My obsession with costuming started out in fifth grade when I made my fist costume - Laura Ingalls Wilder from little house on the prairie. Now, I had no sewing experience, had never touched a sewing machine, did not know what cotton was, and had no idea how to sew. So, my first costume, I just cut out the cloth and my mom helped *(a.k.a. did most of) the sewing. My costume was awsome and everyone loved it. The only thing I don't like about it now is that it was really loose and big on me.
My second costume was Arwen from Lord of the Rings. I made her chase outfit. One thing, it didn't really look like it. I mean, the bodice was alright, but not accurate. But the rest of it looked like Arwen's Farewell gown. Oh well. If I had pictures I would show you. I took that costume apart a while ago and turned it into a formal gown.
Now, my third costume. This is so far the most accurate Lord of the Rings costume I ended up making becasue I was determined to make it come out right. I made Eowyn's shieldmaiden costume. I only have two pictures of it, before I totally destroyed the vest. From far away it looked good, but close up, you could see where the velvet I had used was starting to tear. I made the mistake of cutting it too short the night before halloween celebration in school and had to sew on three inches of embroidery cloth stuff. It was an absolute disaster, but i covered it up and no one noticed it :).
Now, I am currently working on a Civil War Ball Gown. Made the corset, finished the crinoline, and finally started the skirt. The first draft of the bodice was a complete disaster. I had never worked with boning before. I had gotten so excited when I first started, that I put the boning in before I actually fit the bodice. Seriously wrong idea....So I have to start the bodice over again.