iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

It's always a fun day when you can show up to work (well, volunteering) looking like this.

The poster, cosplaying as an unnamed character from the FFXIV: Evercold teaser trailer.

051

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

So yeah, i made it onto Gallery 3 of this. Still doesnt feel like it was a thing I actually did.

Two pictures of the poster in his Koana cosplay from the glamoured to life gallery.

091

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

I already messaged them about this clasp, so I understand that entirely.

A picture of an old Au Ra from the Evercold teaser trailer. A shoulder clasp is visible on the right shoulder.

010

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Alphinaud, get into the G-Warrior. Art by MadRatBird, www.patreon.com/MadRatBird

Koana, from FFXIV: Dawntrail, with hands in front of face, in the same pose as Gendo Ikari from Evangelion. Art created by MadRatBird, https://www.patreon.com/MadRatBird

0299

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Now that I'm recovering from Fanfest, it seems like a good time to repost my other cosplay, the 5.3 version of the Crystal Exarch. There are so many people I saw, and so many I missed, but it was fantastic. Definitely want to try to go back again.

A cosplay of the Crystal Exarch from patch 5.3.

0142

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I have really been enjoying Fanfest so far. I even got to participate in Glamoured to Life with a group! A photo from the stream:

Koana, a Pictomancer, and a Viper confronting Calyx and Halmarut.

092

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Someday I will learn to use social media, and use it regularly without crashing out. In unrelated news, here is what I'll be cosplaying for Fanfest, which I should have done days ago! (Okay, these two points are actually related.)

My cosplay lineup for FFXIV Fanfest. Friday is Koana from the Dawntrail expansion, and Saturday is the Crystal Exarch from Shadowbringers, specifically patch 5.3.

072

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Okay... still on kind of a high the next morning, and it still hasn't sunk in. So I'll just post a couple photos and call it a day for now. Cosplay pic is by @thevariant.bsky.social

Me, dressed in his hand-made cosplay of Koana from Final Fantasy XIV, Dawntrail.

A picture of my award for hall cosplay, journeyman, first prize for that same cosplay.

3162

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Him 5 minutes after Fey leaves:

A picture of Phantom Thief Morgana from Persona 5.

030

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

As for the top, I got a pattern I printed out. Unfortunately, it wasn't working the way I wanted after trying a muslin sample, so I had to make notes and alter the pattern. The second test attempt went a lot better.

The first muslin test pattern, hanging on the mannequin. The front doesnt quite reach the bottom, and the neck is too low.

Patern no. 1 on the mannequin. The seams is too far back on it, which would make it too difficult to move my arms.

The second pattern attempt, again on the mannequin. The pattern is longer and matches the bottom, and the arm seam is in the right spot.

000

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

The bottom piece is done, and can be kept on my body with a belt. (This was last week, but forgot to upload.)

The lower half of koana's coat, with the light green strips pinned to the black base.

The same lower portion of the coat, placed on a mannequin and sewed on.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Im dealing with that with my Koana cosplay. His jacket is practically a cape with sleeves.

A render of Koana from FFXIV, Dawntrail.

110

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Beyond that, I plan to Put heavy interfacing into the bottom and front hems to keep this part of the coat extra crisp and help it maintain structure. I found an amazing fabric to use for much of the visible part of the coat.

A cut of light green, shiny fabric that will be used for much of Koana's coat. It is amazing.

110

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

I wasn't feeling well earlier today, but I recovered enough to start the cutting of the actual fabric. For the coat I am sewing together the whole lower part of the coat, and for the side flaps I will be attaching after the inner lair is put together.

A marked up and partially cut piece of black fabric, with muslin fabric being used as a pattern.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

But beyond that, now that it's less than two months until Tekko, I really need to start clothing work. I plan to make the top and bottom part of koana's coat separate, and I'm working on the bottom part first. Thankfully, I still have an old muslin mockup I used for my Clive cosplay for patterns.

An adjustable mannequin, front view, with muslin fabric attached to use as the lower part of a coat. This was the initial gut check before ironing the muslin.

The same mannequin, from a back view, after the muslin was ironed and the bottom hem set and pinned.

