I was raised in a very creative family but due to religious reasons was not allowed to celebrate Halloween. I had very little experience with costumes until at the age of 17 I discovered the Society for Creative Anachronism. This is a non-profit Historical Re-enactment group that recreates Europe and Asia from the fall of Rome to the Musketeers. I went completely crazy and have never really looked back. After the SCA came the Rocky Horror Picture Show, College Theater Productions, and various Conventions. I have created togas, kimonos, Elizabethan ball gowns and everything in between. I have worn costumes as diverse as Captain Cook with a beard and peg leg and Xena, The Warrior Princess. Probably 95% of my costumes are created with the same basic steps.

My first Doctor Who costume was Novice Hame of the Sisters of Mercy from New New York, better known as the Face of Boe's cat nurse. As soon as I decided what costume I wanted I did what I do for the majority of my projects. I got out paper and pen and started a list. Once you know what character you want to be you have to decide if you are going to go for screen accurate, your own interpretation, a mash up of characters, or even a Rule 63 where the gender of the fictional character is swapped by the cosplayer.

I decided to go with screen accurate based on the costume seen in the Doctor Who episode Gridlock. Next you have to think on when and where you will be wearing the costume. Is it indoor or outdoor, a short party, full day at a Con, or a 2 mile parade route? Will you be hot or cold or face possible rain? This can determine choices like comfortable shoes over killer boots, layers for warmth over a sleek design, and weatherproof backup plans. Novice Hame was going to be debuted at WizardCon in the AC controlled Civic Center. Next take into consideration things like ease of access for activities including eating, drinking, using the bathroom, and sitting down. The dress for Hame made sitting and trips to the bathroom no more hassle than normal. The full face prosthetic required a straw to drink and made eating anything larger than M&Ms impossible. I freely accepted that slight inconvenience for the sheer awesomeness of the mask.

Now that the costume decisions have been made the real work begins. Planning in advance helps alleviate stress in the end. I start a list from head to toe with everything I will need including socks and underwear. This last is more important for women than men but undergarments including guys undershirts can make a difference in the end product. A few key details can make a big impact in a costume. Include any props in your list and think about how you'll carry things you might need like money, ID, phone and / or camera. My costumes usually have pockets but with Novice Hame I decided to sew a matching satchel since I would be carrying Con paperwork, some small purchases, and my meals of M&Ms.

Now that you have the list of what you'll need you can start gathering the items. I usually have my next three or four costumes in the works. That way I collect pieces that can work as I find them instead of having to make due with what I find at the last minute. Now is the time to use your resources. You probably have more than you immediately know. For planning what the costume should look like I use the internet and the original media whether it be comic books or film or video. I can't tell you how many times I watched Gridlock and I combed Google images for different angle photos of the costume. Thrift stores are wonderful places to find bits and pieces for your costumes.

Look to friends and family for assistance with pieces you can't find or fabricate. I can sew but don't make jewelry. I have a friend who makes gorgeous jewelry but isn't as proficient at sewing. Bartering is a wonderful thing. I also plan ahead of time where I am willing to compromise and where I'm not. For me, waist up is the most critical. Not as many people will notice the shoes if the face is the impact.

Novice Hame was a combination of patterns. The hat was originally a downloaded paper pattern for a nurses cap that I enlarged and extrapolated on poster board then covered with fabric. The gloves were from a regular pattern. The hood was one part of an animal costume pattern and the dress was part of a nun's habit pattern. The mantle was the yoke from a Gibson Girl costume pattern with out the rest of the shirt. The satchel and apron were original creations on my part. The face prosthetic and makeup was purchased from an online shop. Due to the delicate nature of the mask it was the only part of the costume that was not tried out ahead of time. I strongly suggest a trial run of costumes prior to the unveiling to work out any kinks. Full length mirrors are your friends. and it might seem like a given but be sure to get a good picture of you in costume in good light and scenery before you've worn it for too long - then go have fun.