anotheranon | Essay: Why I Don't Costume For Money

Recently I was again presented with the opportunity to create some costumes for profit. This happens occasionally, usually when someone sees some of my personal creations and wants something similar for themselves, or refers me to a friend.

I find this interest extremely flattering, especially as I am still learning and have an infinite way to go! But I cannot bring myself to make things to order, and here are a few of the reasons why:

Good, Fast, or Cheap - Pick Two: I am a perfectionist when I'm working on a new project. Often that means multiple fittings and muslins, and careful tweaking and trimming on the final version. I don't think many people realize how much time it can take to do something well, especially as I have a full time job already!

I've also become acutely aware that non-home sewers (or at least, non-hardcore sewers) do not realize just how labor intensive those really posh details (like welt pockets or cut-to-measure) are or how expensive materials can be. Explaining it can be like telling a non-web developer that, no, I can't just "scan it" - there's more to it than that! Unless of course, you want something that will drape poorly and fall to pieces on the first wearing - then I can accomodate them :P
Requirements Creep: Related to the above, it describes the phenomena of adding an infinite number of tweaks to the original request. This can turn into a Never Ending Project, with lots of work and zero payoff (either monetary or psychologically).
Fear of Burnout: I worked retail and got utterly sick of the interior of shopping malls and the mere act of shopping for clothes, to the point that I prefer to shop online whenever possible. I love sewing so much I'd hate to never want to step into G Street Fabrics again, or get cranky at the sight of the L.A. fashion district. No amount of cash is worth that!
Lack of Time: As mentioned earlier, I have a full-time job, confining my sewing to nights and weekend when I'm not too braindead to sew a straight seam :P If I started making to order, I'd never get to make anything for myself, or experiment with new techniques.
Distance: Unless something is quite simple or made from a store bought pattern (preferably both), multiple fittings are needed to make even moderately tailored garments hang right and look good. Making a tailored jacket can take me up to 3 months, and I'm right here for fittings at any time.

If I tried to tailor for someone only 10 miles away, it could take forever given conflicting schedules and traffic. I can't even go into the logistics of mailing something back and forth over longer distances - the final product could take years!
Murphy's Law: I've experienced this multiple times on my own projects (the bra cups that wouldn't fit, the lapel collar that never lay just right, the corset that had to be remade because I cut, rather than punched, the lacing holes), and would hate to inflict the cost of my own errors on someone else - somehow I think they'd be a tad less forgiving :P
Lack of Follow Through: The one and only time I tried to make anything for anybody, they lost interest because I couldn't make it happen in a weekend. Granted, this was high school and she was a bit of a flake, but it left me stuck with a pile of black net and poly satin (see? Didn't want to spring for good materials either :P).

Short of delving into the murky world of written contracts and legalese, I cannot think of any means of assuring I'd get paid or that the customer wouldn't lose interest, with the "instant gratification" attitude that is everywhere these days.

For these reasons and others (that I might add on later, if I can think of them), I do not make things for outside parties unless they are 1) obnoxiously simple, or 2) I know where you live, and can get there easily ;)

However, I will cheerfully help brainstorm projects, show how to read a pattern, raid thrift stores/fabric stores looking for raw materials, find full time seamstresses, or help with layout/cutting/trimming/etc., or help someone dress. I just don't have what it takes to do it all!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think points displayed above is the reason why I admire those who can and can bother to sew. it is very obvious sewing projects takes dedication and alot of resourses like time and money. we have a Lexxian in Sweden,

zappo who is very talented and who gets the most inventive ideas. I have seen her in full Xena outfit, as sexy catwoman and she makes the most cuddly stuffed toy-Lexx. I get green out of jealousy, I can't even manage my sewing machine, we, machine and I, have full war everytime I try.

I couldn't sew to save my life. Sorry Allison, but I'm proud to say I have never owned a single sewing machine. I DO however, have needle and thread in the house, LOL!!!!

actually I'm an innocent too. my Grandmother gave me her old sewing machine at my 20:th birthday. I assume she assumed I had grown up and was about to handle a sewing machine like a grown woman.

Ah, yes -- the time-honored tradition of the passing of the sewing machine. Have you ever used it?

yep, indeed, I sewn curtains, three of them in 14 years, lol, and made minor repairs on jeans of course.

There's a time-honored tradition of passing the sewing machine? Why didn't anyone tell ME about this??

My mom is still holding two for me - old, 1960s models in their own cabinets - that she inherited from her mother but never uses. She can't ship them, so I may have to drive down there at some point to get them.

My hubby Mike is a potter - and he sells his pieces at work. So many times he's asked why he doesn't do it for a living, and his answer every time, is that it would no longer be a hobby but an obligation, and it would no longer be fun. The burnout factor would take it's toll quickly.

He loves pottery but it is a stress-reliever. To make it his occupation I think would take the joy out of it for him.

I'm the same way with my silversmithing - I couldn't imagine having to do it for a living - it takes me a long time to develop a design and get it to the production phase. I would NEVER be able to keep the pace and demand of doing it for a living.

My hubby Mike is a potter - and he sells his pieces at work. So many times he's asked why he doesn't do it for a living, and his answer every time, is that it would no longer be a hobby but an obligation, and it would no longer be fun. The burnout factor would take it's toll quickly.

Exactly. I am finding that some people cannot grasp why one would devote such time and effort to a project that will have no/minimal financial payoff, and I have to wonder if they've never had hobbies before! Money is not the point, it's the relaxation and sense of personal accomplishment!

I'd love to see y'alls work - do you have pictures?

Yes, actually we do have some piccies of Mikey's pottery. I've never loaded pics onto LJ before so will have to figure it out but will have him load a few onto his site. Will let y'all know when that happens.

You just summed up every single reason why I don't do costume for money any more. I may have to print out this list and hand it to people, just to save time...

I'm always willing to help people as much as I can--I'll help them design garb, help draft patterns, give them pointers on cutting out the pattern and sewing it together, and teach them the finner points of ironing hems and backstitching...as long as they're willing to come over to my place and/or do the actual work. But make it myself? No can do.

Except for this one guy that makes to-die-for replica Elizabethan jewelry, out of real gold, emeralds, rubies, gold, enamel, etc. He and I have an understanding. ;)

And this other guy who brews the world's best espresso stout...1 case=1 particoloured houppelande.

I'll sew for either D. (because he's here for fittings and a willing guinea pig) or my sister (seldom wants anything, and when she does it's loose fitting and easy to make). Anyone else and I find myself going down the slippery slope...

Yes, what you said, exactly! I too may print this out to explain myself easier.

Essay: Why I Don't Costume For Money

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Exactamundo!

Re: Exactamundo!

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