As a result, I was hooked. I wanted a real costume.

The next year, I planned it -- white underdress, red overdress trimmed in gold, laced up the front, with a split in the overskirt. I even made one of those circular padded headpieces. I dreamed big.

I looked like a giant red gobstopper. And my costume wasn't really all that period. I've searched out and destroyed all photographic evidence of me in that costume. But I was hooked on costuming, and I never looked back.

I won't even bore you with details on how messed up my second costume was. At least I learned!

Most of my costuming experience deals with very, very structured silhouettes, specifically those found during the English Renaissance. I've had a brief foray into the wild world of the 18th century, which was a trip. Actually, come to think of it, that quasi-18th century costume was purple too. I think I see a definite trend here. Again, we have a very structured silhouette.

I would definitely classify myself as a solidly intermediate costumer, with solidly intermediate sewing and pattern drafting skills.

But now, I face a new challenge. A new obsession calls to me.

You should know its name by now.

Fushigi Yuugi.

Within these pages I'll be chronicling my first adventures in anime costuming.