Cosplay 101: How to Start Off and End a Convention Hotel Stay

So, of course, when you're going off to attend an out-of-town convention, you and your friends will need a place to stay at!

When you've all unloaded and brought in your bags and luggages into the hotel room, you know that you each have to claim an area or corner where you'd have to put your stuff at.

Is this going to be your first time?

Please, please don't make the same mistakes I did when I started off cosplaying at out-of-town anime conventions >^< ~~

But don't worry!

I'll tell you how:

1.  Claim a corner or area where you can haul in your bags and luggages--and stick to it.

Make sure your stuff won't be in the way of people walking in or around the hotel room though!  Always try to keep it clean before and after you dig in for your things, so your roommates won't trip or injure themselves during the con.  Also, make sure to close and zip off your bags and luggages to prevent anything from spilling out or losing anything.

2.  Try to avoid drinking water bottles that were set there by the hotel staff or anything.

Unless it's specifically said to be "free."  You'd be charged with the costs if it doesn't say so.

3.  Be gentle with everything in the hotel room!

Unless you want to be hit with more costs.  Just don't break or rip anything, please.

4.  Always try to keep the overall room clean.

It's important to always try to keep the hotel room clean, and if you can't, have everyone clean up altogether at least once or twice throughout the con.  This will prevent things from being lost and will lessen the stress you'll have when you can't find that mascara you brought in or the eyeliner you just bought recently.  Believe me, this will help make your con stay less stressful and more clean!

5.  On the first day, set up a rule that when you invite friends or strangers over, make sure to inform everyone else--or just don't bring anyone at all.

The more, the merrier, right?

Well, unfortunately, that's not the way with most people.  Personally, my friends and I try to avoid bringing over people we just met into our hotel room.  During my first and second  year of attending cons, I've lost many, many makeup items because friends would invite strangers into the room without telling any of us and have them borrow my things and other people's stuff--without asking the original owner.  Please be well aware that although it's great that you've met and made new friends, the thing is--you just met them and you'll be held responsible for anything that goes missing afterward.

6.  Make sure that there is a place to sleep for everyone.  EVERY ONE.

It's my pet peeve when the majority thinks it's okay for one or two people to--not have a place to sleep.  That's not okay!  How'd you feel if you don't have a place to sleep?  It's uncomfortable--and it'll make them grouchy the next day--and probably cause con-drama.  Always remember that if you're a true friend, try to make sure everyone has a bed or some sort.

Good sleep means rest--and having rest for a con means having a good time and having money well-spent on the hotel.

What helps make this situation better is that a friend of mine brings a set of air-beds/mattresses with her to the con when we room together.  This increases the chances of everyone (usually about 6 of us or more) having a place to sleep on.  Also, try to bring extra pillows or blankets when you can because you never know when there's not enough to go around.

7.  Try to help each other when you can.  It's all about teamwork!

Is your roommate/friend having trouble with their false eyelashes?

If you're a pro at putting them on, help your friend out!  It never hurts!

Helping each other out when you're all getting ready for the con is an experience that brings each other closer than ever before, and with all good experiences--that means making good memories about your stay there!  Not only that, you all will get ready faster!

8.  If you're tired or anything but ready for the con, take breaks by retreating to your hotel room.

No, seriously.  This helps on so many levels for me and my friends throughout so many conventions! Whenever there is a time where you're exhausted or stressed out or want to just sit on something comfy like a bed--go back to your hotel room and rest or take a nap.  Just let your group know or give someone a heads-up before doing so to prevent search parties!

9.  To make everything more fun, plan get-togethers!

Whether you have friends are staying at another hotel or maybe it's just your group,  take a break from the con once in a while--and get something to eat together!  This adds more fun and helps make more good memories for everyone while also, making sure the entire group is well-fed and hydrated!

10.  When checking out of the hotel room, put everything back the way it was before you came in.

Clean up your messes--put back that ironing board--and make the bed.  Remember, you're not just con-goers or cosplayers.  You're representing your cosplay community and want to leave a good lasting impression on the hotel staff when they check on your room even if you're leaving.  Put back everything back the way it was before you came in.  It'll make things easier for the maids when they come in to clean up for the next guest.


And so, I hope that you find this very helpful for your next con hotel stay!


Sincerely,

Yoko ~~

Cosplay 101: Things that Every Beginner Needs to Know When Making Cosplay

When I first started getting into Cosplay, I had SO MANY questions--and my friends who introduced me to the hobby--well, they couldn't answer or didn't know how to answer them at all.  So, I was completely clueless and had no idea what I was doing except that I was going to cosplay so-and-so for my first anime convention.  I had no sewing skills.  And I had no answers at the time.

I didn't even know where to go to if I needed help or if there cosplayers online who can even help me out.

