I am Brielle, a seamstress and costume designer who enjoys creating handmade garments and costumes for special orders.
Brielle’s Costume Company started in 2005 and has been supplying costume enthusiasts ever sense.
I have done work for reenactors, pirate impersonators, historic events, theater and customers who are simply looking for custom costumes inspired by movies.
What first made me want to become a seamstress?
My interest in costumes started when I was little girl reading historical fiction books and studying the gowns that my favorite dolls wore. I learned to sew when I was very young, but I didn’t start making costumes until I was about 13.
I made historical costumes for school projects and other events. I think I became more intrigued in costuming in 2001 with the release of the first Lord of the Rings movie. Eventually, one thing leads to another and I started making costumes to sell…and the rest they say is history.
What is my process of creating a costume….
I like to start my designs by talking with the customer about what they are wanting in their costume. Whether it is a movie inspired garment, or a custom design…I like to get all the details together, before doing a costume estimate.
Once a costume order has been placed…I will usually do a sketch of the costume, using reference images to create the inspiration for the finished garments. After that…the journey to find the fabrics begins. I prefer to shop locally at our many fabric stores so I can touch and feel the fabrics...thus, assuring I can achieve a good drape and feel to the garment.
My studio is very small little room filled with fabrics, trims and notions of all kinds. A movie poster or two may also grace the walls, as well as sketches, notes and other costume ideas…under the tables you may find boxes of dye, leathers, vintage belts and other finds.
Part of my sewing also includes dyeing fabrics and fibers to create a specific color or style. I love hand dyeing fabrics out of doors in a large kettle in my forest…makes it more interesting (and less messy) then dying fabrics over a stove top.
Once the costume is constructed I finish the hand sewing details and special accents, wrap the costume in a style suited to the garment and send it to the customer.
When I am not sewing costumes and garments, what do I do?
I love reading, drinking tea and trying new varieties and herbal blends of tea, I am a smoothie addict (my favorite are berry green smoothies) Other interests include historical costume research, swords of all kinds, Elven Archery, Long Hair Care, natural and organic foods ,trying herbal recipes and natural beauty products, wearing long skirts and leather boots, doing fantasy and theatrical makeup, …..
…….Dark Chocolate…pretty much any variety, but my favorites are the really dark organic chocolate with berries or ginger.
I also like walking outside, Going on road trips, visiting the beach…. doing a little photography, sketching and drawing a little, doing beading on fabrics…however, I guess that would still counts as sewing.
So I guess you could say I still do other things besides sewing…..but it is one of my favorite jobs/hobbies.
Thank you for reading, I hope have given you a little glimpse into my costume world….
Have a very nice day….
If you would like to contact me, please send me an e-mail by click on my "Contact Brielle" page. Thanks!