The same mannequin and same pinning. The original coat connected a lot higher on the body, so there was a lot of excess fabric to pin up.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Forgot to add more gun progress pics. Fixing that now. The stock is made, and I have Plans on how to put those together. (Mainly involving wood or metal dowels.)

The stock of a cosplay gun, made out of wood, with half dowels of EVA foam.

The same stock as the prior picture, with the half dowels glued onto the front and the back of the stock.

An underside view of the cosplay gun barrel, with an extra wood stopper attached to the back end.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Seconded! Look at these amazing photos he did for me at @teamtekko.bsky.social 2024!

The poster as Clive Winslett from Wild Arms 3, leaning on a railing and reading Adventure Book 1.

The poster as Clive Winslett from Wild Arms 3, legs crossed and holding his rifle in front of him.

022

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Definitely this one, taken by @thevariant.bsky.social at Setsucon. It looks like a painting.

The poster, dressed as the Crystal Exarch from FFXIV, on his knees and holding onto his staff with both hands.

0167

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

The transformer is done except for some drilling. Photos of that in a couple days. In the meantime, gun progress! I finally figured out that some pvc pipe could be used for a stock to keep everything together. Not sure how to make the trigger guard, though. Suggestions appreciated.

A progress photo for Koana's gun, showing the barrels from the rear.

Progress photo of Koana's gun, side view. Painters taps is used to keep the cut pvc pipe together.

Koana's gun progress photo, top view of the barrels.

120

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

...and then current status of the painting of the transformer. You'll see what I mean re: weathering and other touchups. It looks a little too new, and I'll be adding silver push pins to act as rivets.

The main part of the aether transformer, painted silver with red portions.

130

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

I realize it has been far too long since an update. I won't get into why, but instead get right back into updates. I have a lot more work done on the aether transformer. It needs weathering and more detail, and me making the lines straighter, but it's close to done. I'll start with progress...

A series of photos showing the progress of creating the aether transformer, made using pvc pipe, EVA foam, glue, and platidip.

The dials, made of eva foam, are added to the main transformer.

The whole assembly sprayed with plastidip.

The small part of the transformer, under construction.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I've been cosplaying for a few years now, and one of my big goals in doing cosplay has been to enter into a cosplay craftsmanship contest and actually place in it. Last night, that happened - I won first place in the Hall Cosplay Novice Category at Setsucon last night. I'm still on Cloud 9. (more)

Myself in the Crystal Exarch cosplay, holding the certificate marking me as the first place winner in Hall Cosplay, Novice Category.

3679

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I've done a bit of FFXIV cosplay, yes. The first picture is Sangawa 2024, the second is Tekko 2022, and the 3rd and 4th are from Setsucon 2025 (taken by The Variant, @the_variant on Instagram).

The poster in G'raha Tia (Endwalker) cosplay, about to eat a burger while sitting on a model crescent moon.

Emet-Selch, Venat, and the Crystal Exarch together, wearing face masks. The poster is in the Exarch cosplay on the right.

The Crystal Exarch, hood up, hand reaching towards the camera.

The Crystal Exarch, hood down, kneeling and leaning on his staff.

1173

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Small update, the ears are done! (Except for getting plastic caps on the wire so I don't scrape the wig or my skull when securing the ears under my wig.)

Two custom made green miqo'te ears with pink inner ears, with craft wire coming out from the bottom. Left ear is inside down, right ear is inside up.

Two custom made green miqo'te ears with pink inner ears, with craft wire coming out from the bottom. Left ear is inside up, right ear is inside down.

120

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

While I was waiting for that, I also started more work on the aether transformer for koana. This piece is made of plumbing bits and Eva foam, and the plastidip on it is starting to dry.

The base for part of Koana's aether transformer, made of pvc pipes, partially covered with Eva foam and sprayed with black plastidip.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

So. I tried to dye the fur to get the color uniform. Not only did it not work, it caused issues with the existing color. So I airbrushed it a second time, but at least it looks better now.

Green colored faux fur. One is a strip of fur, the other is sewn into the shape of a tail.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Also, bonus bend and wiggle test!

