Teachers for Costume College 2026!
Mary Altman (she/her)
Mary Altman has been sewing and crafting since she was 6 years old. She sews, crochets, and does all forms of needle work. She's more of a generalist than a specialist.
Grace Amundsen Barnkow (she/them)
Grace Amundsen Barnkow has been a costumer since 2020, crafting ensembles from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to the Titanic Era, primarily in the historical or history-bounding space. Her engineering background infuses a mixed-materials flair into designing patterns, molding props, and 3D printing. Specializing in extravagant hair, headdresses, and accessories, she brings a touch of whimsy to her work. Grace also makes her own fabric, from shearing her angora goats to weaving and dyeing.
Company Name: XP Farm
Social Media: instagram.com/geekwanderlust/, facebook.com/gaamundsen
Theresa Ballaine
Theresa Ballaine is a life-long sewist and lover of all things related to textiles, who recently found the costume world. She is a costume designer for a local theatre company and continues to refine her pattern drafting skills and explore new ways of creating. She is excited to be part of Costume College this year.
Company Name: TB Dimensions
Social Media: instagram.com/tbdimensions/
Cynthia Barnes (she/her)
Cynthia Barnes has made over 70 quilts, 11 of which were completely done with hand quilting. She has completed a number of historical period garments and accessories with quilted designs, reinforcements, or structural support.
Genevieve Benn (she/her)
Genevieve Benn has been costuming for several years now and is excited to share the knowledge she has picked up from both professional classes and general life experience. Whether dabbling in cosplay or historical costuming, Genevieve has helpful hints for all costumers and crafters.
Social Media: instagram.com/findthe_needle
Emily Besich (she/her)
Emily Besich is a librarian, crafter, and costumer based in Tucson, Arizona. She has been creating wearable art for over 15 years and loves to comb through estate sales and thrift stores to find unique pieces and materials. Her favorite eras are Renaissance and late Victorian.
Social Media: instagram.com/EMGBean
Barbara Bessol (she/her)
Barbara Bessol has been a professional tailor for over 10 years, a semi-professional for almost as long, and an amateur fiber artist for over 20 years. She is excited to be returning to Costume College for a second year!
Rain Bidleras (she/her)
Rain Bidleras is the Costume and Fashion Design teacher at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. She holds a BFA in Theatre Production- Costume Technology from the University of Arizona and an MFA in Costume Technology from Ohio University. Before her teaching career, Rain spent 7 years sewing costumes for Cirque du Soleil. Rain is an avid cosplayer and cosplay commissioner. Her favorite type of cosplay is mashing up well-loved characters with historical fashion and fantasy tropes.
Social Media: instagram.com/rainydaycostumes
Ana Boyer (she/her)
Ana Boyer has been costuming for 5 years and attending Costume College for 3 years. After learning so many useful skills, she’s excited to share some of her own knowledge that she’s picked up from creating historical costumes and cosplays!
Social Media: instagram.com/sewingsongstress/
Bridget Bradley-Scaife (she/her)
Bridget Bradley-Scaife started costuming at age 12 when she got involved in Renaissance Faires. Since then, she has expanded her love of costuming to all time periods, but her current focus is on the 18th and 19th Centuries. She is a member of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild, a fabric enthusiast and former buyer for Renaissance Fabrics, and now the owner of North & South Emporium (NorthSouthEmporium.com), which specializes in mid-Victorian jewelry and accessories.
Company Name: North & South Emporium
Website: etsy.com/shop/NorthSouthEmporium
Bronwen Burton (she/her)
Bronwen Burton has over 30 years experience working in the costuming industry. She has worked in all disciplines: theatre, dance, film, and opera. She has worked for professional companies and educational institutions. She was a staff cutter/draper at South Coast Repertory and at Opera Pacific before becoming the Costume Shop Manager at Fullerton College. She has a BFA in Costume Design from California Institute of the Arts. She has a wide knowledge of period pattern making and a special place in her heart for 1930s bias draping.
Company Name: Lucky DeLuxe Fabric
Website: luckydeluxefabrics.com
Laura Lowe Bower
Laura Lowe Bower has been studying and reproducing the styles of the 1920s-40s for over 20 years while swing dancing and WWII reenacting. Her experience has given her insight into the styles of the period, as well as practical knowledge of how women created and kept their style—while using vintage AND modern products. She has participated in many, many events teaching about women’s involvement in WWII including work for the History Channel, presentations on the USS Midway, at Fort MacArthur, at Fort Rosecrans and, of course, CGW.
Jane Cadieux (she/her)
Jane Cadieux has been making custom costumes under the business name Dryad's Grove for over 10 years. She is an avid textile fan and has been sewing for more than three decades. She is a member of the Queen's Court at The Renaissance Pleasure Faire and is an active member of Costumer's Guild West.
Company Name: Dryad's Grove Costumes
Social Media: facebook.com/dryadsgrove/
Amy Carpenter (she/her)
Amy Carpenter has been working in leather for about 19 years. Most recently she has been creating one-of-a-kind pieces for the entertainment industry for Netflix, Paramount Plus, Disney, and Amazon. She loves making costumes for the 16th and 19th centuries when she has time.
