You know you’re way too into your hobby when you go to college for it. Costume College is just about the coolest thing around for a sewing geek like me. Not only do they have lecture-type classes (eg overview of Regency dress), but also day-long hands-on workshops where you’ll make a corset (or some other semi-difficult item) with a teacher who knows what they’re talking about. This year I’m hoping to take period hair & makeup, Victorian mourning, Dickens caroling bonnet (hands-on workshop), and who knows what else! There’s also costume exhibits and a marketplace full of dealers selling everything from books to patterns to boning to hats to…

Costume College 2002 is July 19-21 in Van Nuys, Calif.