And so, I've decided to put together a list of things that every beginner should know before getting seriously involved in Cosplay:

1.  Start with a costume that works with your sewing/craft level.  

No, seriously.

If you have basic sewing skills, you can start out with cosplays such as Kingdom Hearts' Namine or school uniforms.  Or you can go shopping for similar-looking clothes and alter/make changes to them to fit the character you want to cosplay.

It's also great if you have friends who are more skilled or have expert craftsmanship--but do make sure to credit them for helping you out.  It's bad rep for you if you go around, taking 100% credit for everything if they went out of their way to help make the costume with you.

I was fortunate enough to have my dad help me out, him being a retired tailor, so I cut out the pre-made costume pattern while he did the sewing.  I always made sure to let people know when they ask--that he helped me make the cosplay.

Or you can buy or commission a cosplay online.  When you commission a cosplay from someone, always know that you are paying for both the materials and labor work they've put into the outfit.  Always make sure to read every line of the contract and remember them well.  There will be commissioners who won't do refunds and some will do partial.  It's a reminder to you that if you want a commission, make sure that you are in this for 100%--or just don't.

Buying a cosplay online means purchasing the whole outfit or outfit and accessories.  Always make sure to compare prices from various websites or sellers and read reviews before making a purchase.

Kisa Sohma cosplay from 'Fruits Basket.'
Winter of 2012.

2. Have reference images of the character you want to cosplay.

Always make sure to have lots of reference pictures of the character from all different angles--and they have to be reliable and if you can, all official images from the video games/cartoon/anime/etc.  

You'll need it when you go fabric shopping as you'll want to compare fabric colors to the images or to make guesses on how heavy or light the fabric could be, according to how it's worn by the model.  This makes it easier to also identify what kind of fabric you may want to buy for your costume.

My friends and I find that having a sketchbook comes in handy as well.  When we gather all of our reference image together, we sketch out our characters on paper--front view and back view.

3.  Have someone with you when you do fabric/cosplay shopping.

Try to have a family member, friend, or someone close accompany you when you go shopping for fabric.  Ask them for their opinions when you find something that matches the character's outfit or fabric, whether it involves which of the two swatches of color-fabric is a closer match to the character's shirt or asking them if the billowing skirt could be cotton or something else.  Pay attention to details, and it'll really help!

Also, buy costume patterns!  Buy the ones that closely resemble your cosplay if you're planning to make one from scratch.  For example: You want to make a Japanese school girl uniform, so you purchase a costume pattern for sailor-style shirts and pleated skirts.

4.  Keep a calendar and time in mind.

When you're working on cosplay, try to prioritize which part of the costume you need to work on first and next.  If the con is taking place in four months, then, do the shopping as soon as possible--and make a schedule.  Time is especially important for you if you were to order or commission a cosplay from someone--or if you're going to make the cosplay from scratch.

Current cosplay in progress work.

For example: If you need to make the school uniform shirt, spend the first week of January to cut out the pattern pieces you bought or draft it out (if you know how)--and cutting out fabric.  The second week can be used to put the fabric pieces together (sewn or run through a sewing machine).

5.  Take breaks!

It's great to work on your cosplay all day and all night to get it done in time for the convention, but for your own health and safety, do make sure to take breaks.  Use the restroom, eat, take a short nap, stretch and walk around for a bit...

It's all right to take breaks!

I once had a friend who dozed off when he was running a cosplay through a sewing machine--and he hurt his hand!  So, never work with a sewing machine if you're sleepy!

6.  Add some fun into cosplay-making!

Invite your cosplay buddies over to your house or plan a sleepover party where you all help each other in making costumes.  Put on some music to help concentrate--or put on the anime/cartoon series that you all are cosplaying from to boost motivation (if you are cosplaying from these two genres)!  Talk, sing, whatever it is to keep the fun in--and to motivate you all to make the best cosplays you can crank out!

7.  Make sure to wash and clean your cosplay wigs.

8.  Be careful with cosplays--and present yourself well!

Before the con starts--and you're all in your hotel room--make sure to iron that pleated skirt, uniform shirt, the jacket--whatever that needs to be ironed--make sure it's ironed and clean.  Treat it as your precious baby--because it is ;u;  Good cosplay presentation makes a huge difference!

Make sure everything is in place.  Make sure those zippers are up and closed.  Make sure that wig sits well on your head.

9.  And one last thing: Have tons of fun at the convention!


I hope that you all find this helpful, and I also wish those of you who are looking forward into making your own cosplays lots of fun! Be safe!  And always remember: Hyrdrate yourself, eat, take restroom breaks, keep good hygiene, and have good sleep (or try to)!


Sincerely,

Yoko~

'Tales of' Cosplay gathering at Fanime.
I cosplayed Anise Tatlin (right, pink).
Fanime of 2013.