Company Name: Legendary Costume Works
Social Media: instagram.com/amy.jo.carpenter/
Brayton Carpenter (he/him)
Brayton Carpenter has been creating costumes since 1988. Working in a variety of materials, his portfolio covers a broad range of genres. In recent years, his focus has been soft goods and specialty costuming for the entertainment industry. His work has been featured in The Mandalorian, Tulsa King, and Fallout, to name a few.
Company Name: Legendary Costume Works
Social Media: facebook.com/legendarycostumeworks
Susie Carson (she/her)
Susie Carson is a mother of four who became interested in sewing and costuming when her daughter started acting in middle school. She loves learning new techniques and crafts, and is excited to teach at CoCo for the first time. Susie has a bachelor's in music performance, and loves exploring all aspects of music, art, and fashion. She has been sewing for about 10 years. She also performs in community theater, often making her own costumes.
Jamie Costin (she/her)
Jamie Costin is a southern California costumer who got her start in theatre. She is a member of the Motion Picture Costumers Union and regularly works in the costume department on TV shows and films. Historical costuming is her passion and she attends CGW events yearly as well as exploring various decades with her friends.
Rory Cunningham
Emmy nominated Costume Manufacturer, Rory Cunningham has been a member of the Motion Picture Consumer's Union, Local 705 for over 36 years, first at Bob Mackey's company. Five seasons of Star Trek in the 1990s and multiple films and television series later, he ended up working for the eponymous Bill Hargate Costumes Inc. where he has worked for the better part of 3 decades and became its owner in 2018.
Company Name: Bill Hargate Costumes Inc.
Website: HargateCostumes.com
Lauren Dedow (she/her)
Lauren Dedow is a scientist who needed a way to let out her creative impulses. She's this year's Teacher Liaison, which means you'll see her running around all over at Costume College keeping track of all the classes and teachers. Flag her down if you have any questions or just to say hi!
Susan Deming
Susan Deming is a costume artist, educator, and maker with a deep love for humble materials and thoughtful process. Her work focuses on transforming simple, overlooked fabrics into costumes with texture and intention. Drawing inspiration from historical techniques, visible mending, and handwork traditions, she believes creativity thrives within limitations.
Heather Dill-Tullo (she/her)
Heather Dill-Tullo has been sewing and crafting since she was a kid, but her costuming journey started in college with her first Renaissance Faire costume. What started as a necessity, has grown into a branching, 25 year passion ranging from historical and screen recreations, to leather craft and prop fabrication, to cosplay and incorporating electronics into her creations. She loves sharing her skills and knowledge with others as much as learning something new.
Betty Eck (she/her)
Betty Eck is a sewist and cosplayer from West Palm Beach. Betty has a BFA in Illustration and a masters degree in childhood education, bringing her years of hands on teaching experience to Costume College. She loves problem solving and embellishments. Betty is a competitive cosplayer having won several awards for her work and loves the community of competitive cosplayers.
Social media: instagram.com/Zlecky
Mark Edwards (he/him)
Mark Edwards is a photographer based in Los Angeles. Growing up in Virginia, he was captivated by films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Quick and the Dead, and Blade Runner. He moved to southern California in the late 90s and landed his first role working for James Cameron on Titanic, resulting in 20 wonderful years of working in post production/visual effects. Today he is a full-time photographer specializing in live events, portraits, and company branding with Pop Culture flair. In his free time he enjoys working on personal projects including classic noir and western inspired photography.
Website: markedwardsphotos.com
Bunny Ekaterinn (they/them )
Bunny Ekaterinn has been a costume enthusiast since her first disastrous role as a sheep in a school play. After years of thrifting, Bunny is interested in creative reuse and utilizing contemporary technology for historically inspired creations. Although equal-opportunity to all styles, periods, and cultures, their current passion lingers in the late-18th, late-19th, and mid-20th centuries.
Social Media: instagram.com/creaminibunny/
Catherine Esera
Catherine Esera's entry into sewing was needlework as a child. In high school, she took the leap and learned to sew on a machine. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor's in Apparel Manufacturing and Merchandising, with a specialized focus in theatrical costuming. She was a professional costumer in many capacities, including wardrobe manager, stitcher, designer, first hand, and cutter/draper. Catherine has worked in different theatrical settings including education, community theater, Shakespeare festivals, opera, regional theater, and road houses.
Company Name: Lucky DeLuxe Fabrics
Website: LuckyDeLuxeFabrics.com
Ezra Ethetton (he/them)
Ezra Ethetton is the owner and leading craftsman of Ezra October LLC, a bespoke costume shop located in Kansas City, Missouri has been rapidly growing since opening in 2022. Primarily catering to the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with neurodivergency, the whimsical storefront has become a staple of the local arts community. Ezra's background in theatre, living history, and anthropology fills his passion for the art and humanity of clothing, from outrageous ballgowns to tailored suits.
Company Name: Ezra October
Website: ezraoctober.com
Social Media: instagram.com/ezra.october
Leslie Flaggsh (she/her)
Leslie Flagg, PharmD, is a pharmacist by trade and works in sales. She received her art minor while completing her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2010. Her predominant medium is pyrography, applying her art to wood, leather and wool. She is a 4-time top sales director at a Fortune 5 company and sells her and her friend’s creations at fairs and via commission. Leslie describes herself as an amateur costume, makeup, and hair enthusiast.
