Mending, alterations and small construction jobs can usually be done within a week. (Depending on what else is going on.)

Custom costumes are more intensive in planning, time and energy. If you want custom costume work, it is best to work several months in advance. I can sew just about any costume made from fabric -- kids and adults. I am particularly fond of historical costumes, especially for Ren Faire and SCA. I have many costume books and patterns that we can look through. And I can custom design patterns as well. Most of my early costume work was done with out patterns.

Family legend has it that I began sewing at age four. This was particularly strange since my mother can't sew. I am supposed to have used her mending kit to make doll clothes. I can not remember a time when I didn't sew. And costumes were always my favorite thing to make. I began charging money for my sewing when I entered college. I found that I could make a steady amount from other students in the dorms. Later I began advertising. At times the business has been so successful that I had 60 hours a week worth of work and I was taking work from other shops. These days I work part time on the sewing and the rest of the time on my research, writing and teaching.