Do you want to get together with other cosplay newbies and hone your skills? Are you a cosplayer with some experience who wants to meet other fans and swap advice?

If so - Bexley Manga Network is hosting a free cosplay workshop on Saturday 26th April at 1.00pm. Cosplay Island member, Kelly, will be leading a unique, free workshop aimed at getting people into cosplay, covering several areas of the hobby. Kelly will be offering advice and demonstrating costume creation techniques and getting everyone involved in some fun exercises to create some props and accessories and start getting dressed up!

This event is open to anyone. The main audience will be young people, age 13-18 (existing members of the new Bexley Manga Network group), but all are welcome!

The event is at Central Library, Townley Road, Bexleyheath, DA6 7HJ. Bexleyheath is in South East London/North West Kent and has good transport links with surrounding areas.

As space is limited and Kelly needs to know how many people to expect, you must book your place on this free event. To book your place, simply send me an email to . Please state your name and age when you message me. Feel free to ask any questions about the event, transport options or venue.

Gah! i'm gutted, i'm in ireland for this...
make sure you take piccys and stuff!!

just out of interest will the event be advertised as "run by" or "in assocation with" Cosplay Island?

hmm ive emailed in im up for this as im having problems with patterns

I don't know, I hadn't thought about it. I will be telling people about cosplayisland regaurdless, though.



Hey. Paul just sent me an email telling me about you. I can help you with patterns but how much help I can give you depends since giving one on one help may be difficult with several dozen others. If you get there early or stay behind I can have a quick look over them and see what I can do. Can I ask what brand and pattern number you are using?

i am using simplicity costumes
and the number is 5840
im gona see if i can make this meet
i no wht i need to do on it etc and understand bits like were to cut measure pin etc its jus when it comes to sewing it i get nervous etc lol(and omg kelly!!! i didnt no it was you who was doing this meet i thoughtit was a random kelly lol im good friends with mark lol loved your yoko was amazing) but thanks kelly ^^

whats the worst that'll happen?

you'll have to unpick it lol

you can eaither tack stitch by hand and do a rough trial and see how it works

or go ahead and sew by machine then unpick if you have made a mistake...

I know you, and your probably worrying about nothing you just need the confidence to go ahead and do it...

I bet you have it right

Thank you. Yoko was great fun to wear.

When I put in the pattern number to the website I get this costume http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=5840.

Is this right? Only when I am in town next I can have a gander at the pattern since C&H stocks Simplicity.

yup thats the one basicaly im using the pattern on the bottom right to make the kimono top ^^(i doubt i can come to this now as i have work) will you ever be doing another one kelly??? because i really really would like to come to one of these sounds like its going to be such a laugh and all haha the 5 mins cosplay sounds cool(clicks fingers lmao 5 minute gundam) haha im not so much a begginer but you no i still have trouble with patterns hehe

and thanks again ^^

ALSO(femo ftw)

and your probably right dude i over think things because i always think it cant be this or that easy lmao well this sunday when i havent got work its me vs the pattern round 5 lol

What a nice idea, I hope it goes well

Just over two weeks to go and there are still a few places left - if anyone wants to come just let me know!

All in all, a successful outing.

At least, we hope so


Photos from the event, now available nyah!

Oh Goody bad photos of me. xD;

Thanks for helping Nert face MUCH appreciated. Also thanks to Mark and Jess. It went great and we had a great time!

Hey I've never claimed to take good ones

I spared you the 'happiest Sailor Moon in the world' photo at least

Yeah Kelly, great way to promote Cosplay to the next generation with THAT photo.

---

It was a really fun day! We all need to watch the little chap who made the samurai sword with me. I can see him winning a Masquerade or two in a few years.

~ M

those are some great photos it looks like everyone had a great time XD

im loving the original design green haired gun samurai dude

haha aww i wish i would have come but sadly i had work and nets been down, but if you do another one i will definatly turn up it looks really fun, haha come with my 5 foot brick of styrofoam haha oh the joys of props

The workshop went great - thanks to Kelly and all her friends! As the event was externally funded, we had to get evaluations off participants and the comments were 100% positive! Well done!

It was great fun and we'd love to have you all back again some time!

It was busy too - the head count peaked at 42 people and as far as I know, it was just local people from the Bexley area that showed - a really good sign that the hobby and manga/anime fandom is strong right now!

Well done again!

If anyone out there is into drawing manga, then Bexley Manga Network (the group that organised this event with Kelly) will be having art workshops with Sweatdrop Studios, Paul Duffield and Andie Tong later this year! Email me at for more info!

OMG Andy Tong is an amazing artist that will cernainly draw a crowd...

no pun intended