Among the most fun costume projects are fantasy costumes. Whether you are attending a Ren Faire, a Gaming Con, or Harry Potter Summer Camp, the illusion and excitement are greatly enhanced by dressing up.

Fantasy costumes needn't be either elaborate or expensive, although they are occasionally both. Particularly if you are going to be active or attending an event in the heat, you should keep your costume simple.

How can you achieve maximum effect without sweltering or spending the whole day worried about your clothes instead of having fun?

Start by hitting the bargain tables. Visit the clearance aisle of your local fabric shop. Find something that is washable in an appropriate weight for your project. If you can't find something in colors you like, consider dying the material. If you can't find something you adore, choose something cotton in the color family of what you want and overdye it until you get the color you want. For instance, I have turned blue into purple, pink into red, and yellow into deep, rich, burnt orange. Try mixing colors, especially if you've found something for $1 per yard. You can try a lot of color effects for not much money on $1/yard fabric. Cold dyes are especially vivid and fun to experiment with. They are more expensive to purchase than hot dyes, but if you have allergies or chemical sensitivity there is no substitute. Cold dyes give off almost no fumes when used according to the cold process. Check out the options available. Make sure you buy all necessary materials for this process so you won't be disappointed in the results.

Next, choose a simple pattern and embellish it after the garment is finished. Bog coats, T-tunics, square and round cloaks, and simple gathered chemises can create a multitude of looks. Don't overlook the toga and the good-old-fashioned poncho. Varying hem lines, trims, and embellishments such as beadwork and embroidery can get you right where you want to go without weighing you down.

My personal favorite costume for hot weather is the Bog Coat. You can create so many different looks with a bog coat- cut it closer or further to the body, do it with shorter or longer sleeves, gather in the cuffs and hems or leave them flowing free. If you want to experiment with fabric painting or tie dye, this is how you can showcase your work without leaving any scraps on the cutting room floor- bog coats use the whole yardage. Bog coats can be made in the lightest, airiest of fabrics or the thickest, puffiest fleece. You can place the seam to accent your best features. You can showcase those awesome buttons you found at a flea market and have been wondering what to do with on the closure, or you can just have fun with the embroidery stitches on your machine. Change the shape of the neckline or put a shawl collar on it. Create a fabric tie from your scraps or put on a belt. It's totally up to you. Check out pictures of bog coats I've made here! For a concise how-to on constructing a bog coat, please visit my Bog Coat page. However, I've only given you an overview of how to construct it… the exact details will vary according to how you want your finished garment to look.