Craftsmanship Judging sample questions

Please note that this is a sample document and the judging process may not include everything listed below and/or the judges may decide to add to the following questions and observations.

We will compare your costume to the picture or pictures that you provide for us to note accuracy, theme, originality, etc.

• Who made this costume?
• What is the character?
• What series is he/she/it from?
• What parts of your costume are purchased and what parts are made from scratch?
• How many conventions have you worn this costume at?
• How many conventions have you participated in the cosplay competition?
• How long did it take to make the costume?
• How much help did you get? (if any?)
• What was the most difficult part of your costume?
• What part of your costume are you most proud of?
• What special or unusual accessories does your costume have and why?
• Are there any unusual properties of your character's costume, accessories or weapons? (floating parts, glowing parts, moving, appearing or transforming parts) What do they look like in the series and how have you simulated them?
• How did you get your props and accessories? Did you buy them? Did you make them?
• What materials did you use? Ingenuity in thinking of, tracking down and purchasing unusual and hard-to-find materials and accessories is as much a reflection of skill as good sewing or makeup.
• How long does it take you to get into this costume? (We don't necessarily think it's better or worse for it to take a long time, we're just curious.)

Sewn-costume:

• Did you use commercial patterns, modified patterns, or self-made patterns?
• Did you use any unusual or rare fabrics? Did you dye or pattern the fabric yourself?
• Did you use a sewing machine? What kind of stitches did you use?
• Any hand stitching? What kind of hand sewing was used? Stitches will be checked for neatness and care.
• Are the fabric/material edges "finished" or left raw and cut? (finished edges show dedication, patience and attention to detail)
• Did you integrate or modify any store-bought clothes in making this costume? If so, how? Ingenuity in modifying existing garments is another mark of costuming skill.
• How are all the parts put together so that it stays ON...? (i.e. Velcro, safety pins, hot glue, string, snaps, hook & eyes, buttons, staples, etc...)

Non-sewn (Molded, Crafted) costumes:

• How did you come up with the concept?
• What made you choose these materials? Were they difficult to find?
• How is the costume put together? Bolted together? Glued? Paper mache?
• Did you need to wear special clothing under the costume that can be seen through the joints? Did you make this yourself?

Make-up and Hair:

• Who did your makeup? Is it stage makeup or special makeup? Is any latex involved? (We will rate how well the makeup is done).
• Is that your natural hair? How long did it take you to style it?
• Is that a wig? How long did it take you to style it? In what ways is it customized?

Shoes:

• Did you purchase or make your shoes?
• We will verify that shoes go with costume. Be sure to bring a reference picture. If your character's shoes are not shown in the original, on what basis did you choose the shoes you have?