Why is it called "Kat's Play"?

While I make all kinds of custom garments, I created this business because friends in the cosplay community offered to pay me to make things for them. "Kat's Play" is a play on words, sounding similar to "cosplay." Plus, it also refers to my "play" (goofing around in costumes with friends) that led to the "work" that I enjoy doing.

How did I get started sewing?

I taught myself when I was 10 or 11, when I wanted some clothes for my baby and Barbie dolls. I raided my mom's sewing basket for scraps and cut up clothes I had outgrown and experimented with different techniques. In high school, I moved on to making clothes for myself and then to costuming. After just a few costumes, people started to offer to pay me to make costumes for them and the concept for Kat's Play was born.

Where can you meet me?

I am based in North Carolina, near Elon University. I attend a lot of conventions in the local area and the surrounding states. Keep an eye on my website, MySpace or Facebook for announcements on appearances I'll be making in the future.

Because I am entirely commission-based, I don't usually rent a table in the dealer's room or Artist's Alley. I don't have any tangible merchandise to sell and I prefer walking around as a live billboard with a fistful of business cards. If you want to meet me, shoot me an Email or IM and I'll give you my cell number. I'm relatively easy to spot, since I always carry around Hobbs, my tiger backpack.

Commonly Used Terms

Con

short for "convention"

Convention

Conventions are like trade shows for fans of a particular interest. The intention is to allow fans the opportunity to meet others that share their interests, meet celebrities within the community, buy merchandise from dealers they can't normally access and discuss their particular fandoms. It is not uncommon for fans to dress up in costumes to depict their favorite characters, such as Klingons and Stormtroopers.

Cosplay

An abbreviation of "costume play". The term originated in Japan, to refer to the wearing of costumes depicting popular anime, manga and video game characters. While the term is often reserved for such costumes, it has expanded to encompass costumes depicting American media as well.

Anime

Animated programming. In English, the term is usually reserved for Japanese animation. However, Japanese uses it as a catch-all word for all animation.

Manga

Comics. They are usually serialized in magazines, such as Shonen Jump, and later compiled into graphic novels, or tankoban. While the term often refers to Japanese comics, non-Japanese artists have entered the market with graphic novels adopting the style, such as Dramacon. These are also often referred to as "manga".

(Gothic) Lolita

A fashion trend in Japan. Women in their teens and twenties wear dresses reminiscent of girls' styles in Victorian England. This style has developed a strong following in the US.

Visual Kei

A style exercised by Japanese pop bands. It is similar to the "glam" rock style of the 1980s American rock scene. Like Lolita, it has developed a strong following in the US.

Ren Fair

Short for Rennaissance Fair. Actors dress in Rennaissance clothing and perform for visitors to teach them about life during the Rennaissance period.

LARP

Short for Live Action Role-Play. Hobbyists physically act out a story or battle according to set rules.

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