About Commissions and FAQs

Background
I have been sewing since around the age of 6, when we learned basic stitches in the Girl Scouts.  Since then, I've learned new skills: I taught myself to embroider around the age of 8, and started using a sewing machine around the age of 10 under my mother's guidance.  At that time, I didn't make garments, but made pillows and other similar items, learning the use of the machine. 

In 2006 I attended my first convention and thus discovered cosplay.  I decided that I wanted to do it too, and went out and bought a sewing machine.  While I knew how to sew, I knew nothing about making garments, and my first "costumes" were really terrible.  However, through trial and error I got better.  After realizing my passion for costuming, I got involved in costume design and construction in the theatre department where I was majoring. This led to more classes and experience, where I learned many new skills while honing those that I had learned myself.  I worked as costume crew on several shows, assistant designed 3 shows and designed and created all the costumes for a show for my senior thesis. 

In cosplay, I have won several awards both in groups and individually, including:
~Hall Cosplay
~Excellence in Versatility
~Judges Award
~Performance Awards

I continue to cosplay, though not as frequently due to school and other obligations.  I love to sew and create costumes and wigs, which is why I take commissions.

About Commissions
I take pride in my work, and as such, I use only high quality materials.  My favorite materials to work with are cotton twill, duchesse satin and poplin. 

In addition to quality, I try to make sure my customers are happy.  As such I only require 50% up front, which is used to purchase materials for the costume.  The rest of the cost is only required after the costume has been completed and the customer has verified their satisfaction.  I also am always willing to fix or refit any costumes at no extra cost if my costume doesn't fit the customer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

~I found this costume on ebay for $80.  Why do you charge more than that?
       Costumes from China are not necessarily made of the best quality materials; often they are made of cheap polyester fabrics or cheap satin, which doesn't look as nice as quality materials.  For example, I only use duchesse satin for costumes that need to be made of a satin material, which runs about $8 a yard at best.  However, it has a nice sheen rather than being very shiny, and drapes very nicely.  It also doesn't wrinkle as much as cheap satin.  I am also only one person; costumes from China are likely made in a factory using an assembly line, so of course it takes less time.  I spend as much time as I need to in order for the costume to look good.

~Can't you just use cheaper materials?  I like your costumes but I don't have much money!
       I take pride in all of my work, and as such, I will not use cheap materials that I don't think will look good.  One of the reasons that my costumes do look good is because I use high quality fabrics that look best for that costume.  It will not look as good with cheap fabric. 

~How do you determine your prices?
       I've been buying fabric pretty frequently for that past 5 years, so I have a pretty good idea of how much fabric costs (if I don't know the price of a specific fabric, I will research it).  I also know how much fabric goes into most garments, so I am able to calculate the cost of fabric, as well as the cost of notions, trims, and other materials.  I also know about how long it takes me to make most garments, and calculate this.  In general, I calculate it to pay myself $10 an hour, which is an average rate. 

~Why do rush commissions cost extra?
      When I get a regular commission, I have at least one month to complete it.  With this time frame, I'm able to schedule when I can go get materials, when I'll work on it, and when I need to ship it out.  I have much more freedom in time management.  However, with rush commissions, I must schedule things very quickly and make special accommodations.  For example, I usually go to get materials for more than one commission at a time to save time and money.  For a rush, I have to make a special trip for that commission, which takes time and money for gas and parking.  I also need to work quickly, which means I may have to forego plans with friends, or stay up later working, or rearrange my schedule.  The extra cost is for this inconvenience. 
For the best price, make sure to commission early so that you don't incur rush fees!

Commission: Chibi Usa Wig

I recently completed a commission for a Chibi Usa wig from Sailor Moon.

This is the first odango wig I've made, and I am quite happy with how it turned out!
I used an Arda wigs Chibi as a base, with 2 falls that I used to make the tails and cover the eggs for the odango. 
I can't wait to see it in action!

Costume: Briar Rose

Today I did a quick costume: Briar Rose from Sleeping Beauty.

I have actually made this costume twice before, badly!
The first time was actually the first costume I ever made.  I still don't know what possessed me to make a corset on my first costume!  It never saw the light of day, because I was too embarrassed to wear it when I took it out at the convention.  That one use a button up blouse instead of making it, and a circle shirt. 
The second was for a monologue in acting class.  It was thrown together quite quickly and shoddily.  I tried to get the look of the film by pleating heavily in the front, but it didn't look good. 
This one looks much better than either previous one.  I freehanded the blouse pattern, used a commercial pattern for the corset and modified a pattern for the skirt.  I think this looks the best of any of the skirt styles I've tried. 
The skirt is a cotton weave, and I dyed it to get it the proper color.  I was a bit worried since I don't usually dye fabric, but it turned out perfect!  The corset and blouse are linen.  I considered using nicer fabrics, but I figured since she's supposed to be a peasant at this point, so more common fabrics seemed appropriate. 
The back will be grommetted and there will be chord added to the V in front.  I'll be wearing it to the Renaissance Faire next week.  I'm going to see if I can find a good fabric for the shawl, as I didn't see any today when I got fabric. 

Previous Cosplay

Super Sailor Saturn

Duchesse Satin, Lyrca/Spandex

2007

Arrancar Orihime

Cotton Twill

2007

 Military Disguise Winry

Polyester/Cotton Poplin

2006

Susan Camp Dress

Wool, Hand Embroidery

2006

Umi School Uniform

Linen Blend

2007

Euphemia Li Britannia

Duchesse Satin, Organza

2008

Lucky Star Uniforms

Poplin, Twill

2009

Euphemia Li Britannia

Duchesse Satin, Chiffon, Hand Beading

2010

Introduction

Hello,
My name is Jennifer and this is my creative designs blog.
I have been sewing for as long as I can remember, from learning to stitch in girl scouts, to learning to embroider and knit at the age of 8, to learning to use a sewing machine.  I've always been interested in needlecraft. 
I have been cosplaying since 2006 when I attended my first anime convention.  At this point I put my experience to work in learning to make garments.  This led to a passion in costuming and design, and I ended up as a costume design emphasis in my Theatre Arts B.A. 
In 2006 I also discovered lolita fashion and began wearing it in 2007.  At this point I no longer wear it on a regular basis, but I still love the fashion and follow the community. 
I have been styling wigs since 2006, when I bought my first cosplay wig, and have since learned many new skills in this discipline. 
While at University, I took a jewelry making class, and while I'm not longer able to use these techniques, I've been making jewelry ever since. 
I hope you enjoy my designs and creations!