Past Board Member: Christopher Erickson, Member at Large

Why costuming?  What brought you here? 

It was my first hobby after some personal turmoil in my life (love and professional). It was the fun that people were having and the ability to connect with people through their characters and costumes that made me want to put together my first costume.

What’s your costuming focus?

Science fiction, steampunk and comic books. I tend to focus on ones that have a pseudo-historical bent like “Doctor Who” or the “Golden Age Sandman” by DC Comics. Usually something that involves coats and hats.

Do you do anything else crafty or artistic?

Mostly photography.

What’s your day job?

Environmental, health and safety manager. Basically, I have to tell people “No, you can’t do that.”

What was the first costume you made?  Is there a picture?

My first costume I put together was for the Dickens Fair out of items already in my closet. My first sewn costume was “Tron”-ified Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey for a WonderCon Masquerade entry. I have photos for both.

What’s on the sewing table now?

Mostly repair work for stuff. I have plans for a bunch of vests and cravats.

What was your first/most memorable costuming disaster/ learning moment?

My “Tron”-ified Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey. I had to really struggle as I had no idea what I was doing.

Costume you’re most proud of?

David Bowie Starman. I had to design the fabric pattern and figure out some weird 1980s tracksuit pattern from an obscure pattern company.

What’s your holy grail costuming project? 

The one you dream of doing? Sixth Doctor outfit. It is basically a quilt for a coat.

What’s your costuming Kryptonite, the one thing you just can’t master?

Getting wrinkles out of synthetic material. I have a visceral hatred for having to iron any synthetic material.

Tell us one (or two or three) things about you that others might not know. 

My first convention was “Star Trek” in Minneapolis in 1994.