Past Board Member: Christina DeAngelo, Events Coordinator

Why costuming?  What brought you here?

My grandma taught me to sew practically as soon as I could reach the pedal. I’ve always needed to be making something, and have had many creative hobbies over the years. In college, I attended my first historical dress ball, and from there I was hooked. Down the rabbit hole I went!

What’s your costuming focus?

Understructures. Corsets, bustles, crinolines, etc. If it’s a structural piece that is meant to be worn under clothing to support and shape it, I want to build it.

Do you do anything else crafty or artistic?

I cook a lot! I also used to work for a maker space, and picked up several skills in various areas of the shop- everything from laser cutting to woodworking to vacuum forming.

What’s your day job?

I work at a school.

What was the first costume you made?  Is there a picture?

Gosh, I don’t know! I helped my Grandma make so many of my Halloween costumes. The first historical-ish costume I made as an adult was a terrible, terrible corset. It was one layer of super-shreddy home décor brocade, with thin, ragged strips of muslin for bone casings, and COAT HANGER WIRES for boning. Nope, didn’t tip them with anything, just shoved them in there, all pointy and mangled. Pretty sure I also sewed a panel on upside down; it was forever tilting waaay to the side. I was so proud of that thing!

What’s on the sewing table now?

Half a dozen UFOs, to be honest.

What was your first/most memorable costuming disaster/ learning moment?

Hahahaha so many! Who can pick just one?

Costume you’re most proud of?

I still love my 1860’s lattice ballgown, but I think my Hamilton stays are the most recent thing I’m most proud of.

What’s your holy grail costuming project?  The one you dream of doing?

I was hoping to recreate one of Empress Alexandra’s Russian court gowns this year, but I lost access to the embroidery software and machine I was planning on using. I’ll still do it eventually; it will just take lots of time!

Tell us one (or two or three) things about you that others might not know.

I can’t turn a cartwheel to save my life.

What’s your costuming Kryptonite, the thing you just can’t seem to master?

Sleeves and zippers.