Planning your next build between cons

cosplay between conventions

Hello, friends. As winter lingers and the next convention feels just out of reach, there's something comforting about settling into the quiet rhythm of cosplay between conventions. It's that time for sketching ideas, sorting fabric scraps, and dreaming up what comes next without the rush of deadlines. This week, let's lean into the simple magic of keeping a cosplay journal, a tool that turns scattered thoughts into a clear path forward.

Picture this: it's a chilly February evening, the kind where snow dusts the windows, and I've just unpacked my sewing kit after months of convention highs. My last build, a intricate steampunk inventor, had carried me through three events last fall, but now the suitcase is empty, and that familiar itch returns. What to make next? Instead of jumping straight into fabric hunting, I pulled out a fresh notebook, the one with thick pages meant for watercolor and ink. No digital apps this time; I wanted something tactile, a record I could flip through during lazy afternoons.

The first page started simple. I sketched my character choice, Elara from that indie game everyone's buzzing about, her flowing robes and glowing staff begging for EVA foam and LED lights. On the right, a list: purple chiffon for the base layer, gold embroidery thread, a wig cap in lavender. I broke it into head, body, feet, just like those old guides suggest, with checkboxes for what I'd sourced. Thrift store finds got prices jotted next to them, a running budget tally in red ink to keep dreams grounded. It felt good, methodical, like mapping a trail through unfamiliar woods.

As the pages filled, details emerged. I added watercolor washes for the robe's gradient fade, tiny lanterns doodled in the margins to evoke Elara's night scenes. Accessories got their own spread: the staff's crystal base from a hardware store gem, prop runes sketched on tracing paper. Midway through, doubt crept in. Could I really LED-wire that staff without shorting everything? A quick "To Do" note: test circuit on scrap. And below, a "Wins" box for small victories, like nailing the wig's braid after two failed attempts. The journal wasn't just a plan; it became a companion, capturing the hesitations and sparks that make building human.

By week's end, half the lists were checked, fabric draped over my chair waiting for seams. No con yet to debut it, but that's the beauty here. This journal bridged the gap, turning post-con blues into quiet progress. I caught myself flipping back to last year's entries, smiling at the coffee stains and frantic notes from crunch time. It's proof that between conventions, the real crafting happens in these small, steady moments.

Journals like this keep us sane in the off-season, turning overwhelm into steps we can savor. They remind us cosplay is as much about the process as the reveal. What's one trick in your own planning that keeps you motivated?

Have you ever kept a cosplay journal or build book? Reply and tell me your favorite part, like sketches or checklists. What's the next character on your list right now?

Spring is stirring up some great gatherings for us makers and cosplayers. Here's a quick look at upcoming spots to connect, share WIPs, or debut new builds: - Mid-Atlantic Comic Con, April 2026, Baltimore MD, fan panels and cosplay contests in a vibrant harbor setting. - West Coast Prop Makers Meetup, late March 2026, Seattle WA, hands-on workshops for foam and resin techniques. - Spring Anime Fest, May 2026, Chicago IL, massive hall cosplay with character galleries and photo ops. - Southern Cosplay Retreat, early April 2026, Atlanta GA, relaxed camping vibe for skill shares and group shoots. - Northeast Maker Faire, June 2026, Boston MA, tech-infused builds and inventor showcases. - Pacific Northwest Con, April 2026, Portland OR, indie game focus with build-off challenges.

If this issue sparked something, a journal page or a new idea, forward it to one cosplay friend who thrives on that between-con energy. They might need this nudge right now.

Hit reply and share where you are in your cosplay season: mid-build slump, fresh sketch phase, or unpacking from last event? Tell me about your current project or a story from your journal. This space is ours, a thread in the community tapestry where replies build real conversations. Can't wait to hear from you.

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