Welcome back everyone!

Today, we bring you an interview with an amazing cosplayer, @VioletSinsCosplay !!!

The reason we love @VioletSinsCosplay so much because she has never said no to us! We have come back and asked to animate her cosplay and she is always so supportive and happy to collaborate!

Our first collaboration was a super cute cosplay of Vilma from Scooby-Doo! Below is the image (Check out our Instragram page to see actual animation):

Below is her amazing interview!:

1. What is your Instagram for your cosplay? Do you have any other social media accounts where you share your cosplay?

My Instagram is @VioletSinsCosplay . I also have a Facebook under the same handle. I also post to a joint account with my best friend and cosplay partner in crime, which can be found under @SinfulHeartCosplay

2. When did you become interested in cosplaying? What influenced you or who influenced you?

I had never actually heard of cosplay before I started dating my first boyfriend at 16. He was already super into it and encouraged me to come cosplay at a local convention with him.

I already had a huge love of sewing and costumes, so it opened up a whole new outlet for my creative tendencies.

I tell a lot of people that I cosplay because I never grew out of wanting to play dress up as a kid. 

3. When did you begin to do cosplay?

I first started when I was around 16/17. 

4. Who helped you with your cosplay?

I didn’t have any help with my first cosplay.

I already had a little bit of a background in sewing, so I just kind of went for it.

I do a lot of my projects on my own, not because I don’t like help but, because I just really love the process of crafting. I do it just because I enjoy it!

Lately though I’ve been collaborating more with my best friend and want to work more with other local cosplayers in the future.

5. Which was your 1st cosplay outfit? What was the process like putting it together?

My first cosplay was Hungary, from Hetalia. It was super last minute. I made the green dress and apron from bedsheets I found at Goodwill for a dollar each. And a weird kids dress pattern that I extended a ton so that it would fit me. It was very by the seat of my pants, and it was so incredibly short! 

6. Which is your favorite cosplay and why?

I don’t know if I actually have a favorite of mine.

I only do characters that I love and a lot of love goes into them!

I think I am most proud of my Princess Vanellope cosplay because it was so intense and is just very visually pleasing. I feel like I translated a lot of the animated details into real like pieces very well. 

7. Do you do cosplay events or competitions? Do you have a favorite you like to attend and why?

I typically do at least one competition a year, and maybe a handful of conventions if I have the money.

I’ve only been to one convention outside of my home state of Arizona.

In 2018, I was able to attend and compete at San Diego Comicon. Although, I sadly didn’t get to experience any of the convention itself, I loved their competition process!

Behind the scenes, it was so organized and everyone I met was so talented and supportive.

Phoenix Fanfusion will always have a special place in my heart, though. It’s my home convention and where I’ve met a lot of friends. I also have really had a chance to grow as a costumer.

Arizona has a really amazing community and I feel lucky to be a part of it.

8. Do you make or buy your cosplay? Or maybe both? Do you have any stores or sellers you highly recommend to aspiring cosplayers?

I do both!

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with purchasing a cosplay.

While I personally love the creative process of making my pieces, not everyone enjoys it. That’s okay, there’s no wrong way to do cosplay as long as you’re having fun!

I buy a lot of my premade pieces from places like Amazon and Goodwill, just because I have very limited funds. 

A lot of my materials for handmade pieces, I try to shop locally for.

The Phoenix area is crawling with nifty craft stores, and supporting local businesses is very important to me. I highly encourage everyone who is looking to make things to search for local fabric and craft stores. Talk to the employees and ask what other places they recommend to find more hidden gems!

I will only shop on Amazon or eBay for things if I can’t get them in person, but I always try to find stuff locally first.

9. What do you enjoy about cosplay?

I get to be a princess whenever I want!

I never grew out of being a little girl and wanting to play dress up all the time. Cosplay lets me do that whenever I want to. It’s just so much fun!

It gives me a ton of confidence and I have made so many great memories in my cosplays. 

10. What has your experience been like sharing your cosplay online?

The Internet is always a mixed bag. I feel like I’ve been very lucky as a more plus sized cosplayer that I’ve gotten so much love and support from the communities I engage in.

But there’s always that mean person that’s going to say unkind things. I’ve gotten some pretty nasty messages trying to put me down. I think everyone gets them occasionally.

But for every one person that wants to be a jerk, there are dozens more who are so ready to build everyone around them up!

The key is surrounding yourself with good people, just like in everyday life.

11. Do you have any advice for aspiring cosplayers considering sharing their cosplay online?

Do what makes YOU happy!

The Internet always seems like some kind of weird popularity contest. It can be so weird and demoralizing to see people doing the same thing as you are getting a lot more praise and attention.

I’ve fallen into it where I feel like my work isn’t good enough, or I wasn’t attractive enough, or something else dumb because it goes unnoticed. I’ve beat myself up a lot for stupid things and let it get into my head. But, if you do it for you, it doesn’t matter so much.

At the end of the day, we are all just huge nerds running around playing dress up, so have as much fun with it as you can!

Make memories. Make friends. Tackle projects that you’re passionate about…

Don’t give up or let the internet intimidate you!

Cosplay is for everyone, and as long as you’re having fun and being kind to those around you you’re doing it perfectly!