This is the costume that started me thinking about entering masquerades. I made the shawl, the gloves, and the hat, grabbed a black skirt and blouse, laced myself into a corset, and put in a pair of fangs. Instant vampire. I wore it to BayCon 2011. I had one or two people ask to take my picture, but it didn’t make much of an impression.
I found out last minute that Westercon 64 was in San Jose that year. I wore the same costume, expecting the same reaction. What a different experience I had there. I was stopped at least two dozen times that Saturday with people asking for pictures and wanting to talk to me about how I made it. I received many compliments much to my surprise, since I had not changed a single thing. I decided to check out the masquerade. I hadn’t attended one before, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Unlike the masked ball I assumed it would be, it was a stage show featuring the costumes people had worked hard on. When the presentations were over, the woman sitting in front of me turned around and demanded, “And why weren’t you up on stage?”
I was flabbergasted. I hadn’t seriously considered entering my costume for judging, despite the compliments I had been receiving all day. I had put time into it, but I didn’t think I was the same level as the people onstage. I explained that I didn’t think I had made enough to be judged on, since the dress and corset were store bought and unmodified. The woman realized she came on stronger than she intended, and we spent ten minutes discussing what qualifies for judging.
That conversation planted the seed. I entered the BayCon 2012 costume contest. What happened there? That’s a story for another post.
This week’s Puff update –
Weekly Apiary Puffs Completed: 3
Total Apiary Puffs Completed: 62
Total Leftover Skeins Busted: 14
In the Bay Area May 23rd through the 26th? Want to hear about me talk about knitting? Want to see my latest costume in person? I will be at BayCon 2014 giving a panel on the inspirations and ideas that lead to my Best Workmanship and Best in Show costumes as well as participating in the Variety Show.
I love how the shawl looks like wings! 🙂
I loved that shawl too. Unfortunately, it got snagged on something and was pulled out of shape. I’m debating making a new one in a slightly different style.