and tricks as they demonstrate the patterning steps they typically use as they draft and pattern on each other!
What's the difference between chiffon, organdy and organza? Wool gabardine or polyester? Does it matter? A crash course on fibers, weaves and fabric types, what they're most suitable for, and when it's okay to buy the cheap stuff. Many swatchbooks will be available for perusal - presented by the author of fabricforcosplayers.com
Ever wanted to know how drag queens, kings and monsters change their bodies, faces and hair? Here is that chance. Award winning drag artists spill the tea on how they make the magic happen. From duct tape, to makeup, to foam, to corsets and a ton of pantyhose: the box of tricks gets opened to help you get new tools.
Yearning for jewels to accent your period costume? Just love jewelry? Metal clay is a wondrous medium that starts as a soft pliable clay and, when fired, will transform into a piece of fine silver. This class will cover the basics of metal clay techniques from start to polishedFEE: $100 Pre-pay before the convention via Venmo or e-mail Jewelsbyoliviac@gmail.com
Sunday 23 April, 2023
We will cover the information that I wish was available when I first started to explore dyeing in 2002. After an overview, we will spend time answering your questions about dyeing.
This is a demonstration to show a wide variety of unusual materials used to make large props and monster suits. Different types of foam, stretch-furs, adhesives, and other uncommon materials will be shown.
Don't have time to build a breastplate for your cosplay? Take a basic underbust corset and cover it in fabric to match or enhance your cosplay instead! Learn how to cover a basic underbust corset with cotton cosplay print fabrics. You will learn how to add fabric to two different types of corset panels, one with a straight side and a semi-curved side, and another with two curved sides. This class requ...
Are you guilty of committing cosplay crimes? Of course you are! Whether you've used hot glue to hem a garment, spray painted in your bathroom, dyed a sink bright pink, or “forgot to wear gloves”, this is the panel for you! Join guest of honor Downen Creative Studios and members of SheProp as they share some of their mistakes, short-cuts gone awry, and reveal some of their own worst crafting moments. Come bond with us as we assure you that we are only human and even the most experienced mak...
Monday 24 April, 2023
Corsets, hoops, dance belts—these are all foundation garments and they really matter in costuming. Advice on selecting and making foundations and visual examples of the huge difference they can make to a costume.
People can talk all they want, but actually seeing something on someone can help you decide. What looks good on your body? What color works best for you?
Do you struggle to hide seams on your EVA foam projects or are you unsure which material combinations can be used? Do you work in a small space and need high-quality, non-toxic options? Join Beverly of Downen Creative Studios, author of the Cosplayer’s Ultimate Guide to EVA Foam as she walks you through a condensed course covering many products and processes that can be used to reduce seam lines, fill gaps and smooth sur...
It’s possible to make a fun and colorful wig with just a glue gun, yarn and a few basic supplies! Learn which materials to use and see a demo of yarn prep and wig-building, while avoiding pitfalls along the way. The basics of wearing and storing wigs will also be discussed.
Learn how easy it can be to add textures to EVA foam! Downen Creative Studios shows you how to use simple techniques and tools to create a variety of complex texture effects including leather, hammered metal, embossed details and much more using rotary tools, utility knives and foil!