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

From there, I used the previously airbrushed faux fur to make a cover for the tail. I'm still trying to hide the seams, and it's apparent it will nee more painting or coloring to handle the roots, but it's going well!

A (mostly) green colored, faux fur tail cover.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Okay, one more update for today. I found a great 3d print model for a tail, from here: cults3d.com/en/3d-model/... . The printing took a week, and some time cleaning them up, but it worked great.

a pink colored, 3d-printed skeleton base for a tail. Two cords are coming from the large end of the tail, which go inside the model and keep it together.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

It's been far too long since I added to this. Work and holidays have been draining both attention and spoons, but I've finally gotten back to progress. The glue plan for the fabric on the barrels failed, so I did indeed have to hand sew them.

Two PVC pipes of equal length, covered in brown faux leather upholstery fabric. The seams for the fabric are only visible on one end of the pipes.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Also. I'm gonna try to make the tail and ears this time! I got the wig from Epic Cosplay Wigs, and after two tries and one clogged airbrush, I dyed some white faux fur to something close to the actual color.

The planned wig for Koana, from Epic Cosplay Wigs, in emerald green color. To its right is green high flow paint for later airbrushing. And above are strips of white faux fur.

The first attempt at spraying. The color is not matching properly. While both the wig and fur are green, they are very different kinds of green.

The second attempt. The faux fur was resprayed, with the faux fur painted a much closer green to the wig. This time, a lighter green paint was used, mixed with a few drops of darker green paont and a good amount of blue paint.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

As for other pipes I got, they're being used to make those side pieces for Koana's coat. The plan is to cover the central portion of the large pipe with EVA foam, then coat it with plastidip and paint. I also cut out a piece of Eva foam to use as a stopper for the bottom of that piece.

Various pieces of pvc plumbing items, with a piece of anto fatigue mat cut into a donut shape.

The same pieces of piping, made into a partially complete prop for Koana

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Turns out the gun barrel has a leather like texture, which should be interesting. I got the fabric, but it's having all sorts of trouble sticking onto itself or picture pipe, even after using multiple adhesives. I think I'll need to sew it together to make it work.

A piece of brown, textured vinyl fabric.

Multiple pieces of brown, textured vinyl fabric around pvc pipe. The fabric is only sticking to part of the pipe.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

I already have the shoes from my IRL work. They're really comfortable, and still look good. I'm not sure if I will actually make the pants, or just use dress pants i have from work. My goal is the former, but we'll see. I plan to order the tail, so I can have it move easily, instead of crafting.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

I might as well start with the parts I have. I ordered these fabrics for the shirt, coat, and tie a while ago. The coat and gloves/shoe covers read as leather to me, but I wanted something a bit lighter when wearing - especially for a Tekko in July when Pittsburgh has been so hot then.

A picture of four pieces of fabric: Matte satin fabric and lining in seafoam green, white microsuede, and red crepe black satin.

100

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Maybe this pressure will force me to get started. I'm going to try out a build thread for my next big cosplay plan - Koana from Final Fantasy XIV (also occasionally known as G'raha Blast). You're all welcome to gently poke me if I don't update this for a while.

A render of Koana, a gun wielding, green haired Miqo'te from Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail.

2190

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

So, given people are finding this account now, seems like a good moment to ask for some cosplay help re: horns. I want to do a cosplay of my character from the Lockstitch TTRPG played on Twitch (pic attached). What can I do to make it look like the horns actually blend in with/come out of my head?

A picture of Nichol Trafford, a devil ray man in a custom uniform, from the Lockstitch TTRPG (twitch.tv/lockstitchRPG). Art by Nika, same URL.

193

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

!!Calling All Cosplayers!! Repost with your favorite cosplay picture of yours My first time doing one of these cosplay chains. Photo by the fantastic iroun.photos .

The poster in cosplay as Clive Winslett (Wild Arms 3), leaning against a railing and reading Adventure Book 1 while subtly smiling.

070

ProfWinter @profwinter.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

Not a femroe, but a max height and buff highlady at least. Kalpana Starr, Byrnhildr.

A picture of Kalpana Starr, a custom PC in Final Fantasy XIV, taken from the FFXIV Companion App.

110