Cactus Needles Back Issues
Cactus Needles has been the official newsletter of the Southwest
Costumers Guild since 1994.
Here are all of the issues available in digital form as Adobe
Acrobat .pdf files.
Older issues will be posted after the hard copies are scanned.
Feature articles are noted.
Click the link to view the issue or right-click to download the file
to your computer.
6.1 January
1999
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
6.2 February
1999
6.3 March 1999
6.4 April 1999
Laundry Trick - make felted wool
6.5 May 1999
6.6 June 1999
Advice to costuming newbies
6.7 July 1999
Costume Project Phases or Evolution of a Costume
6.8 August 1999
Cape Cutting: The Mark of Zorro
6.9 September 1999
6.10 October
1999
CopperCon 19 Masquerade post-mortem
6.11 November 1999
6.12 December 1999
7.1 January
2000
7.2 February
2000
7.3 March 2000
79.4 April 2000
7.5 May 2000
7.6 June 2000
7.7 July 2000
7.8 August 2000
Hints for masquerade entrants
7.9 September 2000
7.10 October
2000
7.11 November 2000
7.12 December 2000
8.1 January
2001
8.2 February
2001
8.3 March 2001
8.4 April 2001
Tips for making hoops
8.5 May 2001
Quick middle eastern fantasy skirts
8.6 June 2001
8.7 July 2001
8.8 August 2001
8.9 September 2001
8.10 October
2001
8.11 November 2001
Store Review - Wild West Mercantile (store moved to Mesa after
review was written)
8.12 December 2001
9.1 January
2002
9.2 February
2002
Reviews of Milieux.com web site and "Crafting Handmade Shoes" book
9.3 March 2002
Review of "Fine Machine Sewing" book
9.4 April 2002
9.5 May 2002
Randwulf's Quick & Dirty Shopping Bag
9.6 June 2002
9.7 July 2002
9.8 August 2002
9.9 September 2002
9.10 October
2002
9.11 November 2002
Some Thoughts on Hall Costumes
9.12 December 2002
10.1 January 2003
The Versatile A-Line Robe
10.2 February 2003
Introduction to "Winter Range" and "Festival of the West," The Dryer
Trick (laundry technique for dryclean-only items)
10.3 March 2003
Introduction to Battle of Picacho Peak civil war reenactment, Kids
and Costumes, Dark Fantasy costumes
10.4 April 2003
Tongue-in-cheek April issue - "Love's Savage Bindings," Battle of
Picacho Peak reviewed, "We are Not Amused Sir Guillaume" book review
10.5 May 2003
Intro to Southwest Legends Gunfighters performing group
10.6 June 2003
Face Painting and Costuming, Renaissance in the Pines reviewed
10.7 July 2003
10.8 August 2003
10.9 September 2003
Mask Making, Costume College 03 reviewed, CopperCon 23 Masquerade
reviewed, H&R Sales store review
10.10 October 2003
Middle eastern dance belt pattern, Jester Cap Pattern
10.11 November 2003
Mexico fabric trip, Duct tape dummies, Remembering Diane Elliot,
Expanded "Dryer Trick"
10.12 December 2003
Remembering Cris Martin and Jim Cryer, Tights: The Tree Method,
Materials list for parasol covering
11.1 January 2004
April Rice remembered, Brass Etching, Dickens Night revisited
11.2 February 2004
Nehru jackets, pix of Galadriel and Captain Jack costumes
11.3 March 2004
Materials list for buckram hats, "Bead Box" store review
11.4 April 2004
Tasha & Chuck in Egypt
11.5 May 2004
Egypt part 2, Needles & Pins (bowling)
11.6 June 2004
Kim & Rick wedding, Pirate Soft Wear, "419" e-mail scams
hit the costuming community
11.7 July 2004
WesterCon 57 Masq winners, Open letter from Carlos, "Knit One Felt
Two," "Felted Knits" book reviews, A2Z Beads & Sportsman's
Warehouse store reviews, Family cane photo
11.8 August 2004
Chemise supply list
11.9 September 2004
Wild West Mercantile moves to Mesa, Build a garment rack from swap
meet parts, "35th Avenue Fabric" store review, Online wig supplier
review
11.10 October 2004
Coppercon 24 Masquerade reviewed, Some Thoughts on Hall Costumes,
Family Halloween party photo from 1890
11.11 November 2004
WorldCon masquerade reviewed
11.12 December 2004
Store reviews of Woodcraft, Bead World, Paint-On Pottery, 1865
family photo, Flyers and business cards
12.1 January 2005
Carry On at Conventions
12.2 February 2005
Rayon Thread
12.3 March 2005
Optimo Custom Hat Works reviewed, Hat Stretcher, Stretch Glove
pattern reviewed, Duct Tape Dummies, Stand for Duct Tape Dummy,
Cosplay Comes to Arizona -- Cosplay: The Illegitmate Child of SF
Masquerades, Costuming a World Apart: Cosplay in America and Japan
12.4 April 2005
Lessons I Learned from Sewing, First AniZona Anime convention
reviewed, 5th Texas civil war reenactors
12.5 May 2005
12.6 June 2005
Cosplay Cosplay Revolution one-day convention reviewed, Thrift Store
Costuming, The Finished Costume: How to Accessorize for the Complete
Look, Valley of the Moon: Tucson's Historic Fantasy Land, LepreCon
masquerade review
12.7 July 2005
Houpellande Wraparound
12.8 August 2005
Remembering Ray Gish, Propeller Beanie cartoons, Pix from July photo
shoot, A Visit to the Pendleton Woolen Mills
12.9 September 2005
