CONVENTION PREP TIME

[StarryShay]

We've got a place to talk about what you'll be wearing, we have a place to talk about progress on finishing cosplay, and we have a place to talk about what you do to make sure you're looking beautiful for a con.

We do not, however, have a place to talk about costume prep, and all of the things you have to do before a con, whether it be ironing your cosplay, finding pieces that are lost in your closet, de-tangling wigs, or even packing!

Here we can share advice on how to make sure you're one hundred percent prepared for a con.

As of now, I've got quite a bit of stuff to do, in preparation for MEWcon:

Day One Costumes:
Nia Teppelin Default - Iron the skirt, and dress. Brush out as much of the tangle as is possible without mesing up the curls. Buy fake lashes. Find golden arm bands. Re-glue most of the gold pieces.
Nia Teppelin Maid - Find al of the accesories that go with the dress. Iron dress.
Rave Nia - Figure something out lololol. Buy glowsticks.

Day Two Costumes:
Shin default - Iron the white dress shirt. Finish making the lip-ear ring. Go out and buy combat boots, and lots of jewerly. Borrow my friends black guitar case.
Shin formal - Put together a cute little Shin outfit for the dance.
BB Hood - Finish sewing skirt. Obtain wig from Maddy. Obtain bloomers from Colleen. Buy red shoes. Obtain apron from Meep.

Day three costumes:
Hipster scabbers - Obtain wig from Haley. Make little grey ears. Make a tail. Find hipster glasses.

And of course, I still have to pack everything, which includes costumes, cosmetics, toothbrush, brush etc, pajamas, normal clothes, and so much more.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

[~boogiepop~]

Going to Day 2 of MEWcon and bringing one costume soooo...

Ramona Flowers-

Finish my new purse (Make new circles and attach them, line)
Finish my hammer (Finish coating in bondo, sand, touch up problem spots with wood filler, sand, prime, paint, seal)
Get all the pieces of my costume together and wash what I need to
Do some minor styling on the wig

Next big con is Sakuracon...

Rule 63 Lucas Lee-
Skateboard (Sand, paint, seal, re attach trucks)
Buy a shirt
Buy sweatbands
Borrow wig from friend
 
Ramona Flowers-
Done if everything above gets done

Nino-

Jacket- (Finish cutting out pieces, put together)
De-tangle wig
Find other shoe

Cassandra-

Buy and cut new wig
Make collar and tie
Make shirt
Find other glove
Touch up sword
Finish shield- (Add the icons and rim with epoxy sculpt, sand, paint, add straps)
Make new belt
Buy new tights
Make boot covers for shoes

[shanime_panda]

oh man, packing is the only thing I ever really stress over because I'm so scared I'm going to forget something. (and I live so far away from conventions so there is no chance of just driving back and getting it)
There's just a lot of every day items that I use that I tend to forget about because they don't seem like something you would need.
So my only real prep time is making a gigantic list of all the things I use for each of my cosplays, and then things that would be useful on top of that.

That and I like to look at pictures/videos of past conventions to get me in the "mood" of the con. haha. Maybe re-reading or watching any of the shows I'm cosplaying from to refresh my mind about the character and storyline.

[Teddy_Bearxx]

Hikari Kamiya, Digimon Adventures.
I have everything to do, but shes alot simpler and the wig is amazing and cheap

Namine, Kingdom Hearts.
I did her for a zoo trip and I wanna make her a great cosplay.
I have everything to do as well.

Kaiko Shion, Vocaloid Genderbend Kaito.
Kristi requested her at this last con. Shes adorable.
I'm still deciding on if I wanna do Defult or Winder Dress.

Haruko Haruhara, Fooly Cooly.
I watched and loved her when I was like five man.
She is my hero. Definate for Kumo2011

Alice Liddell, ______ no Kuni no Alice.
I just got into this over summer and she is adorable.
I love Peter and Boris myself.
I really want to get her done by Kumo.

Aelita, Code Lyoko.
I am in love with this girl. Even though I havent seen all the epis.
I love the pink hair and she is easy and adorable.
Im thinking of doing a little of her everyday.
Code Lyoko form. School form one. School form two.


Help me decide on the ones in color?

[ainekatt]

Augh so much to do before Sak

Sakuracon:
Friday: Toni Ipres, Hanna is Not a Boy's Name
I have all the components of the wig either at home or in the mail headed there, so I've got to put that together. And I already have leggings and converse. I've got to hit up a goodwill for a base shirt and belt, and then get some fabric to make the skirt and corset thing and a watch base for the, well, watch. Must also locate proper jewlery. Make sure I have the right shade of makeup foundation stuff.

