2025 Cosplay year in review

Glaceon - Pokemon | Drolta - Castlevania Nocturne | Yoruichi - Bleach TYBW | Dio Brando - JJBA

I don't know what it was, but 2025 was a slow year for me. I only finished 4 costumes and stalled while trying to make others. I'm happy with what I was able to accomplish with my more challenging projects, while others I was just okay with. I was planning on competing again but the timing wasn't right and I wasn't going to run myself ragged for a competition only to be disappointed with the rushed costume. I was able to apply some new skill and I'm surprised at how much is sticking from my Tiktok scrolling. I hope you find a little insight in my cosplay journey for the year.

Drolta (me) and Richter (Cerberus Cosplay) - Photo LXE Photo

What I learned

1. Sometimes basting is faster than pinning, especially with slippery fabric. Take the time initially and save your time later from having to fic mistakes.
2. Learn when you can sew without pins. Some fabrics are more forgiving than other and you can save a lot time this way. 
3. When stitching gloves in tricky stretch fabrics (like stretch mesh) and make adjustments before cutting out the fingers. This prevent the fabric from being pushed into your sewing machine with machine needle. Also it's nearly impossible to seam reap stretch mesh when you have matching thread
4. If you are draping/layering stretch fabrics on top on each other, be mindful of pulling and use many tacking points to avoid putting strain on the few that are there. 
5. Crimping wigs is tedious but effective for adding volume. Take break or switch hands to avoid cramping your hands. 
6. Make molds when making repetitive costume pieces, like buttons. 
7. If you are making multiples of a thing, consider making at least one extra for testing, mistakes, or a backup for later
8. Iron invisible zippers to get an even closer stitch to the teeth and to make it even more invisible.
9. When stitching something non-stretch onto something stretchy, pin and mark while wearing the piece so the placement is right. It will shift significantly once it take off.
10. The heavier the prosthetic the more surface area you have to work with the better. 
11. Use aluminum foil to sculpt patterns for tricky costume pieces like horns or spikes. You can use a spoon to smoothen out the edges, then masking tape to create a pattern.
12. Use Vaseline to sew sticky fabrics like stretch vinyl. This was a lifesaver for my Drolta and the only way I could manage to sew all that vinyl especially the bodysuit.
13. Some nail polishes do not work well with fake nails. My red nails for Drolta seem to "sweat" white powder that can be rubbed off but it's odd.
14. When glues nails to gloves it's important they have a good texture for glue. I added hand stitching to the nail tips of my vinyl gloves so that the glue could work. 
15. For tight curls in wigs, consider using smaller cylindrical object for styling, like BBQ skewers (for coily hair)  or 1cm straws.
16. Vinyl collar lead to sweaty neck, put a cotton pad on the nape of you neck to catch the sweat and to make the costume more comfortable and cooler to wear
17. Buy the thing if the thought of making it is stressing you out. My Dio boots were expensive but when I think of the stress and time it would take me to make them, they were worth every penny.
18. Try on your old wigs before repurposing them. It could be that the hairline isn't right and you'll waist your time styling a wig you can't use. At least it made for good styling practice.
19. A little glitter in a wig adds some fun dimension and shine.

Dio Brando at Otakuthon - Photo by LXE Photo

Most Expensive - DIO

This costume only wins against Drolta if we are counting buying new materials for the costume. I was able to restyle an old wig to save some money, but I had to buy all the shiny fabrics, specialty foam dowels, and the shoes. The only new materials I used for Drolta were the wig, some gems, and the pink fabric. Material-wise she is more expensive, but she was a stashbuster.

Yoruichi TYBW at Yeticon - Photo by Paul Hillier

Least Expensive - Yoruichi

Yoruichi is another stashbuster when is comes to the fabric. I bought a new wig since the old one was over 17 years old and not the right colour and length. I also hacked-up some old flipflops to make the base for the boots. I also wasted some money buying dance tights in the wrong skin tone online. I had to hike up those thigh high boots quite a few times.

Favourite Costume

I love my girl Drolta and this was a fun yet challenging project to make. I look amazing in it but it's uncomfortable to wear. I'm looking forward to making other costumes of hers since half of the fun of Castlevania Nocturne was seeing what outfit she would wear next.

Conventions

This was one of my least active convention years. I wasn't able to go to Katsucon because I had a bad Covid infection and I've been concentrating on Canadian conventions. Yeticon has my heart with the great venue, chill vibe, and interesting activities. I'm always a sucker for a great photoshoot at Otakuthon and I had a great time as usual, although the crowding can get intense. Anime North has also been very busy this year and getting hotels have been a nightmare. 
I'll be sticking to Canadian event again for 2026 unless I go international. I've been meaning to check out other events in other regions.

Agott from Witch Hat Atelier - Photo by Paul Hillier at Yeticon 2026

Forward to 2026

The hope as always is to be more productive and I've been a little better at planning and scheduling for 2026. So here's hoping I stay on schedule and make more costumes. I'll be happy if five get done, even though the plan is to complete more. I'm also much better at understanding what slows down my progress so hopefully I can avoid those pitfalls. 
The big hope for 2026 is to put a dent in longstanding costumes in my to-do list that I have materials for like this Regina costume below.

​See you in 2026