Thread: Why do You Make your Costumes?

I’ve seen many beautiful handmade costumes created by the dancers who wear them online and in real life, but it is fun to find out what drives people to make their own costumes. So, why do you make your costumes?

Personally, I started making mine in hopes for getting a better fit and the cost of supplies is cheaper than a readymade costume. I still make my costumes because I feel like I really “own” my costumes. (I also suffer from sewing-amnesia where I forget how much pain and suffering goes into a costume until I'm started on a new project and it's too late to quit.)

Because I can.

Because I didn't have enough cash when I started dancing.

Because I like the challenge.

Because I make a lot of stuff, period (knitting objects and wearables, sewing handbags-housestuffs-clothing-clothing embellishments, figure drawings, embroidery, crazy quilts...)

Because I can make sure it fits.

Because I am cheap! CHEAP!

Because my taste is not always catered to.

Because I can.

Also a big factor is having a costume that doesn't look like it came from a factory - something unique!

Because I can and because like my music that I choose I want to be the ONLY one with that costume.

oh yah, oaak/handmade/last century cossies rock, especially when I can buy them without making them from scratch. When I finish my projects, I'm making one.

when I started, because I didn't have the money or opportunity to buy a costume.

After dicovering the internet, it was because I wanted to make something creative and different.

Now that I have the money, I found out that I need a skirt length that is not easy to obtain. Now I make stuff to make it fit!

If you make your own costumes, they're one of a kind originals. You never have to worry about another dancer wearing the same costume at the same event that you're dancing at.

When I first started, I had no money, so I would make my own. I also did Tribal, which has a strong DIY vibe. Now, for the most part, I buy my costumes. But I still make a lot of accessories, like jewelry, headpieces, and fancy chiffon tops to match. It makes my costumes more individual, and gives me more of an emotional link to them.

Because I have big boobs. And I'm not a fan of cleavage...look at my dancing not my jiggling!

Because I had a special idea in my mind how the costume of my dreams should look like and I didn't have the cash to order it from a designer.

After I found out what I can sew myself and what I can't (I'm good in doing bra-belt sets but loose patience when it comes to beading a stretchy-flexible skirt directly) I now make costumes to fill up my wardrobe, especially for restaurant dancing (so I have something unique but nottoo expensive like a designer cossy).

I enjoy redoing vintage costumes. Echoing others, this way the bras fit. Also, sometimes the hand work of beading is a nice, soothing activity. And after writing multiple papers, or getting stuck on one, it can be very zen.

{{{HUGS}}}

Cost and fit.

I do enjoy being able to get things that are partly done and add to them, like I've done with my latest costume which is a silver bedleh and skirt and sleeves repurposed from a dress. I don't like machine sewing so I'd rather just embellish by hand!

Very cool answers! I can relate to a lot of these reasons. Keep sharing!

Originally Posted by RaqOn

Because I have big boobs. And I'm not a fan of cleavage...look at my dancing not my jiggling!

:thumbs_up: ..l;,


i make mine because they will be more durable and better craftsmanship than anything i can afford right now. and because, similar to Sha-ri when i get an idea for one i can become quite fixated on it looking just like i imagine it, and nothing i can find ready made will be close enough

sizesizesizesizesizesize and what Ozma said.

Because I'm insane! hehe

My original purpose for making my own costumes was to save money. But once I finished my first hand-beaded costume, I realized that the process was sort of addictive.

I'm a graphic artist by trade, and a fine artist at heart, so making my own costumes taps into my creative urges.

Originally Posted by ozma

Because I can.

Because I didn't have enough cash when I started dancing.

Because I like the challenge.

Because I make a lot of stuff, period (knitting objects and wearables, sewing handbags-housestuffs-clothing-clothing embellishments, figure drawings, embroidery, crazy quilts...)

Because I can make sure it fits.

Because I am cheap! CHEAP!

Because my taste is not always catered to.

Because I can.

I agree with all of it..

Actually agree with all of you :)

Originally Posted by lunascura

Because I'm insane!

I think that's the prerequisite!

I'm a plus-sized dancer. In normal life, I don't shop for stuff that fits in stores, because they don't have my size, and if they do ... well, my tastes will never match what's in style, LOL.

In belly dance, I knew I was making it myself if I wanted anything different. And I do. One of my favorite sayings is "Be reasonable, do it my way." And I loved working through the creation and embellishment. Esp. the embellishment.

I don't know if I saved $ making my first costume by myself, and I did spend a lot of time and brain power, but I'm happy with it.

Because it's a challenge!!! Plus it's nice to have a one of a kind costume that nobody else has... It's very rewarding when you're wearing a costume made by you and people go "Woww, that's beautiful..."

Because it gives me something to do when I zone out in front of the tv.

Because fabric shopping is fun fun FUN!

Because I'm a magpie and drawn to beads of all sorts of shades, colors and sizes.

Because sometimes I don't understand the pricing of ready made costumes.

Because when someone compliements my costume and I made it I feel extra special proud.

Because there are costumes out there waiting to be loved/fixed and worn out in public.

Because I knit, sew, spin my own yarn, crochet, paint and draw and for some reason I felt like I needed another crafty hobby.

I do it, because
I can't find what I want ready made. I'm too cheap to pay some one to make something for me.
I know it will fit.
It's a one of a kind item.
It gives me a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that I made it.

-First it was because I needed a costume and couldn't afforth something I liked
-Then it was to get something that really fit and flatter my figures (big boobs cleaveage problem also)
-Then was to get a custom fitting with a good finishing...and color I wanted, when I have a design in my mind, no-one can change this
-I was a hockey widow 6 days a week, needed to do do something at home
-Got crazy in fabric store... While buying accessories for one project, discovered some to create new projects, too much fabric bought had to do projects with all these fabrics Downward spiral...

Theoretically, I make my cossies bc I wanted to save money, get a better fit & find something with a bit more coverage than most stuff out there.

Thing is, I usually spend more than I would have buying a cossie, especially if you take time into account.

I have to admit it is because I am a fabric addict & need something to do with all the bins of fabric that live at my house. This is also why I have enough cossies to wear something different to every gig I get in a year, tho I usually don't, but I couldn't get *rid* of any of them, they're my babies! (& who would they fit, anyway?)

Originally Posted by RaqOn

Because I have big boobs. And I'm not a fan of cleavage...look at my dancing not my jiggling!

LOL! Me too, it is either home make or custom order designer bras.