Who Are These People?

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...And Sewing Is Half the Battle! is made up of a handful of friends in Indianapolis who started this because they didn't know any better. While none of them have any formal training in sewing or costuming, they were too naïve to know that they couldn't do it, and between sheer luck, bullheaded perseverance and Laura's Rule of Cosplay, they've put together some competitive costumes.

Shinteetah or Hagane Hakushaku (a.k.a. Laura) Laura chibi

"if i don't get some dark chocolate now, these sleeves are going on with duct tape!"

Laura is a professional animal trainer and behavior analyst. Her hobbies include writing original fiction, various competitive dogsports, Taijutsu, and eating chocolate.

Cosplay duties:

  • machine sewing
  • free embroidery
  • clothing assembly and alteration

Favorite costume: "To wear for fun? Ed Elric, definitely. Great character, great story. To attract attention? Monte Cristo Hakushaku or Mephistopheles, because they're so very gaudy or huge!"

Worst cosplay moment ever: "Arriving at Animarathon 2006 and realizing we'd left my favorite costume piece ever, Ed's red coat, at home. My so-called friends Anna and Melissa consoled me by flaunting digital photos of every other Ed Elric cosplayer there, mentioning casually, 'These Eds all seem to have something you're missing...'!"

 

AVA (a.k.a. Alena) Alena chibi

"This costume defies all known laws of physics! It cannot exist in real life! This character designer should be eviscerated with a seam ripper!"

Alena is a professional studio artist as well as an animal trainer. Her hobbies include photography, writing original fiction and manga, and Taijutsu.

Cosplay duties:

  • pattern design
  • hand sewing and detail work
  • props, jewelry and accessories
  • wig styling

Favorite costume: "Probably Noin [from Gundam Wing], because it's comfortable, though Haydée is more attention-grabbing. But probably Noin. I don't fall down stairs in Noin."

Worst cosplay moment ever: "Winning Best In Show at OhayoCon '07... and falling down the stairs on my way to the stage to receive the award. Ouch."

 

Mr. Melchoir (a.k.a. Mark) Mark chibi

"I'm in UR baste, ripping UR seamZ"

Mark is a programmer/developer by day and a gamer by night. His hobbies include RPG, video games, and reading.

Cosplay duties:

  • pattern tracing and cutting
  • notions such as buttons, hooks and eyes

Favorite costume: "Cosplaying [Midou] Ban without a wig [from Getbackers]. I had huge hair spikes that managed to stay up without the entire day. That's probably was the most recgonizable character I've played so far. Made getting into my car hard though...."

Worst cosplay moment ever: "Discovering (pre-having long enough hair to do it without a wig), that I 'd left my Amon wig at home...after I'd arrived at Acen."

 

FallingRain (a.k.a. Anna) Anna & Laura, or near enough

"But when do I get to play Sephiroth?"

Anna is a junior member who occasionally joins us. Her hobbies include building models and cooking.

Anna is responsible for the entirety of her own costumes, though she gets input from other group members.

Favorite costume: no favorite at this time

Worst cosplay moment ever: "Not being able to bend my knees with my new Beppo boots."