I’m pleased that so many of you are using the shoutbox to ask questions about costumes. Today’s post is about answering some of those questions.

Last week I covered the question of Wendy Watson. Since then, I’ve been searching stores for the green vest and have failed to find anything other than charcoal or black. Perhaps you could find one of the black ones on clearance for less than $10 (similar price of a pattern). Take apart the vest and use it as a pattern for a green Wendy vest. Good luck.

On to the scrappy Laura Ingalls Wilder. I wore a calico dress when I was ten and played pioneer girl and young Annie Oakley. Here are a few nice patterns from Simplicity and McCall’s that can be used to make a Laura-style dress. You can keep it simple with just the dress or add a cotton pinafore. Look for calico patterns with small flowers. To play the Mrs. Wilder version, use a similar adult pattern or put together a conservative blouse with a cameo and skirt. Wear your hair in a period adult style like a braided bun. If sewing isn’t your thing, hit the western wear store nearest you and ask for suggestions on where to look for a prairie dress.

Looks like Jem is next in the tag. I found a commercial costume available. It’s not cartoon accurate, but it’ll work if you want ready-to-wear. CandyApple Costumes has some fun rocker wigs. Check out the cartoon wardrobe for costume ideas for Jem and the other characters. Jem’s memorable concert attire is a pink wrap dress. That should be an easy pattern to find and sew. Get your friends together to round out the Holograms, the Misfits, and the Stingers. Don’t forget to have a Rio. Nothing like a purple-haired man to up your 80s cool factor.

The human piñata is a great idea, Guest_3348. I’ve pondered this a bit. Party stores carry wigs that are made of paper or plastic strips. Usually they come in mascot colors like yellow, green, or blue and marketed on the sports fan aisle. Its a great example of wig possibilities. Pick up a cheap bald cap and glue strips of construction paper to it. I worry tissue paper is too weak to hold up for long periods of wear. As for the mask, I don’t recommend gluing paper, tissue or construction, to your face. Craft stores sell mask blanks. Use the blank as a base for the piñata mask. Since some piñatas are made of paper mache, the paper mache method would also work for a mask. Finish the paper mache mask with markers or paint.

Last up for today is another person in need of a Dr. Horrible costume. Before Dragon Con I posted a quick how-to. Queza7 wrote a detailed sewing how-to by modifying a Matrix jacket pattern. PJ Otaku left a helpful comment.

Keep the questions coming. I’m having fun and I hope you are too.

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Dragon Con was a lot of fun this year. Sure, I missed some events and photo shoots, but I saw lots of costumes and met cool people.

I’m going to list some of my favorites from Dragon Con 2008:

Favorite Group: No question…G.I. Joe. This group was based on the cartoon/comics not the crappy black uniforms of the forthcoming live action movie. Lady Jaye was my favorite when I was a girl. I know, Scarlett was ‘the’ chick, but Jaye was my favorite.

Favorite Craftsmanship: Medina from the Zelda games. She wore the hat most of the weekend. When I spoke with her and Link, they said they carved foam, insulation I think, for the headgear. It is light and comfortable with straps and shaping sorta of like a hard hat. They then painted and distressed it appropriately.

Favorite No-Fuss: The Buy More folks. This trio was friendly and just as excited about ‘Chuck’ as I am. Throughout the weekend I saw a few other people in the green Buy More polo. This costume is easy to put together and well received by fans.

Favorite Childhood Memory: Jem. Why not the Misfits too? No reason really. I just prefer Jem’s sparkles to the Misfit’s neon. Both groups were willing to pose for my camera, thank you. You might recall I toyed with the idea of a Jem costume. After seeing these lovely ladies I’m glad I didn’t try it.

Favorite Prosthetics: Professor Snape. I’m not putting down all the elves and Klingons and what-not with this choice, I’m praising Snape. She did a great job on the costume as a whole, wearing the trademark dragon-hide gloves and long black cape. What makes this incredible are the face prosthetics. Her make up blending and facial hair put her work over the top. Great job.

Favorite Hero: Donna Troy/Troia/Wonder Girl (1). Donna has never been high on my list story or character-wise, but this costume rocks. I’ve seen a lot of women try to pull off this look but none have succeeded as well as this young lady. Perfect unitard. Great star and bracelet work. Just great.

Favorite Cartoon: Back with the Joes. They win twice. Heehee.

Favorite Sci-Fi: Col. Tigh. This one was a hard choice. There were aliens and troopers and Trek and so much to see. In the end, Tigh sold it. He looked like he needed that flask. The Andorians get an honorable mention because I think Jeffrey Combs is awesome.

Favorite Pose: Superman and Batman. I love the staging of it. Great shot.

Favorite Parade Costume: Tie between Kuzco and Zod. Both of them really played to the crowds. Kuzco had the self-centered act down pat. His dancing was a sight to behold. Zod (I only snapped his campaign vehicle) demanded obedience and votes. Kneel before Zod in 2008. It was a fun choice for the parade.

Favorite Dragon Con Costume: There were a lot of costumes I didn’t capture. For example, Munky’s Rogue was really impressive. There was ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ Audrey that I just missed. I’m going with Arthur. It takes a lot of courage to wear leotards, and he did with confidence. Plus, sidekick. No one ever wants to be the sidekick. Three cheers to Arthur!

There ya have it. That Costume Girl’s favorite costumes from Dragon Con 2008. Still more to come from the D*C vaults.

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I’m having trouble deciding on my final costume for Dragon Con. I’ve narrowed it down to four possibilities. Select one and decide my fate.

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Carrie Kelly

Kitty Pryde

Lisa Hayes

Jem

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