Costumes Don't Just Happen

In our town there is a science museum that has hosted a "Night At The Museum" event for the last several years.  I've helped out and last year was in charge of coordinating costumes.  This year I'm casting the actors as well as handling costume duties.  The premise is that people dress up as various historical figures and characters from science-fiction then spend several hours complete in-character, interacting with the guests as that particular person.  It's a lot of fun, but for me a lot of work since I have to arrange costumes for 28 characters.

Unfortunately some of the actors don't seem to realize that it takes time to make costumes.  I've had to really prod some of these people to confirm whether or not they were getting their costume pieces together.  The event is in about six weeks and we can't wait until the last minute to arrange these things.  While I might be able to throw together a simple outfit in a few hours, it still takes time to get all of the material together and then do the work.

My costuming business has been taking off and I've been getting both local and long-distance commissions.  In fact, I'm completely booked up between now and the beginning of September and have had to turn down a couple of requests that I just don't have time for.  Even so I just had a friend ask if I could squeeze in a couple of more things for her.  I had to say no.  And I'm expecting to get more last-minute requests before Dragon*Con.

I'm one woman with a sewing machine (and some help from my mother), as well as being a mother, wife, home schooling my children, and trying to catch a few hours of sleep here and there.  When making a costume I have to plan it out, but the material and supplies, make sure I have the right patterns, cut out the cloth, sew it together, and add finishing touches.  Depending on the outfit and complexity it can take me anywhere from a few hours to several days to finish a costume.  There is a lot of work involved, especially when I have to juggle that around my other responsibilities.

Major theaters don't start working on their costumes a week or so before the performance.  By the time a Hollywood film starts shooting they've already spent months planning, designing, testing, and making the clothing and outfits.  While I'm not in those categories (yet) it still takes time for any costumer to work.  The theater groups I work with have learned that I'm going to be bugging them to get me measurements and other details weeks before I need them.  And customers need to know that they need to make their orders months in advance so I can get them on the list.

Costumes don't make themselves!