Ailinea aims to bring Lady Liadrin to BlizzCon 2015

In just four months, con-goers will be hopping on planes to California for BlizzCon 2015 — and for BlizzCon’s cosplayers, that means time to get their costumes together is running out. But while we cross off days on our calendar to the big event, we’re checking in with some of our favorite cosplayers to find out just how they make their costumes every year and what they’re working on next.

Today, we caught up with Ailinea (check out her Facebook page for more info on her cosplay projects), whom you might have seen as the Ashes of Al’ar at BlizzCon 2013 or her own blood elf mage in full Sunwell Plateau gear at BlizzCon 2014. This year, she’s got another blood elf on her cosplay agenda: Lady Liadrin. Let’s take a look at just how she does it.

What Blizzard games do you play, and as what?

World of Warcraft is my favorite Blizzard game by far. My main has always been a blood elf Mage. I play all the different specs but Fire is my overall favorite. However, I’ve been focusing on several alts this expansion. I also play Diablo 3 from time to time. The Crusader, Wizard, and Demon Hunter are my favorite classes. And when I have time to play, I have been enjoying Heroes of the Storm.

Which Blizzard characters have you cosplayed? Do you have a particular favorite?

So far only two: Ashes of Al’ar at BlizzCon 2013, and my mage in the Sunwell Plateau (Tier 6.5) set at BlizzCon 2014. It’s hard to pick a favorite between the two since they both have very deep personal meaning. Al’ar came after several years of hardship, so it was my own rise from the ashes, or more appropriately: “those years were MERELY a setback!” But finally BECOMING my mage was a dream come true, and I really love how it turned out.

How long have you been doing cosplay?

I’ve only been cosplaying for the past two years, but I have a background of 7 years of historical costuming. I used to make a new costume for Renaissance Faires every year, and got into doing portrait replicas for a while. For example, I did Queen Jane Seymour and Princess Elizabeth from the Tudor era, and a 1540’s Venetian gown. I took a long break from 2007-2013, then finally decided to try cosplay, which is a totally different beast to me. Cosplay has so many of its own unique challenges in comparison to historical pieces, which is why I tend to separate the two styles of costuming.

What’s the most challenging part of taking a video game character and bringing it to life with cosplay?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge is time management. It’s really easy to underestimate the time and work it will take to do each step. For my schedule, you incorporate a full-time job (with overtime), gym time, business trips, social obligations, running a household, etc. and your free time runs out quickly. I had to pull a LOT of all-nighters in the last few weeks to get things done before BlizzCon.

Then there is the challenge of budget management. Learning tricks to bring the cost down can be tough! As an example, the gold trim on my Sunwell set could have been really expensive: I wanted a leather-textured fabric, but the cost of actual leather or even “pleather” (aka “plastic leather” or vinyl) by the yard was well out of my budget for the amount I needed. Through some digging and experimenting, I found a working alternative: unpasted, fabric-backed, leather-textured vinyl wallpaper that worked perfectly for my needs!

I personally try to learn something new each time I make a costume, and every year I try to improve or build upon a previous skill. I know a lot of people are afraid to learn how to sew or build a prop, and I encourage them to give it a shot. Google and YouTube are your best friends for cosplay. There are plenty of resources and tutorials that can help!

Finally, another challenge is the level of detail you do. Sometimes it’s the little things that take a costume from good to great, or gives it a personal touch.

Could you walk us through the process of making a new costume, from idea to completion? How long does a costume typically take to put together?

Honestly, everything depends on the costume itself! But I always start with research: I try to find images from every angle possible, and even research historical context where applicable. For example, even though WoW armor is fantasy, I like getting ideas from historical armor to begin the design.

Then comes design sketches. I use fashion figure drawings (known as croquis) to design each layer of the costume, from the foundation garments, to the middle layers, to the outermost layers. Next comes drafting patterns, making mock-ups, and fitting. I prefer to draft my own patterns for a custom fit, and you can find instructions online for everything from pants to corsets.

I always make a mockup, using fabric like muslin, canvas, or even old sheets, and it’s best to use a fabric that’s of a similar weight to what you plan on using for your final piece. Once a mockup is made, fitted, and logistics like the placement of fastenings or items like a supportive harness (such as for my Al’ar wings) are planned out, I use it to create the piece for the final costume.

Again, I build the actual costume from the innermost layers (such as an undergown or bodysuit), bringing them to near-completion before creating the pattern and mockup for the next layer (such as an overgown or overskirt). That way you know the outermost layer — what people will see as the “costume” — will fit and lay correctly.

Finally, I do detail work: I like adding things like hand embroidery, beading, or “extra special elements” like lights, even if they won’t be obvious to other people or can be done through faster methods like using a machine or iron-on transfers. Those details simply make the costume more personal and I feel a lot of pride in pointing them out.

I’ve gotten into doing props and armor since starting cosplay, but the method is very similar: I start with research, sketching designs, making templates, building from the inside out, and adding details. Since I was losing weight last year, I began with my staff before making the costume since I knew fit would be an issue. This year I’m starting with my sword and shield. Since I’m new to prop-making, it’s a relief to do the most challenging pieces first so I have the most time for them… and any inevitable mistakes that comes with learning something new!

When I’m in the process of a build, I will often make components that I will need later (such as casting gems or base pieces for armor) to reduce the waiting as I get into crunch-time as the con date looms. It also helps give me a break if a step in the build begins to feel monotonous. I cast all my gems early last year, even though I was attaching them in the hotel room the night before the con! Getting those done helps me budget time later for the easier items, like the machine-sewing, where I have more experience.

Are you heading to BlizzCon this year to cosplay? If not, where’s the next event you’re going to be cosplaying at?

BlizzCon is my annual vacation, so I make it a focus to go every year! In becoming more involved with the Blizzard cosplay community I get even more excited to see other people’s work as well! Last year, I was so proud of my work that I shipped my Sunwell Mage set home after BlizzCon, made some repairs on it, and wore it the next weekend to NC ComiCon in my home town. I took “Best In Show” which was an amazing feeling! I’m going to start cosplaying at other cons soon, and have plans for Katsucon and Animazement next year.

Do you have a favorite event to cosplay at? Why?

Definitely BlizzCon. I’ve been going since 2008, and it’s fun even out of costume! As for the cosplay aspect of it, the community is great, the weather is comfortable for almost any costume, and it’s where you can wear something more obscure from the Blizzard world but most people will still recognize it. It’s a very different feeling from other conventions I’ve been to. Also, you can really see the level of passion and talent people have for cosplay at BlizzCon and it feels good to meet other cosplayers who have the same level of commitment in their craft.

What are you working on right now (or next)?

I’ve been wanting to cosplay Lady Liadrin for a few years now, and since she made a comeback in Warlords of Draenor, I will be bringing her to life at BlizzCon 2015. After that, some projects I’m looking forward to are Cornelia li Britannia from Code Geass, Helba from the .hack series, and Phoenix Quinn from League of Legends.

Images courtesy PhotoSNXS and Cameron Dayton, respectively.

That’s all for BlizzCrafts today — but check back next week for another selection of cool Blizzard-themed crafts! Have Blizzard arts and crafts of your own you’d like to see on Blizzard Watch? Send them our way! Submissions and suggestions should be sent to liz at blizzardwatch dot com.