Introducing the TarValon.Net Costume Team
Author: Costume Team
Published: December 13 2020 - Tar Valon Times Blog Link
We are the newly formed Costume / Cosplay Team! Elia LePhant: I started costuming when I was a teenager, and my high school would hold costume contests every Halloween. I’ve always been into crafts though, and I’m obsessed with learning every craft imaginable some day. While I’ve dabbled in sewing for years, it has only been in the past few years that I’ve really dedicated time to learning new techniques and skills with sewing. I got into historical costuming, mostly hand-sewn, and quilting with a machine. Learning the technical side of sewing has been really fun for me, and I have a lot of goals ahead that I’d like to meet!
Laralelle Susandrea: I have sewn for many years, but never really “costumed” for myself. I love studying fashion and costumes, and I have no idea why I never did it for myself! My sewing skills truly developed when I got a job doing bridal alterations. Since then, I have spent most of my time making and altering garments to actually fit me. I’m tall and big and (until recently) fashion just wasn’t meant for me. So I made it meant for me! I’m looking forward to learning from my fellow costume team members and the costume community at large.
Melearlin Valar: When I was 14, The Fellowship of the Ring came out, and I discovered Renaissance Faires. That made me want all the pretty dresses, and I discovered the only way to get them was to sew them myself. I mainly focus on historical costuming, and am aiming to have something from every era!
Roheryn ni Galghandhrei t'al'Djinn: I also found my love of sewing through Ren Faires (although I didn’t discover them until high school). I wanted all the outfits! But being a student, I didn’t have the money for the gorgeous stuff being sold there. So I decided to teach myself to sew. I focus on the fantasy elements, making what I, or my customers, want without worrying as much about historical accuracy.
Our goal is to become a one stop shop for costuming in the Wheel of Time. Until the show comes out, we will be focusing on past costumes of members, tutorials and sew-alongs, and answering sewing questions more generally.
Obviously, once the show comes out, we expect that will drive a lot of activity! Our ideal vision would be to be the vault of costume information for the TV show. As we’ve seen from Game of Thrones, there is no shortage of people who want to dress up like their favorite characters. We want to provide things like hi-resolution images, a description of each outfit, advice on materials and construction, and of course showing off your fabulous creations!
