PhilCon 2013

Even though I spent the weekend sick, I still had a great time at PhilCon.  Here are some pics:

 My Daniel Deronda dress from the PhilCon Masquerade.  I won Best in Show Workmanship and Most Historic Master!

My Ladies' Night costume, finally got a picture of it!

Philcon Progress

I've been busy appliqueing away today:

My tips for iron-on appliques:

• Use heavy-duty wonder-under.  It really makes a difference in smooth look.
• Use sharp scissors for a clean line.  It helps with the not fraying.
• Warm up the piece with an iron right before trying to separate the backing from the piece.  Don't make it hot, but a little warmth will help it not stick to the backing.

Want more info?  Watch my video on appliques: 

Philcon Schedule

I'll be at Philcon this weekend!  Here's my panel schedule, it looks like most of my stuff is on Friday night but I'll be (hopefully) competing in the Masque on Saturday and hanging around on Sun, too!


Fri 6:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
COSPLAY IN THE ANIME WORLD VERSUS INT'L COSTUMERS GUILD COMPETITION
(1613)

 Panelists: Elektra Hammond (mod), Aurora Celeste, Byron Connell, Raven Stormbringer, Laura Kovalcin

Masquerades at science fiction conventions began in the 1950s--how do they differ from the Cosplay competitions at anime conventions? A lively discussion to dispel myths, clear up confusion and help integrate two compatible groups


Fri 7:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
DYSTOPIA IN YOUNG ADULT FICTION  [FAMILY FRIENDLY] (1422)

Panelists: Rebecca Robare (mod), Gil Cnaan, E.C. Myers, Christine Norris, Aurora Celeste

Dystopias have long been a part of science fiction, dating back to Huxley, Orwell, and other classic authors. In the 1980s, Young Adult authors like H.M. Hoover and William Sleator explored dystopic futures. Today, with the recent explosion of Young Adult science fiction and fantasy, dystopia is all over, from Scott Westerfields "Uglies" to Suzanne Collins's "Hunger Games." This panel will explore the use and meaning of dystopia and its special role in Young Adult fiction


Fri 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
COSTUMING FOR NONCOSTUMERS (1615)

Panelists: Byron Connell (mod), Diane Kovalcin, Susan Toker, Vicki Warren, Kyle Williamson, Aurora Celeste

How can you get involved in costuming even if you don't know how to sew or create costumes


Sat 11:00 AM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
APPRECIATING DIVERSITY IN COSPLAY (1398)

Panelists: Aurora Celeste (mod), Pam Smith, Matt Black, Kyle Williamson, Stephanie Burke

Sure, everybody loves it when a character looks like they just stepped off the page or out of the screen, but what about those who have done an amazing job on a non-traditional take