Social Media: instagram.com/printburndesign/
Joy Flasher (she/her)
Joy Flasher has been sewing for about 60 years and has sewn just about everything including children's clothing, costumes, pageant dresses, day wear, bridal/formal wear, and over the past 20+ years, historical. She has also attended Costume College since 2003 and has had the pleasure of teaching in the past.
Jessica Forster (she/her)
Jessica Forster is a mechanical engineer by day, but a costumer by night. Her love of big hair, makeup, and dresses started as a toddler so it feels like she's been playing in costumes her whole life. While her sewing skills are adequate, her true love is in creating fantastical makeup looks and fabricating accessories to complement the costumes she assembles.
Liz Gerds (she/her)
Liz Gerds currently works in the Costume Shop at Loyola Marymount University. She has been fascinated by costumes and dress-up since childhood and made her first costumes in high school. She has created costumes for stage, historical reenactment, competitions, and weddings. Her professional career has included working for AlterYears, FarthingalesLA, Boss Wench, and lots of freelance work. Liz is a Past President of the CGW and has been involved with Costume College from the beginning.
Social Media: instagram.com/Lizzie.the.red
Alexei Glick (they/them)
Alexei Glick has been making costumes since 2009, getting their start in cosplay which quickly grew into a passion for historical costuming. They have built everything from assassin armor to leather pirate coats, gigot sleeves to fairy hats, and many more things in between. They are a graduate of Fullerton College's Costume Stitcher career program and currently reside in Long Beach, CA where they continue to attend conventions and collaborate on freelance costuming endeavors.
Social Media: instagram.com/asg.creations/
Kij Greenwood (she/her)
Since 1985, Kij Greenwood has worked professionally as a stitcher, cutter, draper, and designer for theater, ballet, and opera across the U.S. This includes working with Tony, Emmy, and Oscar-nominated designers, a memorable season at Clown College, and designing inflatable advertising mascots for companies like Disney, Sony, and Nickelodeon using CAD software. Now retired, she has managed the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles and remains an active and award-winning costumer with the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild and Clockwork Alchemy.
Lia Hansen (she/her)
Lia Hansen has been teaching costume and makeup design for over 25 years. It's very rewarding to see students' sense of achievement when learning new skills! Her favorite era is the 1850s and she enjoys crafts. Lia received her M.F.A. from San Diego State. She currently teaches and designs in Costa Mesa.
Maegen Hensley (she/her)
You know when you can’t shut up about all the neat things you make, the hundreds of things you plan to make, and the thousand things you will never make? That’s Maegen Hensley! She graduated with Fashion Merchandising and Design degrees from Cal State Long Beach, worked in the Fashion Industry for 8 years, and the Costuming Industry since 2014. Currently she is the Director of Asset Management at Propstore LA, was Costume College Dean in 2009 and 2019, and has been on the Costume College committee longer than her daughter has been alive.
Morgan Hoover
Morgan Hoover has been working as a sewing teacher for two years and in theme park costumes for three. Before that she has a long history of cosplaying that started at the young age of 15. They wanted to be a character for Halloween who didn't exist and confidently thought "well I can make that". 12 years later and they haven't stopped. When not making costumes for work, they create them for Ren Faires, LARPs, and many, many costume parties. Their other hobbies include crochet, video games, and D&D.
Website: piratequeencosplays.com
Lorelei Howe
Lorelei Howe is a recent graduate and previous Costume College teacher. They began sewing during the 2020 Covid lockdown tailoring thrifted clothing, but they fell in love with costuming under the careful tutelage of their sewer mom, Nancy Howe. They have been fascinated with various forms of visual art for their whole life and are particularly fascinated with color theory, both how to make color palettes, and the science behind color. They enjoy makeup, cosplay, and historical sewing, particularly the Victorian era.
Nancy Howe (she/her)
Nancy Howe has costumed in theater and cosplay for many years. She enjoys learning new skills and is curious about historically accurate costuming and fantastical cosplay.
Company Name: Bobbin and Buckle
Mela Hoyt-Heydon (she/her)
Mela Hoyt-Heydon is a union Costume Designer, who retired as Chairman of the Theatre Arts Department at Fullerton College in 2016 after 38 years and moved to Oregon in 2020. She currently makes hats and costume props for the entertainment industry, her main client being Tokyo Disney. Mela is a founding member of both Costumer's Guild West and Costume College, past President of CGW, twice Dean of Costume College, past board member of Costume Society of America, and has designed for TV, film, theater, theme parks, cruise ships, and music videos.
Company Name: Atelier Mela
Website: ateliermela.net
Social Media: instagram.com/atelier_mela_hats
Laura Hunerberg (she/her)
Laura Hunerberg has been joyfully crafting for most of her life. Starting young with elaborate handmade Halloween costumes and intricate school projects, Laura currently focuses on yarn arts including crochet and embroidery. A data analyst by trade, she loves the creativity that crafting encourages and the communities it creates.
