What I Wish I'd Known When Starting Historical Costuming + finally finishing my first costume

Eight years ago I began my historical costuming adventure with what I thought would be an easy project. Turns out I was wrong and the project sat unfinished for years... UNTIL NOW! I wanted to share what I've learned since then, things that I'm sure costuming veterans know all too well, and things I hope newbies can find useful. I also share my personal story of how I got into historical sewing and why I had so much trouble way back then. I'm so grateful to the Costube community which wasn't around when I began. I think it's an incredible resource for people who want to dabble in this hobby but whether you're a costumer, you want to start costuming, or you just like watching creative/sewing videos, I'm glad you're here! PS: Dixie Victorian says "Hi!" *** REFERENCES *** This article was very helpful in making design decisions for my work dress: https://txcwcivilian.org/homespun-dresses-statistics/ Butterick 6093 (red 1910’s dress): https://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/67494 *** PATTERNS / BOOKS *** (These are Amazon affiliate links) Butterick 5831 (Not-obviously-a-sheer dress): https://amzn.to/30V4DC5 Costume in Detail book: https://amzn.to/31P7mwf Butterick 5832 (1840s pink dress): https://amzn.to/3iIOwhf Butterick 5970 (Edwardian Dresses): https://amzn.to/2DRFIXl *** IMAGES *** Woman's Dress, Europe, circa 1865 LACMA: M.2007.211.667 https://collections.lacma.org/node/214441 Woman's Dress, Europe, circa 1855 LACMA: M.2007.211.755 https://collections.lacma.o