Swap 'til You Drop, We Make History reenactment group reviewed
12.10 October 2005
CopperCon 25 Masquerade Wrapup, The Jedi Belt Project, Barry Bard
remembered
12.11 November 2005
The Pause (Make your costume presentation more friendly to
photographers), Truly Victorian French Vest Bodice pattern reviewed
12.12 December 2005
Mike's Photo Art (artfully doctored costume photos), Antiquing Silks
with Bleach
13.1 January 2006
"Of Kilts and Yardage" online article reviewed, Working with Silk
Taffeta, Beads: Vintage vs Contemporary, Get Medieval on Your Popup
(altering a modern tent for medieval/renaissance events)
13.2 February 2006
Choosing a Pattern Size for a Woman's Garment, How to Find the Bra
Size You Should be Wearing, Glendale Glitters and Glows reviewed,
Spectacles Through the Ages reviewed, Parasols are Period! , Diane
Ribbon & Notion Company reviewed
13.3 March 2006
Estrella War 2006 reviewed, The Cadys do February, Hobbyist's
Paradise web site reviewed, Resources for Glove Making
13.4 April 2006
A History of the Parasol, Language of the Fan, Glove References
13.5 May 2006
Pix from Devonshire Luncheon, Sockulator sock knitting software
reviewed, Bottle yarn dispenser trick, Pom Pom Makers, AniZona 2
reviewed
13.6 June 2006
The Science of the Round Hat, Ice Cream in 1890, LepreCon costume
events reviewed, Consider a Cooler Cover
13.7 July 2006
The 42-Year-Old Costume-Con Virgin, You Know You're at Costume-Con
When. . . . , Tour of the Iowa Amana Colonies historic woolen mill
13.8 August 2006
Belly Dance Shoppe reviewed, Preview & Rules for CopperCon
Masquerade, Facing Jeopardy!, More pix from Devonshire Luncheon
13.9 September 2006
Costume College 2006 reviewed, Los Angeles Opera Company tour, new
Cabela's store reviewed, The Complete Fashion Sourcebook reviewed,
CopperCon 26 reviewed
13.10 October 2006
Adventures with Captain Tightpants (Costuming for Firefly and
Serenity), New banner, Propeller Beanie Cartoon
13.11 November 2006
Costume College 2006 classes reviewed, Frank McShane remembered
13.12 December 2006
Costume College class notes part two, Western repro eyeglasses,
Full-Size Belt Pouch Pattern
14.1 January 2007
Easy Cutting Table, Randwulf's Swag Bag (collapsible backpack)
14.3 March 2007
14.4 April 2007
SewStylish magazine reviewed, The Pavilion Book reviewed
14.6 June 2007
Dealing with Mal-Wear (more Firefly/Serenity costuming),
Renaissance, Pirates Fairies book reviewed, India in Illinois photos
15.1 January 2008
The Steampunk Workshop web site reviewed, Firefly Costuming Part 2,
Photos from TusCon 2007
15.2 February 2008
Exploring Steampunk
150.3 March 2008
Two-For-One Cape pattern
15.4 April 2008
Stargate Arizona photo cartoon, Photo EZ Stencil silkscreening
technique
15.5 May 2008
Pictures from "Steampunk for Dummies" roundtable, Sunacosu first
meeting, Living Libraries and Living Jewelry web reviews
15.6 June 2008
The Halfling Pavilion (medieval pup tent disguise), First
Saboten-Con reviewed
15.7 July 2008
Stage Plan for CopperCon 28 Masquerade, WesterCon Masquerade
reviewed, Renfaire tent lighting system, Guildsters at West Valley
Art Museum
15.8 August 2008
Devention Masquerade reviewed, Gothic Lolita patterns reviewed
15.9 September 2008
Some basic advice on Costume Design, CopperCon 28 Masquerade
reviewed
15.10 October 2008
Conjecture 2008 reviewed, How do you Sell Your Cell (cell phone
cover contest)
15.11 November 2008
Domino Delivered in Less than 30 Minutes (quick mask pattern),
Electric Renfaire Camp Light, More on Cell Phone Covers, Steam
Punkin photo
15.12 December 2008
KikiCon and Maui Wowie Dance reviews, Forrest J. Ackerman
remembered, Faerie Festival reviewed, Yule-Gi-Oh cartoon Christmas
card
16.1 January 2009
Freeway the "Cat Burglar" remembered, Zoolights pictures
16.2 February 2009
Edouard Mesert remembered, Karnak turban photo, Phoenix ComiCon
reviewed
16.3 March 2009
Winter Range reviewed, Airbrushing demo
16.4 April 2009
Care and Feeding of Cowboy Boots, Corset Workshop Handout, Sarge
remembered, Festival of the West, Renfaire pictures
16.5 May 2009
So Your Want to be a Cowboy/Cowgirl, "Silent Hill" photos from
AniZona, Barbecue Mixer, Destination Libation photo, Swine Flu
cartoon
16.6 June 2009 "Cone
Heads" - Wizards, Hennins and other conical hat patterns
16.7 July 2009
Boots, Glorious Boots, FiestaCon photos
16.8 August 2009
Bead Crown Demo, Review of Bead, Steampunk classes
16.9 September 2009
North American Discworld Convention Maskerade reviewed, A Quick
Rolled Hem, Molas - A Turista in Panama
16.10 October 2009
Fantasy Fete Fantastique reviewed, The Pause (restarted), Kayak
Rack, Water Jug Cover
16.11 November 2009
Nightfall at Old Tucson Studios Halloween event reviewed, Yipe! is a
new online costume magazine!, Cherry Frequency store review (now
closed), inexpensive chef jacket as base for costume?