Saturday: Jamie McCrimmon, Doctor Who
I used my natural hair last time, but I've since cut it all off and dyed it reddish, so I've got to get a wig together before April for this one. I'm also going to take an inch or two off of the kilt to make it end above my knees not below them, and get a proper shirt as well as make the sporan, which I have half of the stuff for already. Get kilt socks and shoes that are not converse or girl's shoes or both and that Jamie might actually wear. Acquire wristwatch.

Sunday: Oerba Dia Vanille, Final Fantasy XIII
I've got to fix the beads because about half of the whole apparatus broke over the course of last year's KCon, so there's that. I'm also going to remake the skirt so it has elastic in the waistline and falls right. Might just scrap it and start over so I can get some sort of flowy silk thing to use so it looks right. Groom the fur a bit so it doesn't shed everywhere. Find a better way of having all the beaded bits clip together. Make necklaces. Make sure I don't forget the damn skirt and have to use a stupid yellow t shirt that I've cut up and made do with again because that was really stupid. Adjust pigtails on wig.

[Coconutty93]

OH GAWD.

MEWCON

Kairi:
-Fix up shoes/find better laces or whatever
-Repaint necklace?
-Iron dress

Maido:
-Iron dress
-Find shoes
-Fix up thigh highs
-Figure out what wig to wear(Probably Yui)

Simca:
-Get box of cosplay from Maddie
-Get pink wig from Maddie
-Wash black shorts
-Find goggles
-Find boots/make boot covers

LAZY Yui:
-Iron dress
-Fix shoes
-Hope to gawd the tights hold up
-Fix headpiece

All but Simca:
-BRING WHITE STRAPLESS BRA!!!

I hope to goodness I'm not forgetting anything. :O

[oslapedo]

I already made a to-do list in person, haha.

Shay's BB Hood
- Finish hood/cape
- Make skirt

Maid Yoko
- Remake a skull pin
- Paint chopsticks
- Hem white and black shirts

Nana
- Sew chokers together
- Buy makeup (fake lashes, lipliner, stick, and fake nails)

Morrigan
- Fix and finish fluffy thing
- Make wings and head wings
- Sew bodice
- Dye and alter gloves
- Finish styling wig

I love being lazy.

[DaemonForce]

Aelita, Code Lyoko.

I will love you forever if you do this one! <3

Vocaloid - Kaito
Style the wig
Use better obi tying practices
Wash and iron the shirt
Wash and iron the pants
Start forcing my body into an extremely dangerous MBR 3 days before wearing the costume
Buy blue lenses
Buy/borrow white gloves

Kuroshitsuji - Sebastian (this is unfinished right now!)
Grow out and straighten my hair (clashes with the above costume)
Buy red lenses
Hope to God the shirt and waistcoat aren't too loose around me

I only have one costume right now so I don't have a lot to think about but I have enough on my plate.

[fleur_fraise]

Ffffff MEWcon-

Slowpoke:
-Buy new needle to sew tail back on
-Fix ear headband
-Figure out how to do hair
-Try everything on

Roxy:
-Find everything
-Try everything on together
-Ask to borrow wig from Haley

Hipster Bellatrix:
-Buy and screenprint shirt
-Put outfit together
-Practice makeup
-Hope that wig gets here on time D8

And then general MEWcon AA stuff:
-Make aprons
-Make pincushions
-Make earrings
-Make rings
-Make hair clips
-DO EVERYTHING

[nyahaha]

EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH MEWcon D:

STILL HAVE TO MAKE AA STUFFFFFF ;u; So much to make
-machine sew bows
-hand sew to ties
-crochet 4 doggies, 6+ bunnies, 10+ oreo keychains, at least 1 more scarf, 10+ hats and a few sets of ears for the hats (bear, monkey, cat, and possibly bunny), 5+ sugar plum fairies, and 10+ bear head keychains OH GOD
-cut out felt shapes for the hats
-find the stupid cash register
-Get change
-make signs
-make business cards?
-possibly draw stuff...

