Workshop 1

Avera

Create your own miniature foam sword from start to finish with Avera in this hands-on workshop! Learn the basics of patterning, cutting, assembling, EVA foam while working on a smaller, beginner-friendly project. This is a great introduction to foam crafting and prop-making, and you’ll leave with a finished mini sword of your own!

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

Jenny Barclay

Jump into sewing with confidence! In this beginner-friendly workshop, Jenny will demystify the sewing machine, teach you essential stitches, and help you create your own dice bag. Perfect for first-timers—no prior experience needed.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 8) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 3

Raleigh Cosplay

An introduction to basic concepts in 3d modeling, using TinkerCAD online. Participants will go through a guided workflow using the software to create and export a simple model ready for printing. Key concepts include importing/exporting .stl files, manipulating the 3d space, essential transformations (position, rotation, scale), and boolean operations to join sculpt objects.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 20) Requires a separate purchase.

Programming 3

CUT/SEW

Make your clothes last longer and fix pesky holes by learning traditional Japanese Boro embroidery. In this workshop, we’ll learn a little bit about the history of mending and repairing clothes in Japan, and will complete a basic patch using scraps of traditional Japanese fabric. Students will then learn basic hand sewing techniques and how to apply them to attach their patch to create a beautiful & functional repair that can be applied to damaged clothes of any kind. Each student will leave with a sample of repaired fabric that they can then take home and apply to worn clothing using the techniques learned in class.

Premium workshop: Requires a separate purchase. Tickets $25 purchased through CUT/SEW https://cutsew.co/products/boro-mending-techniques

Workshop 1

Malindachan

Your character wig probably isn't costume ready right out of the bag, but don't worry, Malinda-chan is here to help you defy gravity with some wigmancy!

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 7) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

CUT/SEW

In this advanced, machine-based workshop, you’ll learn how to create a range of polished, durable seam finishes using a standard home sewing machine without needing an overlock machine or serger. We’ll break down when and why to use different finishes depending on fabric type, costume structure, and wear demands, then walk through each technique step-by-step. Students will practice multiple seam finishes and leave with the confidence to choose the right one for any cosplay project.

Premium workshop: Requires a separate purchase. Tickets $40 purchased through CUT/SEW https://cutsew.co/products/cosplay-america-workshop-advanced-seam-finishes

Workshop 3

TurtleSmithy Cosplay

Turtlesmithy will give you a full crash course on leatherworking. Sessions will cover tooling and embellishment, dyeing and painting, and sewing leather. Students will leave with a fully finished leather pouch. You must attend all 3 sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 2: Saturday 10:00 AM
• Part 3: Sunday 01:00 PM

Programming 3

Skeleton Key Cosplay

Skeleton Key Cosplay guides you through the world of embroidery with metallic threads to make a sampler.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 12) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 1

Jenny Barclay

Curious about how circuits work but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect jumping-off point! Jenny will walk you through the basics of electronics—from how LEDs light up to planning out circuits using a breadboard. You’ll get to experiment, ask questions, and learn by doing in a fun, no-stress setting. And best of all, you’ll leave with a costume piece you’ve lit up yourself! There will be 2 identical sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 10) Requires a separate purchase.

• Rerun at: Sunday 01:00 PM

Workshop 2

December Wynn

December teaches the freehand (without resist or gutta) method of silk painting using thickeners to create a final product in an ink wash style. You must attend both sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 2: Saturday 01:00 PM

Workshop 3

Raleigh Cosplay

An introduction to modeling using Blender 3D specifically. Participants will go through two guided workflows, using the software to create and export two models, incorporating the boolean import and plane trace methods.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 20) Requires a separate purchase.

Programming 3

Avera

Take your foam builds to the next level with professional-looking paint finishes! Avera walks through priming, experiment with weathering, and other hand painting techniques to make your props look like real metal, leather, or aged materials. Great for all skill levels.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 1

Jenny Barclay

Ready to add more life to your props? This workshop dives deeper into circuit building with components like transistors, capacitors, and more. Jenny will explain how they work and how to use them to create more dynamic effects—like controlling lights, sounds, and motion. You’ll get hands-on building circuits on a breadboard and experimenting as you go.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 10) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

Pros and Cons Cosplay (Con)

Can't grow your own facial hair? Store bought is fine. Con of Pros and Cons Cosplay will teach you how ventilating–a technique used to create natural looking hairlines on wigs–can be applied to making facial hair.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 20) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 3

TurtleSmithy Cosplay

Turtlesmithy will give you a full crash course on leatherworking. Sessions will cover tooling and embellishment, dyeing and painting, and sewing leather. Students will leave with a fully finished leather pouch. You must attend all 3 sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 1: Friday 03:00 PM
• Part 3: Sunday 01:00 PM

