Norwescon 48 Single Pattern Contest - Part 1: The Prep

Norwescon 48 is happening April 2026 and each year they host a Single Pattern Contest. Last year was my first year attending and I was mainly focused on my panels and workshops. I had time to take some artsy workshops but I didn't know about this contest until during the convention.

More about the contest, from their website:

"Each year, the Single Pattern Contest challenges creative, sewing, and crafting skills by choosing one pattern as the basis for your creativity! The object of the competition is to create a one-of-a-kind creation using this pattern. Some adjustments or changes to the pattern are allowed as long as the end product reflects the original pattern.

Norwescon is excited to announce the two pattern options for this year’s Single Pattern Contest: this Hooded Duster Coat or McCall’s Misses’/Men’s Lined and Unlined Cape (M4139).

Competition awards will include, but are not limited to, best workmanship, best use of convention theme, and best in competition. Awards will be given out during the masquerade half-time."

Here's the pattern I chose:

With a close up on the one I'm going to make: Cape C.

I entered as an Advanced Level participant. I figured if I went to school for apparel design and I have a decade of experience...then I'm advanced lol. You had to title the project so for mine I went with "Horror Lover" and I was thinking vampire themed. But now, after looking in my fabric stash, I'm a little worried about my name & my fabric. I'm currently thinking about making a practice one and then deciding what changes or trims I'd want to utilize. But we'll see. First thing is to get the right fabric.

Stay tuned for the next steps. Part 2 will be the making process. Part 3 will probably be the "after" contest with action photos and all that. If the making process is super long then I'll split it up into multiple posts. I'll tag it with the "Convention" tag.