Cheryl Hutchins (she/her)
Cheryl Hutchins is a Masters-level competitive cosplayer and historical hobby costumer based out of Tucson, AZ. With over 25 years of sewing experience, Cheryl has expanded her skills to include foamwork, leatherwork, chainmail, and more. Her passion for crafting makes her excited to continually delve deeper in the world of cosplay and historical costuming.
Social Media: instagram.com/cryptid_craft
Lalena Hutton (she/her)
Lalena Hutton currently works as a theater costume technician as a cutter/draper, but she is also active as a historical costumer and a reenactor. She has trained in Couture and Tailoring construction techniques and loves to share her knowledge on the Thimble And Plume YouTube Channel.
Company Name: Thimble and Plume
Website: ThimbleandPlume.com
Sara Curran Ice (she/her)
Sara Curran Ice is an Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of New Mexico. She holds a BA from Illinois State University and an MFA from the University of California, Irvine. A member of IATSE Locals 705 and 480, she has designed and worked in film, television, and theatre with companies including The Pasadena Playhouse, Black Hills Playhouse, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. She is an active member of USITT, serving as National Co-Chair of Posters.
Website: saraicedesigns.com
Social Media: instagram.com/saraicedesigns
Isa Iglesias (she/her)
Isa Iglesias is a lifelong history lover who never let go of her childhood dream- becoming a history teacher. During the pandemic, that dream became real when she stepped in for a missing instructor during a history course. Through studying history and falling in love with black-and-white films and silent cinema, she discovered historic fashion and began recreating era-accurate looks with whatever she had at home, later building an antique and vintage collection. Based in San Francisco, she works in tech and proudly embraces her Mexican roots.
Social Media: instagram.com/historychabe; facebook.com/historychabe
Shelly Jackson (she/her)
Shelly Jackson is a buckram and wire milliner from Reno, NV. She has been sewing all her life and after making hats for a historical fashion show over a decade ago, she fell in love with the medium.
Company Name: Clockwork Monster Millinery
Social Media: facebook.com/clockworkmonster
Kris Ferraro (she/her/them/them)
Kris Ferraro has been a member of the Denver Cosplay Community for over 20 years and the Resident Costume Designer and Instructor for Red Rocks Community College for a decade, where they teach everything from garment construction to draping. Their years of teaching and stage costume design have grown their personal sewing practice into one of curiosity and experimentation, as well as that of textbooks and research. The foundation of their formal training was completed at Emily Griffith Technical College's Professional Sewing program.
Cindy Joy (she/her)
Cindy Joy began sewing at her mother's feet before kindergarten and began altering patterns by ten. By 18, she started delving into the world of historical costume and began drafting costume patterns. She later studied Fashion Design, deepening her design, patterning, fitting, and construction knowledge further. She enjoys research more than might be considered healthy and sharing knowledge brings her great joy. While she's a first time Costume College teacher, she has taught at many other venues and loves passing on arcane knowledge to others.
Company Name: Madame Huffen-Bustle's Steam Couture
Website: HuffenBustle.com
Lisa Juarez (she/her)
Lisa Juarez caught the costume bug in her teens, and hasn't looked back! Her formal background in Design & Art History adds artistic flair to her creations, and she likes helping others develop their ideas. Past projects have included dance costumes, tents, home furnishings and Cavalier-period garments. An LA local, she's haunted the downtown fabric district since the 1980s, and scrounged in thrift stores and flea markets for hidden gems to incorporate into costumes. Now retired, she's particularly focusing on the Elizabethan era.
Kristen Kaufman (she/her)
Kristen Kauman has been sewing for over 35 years, with more than 20 years dedicated to creating historically accurate clothing. Her work focuses on traditional construction techniques, appropriate materials, and the practical use of period garments. For over a decade, she has participated in historical reenactments, gaining firsthand experience with clothing in lived, working environments rather than only in theory. Her teaching style emphasizes craftsmanship, historical understanding, and confidence-building skills.
Courtney Kelly (she/her)
When Courtney Kelly is not diving into increasingly obscure forms of fiber arts, she can be found teaching history, reading for the Queerest Little Bookclub that she runs, and writing and publishing poetry as a member of the Spoken Views Collective. She focuses primarily on historical costuming with an emphasis on textile creation through knitting, weaving, crochet, and more in a myriad of different ways. This will be her third year teaching at Costume College and she can't wait!
Thermo AZ (she/her)
Thermo is a costume enthusiast with over a decade of crafting under her belt. She enjoys getting creative with special effects makeup, tailoring complicated patterns to meet her needs, painting elaborate designs on clothing, and experimenting with new makeup techniques. She is a CyberSecurity guru by day and a cosmaker by night. Thermo is excited to present her techniques, ideas, and tricks/tips at Costume College!
Company Name: ThermoAZ
Website: instructables.com/member/ThermoAZ/
Lana Lily
Lana Lily is a lover of history with a passion for historical sewing techniques. With a degree in Fashion Design from FIDM and more than 30 years experience as a historical reenactor she combines modern and historical techniques to create a unique approach to both historical and modern clothing creation. Lana found a love for teaching at Costume College and had the honor of being Dean of Costume College 2007.
