A quiet winter ritual to capture your cosplay journey.

cosplay between conventions

Hello, friend. As the winter chill settles in and the big conventions feel like distant memories, there's something comforting about cosplay between conventions. It's that gentle rhythm of sketching ideas, stitching late into the evening, or simply flipping through photos of past builds. This week, we're leaning into one of those satisfying between-con habits: putting together a build book to honor your craft.

These books aren't just for contests; they're personal keepsakes that let you step back and see how far you've come. Grab a notebook or fire up a free design tool, and let's talk about why this matters right now.

Picture this: it's a snowy Saturday in late January, and Sarah sits at her kitchen table, surrounded by fabric scraps and a steaming mug of tea. Her last con was months ago, a whirlwind of flash photography and hurried compliments, but now, with spring events on the horizon, she's feeling that familiar itch. She's been working on an Aloy cosplay from Horizon Forbidden West for weeks, piecing together intricate armor from foam and leather. The bow took three tries to get right, and the red hair braid? A tangle of yarn and patience. But amid the mess, Sarah decides it's time to make a build book, not for judges, but for herself.

She starts simple, pulling up reference screenshots of Aloy on her laptop, side by side with her own progress photos. The first page announces it all: a crisp shot of her in the nearly finished costume, character name bold across the top, her maker tag at the bottom. No novel-length epic here; she remembers advice from a recent panel, keep it to 10 pages or less. One page per major section, torso first. She glues in photos of the EVA foam shaping, bullet-point notes on heat gun techniques that worked, and a quick sketch of the final pattern. "This chest plate almost defeated me," she writes, "but layering Worbla saved it."

Flipping to the headpiece, Sarah lingers on the details. Full-page glory for the antler crown, her proudest bit, with close-ups of the wire armature and airbrush shading. She skips the failures, like the first braid that unraveled in the wash, because this book is about the wins, the clever pivots. Using a free online tool like Canva, she duplicates layouts for consistency, tweaking fonts to mimic game menus. It's meditative work, each click a moment to relive late nights and small triumphs. By evening, she exports a PDF, prints a copy on standard 8.5x11 paper, and slips it into a binder. Holding it feels like closure on the build, and a quiet excitement for whatever con comes next.

That night, Sarah texts a con buddy: "Just finished my build book. It's weirdly emotional." Her friend replies instantly, sharing a photo of her own half-started journal. In that exchange, the between-con magic happens, turning solo crafting into shared stories.

Sarah's build book reminded her why we document these projects: it's a way to celebrate the maker in quieter seasons. Have you ever made one? What was the part of your costume you gave a full page to, and why?

What's one tip you'd add for keeping a build book simple and under 10 pages? Or, if you're inspired, what's the character you're building for next, and what section are you tackling first? Hit reply; I'd love to hear your take.

With winter winding down, here's a quick look at some cosplay gatherings to mark on your calendar. These are great spots to debut new builds or connect with fellow makers.

• MAGFest, late January 2026, Washington DC area, a celebration of indie games and cosplay craftsmanship with build book workshops.
• Katsucon, February 2026, National Harbor MD, anime-focused con with masquerade spotlighting detailed costumes.
• Mid-Atlantic Comic Con, March 2026, Baltimore MD, vendor hall packed with supplies and artist alleys for cosplay inspiration.
• Fan Expo New Orleans, March 2026, New Orleans LA, multi-fandom event with photo ops and panel tracks on prop-making.
• C2E2, April 2026, Chicago IL, massive comics and cosplay hub with contests for all skill levels.
• Anime Boston, late April 2026, Boston MA, vibrant gathering for J-fashion and group cosplay shoots.

If this issue sparked something, forward it to one cosplay friend who gets the joy of building between cons. They might be knee-deep in their own project right now and need this nudge.

Hit reply anytime: tell me where you are in your cosplay season, what you're stitching or sketching, or share a build book story of your own. This is our space for swapping those human moments, the tweaks and triumphs that make the community hum. Let's keep the conversation going; your note might inspire the next issue.

Reply with your stories, photos, and questions for a future issue.