I'm 16 and I have no money for big costumes XD
so only a few smaller ones for me in a year <3
But as a beginner I think it's not bad starting with small ones /D

I alwys choose the HARD way x)
Even what seems simple become a long work for me

I always try to find the right fabric, a natural one, I always try to do things in the realistic way, and when it refer to history... Being as near to the historical truth as possible.
And armor have to be armor, as weapons... so : metal & leather o/
(I also do a lot of research about the character and try to "become" him as much as possible : training for fighters, learn how to use a gun... things like that ^^" sometime it's really difficult but anyway I try o/ )

I do a lot of small costumes and a few 'bigger' ones. Most of the time I just love to sew something not to complicated and have a fun shooting day with my friends, but sometimes I want to challenge myself a little.
But if I had to choose between the two extremes I'd probably go for the smaller ones as there are just so many characters I want to do |D

I make a mixture, but I think it really depends on your definition of big or small costumes ^-^

I still try to have some experience with several fabrics and techincs, try to practice with them, that's why I'm in the 1-2 big (for me ) and a few smaller outfit. (I started 1 year ago ) but I think In the future i'll do the same. It's good to work on something big and amazing, but sometimes they are not that comfortable than it looks, and it's better to have some times smaller outfits to fool around with friends ^^
And another reason: Some of the characters what i choose are personal favorite for me and for friends (like Poison from SF ). I like to see my friends smile ^^
And another good reason time and wallet, I hate to make my wallett sad

I try to get at least one big costume done a year for the local competitions here. One year I might get up to two, haha. So far next year I'm planning on entering at two events, so hopefully I can get two done (:

I also do a few smaller ones for the non-comp days, but I've been quite lazy this year. Plus I'd rather have one fully complete one than three half made ones, which is usually the case ):

I make few costumes each year, this year (2013) I'm planing to make at least two, One big (Anti-Sora from scratch) and a smaller for Jack Frost (Both versons if I have time) and are one the planing stage for another big one, but that one will probably not be finnished untill summer 2014

few big ones and some smaller ones. I guess money is the main problem here.. oh and time. Also, if I wasn't so lazy, i think I could have made more complicated costumes. XD Having a bigger costume is awesome but also tiresome. It's pretty nice to have a simple and easy costume if you want to feel comfy. Like I was in my Link Ocarina of Time costume \o/ It won't be the same with the chainmail though XD

Few big and more smaller for obvous buget reasons >3< Also it's nice to wear a big costume for a con, but everybody needs some chill with a more simple and comfy outfit ^3^

Up till now I've never chosen to do big costumes. I want to though, and next year will probably be the first for me. My other costumes are all fairly small~