Workshop 1

Pros and Cons Cosplay (Pro)

Do you have the perfect fabric but want to add some razzle-dazzle? Are you interested in learning even more ways to add a personal touch to your garments? Embossing is for you! Attendees at this interactive panel will learn to use various embossing techniques to amplify fabrics! Attendees will leave with their own embossed fabric swatches.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

December Wynn

December teaches the freehand (without resist or gutta) method of silk painting using thickeners to create a final product in an ink wash style. You must attend both sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 1: Friday 07:00 PM

Workshop 3

Raleigh Cosplay

Building on concepts from the previous workshops, this course will have students applying more sophisticated techniques to their models, including subdivision surface, UV textures, and curved text. We will also discuss best practices for exporting complex objects as print-ready files.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 20) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 1

Avera

Foam clay can be molded and shaped into limitless designs to add details to your foam costume pieces. Avera Cosplay shows you the ins and outs of working with this material by walking you through decorating a foam clay project. She will also discuss the pros and cons of various types of foam clay.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

Pros and Cons Cosplay (Con)

Can't find the right fabric for your costume design? Why not make it yourself! In this crash course, Con of Pros and Cons Cosplay teaches the basics of weaving to open up a whole new world of fabric and trim creation, and attendees will walk away with their very own frame loom and sample.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 20) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 3

Skeleton Key Cosplay

Tambour embroidery involves stretching fabric on a frame and stitching with both hands to allow for larger pieces and faster sewing. Skeleton Key Cosplay will teach this approach, highlighting the process and giving insights on the challenges and benefits of tambour. You must attend both sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 12) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 2: Sunday 10:00 AM

Programming 1

CUT/SEW

Have you ever finished a garment from a pattern and it just didn't fit quite right? In this hands-on demonstration, the head pattern maker of CUT/SEW will walk students through the process of adjusting patterns at their most basic level for common fit issues. Learn how to take in, let out, lengthen, and shorten patterns, plus learn hacks and techniques for adding or removing bulk from pesky areas that cause common fit issues like the shoulders, bust, inseam, and more.

Premium workshop: Requires a separate purchase. Tickets $30 purchased through CUT/SEW https://cutsew.co/products/cosplay-america-workshop-adjusting-sewing-patterns-for-your-perfect-fit

Workshop 1

Malindachan

Ready to tackle sturdy buns, dramatic drill curls, or gravity-defying spikes? In this workshop, Malindachan teaches you how to cover foam and other support structures with wig hair to create clean, professional-looking shapes that actually hold up. Students will learn core techniques for attaching, smoothing, and finishing wig fibers over forms, then apply those skills to create and take home a Sailor Moon–style odango bun. This class is ideal for cosplayers looking to move beyond basic styling and add durable, sculptural elements to their wig builds.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 2

CUT/SEW

Attendees in this course will learn about the history and practice of shibori, a traditional Japanese tie dye technique. Each student will work in pairs to practice multiple indigo dye applications to create various patterns, and the class will conclude with each student using the design of their choice to create a take-home shibori dyed scarf.

Premium workshop: Requires a separate purchase. Tickets $40 purchased through CUT/SEW https://cutsew.co/products/cosplay-america-workshop-shibori-scarf-dyeing

Workshop 3

Skeleton Key Cosplay

Tambour embroidery involves stretching fabric on a frame and stitching with both hands to allow for larger pieces and faster sewing. Skeleton Key Cosplay will teach this approach, highlighting the process and giving insights on the challenges and benefits of tambour. You must attend both sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 12) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 1: Saturday 04:00 PM

Workshop 1

Jenny Barclay

Curious about how circuits work but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect jumping-off point! Jenny will walk you through the basics of electronics—from how LEDs light up to planning out circuits using a breadboard. You’ll get to experiment, ask questions, and learn by doing in a fun, no-stress setting. And best of all, you’ll leave with a costume piece you’ve lit up yourself! There will be 2 identical sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 10) Requires a separate purchase.

• Rerun at: Friday 07:00 PM

Workshop 2

Pros and Cons Cosplay (Pro)

Sewing curves and circles can be tricky, but never fear! We’ve got you covered! Pro of Pros and Cons Cosplay will cover great tips and tricks for sewing curves, circles and all the necessary measuring and math. Attendees will leave with their own beret!

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 11) Requires a separate purchase.

Workshop 3

TurtleSmithy Cosplay

Turtlesmithy will give you a full crash course on leatherworking. Sessions will cover tooling and embellishment, dyeing and painting, and sewing leather. Students will leave with a fully finished leather pouch. You must attend all 3 sessions of this workshop.

Premium workshop: (Capacity: 15) Requires a separate purchase.

• Part 1: Friday 03:00 PM
• Part 2: Saturday 10:00 AM