Website: lanalily.com
Aries Limon (she/they)
Aries Limon is a costume technician, with a focus on tailoring, based in Los Angeles, California. She has been working in costuming since 2009 and most recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with an MFA in Costume Technology. Her thesis focused on the history and cultural significance of the traje de charro, an iconic garment in Mexican history. Her work reflects a technician who values learning from others, sharing her own knowledge, and doesn't shy away from imperfections as part of the process.
Website: arieslimon.com/
Social Media: instagram.com/lasastraries/
Sarah Magnuson (she/her)
Sarah Magnuson of Sereblade Creations is a designer out of Tucson Arizona who delights in using elements of her favorite characters and stories to create unique couture garments. She loves using small details to bring a garment to life and tell a story. She believes sewing is for everyone, and enjoys both being the teacher and the student.She is also a complete and utter goofball who is more likely to be found being silly than serious, and loves to make people laugh.
Website: sarahsk8tergirl.wixsite.com/serebladecreations-1
Social Media: instagram.com/serebladecreations/, facebook.com/SerebladeCosplay
Sandy Manning
Sandy Manning has been involved with costuming since she was 15 years old and had to make her own costumes as a performer in "Bye Bye Birdie". Since then she has expanded into historical, sci-fi, and more.
Leanna Marden (she/her)
Leanna Marden is a creative who loves to try new things. Her many jobs have included teaching sewing classes, rhinestoning couture gowns, making bricks by hand, and creating silver jewelry. Right now, she works in Tarpley's at Colonial Williamsburg, helping visitors look their best in 18th century clothing.
Company Name: Sign of The Orange Tabby
Website: signoftheorangetabby.com/
Social Media: instagram.com/SignOfTheOrangeTabby
Emilee Shield (she/her)
Emilee, also known as @OurShieldMaiden, is a PNW artist. Her work as an activist and advocate within the cosplay world touches on reclaiming narratives, civic engagement, and youth involvement. Her cosplay of Angelica from the Tony-winning musical Hamilton was retweeted by Hamilton the Musical's social media accounts, and her creativity for reused and recycled materials inspires generations worldwide. Emilee's cosplay work has been featured in Insider Magazine, Cosplay Central Magazine, Good Housekeeping Magazine, and Netflix.
Social Media: instagram.com/ourshieldmaiden
Ed Morlan (he/himEd)
Morlan costumed without realizing it, designing and sewing his own gear for military trainings before finding himself on the occasional movie set where he met a group of guys who got him to a civil war reenactment event in the early 2000s. He's honed his leather skills and now enjoys teaching at various cons to pass on his knowledge. Ed is a civil war reenactor, 13th century longbow archer, Rev War Longhunter, and dabbles in Roman, Greek, WW2 Navy, fantasy, and Sci-Fi and has even entered some costume competitions.
Jennifer Mulvey (she/her)
Jennifer Mulvey has been a part of the costuming hobby for a long time, dabbling in all facets of costuming. She has been involved in running cons, being on boards, teaching at various cons, and has entered into a few costume competitions along the way. Jennifer loves costumes from historical to fantasy to Anime. Costuming and Cosplay is a big part of Jennifer's life and she loves meeting new people and finding out what they love about the hobby. She takes pride in making perfectly imperfect creations and would love to know what's next on your list too!
Irene Murray (she/her)
Irene Murray has been making costumes for herself since the early 1970s. She spent 36 years in the San Francisco Opera Costume Department as a women's draper, retiring in 2022.
Sabrina Nelson (she/her)
Sabrina Nelson is a lifelong maker, fiber artist, and crafter. She not only makes historically inspired costumes and the occasional Marvel mashup, she also makes hats, bags, and costume props. She began sewing at age 5 for her Barbie doll, and at age 18, and 4' 10" and curvy, she realized she'd have to advance her skills in order to wear anything, since off-the rack plus-petite clothing that is fashionable, sustainable, and well made is a challenge to find.
Company Name: Sabrina Costumes
Website: sabrinacostumes.com
Edel Nevins (they/them)
Edel Nevins has been sewing and crafting for 10 years. They hold a B.F.A in Costume Design and technology. Though they are currently pursuing a nursing degree, they find plenty of time to sew, tat, embroider, and even pick up a new hobby, because you can never have too many.
Carmilla Noyes (they/them)
Carmilla Noyes has been sewing for 10 years, and making historical clothing for 4 years, primarily focusing on the late Victorian era. Carmilla volunteers at the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum as a tour guide. They specialize in Victorian mourning, poisons, and historical fashion. They have taken sewing classes at OCC and done costuming for community theater. They currently live in Orange County.
Christienne Palmieri (she/her)
Christienne Palmieri has been teaching needle arts for over 35 years, sharing her passion for sewing, embroidery, beadwork, and garment construction with students of all ages. Sewing by seven and stitching her first costume at eleven, she always dreamed of making fashion her life’s work. After a successful corporate accounting career, she earned her Fashion Design degree from FIDM while raising kids, returning to her creative roots. A devoted Costume College volunteer and historical costumer, Christienne delights most in watching students gain confidence and skill. Her greatest joy is helping others discover they can create more than they ever imagined.
