News and Fannatiku!

Hello readers! The next few months will be a little bumpy as far as updates go, if you have not noticed already. I am currently working on two big project classes at my university and they are killing me. I have not been so stressed out since I switched majors and I really hope everything turns out. Just can't shake this feeling my chest of doom and gloom. Blah! I keep telling myself its almost over... almost.

Pounding a hammer on hot metal is a
great to relieve stress about school.
Achievement unlocked: Blacksmith Lesson 1

I just finished up spring break and I learned something really cool. I took my first lesson in the blacksmith skill. Awesome! It was a really cool experience and I can't wait to go back and learn some more!

This week I will be attending my favorite little convention, Fannatiku. Its a tiny convention with a very personable atmosphere and tons of friends that I can't wait to see. I am teaching two panels on Friday. At noon I will be hosting my wood crafting panel for the first time in St. George and I have some new items to show off and techniques to share! I will also be hosting Embroidery for Cosplay at 3 PM with a hands-on tutorial. You can come and try out embroidery for yourself! I really look forward to bringing this panel back this year.

Progress on Sgt. Calhoun has been slow, stupid school... but here is a shot of the costume design plans I have been working on. If you see these designs and think they are cool, you can commission me me to make a set for you. Sometimes it is difficult to find a good set of front, back, and side references for making a cosplay. I LOVE to draw them and take a million references and turn them into the three simple shots. I even do layers of clothing! I really enjoy it. Message me if you are interested as commissions for these are open. Prices range from $15 to $85. Or you can commission me to draw a picture of your favorite character doing awesome stuff. Drawing is something I always find time for and I love bringing out all the fun details.

Interested in a prop for cosplay? Sadly, prop commissions are full and won't open again until the summer. To see an updated list of commissions and when slots open check out my Deviantart journal.

As always, thank you for reading!

- VFire

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Shining Sakura's Guide to Sewing Machines

Finding the right sewing machine can be a real pain. Some machines are very intimidating, while others make you wonder if they will last during your project. Also, how do you take care of one once you have it? Shining Sakura is very passionate about her sewing machine and has been doing research on how to find the right one. She also has some great advice on maintenance and repair. Here is what Sakura has learned. Enjoy!

* There are pro/con cards throughout the article. If you have any questions about what you see here feel free to contact VFire on the Contacts/Links page.

Sakura's Sewing Machine Guide Sewing machines come in all shapes and sizes. The one question many people ask is which one should I buy? Well that all depends on your budget and purpose. Here is a simple guide to help you determine which machine is best for you! You do not have to follow this advice perfectly but it can give someone an idea of what to look for in a sewing machine.

All That is Old is Not Junk
There …

How to Make Auron's Blade - The Cosplay Armory

As promised, James of the Cosplay Armory shares his knowledge on how to make Auron's Katana from the game, Final Fantasy X. I have been very excited for this as I followed his page as he worked on the blade. I hope you enjoy it! - VFire

Auron's Katana Build by James

A note before I start. I will be mentioning the use of several machines that I have the luxury of having in my shop that I am well aware not everyone has. This project is definitely easier with them than without but everything I describe can be done without them or with simpler tools. I will also include steps that I do that are not necessary in parenthesis()

I was commissioned to build the Auron Katana by Lolita Zombie Cosplay and knew immediately that I wanted it to be light, yet durable. The first step to building any prop is figuring out what you’re going to make it out of. A lot of prop makers use light woods like poplar and MDF and while I have used some wood I decided it would be my first sword that I built e…

First Episode and First Cosplays!

Welcome to the first podcast episode for the Cosplay Stitch and Seam! Join VFire and Pannon as they discuss their very first cosplays and how they got into this amazing hobby.
Our First Cosplays In this episode VFire (Mercedes) and Pannon talk about that one cosplay that ends up near and dear to your heart, if not also the one you dread showing at all.
First up is Mercedes with her White Mage cosplay from the webcomic, 8-Bit Theater. It has been ten years since she made this cosplay, and as poorly as she constructed it, she was glad she made it. It launched her into a whole new world of crafting clothing, armor, and prop weapons.

This lovely costume is made out of old bed sheets, painted with house paint, and has a cardboard/duct tape hammer to go with it. You can't tell in the picture but she also dyed her hair red for it (albeit poorly because she knew nothing about dying hair then... she knew not a lot about making much back then actually.)
One of the first ones Pannon remem…

Cosplay Stitch and Seam

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