Patty Coe always enjoyed costuming, but got into it more seriously when she took up Celtic dance and needed lots of outfits for performances. She enjoys dancing, sewing, dollmaking, and kumihimo. She is retired from teaching computer classes for many years, and still enjoy making projects for classes.
Sahrye Cohen and Hal Rodriguez are the co-authors of the book, Make It, Wear It: Wearable Electronics for Makers, Crafters and Cosplayers. Long-time costuming enthusiasts, they specialize in projects that combine traditional techniques with electronics, microcontrollers, laser cutting and 3D printing. Hal and Sahrye teach workshops in cosplay and electronics at DragonCon, Maker Faires, Costume College, and many other conventions and makerspaces. Together they are the founders and designers of the San Francisco Bay Area tech couture design group, Amped Atelier. Their work has been seen on the runways of NYC, San Francisco, LA, Calgary, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Hal Rodriguez received his master’s degree from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program and is interested in creative technology interfaces for algorithmic music.
Sahrye Cohen is a professional biologist and also a graduate of City College of San Francisco’s Fashion Design Program, specializing in apparel construction. In addition to her costume construction and tech fashion work, she collects and restores hand fans.
Dawn Devine aka Davina is an author and costume historian who specializes in belly dance attire from 1850 – 1950. You can find out a ton more info about Dawn, her books, costuming and more on her website: www.davina.us
Melissa has been making costumes for herself and others for over 25 years, ranging from modern sequin-covered dance outfits to hand-sewn Elizabethan accessories. In addition to sewing, she also loves knitting Scandinavian-style mittens and looking for beautifully smooth stones along the California coast.
Kelley Levinson (@modernmarieantoinette) is a working artist and costume maker in Milwaukee, WI.
Frankie is the former GBACG president, current secretary, and a crafter of things! She has been sewing since she was 19, although she helped her mom on plenty of projects before then. As her independent study of sewing, tailoring deepened, her appreciation for some of these old school techniques grew to the point of love.
Lynn learned to sew at the age of eight but did not learn how to make hats until her late 20s. She blames historical reenactment for her passion for millinery. It was then that she saw a real need for hat patterns so that costume makers could make hats as well as clothing. The more research she does on any historical period, the more she wants to make the hats from that period… and so it goes. Her “…Out of a Portrait” hat pattern company now has over 60 patterns covering eight historical eras. But of course the making of hats leads to the decorating of hats and an attempt to master the transformation of the feathers, fabric and ribbon into beautiful millinery decorations. Once the techniques are figured out Lynn loves to pass them on via her website, Facebook page and in workshop classes. To view Lynn’s patterns check out http://outofaportrait.com.
Chang is currently the workshops coordinator of GBACG. She has been creating interesting accessories for many years.
Catherine Scholar read “Little House on the Prairie” at age five and has been obsessed with historic clothing ever since. She learned to sew at her mother’s knee and to embroider at her grandmother’s. In high school she discovered vintage dance, the Northern Renaissance Pleasure Faire, and Dickens Fair, and was amazed to learn that she could combine her passions for dance, costume, history and theater. Catherine served on the board of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild for 10 years as Newsletter Editor, Events Coordinator, and President. She has taught many costuming workshops for GBACG, Lacis, Renaissance Fabrics, 1886/Costume On, Costume Skills Institute, and Costume College.
Natalie is the current editor of the GBACG blog, Finery. She has been sewing and making costumes since she was a child. Natalie particularly loves the detail and specificity of traditional techniques, from spinning and knitting to embroidery and fine handsewing.