Costuming for yourself.

I began costuming for myself when I started getting serious about actually performing.
It started because I couldn't afford to purchase the costumes that are made on the mass market.
Especially, since when I started, finding anything in a plus size was a nightmare.

I was determined to find a way to learn to make affordable costumes..  Something that wouldn't kill my budget.
Since I am a thrift store queen, I learned quickly that it would be much cheaper to purchase a used prom dress and recycle/re-purpose as much as possible. 
From there, I learned how to butcher up a bra and recycle blue jeans to make belt bases.

It has been both heartbreaking and rewarding to make a costume for myself.
Heartbreaking, because when my body changed, I was looking at pieces with 40 to 80 hoursof work, that I would be unable to alter.
Rewarding, because I was able to say, "I made it."

Some of my designs have been pretty wild and even the places I look for embellishments have been a bit off-beat.  After all, who would have considered that the local hardware store would be my best place to find unusual things?

I've also been smart enough to utilize websites for tips on "don't do that" or "hey, that's a good idea"
Thanks to The Ugly Costume Goddess.  Where one can find really, truly hideous costumes or good ideas.  It's taught me to try my hardest to avoid mistakes, like leaving too much evidence of the base materials, over or under done embellishments.

I've also learned to trust my drawing skills a little more.  It's funny to look back at some of my early doodles, that literally were stick figures with colored things on them.    I am still not the best at drawing.  But, I can now get the basic concept across if I show the doodle to a friend.

Dancing has taught me more about how creative I can be and not just with movement.  But, with drawing, coloring, sewing and much, much more.
I find ideas for costumes, everywhere I look...  From the common household trash bags to wildlife and flowers.