-DO EVERYTHING

Other than that I have cosplay stuff too ;u;

Max
-Fix bent crown
-make sure everything is still intact
-possibly fix tail

Red XIII
-resize arm bands
-sew ears/ feathers to wig
-put beads in wig
-spike wig a bit

Draco
-trim wig
-make one more bracelet
-get a shirt/ have friend screen print it

[RemSaverem]

In addition to prepping cosplays I am prepping panels (for MEW). That has involved watching & re-watching tons of eps of my favorite shows (aw shucks) (which also meant finding ways to watch them). Writing & practicing filks. Practicing other potential performances. Discussing the minutae of trivia with Whovians & learning the references to the Classics in NuWho. Finding other panelists, getting them confirmed. Finding time to help @ the KC table. Finding the $ to attend. Arranging to have someone's room to take a break in if I need to. Still have to find out about parking & food. The biggest pain in the hiney will be cleaning out my car and driving in what will likely be rainy conditions. Oh and the most important part, I still have to pin down when my cat-sitter will be there. I simply won't go if I don't have a cat sitter, so that's a#1.

[camname21]

Anyone who has trouble with all those accessories or numerous pieces that go with/help make the costume like makeup and hairsprays should definitely make a list!  With out a list (which should be the first thing you start after you have an idea) you waste a lot of time looking for and forgetting things.  Everyone knows they feel horrible when they have that 1 missing piece and all they can think of all day is where they left it.  Make sure you have a list! 

What about bags?  Do you all just throw your stuff in a big back and organize it when you get there, or do you have a specific way you lay everything out so you can pull it out exactly when you need to once its time to put it on?

[veraca]

*giggle* I usually break my cosplay packing for a con down on a Monday. For both sakura and kumori, I leave for them on a wednesday night and return sunday.

Packing usually involves:
my spare hamper
my carry-on travel bag
at least 1 wig head

This sakura-con will involve a lot more probably... Since I'm taking more than just 2 cameras and 3 costumes. Laptop, camera stand, batteries and spare batteries, chargers, cords....

I also use my packing time to talk on MSN with my con-traveling friends to see which costume I actually want to lug around in my car.. xD After that, I have to find the pieces between home (in 2 cosplay boxes, and props in my bedroom) and my dorm. And the shoes...

[agpgirl]

DAY 1:
-Ciel Phantomhive | Have not ordered costume yet =__= getting the wig next month though.
-Anri Sonohara | Must remind myself to get a haircut like her's xD Need to make the skirt, must go to Goodwill to get supplies for the top. Might make sord prop or buy cheap one.

DAY 2:
-Hunny Senpai | Getting the wig and Usa-chan from Steely, I've got pants, a shirt, and tie... I need some nice shoes and the coat though, along with the Ouran patch.

PHOTOSHOOTS:
-Miku Hatsune | Pretty much all set, just need to make/buy headphones (prolly just gonna make them though)

PACKING:
-Need a SUITCASE (i realized last year the hard way that a gym bag will not fit all my belongings Dx)
-Get organized! (like, fo reals)

[Sugarlat]

Okay are you all prepared for this?
This is my list to do for Sakuracon.

For me

Black★Gold Saw
Sword, Top, Jacket, Shorts, Boots, Wig

Megan's OC
Wig, Extensions, Outfit

Love is War Lily
Wig (Have), Gloves, Jacket, Shirt, Skirt, Boots, Love is War Sign

Regular Lily
Wig (Ordered), Top, Skirt, Boots, Arm Acessories, Tattoos
 
Anarchy Panty
Wig (Have), Top (Have), Skirt (Ribbons and accessories needed), Underskirt (Done), Panties (Buying), Shoes, Gun, Heart Acessories (Need to be sanded and painted), Arm accessories

Wonderland Oz
Hat, Pant, Jacket, Boots, Bunny Ears

For Others

Death Master
Wig, Dress, Scythe, Shoes, Strength, Wig, Bodysuit, Tail, Hood, Arms

Black★Rock Shooter
Wig, Coat, Top, Shorts, Boots, Sword

Black★Rock Shooter Kaito
Wig, Jacket, Black Pants, Shoes, Sword

Underworld Vaulkan
Wig, Apron, Dress, Giant Ass Machine Gun, Socks, Hair Bows, Skull Necktie

Love is War Gumi
Wig, Gloves, Vest, Scarf, Jacket, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Goggles (Pink)

Love is War Gakupo
Wig, Gloves, Shirt, Cape, Belts, Sword

Love is War Meiko
Wig, Hat, Shirt, Tie, Belt, Pants, Boots, Belts, Riding Crop, Gloves

Megan's OC
White Vest and pants
Wig

Megan's OC
Wig

Megan's OC
Wig

Megan's OC
1. NEEEEED SPECS!!!!!

