Why February and March are perfect for finishing what you started.

cosplay between conventions

Hello, friends. If you're reading this in late February, you might be in that particular stretch of the cosplay calendar where the last convention feels like a memory and the next one is still weeks away. That quiet space between events is something we don't talk about enough, even though it's where so much of the real work happens. This is when you finally have time to fix that seam that's been bothering you, finish the armor piece that's been sitting on your desk, or start something entirely new without the pressure of a deadline looming. Cosplay between conventions isn't just about showing up to the big events, it's about the steady, thoughtful work that happens in the months in between.

Sarah finished her last convention costume three weeks ago, and she's still finding glitter in places she didn't know existed. The wig is clean and stored. The photos are backed up. The shoes are broken in. By most measures, she's done. But standing in her workshop last Tuesday, looking at sketches for a new character, she realized something: she wasn't tired of cosplay at all. She was just tired of rushing.

"I spent January in a blur," she told me. "Making final adjustments, packing, traveling, wearing the costume, taking it apart again. It was wonderful, but I didn't really think about what I was learning or what I wanted to make next. I was just in execution mode."

So Sarah made a decision that might sound small but changed how she approached the next few months. Instead of immediately jumping into her next full costume, she decided to spend February and March on what she calls "experiments." She's trying new techniques with foam. She's testing different wig styling methods. She's building a small armor piece just to understand how a particular material behaves. There's no convention deadline attached to any of it. There's no judging, no rush, no performance pressure. Just learning.

"Between conventions, I can actually enjoy the craft part," she said. "I can make mistakes without it mattering. I can spend two hours trying one approach, decide it doesn't work, and try something completely different. In January, that would have felt like wasted time. Now it feels like investment."

What struck me most was how she talked about the in-between months not as downtime but as essential time. The conventions are the celebration. The months between them are where you build skill, confidence, and ideas for what comes next. It's where cosplay between conventions actually becomes a practice instead of just a series of events.

This time of year, many of us are in that beautiful, unrushed space where we can be thoughtful about our craft. Whether you're working on something small, experimenting with new techniques, or taking a break to recharge, the in-between months are yours to shape however you need.

We'd love to hear what you're doing right now. Are you working on a costume? Testing out a new method? Resting and planning? Or are you in that moment of not quite knowing what's next, and that's okay too?

What is one small cosplay project or experiment you're working on between now and your next convention?

What's something you wish you'd had more time to learn or try during your last cosplay season?

If you could spend the next month on any one cosplay skill, what would it be?

Spring is coming, and with it, a handful of smaller gatherings and larger conventions worth marking on your calendar. Whether you're looking for a big showcase or a cozy local meetup, there's something ahead worth planning for.

METROCON, Tampa, Florida, July 31 - August 2, 2026. Florida's largest anime convention with cosplay contests, panels, and a full vendor hall.

Anime Expo, Los Angeles, California, July 2 - 5, 2026. North America's largest Japanese pop culture celebration with international attendance and extensive programming.

Spring Cosplay Meetup Series, various cities, March - May 2026. Local outdoor photo and craft meetups in regional communities.

Midwest Comic & Cosplay Con, Chicago, Illinois, April 18 - 20, 2026. Regional convention featuring artist alley, cosplay contests, and workshops.

Summer Craft Intensive Workshops, multiple locations, June 2026. Three-day maker workshops focused on armor, sewing, and prop techniques.

Anime Summer Festival, Seattle, Washington, June 20 - 21, 2026. Community-focused celebration with small vendor hall and cosplay showcase.

Northeast Cosplay Symposium, Boston, Massachusetts, August 8 - 10, 2026. Panel-heavy event featuring costume crafting seminars and networking.

If you know someone in your cosplay circle who's in that in-between space right now, someone who's thinking about what comes next or who might appreciate a reminder that this quiet season is valuable, please forward this to them. Let's keep the conversation going among people who actually understand why February matters just as much as July.

We want to hear from you. Hit reply and tell us where you are in your own cosplay season. What are you working on? What are you learning? What's on your mind as you move toward spring and summer events? This is a conversation, not a broadcast. Your stories, your experiments, your questions, and your small wins are what make this community real.

Thank you for being here, and for caring about the craft and the people around you. See you between conventions.

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