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Type: Costuming/Cosplay clear filter
Friday, July 17
 

1:00pm EDT

Costuming: Where to start
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
So you've seen Stormtroopers and Mandalorians, or uniforms from Star Trek and Star Gate, but where do you start if you want to build your first costume?  

moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth
Speakers
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

2:30pm EDT

Are Vikings the New Pirates
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Pirates once ruled the Renn Festivals and Convention Corridors, but it seems lately that Vikings are taking over.  What is it about Vikings (and their costumes) that make them all the rage?

Moderator: Matt Penick
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

5:30pm EDT

Workshop: Basic Leather Working 101 (fee)
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
In this introduction to the craft led by the designers at Ribbons and Rivets participants will be guided through the steps to make their own personalized wrist cuff. Many of these same steps can be applied to much larger and more complicated projects later on. All tools and materials will be provided for this workshop, just bring a pair of hands.

Participation fee is $20
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Costuming/Cosplay, Workshop

9:30pm EDT

Building Larger Than Life Costumes and Props: Challenges and Solutions
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Whether you're building full-size Daleks, designing car add-ons, or crafting floor-length wings, creating a large costume or prop comes with its own unique challenges. Join our panelists as they share tips, techniques, and stories about how to bring a larger-than-life costume to life.

Moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth
Speakers
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
avatar for Old Dominion Daleks

Old Dominion Daleks

Costuming Guest
Rick and family took their love of theater and science fiction and formed Luna-C Productions in 1997.  Rick is the director, one of the scriptwriters, and plays several roles in the Luna-C Productions comedy troupe in addition to producing, directing and acting in a number of their... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay
 
Saturday, July 18
 

12:00pm EDT

Workshop: Basic Pattern Making
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
This primer for armor patterning led by the designers at Ribbons and Rivets, will have participants making their own bracer pattern that can later be applied to other rigid mediums such as leather, thermoplastic, or EVA foam. Participants will leave with their own personalized pattern as well as knowledge about measurements, seam allowances, fasteners, and the pros and cons associated with different armor making mediums.
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Costuming/Cosplay, Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Pre-judging for Costume Contest/Green Room
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Judges: Jett Dixon, Cheralyn Lambeth, 
Speakers
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
avatar for Jett Dixon

Jett Dixon

Costuming Guest
Jett has been attending & assisting at conventions for over a decade, finally delving into the roles of Programming Staff (RavenCon, ConCarolinas, Conapalooza) and Panelist.Apple of Your Eye Cosplay is Jett’s Facebook page for all things cosplay, showing off her thrift- and scrounge-style... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

6:30pm EDT

Making Material Decisions
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
So there's leather and fabric, or worbla or casting/sculpting, but when it comes to deciding to build a costume, how do you decide where to start?  What material works best for which types of costumes? What looks like armor but doesn't weigh you down?  What looks like leather but moves like fabric?

Moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth 
Speakers
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Costuming/Cosplay
 
Sunday, July 19
 

1:00pm EDT

Costuming Outside Your Comfort Zone
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Making and wearing costumes encourages us all to live our dreams and take chances. Who wants the same old same old?  Our panelists discuss how to adapt and be comfortable with a real body versus everything we see in video games and Anime. From gender bending costumes, to wearing armor, our panelists discuss how to create costumes that fit you.

Moderator: Tom Hutchens
Speakers
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Costuming/Cosplay
 

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Thursday, July 16
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Cardinal (Film)
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