Ways to Get Into Costume

Once you have your costume era and silhouette firmly in mind, there are several different ways to achieve your desired look. Each has its merits, so don't dismiss any of them out of hand until you've explored the options.

• Pre-made costumes. These are available from costume shops and internet costume sites. Prices vary greatly according to quality, materials used, amount of handwork involved, and country of origin. The more it costs to make, the more it costs to buy.
• Costumes from a dressmaker or tailor. Here you'll pay the going rate for the sewing provider, and for all materials, including any patterns necessary. 
• Costumes you make yourself from a purchased pattern. Several pattern companies make costume patterns. In a future blog post, I'll discuss those in more detail.
• Costumes you make yourself from a book containing patterns to enlarge.
• Costumes you make yourself from a pattern you develop, either by flat drafting or draping.

If you don't have a single craftsy bone in your body, obviously your best bet will be to buy a costume, either premade or custom made. Premade costumes come in certain sizes, just like regular garments, so you won't have as much choice of how it fits you, unless you have it altered to fit, which can add more money onto the project. 

If you love to sew and make things, however, you should plan on making at least part of your costume. Depending on your skill level, you can come up with something quite wonderful.

And if you're terrible with a sewing needle, take heart. Not every outfit worn by our ancestors was perfectly sewn! Plaids weren't always perfectly matched at the seams. Seams weren't always perfectly straight. Perfection actually can detract from the historicity of an outfit, so feel free to make mistakes.