Your Wardrobe Unlock'd

If you run your own business as a bespoke costume maker, seamstress, bridal designer or tailor, you'll know how fragile a process this business involves. People are not used to buying a product they can't yet see for a price that isn't fixed, and they tend to be nervous about it. Will they be ripped off? Will the result be what they wanted, and what if it isn't?

From your side of the equation, there are worries too. How do I know that this person will only make reasonable requests? How do I know they'll pay? How do I know that they won't ruin and try to return what I've made them?

The answer to all of these concerns is to have a good contract. (And it works especially well if you're not in business, but making something for a friend or family member.)

Costuming people you have never met can be a very frustrating project. Usually these are customers from abroad who want something very specific, such as a copy of something that is on your web site, or wedding clothes. However, with experience in this type of work and some forward planning, many of the biggest pitfalls can be avoided.

Suzi takes you through what she's learned over the years and shares her secrets to sucess!

It's All Online - Right?

Wrong, wrong, wrong. One of the biggest myths of our current era is that, "Everything is available online."

There is indeed a great deal of research you can do online. But if only rely on online sources, and particularly if you only rely on the websites created by other costumers, you are looking at a fraction of the information commonly and easily available to you.

I've always dreamed of having one of those towering 18th century wigs so when I saw that Burnley and Trowbridge in Williamsburg, Virginia was hosting an 18th Century Wigs and Make-Up workshop I jumped at the chance to go. Betty Myers, Wigmaker of Williamsburg, gave a great overview of 18th Century wigs and showed me that I too could make a beautiful 18th century wig - and if I can do it, so can you!