FROM the moment she learnt to thread a sewing machine, AstroKerrie has been making costumes.
The Joondalup 26-year-old said she first found an interest in cosplay (a performance art where participants wear costumes to represent a character) with her cousin.
“We really liked comics and anime and used to watch Cheez TV all the time and loved Sailor Moon,” she said. “We heard about this convention in Perth so we did some research and found out about cosplay.
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READ NOW“I’ve always been arty and into painting and crafting so this was an exciting new way to celebrate the things I loved and use my art.”
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She said she bought her first costume – Rikku from Final Fantasy X-2 – about 10 years ago, then immediately started making her own.
“I cut up mum’s sheets because I was too excited to buy fabric,” she said.
“I’m too impatient; I love crafting and salvaging what I can.
“Mum lost a lot of sheets in the beginning.”
The first costume AstroKerrie made was Simca from Air Gear and since then she has made her own patterns, armour, props and even shoes for various costumes.
She said her Crusader costume, which won her an award at last year’s Perth round of the Oz Comic-Con Championships for cosplay, was her favourite “by a long shot”.
“I built it so I could re-wear it,” she said. “The armour is strong enough to fight in so I can wear it for LARP (Live Action Roleplay).”
“I can get ready in a tent on my own and fight in it.”
She said the costume took “two months of solid work” to make.
This weekend, AstroKerrie will be wearing her Crusader outfit as well as Wonder Woman at this year’s Oz Comic-Con at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“I have always admired her (Wonder Woman) from afar because I’ve always liked Marvel over DC,” she said.
“But I decided to put my thoughts aside and give her a chance and read the comics and I loved them as much as I thought I would.
“I really like that I can bring to life this heroic, strong female character,” she said.
“I’ve made the more armoured God of War version cos she has a cool helmet and a shield and a big furry cape.”
AstroKerrie is the local guest at this year’s convention and will have a panel discussion on LARP on the Saturday and costume-making workshops on the Sunday.
“Growing up, I was a socially awkward kid,” AstroKerrie admits.
“I wasn’t good at making friends.
“These conventions allow you to meet people that are similar.
“I have made lifelong friends and it really helped with my confidence.
“For some, this is the biggest event of the year.”