Joanne Paull (she/her)
A hobby sewist, Joanne Paull has been her family’s costumer for over 3 decades, creating complete ensembles for Medieval, Renaissance, Georgian, Regency, and Victorian eras. Fullerton College’s Theater Arts Department and 25 years of Costume College have vastly expanded her knowledge of techniques, tricks, and historical methods. Altering commercial patterns, draping, drafting, books, internet research- no stone goes unturned! Her most recent deep dive is into 1420s England for Henry V’s court.
Trevon Powell (he/him)
Trevon Powell is a historical costumer and musical theatre performer! He primarily works in the Victorian and Edwardian periods, when it comes to costume work. He partners with local museums in Arizona to provide models and interpretation work. He's excited to be back at Costume College!
Company Name: SirDressMaker
Social Media: instagram.com/SirDressMaker; tiktok.com/@SirDressMaker
Alia Pyatt (she/her)
Alia, AKA MagicalBlackGirl Alia, is a cosplayer and content creator. She’s been in the business for 12 years and has since become known for her fantasy content, Fashion facts with Alia, and her role as Cinnabon in the Fast Food House.
Social Media: Instagram.com/magicalblackgirlalia
Kim Ramirez (she/herKim)
Ramirez is the founder of Saisei Apparel and a national speaker on Japanese textiles and culture. She lectures at universities, colleges, and conventions across the country. Her work celebrates the artistry of traditional kimono and obi, and her upcoming book, The Symbology of Japanese Textiles, continues her mission to honor history through modern design.
Company Name: Saisei Apparel
Website: saiseiapparel.com/
Soccial Media @saiseiapparel
Laura Raynes (she/her)
Laura Raynes has been knitting for 15 years and sewing for 6. She loves to make 1940s inspired garments and casual clothing. She's passionate about sharing what she has learned to help others create garments that fit better (and are more unique) than anything one could find off the rack.
Sharon Raynes (she/her)
Sharon Raynes has been crocheting for about 2 years. She is an OC County Fair division and 1st place winner for crochet in the Chemo Cap division. She loves making toys and hats for kids to give away at Halloween.
Renee Reavis (she/her) Renee Reavis is an engineer and avid crafter from the Bay Area, who enjoys sewing, cross stitch, and prop making. She has been sewing for over 20 years for both costuming and garment construction, with an increasing focus on making well fitting garments. She could not possibly pick a favorite historical period for costuming.
Jen Rosser (she/her)
Jen Rosser is a self-taught seamstress and embroidery designer who found a love of costume and cosplay at an early age. She is meticulous about the details in her costumes, often going to extreme lengths to make her film-inspired costumes as screen accurate as possible. Her Etsy shop, JennyRoseSews, has over 2,000 sales specializing in machine embroidery, cricut designs, and PDF cross stitch patterns. When she's not working or sewing, she's playing Baldur's Gate 3 and watching Star Trek with her husband and dog.
Company Name: JennyRoseSews
Website: etsy.com/shop/JennyRoseSews
Andrea Ruiz (she/her)
Andrea Ruiz is a seasoned seamstress and crafter with over 25 years of experience in sewing, costuming, and historical reenactment, notably at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. She enjoys creating innovative looks across styles from Renaissance to Cyberpunk, with a special passion for steampunk. Known as Captain Azzar, Matrix of Logistics, she advocates for inclusiveness and has helped create spaces like the Tea Scouts and Steampunk CommuniTea, promoting diversity in events.
Rebecca Russell (she/her)
Rebecca A. Russell is a historical fashion designer, vintage pattern preservationist, researcher, and writer focused on 19th and early 20th century dress. Her work examines clothing as material culture and social language, with particular interest in how garments communicated status, labor, and belonging. She draws on archival research and construction analysis in her teaching and practice.
Company Name: BeespokeVintage
Website: beespokevintage.com
Russell (she/her)
Russell makes things. Her abode has at least one project on every horizontal surface, and she wants to inflict that insanity on you. She has been sewing historic costumes for 20 years in noble pursuit of a proper fit.
Hastings Sanderson (she/her)
Hastings Sanderson has been costuming for close to 35 years, starting in repertoire theater at the Utah Shakespearean Festival while in college and then moving into the world of medieval and Renaissance historical reenactment. She is a PADI certified mermaid and a passionate researcher of 16th century embroidery pattern books.
Company Name: Modelbuch Muse
Website: modelbuch.com
Social Media: facebook.com/modelbuchmuse; youtube.com/@modelbuchmuse1384
Donna Scarfe (she/her)
Donna Scarfe has attended Costume College since 1996 and has been teaching since 1998. She specializes in Renaissance millinery, but works with all periods including contemporary fashion hats. She took two short courses in England to hone her skills and believes you can never have too many feathers! She travels the Midwest Faires vending as Fyne Hats By Felicity and also sells through her Etsy shop. Donna is also a professional actress and ASL interpreter.
Company Name: Fyne Hats By Felicity
Websites: fynehatsbyfelicity.com, etsy.com/shop/fynehatsbyfelicity
Catherine Scholar (she/her)
Catherine Scholar read "Little House on the Prairie" at age 5 and has been obsessed with historic clothing ever since. She learned to sew at her mother's knee and to embroider at her grandmother's. Catherine served on the board of the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild for 10 years. She has studied fashion design and enjoys working from period dressmaking guides. Catherine has taught many costuming workshops for GBACG, Lacis, Renaissance Fabrics, Costume On, Costume Skills Institute, and Costume College.
