I worked in the theater dept while in college. I made many "interesting" costumes then including a Roman Solider outfit and one dress that took 15 yards of fabric. When my daughter was in high school I headed up the costumes for a Renaissance dinner. We had to dye and sew over 250 yards of fabric. We needed costumes for for 100 students.
When my first grandson was born my daughter wanted to use cloth diapers so I had to learn how to make them. I had no idea how pricey cloth diapers could be if you have to buy them.
I have always made all of my children and grandchildren Halloween costumes.