Since 1994 there have been 25 Single Pattern contests associated with Costume-Con. And the one constant? Jacqueline Ward, who has entered EVERY one! Here are a few words from her on why YOU should enter the Costume-Con 2026 Single Pattern competition.
Since its inception at Costume Con 12 (thank you, Kevin Roche) I’ve entered all the SP competitions, whenever they were included in the Costume Con agenda. Why? Because of its unique makeup and the creative opportunities this kind of competition offers. Here’s a chance to come up with an entry where you don’t need a story, title or preconceived design to keep you in line.
Using the selected patterns as your blank canvas, your imagination is the starting point. Choose one or more and start brainstorming- an excellent opportunity to work with and refine new techniques, materials, colours, concepts… or use the talents you’ve already developed.
Just look at the pattern(s) you’ve selected and say “Now, what can I do with this?
Remember: you own the pattern, the pattern doesn’t own you! Don’t like the sleeves? Change the shape, method of insertion (I often pleat the sleeve cap rather than gather, especially if using heavy material as it has a smoother look), cut it apart and add in sections, use pieces from another pattern (while keeping parts of the basic shape, for the judges). Don’t like the cuffs? Remove them or recut to a more interesting shape. Same goes for collars, necklines, hemlines (longer, shorter, shape the edge). The pattern instructions will help you along with basic construction but they too can be messed about with.
I’ve used patterns as they were printed but with lots of decorative techniques, limited myself to a colour palette (black, white and gray), made a floofy fairy into a tailored fairy CEO suit, complete with pinstripe fabric, turned soft swags into metal armour, added see through “aquariums” into coat panels, turned tulle into rail engine “steam” and learned so many new techniques in the process. Here’s a competition where the costume name is probably the last thing you need to think about.
So, join in. Be brave and cut up that printed pattern and Frankenpattern away. Your imagination is allowed to run free with this one!
(See “Costume-Con 2026 Virtual Competitions Now Accepting Entries” in the December 2025 issue for information about the competitions and how to enter — ed)
Jacqueline Ward, “In My Cosmic Garden” from Costume-Con 42; photo by DC Cosplay.
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