Perfect for our Baba Yaga forest event. Transform yourself into a mysterious and alluring dryad. In this class, we will be creating a special effects makeup using easy to find supplies, and a kit containing some woodsy surprises. We will be using a variety of makeup techniques to create our final, high-fantasy look.
Design your own cloche hat perfect for our Nosferatu Centennial and all the 20's events! Learn to layout your hat pattern, cut your felt, sew the felt, wire the brim edge and sew petersham on the edge of their hat. Then, you will block the hat and decorate it. Teacher: Lynn McMasters
Cameo jewelry exploded in popularity during the first two decades of the 19th Century. Jewelers such as Marie-Étienne Nitot created elaborate parure sets out of non-traditional cameo materials such as coral, malachite, and turquoise. They were also common souvenirs purchased by young men returning from their Grand Tours. In this class we will be learning how to mix semi-precious stone…
Teacher: Sarah Mijts A beginner’s exploration of leatherworking for costuming and cosplay with Sarah Mijts. Students will walk through various leather-working tools by assembling a sword frog (scabbard). The first part of class will be an explanation of leather-working techniques, with a basis in understanding the medium of leather and how it has been used historically. Students will walk away…
Learn basic handsewing stitches, as well as some helpful techniques, tricks, and tools for successful stitching. Let’s face it – sewing by hand can be a bit scary! Whether you want to make an entire dress by hand, or simply hand-sew your next hem, there are tools and techniques that can make the process less intimidating and help you achieve…
Are your hands cold? Do you want a fun new accessory for your winter costumes? Let’s make a muff! They can be made of faux fur, velvet, wool, or silk, and can be trimmed with whatever your imagination can devise. In class we will go over a bit of the history of muffs, look at some period examples, and then…
For all those who love creating! Costume Academy is a one day event where you can learn techniques to take your projects to the next level. The day is composed of three sessions and includes a variety of class topics such as leather working, creating seamless fabric designs and making your own smoking cap! For more information, head over to…
The perfect final touch for your fantasy, Renfaire, LARP, or steampunk costumes. Learn the art of wire wrapping and create your own stunning ear cuffs in this interactive workshop. The class is suitable for both beginners and those with some experience in wire wrapping and jewelry making. We will be learning to make two or three styles of wire wrapped…
In this workshop students will learn the basics techniques for making EVA foam armor and simple Cosplay lights. Students will trace, cut, glue, and seal EVA foam and then add a parallel circuit of LEDs to make the bracer light up. Instruction will cover all the steps for making finished foam armor, and an introduction to LED lights. Finishing and…
Avast ye, landlubbers! Sail on a creative voyage to craft the most swashbuckling headgear in the seven seas! This hands-on leatherwork workshop is perfect for all aspiring pirates, whether ye be a seasoned buccaneer or a land-dwelling matey looking to unleash your inner seafarer. The first portion of the class will be an explanation in understanding the medium of leather…
Love the look of pleats but struggle to make them? Does the measuring and pinning wear you down? Struggle no more! Come make a reusable, steam friendly pleater board that makes perfectly even pleats every time and lasts forever. We will build our boards together and learn to use them. If there is time, we will go over other easy…
Create a beautiful escoffion, a cap worn by women in the Renaissance inspired by Landsknechte costume style. The caps will be made from metallic wired edge ribbon woven and edged with trim, anddecorated with pearls or beads. They will be formed over a head block wig form or padded styrofoam head. This type of a head covering is not limited…
For all those who love creating! Costume Academy is a one day event where you can learn techniques to take your projects to the next level. The day is composed of three sessions and includes a variety of class topics such as ribbon chatelaines, fairy wing flower crowns and digital project organization! Check out the Costume Academy webpages for more…
Teacher: Lynn McMasters If you love embroidery, fabric appliqué and adding cord or Soutache to the surface of garments; then you will also love doing similar decorative techniques with straw over straw. In the class Lynn will talk about and demo how to use straw in many different ways to make items that you can use to decorate the Bergère…
(Please note that this workshop is in two sessions: April 28th and May 5th. The hours are both 10am-5pm. There will be a lunch break in each session.) Do you look at images of Victorian ladies and wish you could dress just like them? Now you can! Come make an early Victorian bodice from the 1840s, with the typical fan-shaped…
Fabulous and versatile, rigid-bodied box purses were popular in Barbie’s early years. Mid-century vintage box purses were often made from lucite (acrylic), wood, wicker, or metal. The variety and combination of materials were dizzying compared to today. In this class, we will use contemporary materials to recreate a specific type of faux-basket purse popular in the 1950’s-60’s. Unlike purses made…
Not ready for the big chop? Don't want to grow out your pixie cut? You can still wear 1920s hair! In this class students will learn period correct ways to style 1920s long hair, as well as some make-ahead hairpieces, to create fail-proof quick styles for any length of hair. The class will consist of two parts: The first portion…
Add a bit of glow and magic to your costuming by learning how to solder LED filaments and cast UV resin to make a light-up galaxy pendant. Using UV resin and filament LEDs you will make a unique light up galaxy inspired pendant. In this class you will learn how to do simple soldering, use UV resin, and make a…
For all those who love creating! Costume Academy is a one-day event where you can learn techniques to take your projects to the next level. The day consists of three sessions and includes a variety of class topics, such as ribbon trim, care of vintage clothing, leafy leather cloak clasps and a variety of accessories from various eras. Here's how…
Come join the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild for Costume Academy! A one-day costuming and cosplay seminars! Learn new skills!