I'm pretty much a newborn when it comes to cosplaying, but after seeing so many amazing pictures, I was just like, 'I HAVE to do this...the geeky nerd in me commands this'.  So I chose Vanille because I love FF XIII...and I thought she'd be perfect for a first-timer because she doesn't wear a lot, meaning she'd be relatively easy.  Are you already laughing at me?  It's ok if you are.  I laughed too before the tears of frustration came pouring out.  I didn't use patterns and the only experience I had with a sewing machine was the Easter pillow I made when I was eleven.  With the beads, I didn't mind the fact that I had to re-do them over and over again or that the nylon thread sometimes slipped between my fingers (ok, maybe I had a few fits when that happened)--what had me baffled was how I was going to connect them all and be able to fit them over my head and shoulders.  See, I'm a perfectionist and I couldn't spot any clasps on Vanille's actual outfit, so I didn't want to use any (of course, I eventually gave in).  

I was able to debut my cosplay for a day at gathering-of-a-con in Anchorage.  Running around like a dork and climbing on things I probably shouldn't have, no beads decided to embrace the floor and my bra only showed on one side xD  But I came to the realization that Vanille would never survive in Alaska...  She needs to skin a few more bears for that to happen.

Aki-con was amazing and even though I was the only XIII cosplayer (though I did see a XIII-2 Serah a couple times), I wasn't too heartbroken and I got to hang out with some awesome people.  

I'm already working on Ciel for Sakura and Serah, Maka and Alice will follow short after.  

To be continued~