Rebecca Shedd (she/her)
Rebecca Shedd’s journey in costuming spans 24 years. She knew she had found her passion and her people the moment she stepped into her first Renaissance Faire. From there, she has expanded her interest to include late 18th century, 19th century, and early 20th century fashion, as well as a smattering of cosplay. Beginning with her first sewing lesson from her mom, there’s been no stopping her quest for sewing knowledge. She is excited to share some of what she has learned.
Website: rebeccashedd.com
Elise Sigley (she/her)
Elise Sigley is a self described ‘journey woman seamstress’. She loves historical costume, but can't stay away from all the pop culture conventions and thus has a habit of marrying the two to specialize in historical cosplay. As the head of her cosplay group, Tteatime Productions, she’s won best in show at Denver Pop Culture Con in 2016
Caroline Smeby (she/her)
Caroline Smeby has been costuming since 2003, specializing in anime and video game design, with recent expansion into historical costuming. She is ranked at the master level in competition and is known for exceptional attention to detail. Passionate about craftsmanship and community, Caroline loves helping others learn, grow creatively, and refine their artistic and sewing skills.
Social Media: instagram.com/midnight-rocket
Stacia Smith-Alexander (she/her)
Stacia Smith-Alexander is the University of New Mexico's costume shop supervisor, teaching technical costume courses. She is experienced in costume design for dance, millinery, and CLO 3D pattern-making. In 2019, she received an artist residency, The Creative Gesture; Designing for Dance, at the BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada. Stacia has designed flamenco costumes for notable choreographers which have been showcased at Jacob's Pillow Festival and has worked for online designer "4KINSHIP" and is a member of IATSE Local 480.
Linda Sparks (she/her)
Linda Sparks is the owner of Farthingales Corset Making Supplies out of Canada. She's owned and run the company for over 25 years. We stock over 20 qualities of boning! Linda has taught over 300 people how to make corsets and wrote the book "The Basics of Corset Building"
Company Name: Farthingales Corset Making Supplies
Website: farthingales.com
Kellie Springer (she/her)
Avid costumer, Steampunk and gamer.
Persi Tam (they/them)
Persi Tam is a multidisciplinary maker and historical costumer who loves the moment an idea becomes something you can wear. They started out in cosplay and the SCA and stayed for the challenge: give them a theme, budget, and constraints, and they’re happy. Persi enjoys deep research and making costuming spaces less colonized and more inclusive. Their favorite checky particolor cotehardie has a saga of mistakes, hand finishing, and community. Outside of costuming, they’re a dancer, singer, theatre kid and mutual aid organizer.
Social Media: @persiktam
Laura Tan (she/her)
Laura Tan, PT, DPT graduated with a doctorate of physical therapy in 2015. Laura has been working in outpatient orthopedics and started working with an interdisciplinary chronic pain program in 2019. While she dreamed of sewing during grad school, she was able to realize her dream of learning garment sewing once she settled into her career. After enduring the various aches and pain of crafting, she has combined her professional and creative pursuits to share with her fellow costumers to help them continue to achieve their costuming fantasies.
Asha Taylor
Asha Taylor is a friendly neighborhood, fabric-hoarding costume dragon who has been dabbling in costuming for the last 15 years. Their work is currently largely influenced by fantasy and Faire, though they have also explored historical costuming along the way. Asha hopes their creations will inspire those new to sewing and costuming, especially since they are still learning and growing themselves, as well as offer fresh perspectives to seasoned veterans of the craft.
Dianna Taylor (she/her)
Dianna Taylor is a crafter, nerd, cosplayer, and convention enthusiast. She has been performing, costuming, and styling hair for her vintage dance troupe since 2015.
Sovial Media: instagram.com/ladyofthedi; instagram.com/lilyvonlindy_acb
Lois Taylor (she/her)
Lois Taylor has been a crafting and costuming enthusiast for many years, and has worked extensively on costumes for dozens of community theater projects. She has knitted and crocheted many a beautiful blanket, sweater, and hat. She is recently retired and able to indulge in all the creative projects that she didn't have time to do while working!
Megan Terry (she/her)
Megan Terry makes her living as a writer and editor, but has been costuming as a hobby for 17 years and sewing for even longer. Her costuming journey began in the world of cosplay, and in college, she began making fantasy-inspired clothing to wear in everyday life. From there she expanded into historical costuming and she's more recently taken on fiber arts such as knitting and nalbinding.
Feather Tippetts (she/her)
Feather Tippetts is a premier award-winning historical costumer. Her work has been displayed in museums in Washington, D.C. and California. She is the owner and principal designer of Grand Gestures Historical Costume. Frequently called upon as a speaker and consultant on historical clothing, Feather brings a wealth of research and experience to her programs and workshops on historical costume. She is based in Southern California and is looking forward to teaching at Costume College again.