Love is war Miku
Top, Skirt, Tie, Belts, Gloves

Love is war Rin
Top, Shorts, Belts, Tie, Gloves

Love is war Len
Top, Shorts, Belts, Tie, Gloves

Time to die now.

[Chibachi Nero]

Think my list is a bit less hectic than most of the other on here, but...

Sakuracon
For me:
Get a wig head & styling crap
Style Tsubaki wig
Finish sewing shirt
BELTS oh god I need to get started on those
Get black fabric for her neck thingie
Hit up Goodwill for a striped shirt I can butcher and some boots I can make covers for
Make the boot covers
Figure out how to wear makeup :<
Find a green t-shirt, black duster and some kind of cool-looking fake weapon for a random Hunger Games tribute costume I promised someone I'd make
Figure out how I'm gonna get spending money for this

For my dad:
Find him an martial arts uniform
Flip-flops
Make a black belt
Make him actually get past the first volume of Ranma 1/2

...and on top of that, keep my grades up because I'll get a report card right before the con and I don't wanna get grounded or something because I'm failing math. :/

[Teddy_Bearxx]

My prep time, is trying to narrow down my final list.
Its not easy.

[steelychan]

kumo:

ranmao (kuroshitsuji):
-get wig from kristi
-order cosplay
-buy thigh hi socks
-find the shoes
-make her weapons (almost have everything i need)

hunny (ouran):
-brush out the wig
-pack the outfit
-exercise so that I can fit into my jacket (the holiday meals are very happy around my tummy)
kaoru (ouran):
-BUY THE WIG
- coordinate things with kori so we can be all twin like

dressy may (pokemon):
-get bandana (put the details on the bandana)
-buy the white dress
-get the blue under slip (davids bridal is your friend)
-see if i can borrow a straightener (learn how to use one)
-get white gloves
-make the shawl (put the yellow dots on it)
-make or buy a pokeball

pirate:
-buy corset
-buy and dismantle a cream button up shirt for a pirate shirt
-buy a hat
-get all the shineys
-find another sash (i have a head scarf, but i need one for my waist.

in general:
-find a hotel to room with allykat ( <3 you for offering me a piece of floor to sleep on)
-pack!
-bring wig heads (they keep me company)
-bring my sewing kit for repairs
-EXERCISE!!!!
-make sure to put aside the hunny stuff for abby
-bring normal clothes
-bring a cooler (for noms and such)

[Mew*Haruko]

My list for Kumoricon. I pretty much pack last minute. xD But this is what I need to do.

Son Goku *genderbent*
Have the costume comissioned, which is very hard to do. ; ^ ;
Buy a long black wig. Style some little spikes.
Find a glass ball, paint it orange and then little stars.
Make a power pole.

Edward Elric *genderbent*
Order the cosplay.
Order the wig.
Get a black pleated skirt. Black stockings. Knee high boots. Paint the bottom red.
Finish my automail *WHICH I HAVE JUST STARTED TODAY*
Fix my state alchemist pocket watch. It does not close correctly.

Hinata Hyuuga *revised cosplay*
Fix the bottom of my jacket, get a skirt that matches the color of her capris. thigh high ninja shoes, which I'm going to make.
Fix the stupid bandages that always fall off my leg. ; n ;


maybe Rena Ryuugu
Order cosplay.
MAYBE THE WIG.
Make hatchet.

Vocaloid Ed
Use black pleated skirt. Use wig.
Make arm warmers. Make black vocaloid looking shirt.
High heels.Get headphones.

[CLAP_attack]

My plans for sakuracon arent as crazy ;;
though. just .. orz;;.

I still need to refix my cross boots and repaint the gun.

[tas110]

now think about it, this is all ONE cosplay   it has to be taken from 3 hangers at home to 1 hanger for the car ride. a word of advice, don't cosplay Jack sparrow. ohhh I think I missed a few things, but I am not sure.

for Jack Sparrow:
-wig
-shirt (weather)
-vest (weather)
-pants
-sash (its 12 feet long ) (weather)
-flower belt
-Annamarie belt
-compass
-pelts
-frock coat (I need to get new buttons)
-baldric
-mum
-boots
-bronzer (x3)
-eyeliner (x2)
-facial hair
-bandanna
-wrist wrap
-palm glove
-lace
-dragon ring (weather)
-button ring (weather)
-stolen ring (weather)
-skull ring (weather)
-tattoo stamp
-flintlock (gun)
-cutlass (sword)
-scabbard (sword holder)
-make up remover (x2)
-Tricorn (hat)
-chickens foot
-mermaid fertility charm
-foam head and stand