16.12 December 2009
Chemistry: A Love Story, Pictures from AZ State Fair and Clown
Makeup Demo
17.1 January 2010
Steampunk 101: Get Schooled, We Came We Saw We Glittered
17.2 February 2010
SWCG to host Costume-Con 30 - Elaine is Chair, Skullduggery
(skullcap patterns), Costumer' Guide to the 20th Street/Camelback
Neighborhood, Pix from DarkCon
17.3 March 2010
Remembering Nancy Webber, Renfair & Estrella War pix
17.4 April 2010
Duane & Kathryn Elms Museum Exhibit, Photo EZ Stencil reprint,
LepreCon 36 Masq Preview, New Jester Cap pattern
17.5 May 2010
A Bolt from the Past (Reviewing SWCG's first newsletter from 1987),
Lep 36 stage plan, Meeting minutes become a regular column
17.6 June 2010
Duct tape sock and boot pattern, Review of the new Musical
Instrument Museum, SWCG Incorporation announcement, Costume-Con 28
review, Pix from Apache-Style Beading Workshop, Fry Bread Recipe,
Phoenix ComiCon reviewed
17.7 July 2010
Stand for Duct Tape Dummy (reprint), Steampunk Style Jewelry book
review, The Function of the Masquerade Repair Table
17.8 August 2010
Confirmation (Pasadena WesterCon) reviewed, Vintage Clothing Fashion
Show at Matilda's Closet, Save Your Sole (hint for comfy historical
faire shoes), Grand Canyon Renaissance Faire and Medieval Mayhem
reviewed, Begin The Biggin (medieval skullcap pattern), Trek-Themed
Wedding, Grand Canyon University Costume Shop Rebuild
17.9 September 2010
Jewish History Museum reviewed, iPod Origami (fold a display stand
from cardboard), Pool party pix, Bits and Pieces from Costume
College
17.10 October 2010
Materials and Advice for Plastic Painting workshop, Membership
Cards, Prescott Western Heritage Days reviewed, Fezzes are Cool!
(with pattern), Man-Bra?
17.11 November 2010
Pix from Plastic Painting workshop, Construction Site Costuming
17.12 December 2010
Mini-Time Machine Miniatures Museum reviewed, TusCon pictures,
One-Hour Hat workshop picture
18.1 January 2011
Dillinger Days at the Hotel Congress in Tucson
18.2 February 2011
Joe's Farm Grill restaurant review, Lovecraftian pillow picture,
Merry Merchant Musketeer (cloak/change apron), Stage Ninjas are the
Real Ninjas!
18.3 March 2011
Guild Sash Bag Project begins, Winter Range group photo
18.4 April 2011
Pix from Festival of the West, Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention
reviewed
18.5 May 2011
Michael Holland's pewter Dinosaur Skull pins, Mesa Second Friday
Steampunk street fair reviewed, Make a Belly Dance Hip Scarf/Belt
18.6 June 2011
ICG Gallery offers Photo Display space to chapters
18.7 July 2011
Sash Bag first results, Invitation from Heatsynch Labs
18.8 August 2011
CopperCon Costume Show Preview, Second North American Discworld
Convention reviewed, Duffel Bag pattern
18.9 September 2011
New Bookmark Flyer, Sister Organizations proposed standing rule,
CopperCon Masquerade group picture, Fabric World new location,
Mike's Renovation (WorldCon) pictures
18.10 October 2011
Steampunk Tophat Fascinator Hat Pattern, Preview of Silk Painting
Workshop, AZ Centennial Quilt Revealed, CopperCon Costume Show
reviewed, Make your own pre-loaded coffee filters for camping, local
haunted house attractions for Halloween
18.11 November 2011
Robin's Tophat pattern pictures, Halloween pictures
18.12 December
2011
Silk Painting Workshop pictures, Dorito Gown picture, Phoenix
Fireland Faerie Festival pictures, Victorian Fantasy Fashion Show
pictures, Farewell to Evermore Nevermore
19.1 January
2012
Wonderflex, What's a Costume-Con
19.2 February
2012
New Officers, Lifetime Achievement Award nominations open