Company Name: Grand Gestures Historical Costume
Krystyn Tsagarkis (she/her)
Krystyn Tsagarakis is a passionate artist and dance instructor with a love for handmade creations. Her sewing journey began with a high school Halloween costume and was rekindled during the pandemic. Self-taught in every skill, she learned to knit in 2016 and was captivated by the physics of the craft. A lifelong learner, Krystyn delights in exploring new techniques and sharing her knowledge. She finds joy in teaching, inspiring students to discover their creativity and create unique, beautiful pieces that reflect their individuality
Company Name: A Witch in the Woods
Social Medial: instagram.com/a.witch.in.the.woods
Arielle Walker (she/her)
Arielle Walker works as a stitcher, dresser, and craftsperson in professional theater costume shops around the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Along with her degree in Fashion Design and 13 years of sewing experience, Arielle is a continuous explorer of artistic mediums.
Social Media: instagram.com/theoffbrandprincess/
Bree Wardlow (she/her)
From Renaissance to rockets Bree Wardlow has built so many things! Beginning with faire costumes, then outdoor gear at Patagonia, Bree enrolled at Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Earning an Accessories Design degree, she designed and made shoes, handbags, hats and more. A self taught corsettierre and burlesque performer, Bree adores creating historical costumes, especially the 18th century. She worked in aerospace, manufacturing spacesuits for several years. Bree now teaches sewing online, hosting zoom sewcials and craft events. She brings her passion for sewing and costuming to Costume College, where she loves to be a student, and a teacher!
Company Name: Sew Your Dreams With Bree
Website: SewYourDreamsWithBree.com
Jeannine Wayman (she/her)
Jeannine Wayman learned how to sew at the age of 10. She hated sewing until turning to quilting in her 30s. She currently teaches Interior Design & Fashion and Advanced Fashion Design & Construction in a California high school. One of the most important things about being a teacher is to encourage and support students in discovering a new art form and having fun. You can see some of her work on her blog [email protected]
Company Name: Jnine costumes
Website: [email protected]
Madame Askew (she/her) When Madame Askew is not preoccupied with tea, she operates a small atelier where she creates fanciful and charming bespoke garments, underpinnings, and hats for discerning time travelers. She is also quite delighted to teach sewing workshops and to host regular live sewing teatorials and sew-alongs in her virtual tea parlour. Whilst Madame has lost all sense of time spent within her workshop between time traveling adventures, she is most certain that it has been less than a century, but more than a minute.
Website: madameaskew.com/
Danielle Williams (she/her)
Danielle Williams has been telling stories her entire life and now tells stories through clothing and costumes. She lives on the Gulf Coast in the land of Mardi Gras and Southern Gothic, and has recently combined her theater background and costume experience to perform as an AFAB drag queen. During the day she has a business doing alterations and creating costumes for customers, but her favorite hobby is hunting exotic fabrics whose descriptions sound like a Mad Lib.
Company Name: 3 Muses Costumes and Alterations
Social Media: instagram.com/msjackcreates; instagram.com/reddhottkandiey
Dave Wilson (he/him)
Dave Wilson's first Costume College was a year after his lady went in 1996, he's been coming ever since. Most often he teaches "How to make hat boxes".
Wolfcat (she/her)
Wolfcat has been involved in fandom since the mid-80s. She's been called "the-7-costumes-a-day-girl", and enjoys a variety of types of costuming, from historical or media reproductions, anime, fantastical fae, individual whim, even visual puns. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, she loves wearing fun things and will cheerfully give purring hugs or talk about costuming, gaming, food, and all other things relating to her fandom flavors, unless she's dancing or reading. Interrupt those at your own risk!
Kathryn Wolters (she/her)
Kathryn Wolters has been a confirmed historical costume, jewelry, textiles, and embroidery nerd, since the age of 9, when she dressed her Barbie doll in early Minoan dress. Since then, she has spent the last 50 years working with various historically minded costuming groups. The words 'Lifetime Addictions' come to mind.
Company Name: Country Countess
Social Media: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054674220160
Laura Wong (she/her)
Laura Wong is a licensed kimono dresser as well as the owner of BORO BORO, which is a Los Angeles based textile shop specializing in vintage Japanese textiles, kimono, and upcycled products made from vintage kimono fabrics. She also teaches on a variety of related subjects, ranging from lectures on kimono history to hands on workshops in sashiko and patchwork mending. In addition to her textile work, she has spent the last 15 years as a union costumer in the film industry.
Company Name: BORO BORO
Website: shopboroboro.com
Erin Woodward (she/her)
Erin Woodward has been sewing, crafting, and costuming for over 50 years. Her costuming focus is 19th century and Disney bounding. She enjoys all types of textile arts, especially quilting and crochet and hopes to take up spinning and weaving soon.
Evaine Young
Mina Zubia (they/them)
Mina Zubia, Cosplaytology, has been a cosplayer for 18+ years and is a licensed Cosmetologist with a specialty in wigs, having worked in creating wigs for film, theatre, and of course cosplay! In addition, Mina likes to take on the extra challenge of rescuing wigs in need of help at conventions with the business, At Con Salon, offering wig services on the spot.
Company Name: At Con Salon
Website: linktr.ee/cosplaytology
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