| The first professional theater company I | | | | |
| designed for taught me one of the primary | | | | A Typical Atypical Job |
| skills that made my career in the world of | | | | |
| theatrical wardrobe and costuming the success | | | | I once was asked to design a white and red |
| it has been: Shortcuts. Learning that the | | | | polka dot dress like the one that Shirley |
| outside appearance of a costume is much more | | | | Temple wore in the film, Captain January. Our |
| important than the inside being steeped in | | | | costume was for a show finale, so it had to |
| perfection has allowed me to put the effort | | | | look good, and be sturdy enough to last the |
| when building a costume into the actual, | | | | whole run. I purchased white seersucker |
| measurable effect that it should be for the | | | | fabric and picked up blocks of red felt, |
| audience. | | | | then, with a liberal amount of the costumer's |
| | | | best friend ― Wonder Under ― |
| Before my first show, I was overly, and as I | | | | attached the Wonder to the red felt using an |
| would soon learn, unnecessarily concerned | | | | iron. I then proceeded to cut out three-inch |
| about every little thread and seam no matter | | | | circles with my scissors, laid out the |
| where it landed on the piece. But I quickly | | | | seersucker and ironed each individual circle |
| learned that the inside of a costume was | | | | on the fabric. |
| nothing to be concerned about. There would be | | | | |
| no time to finish each seam, and there would | | | | I designed a high-waist empire dress with |
| never be enough time to hand stitch every | | | | four yards of seersucker for the lower part |
| little sequin in place. More to the point, I | | | | of the dress, then took eight yards of |
| learned that none of that was expected. | | | | netting (the least expensive kind that is |
| Instead I found out that all I had been | | | | extremely stiff) and gathered it under the |
| taught in my college years, like so much of | | | | empire waist. Each gather was assembled by |
| what is taught in the world of academia | | | | hand and I eyeballed the measurements. The |
| versus what is true in the real world, was | | | | motion for this part of the process was to |
| destined to head out the window once I was in | | | | gather, pinch, and pin. It gave the dress a |
| the thick of the theater. | | | | little more "fluff" without meticulously |
| | | | having to watch every gather. I then |
| My second paying job taught me even more. I | | | | performed a quick run of the machine across |
| was in charge this time. I was shocked to | | | | the gathers. (I used red felt for the dots |
| learn that I was not going to be designing | | | | instead of a typical fabric because of the |
| costumes from the ground up. This theater | | | | vibrancy of color.) Even though this costume |
| company didn't have the funds for new | | | | was a throw away (meaning that it wouldn't be |
| costumes for each production, so I was | | | | put into the Company's permanent wardrobe |
| instructed to take over fifty costumes, pull | | | | inventory), it nevertheless had to appear |
| them apart, redesign them and tailor them for | | | | like any permanent costume would. The dress |
| a whole new set of actors, and then put them | | | | was a hit and it won numerous industry awards |
| back together in a completely new form. I | | | | due to the unconventional usage of the |
| cut, pleated, and altered all different | | | | different materials, and the vibrancy. |
| velvets and brocades; moreover, I survived | | | | |
| and learned even more techniques that help me | | | | More Tips! |
| to this day. | | | | |
| | | | Don't be afraid to experiment. Nothing is off |
| I worked for a children's theater as well | | | | limits for costuming. (Also, I wouldn't do |
| where I have made more skunks, lions, and | | | | anything without my pinking shears close at |
| flamingos than a zookeeper would care to | | | | hand. They take care of stringy seams that |
| dream about. Again, the experience increased | | | | will keep you from having to sew a seam a |
| my knowledge in my chosen profession. | | | | second time. Pinking shears can be used to |
| | | | cut out fabric and you won't have to worry |
| Costuming Tips | | | | about the fabric unraveling. They also make a |
| | | | great hem if you don't want to (or have the |
| The simpler, the better. When you have a | | | | time to) sew one. I have built many clown |
| simpler line in a gown and then doll it up | | | | outfits with fabric glue and pinking shears. |
| with embellishments, the costume appears | | | | |
| stylish. For example, if you or your little | | | | Don't worry if every little measurement |
| one is going as a princess this Halloween, | | | | doesn't work out. You can nip and tuck a |
| either sew a simple long gown from whole | | | | costume, and they sometimes turn out better |
| cloth, or better still, find one at a second | | | | than the costumes that are measured to a "T". |
| hand store like the Salvation Army or | | | | |
| Goodwill. Make it any color, but keep even | | | | Permanent markers of all colors are a must. |
| the color simple. Then visit your local | | | | These markers make great drawings of any kind |
| discount store and purchase the | | | | on fabric and it stays. Just be aware that it |
| embellishments that will create the princess | | | | will not come out. I used a permanent marker |
| look. Here's where the fun and imagination | | | | for Charlie Brown's costume (for the black |
| kicks into gear. You can find yards of beads | | | | zigzag on the lower part of his yellow shirt) |
| and baubles for very little in cost, but big | | | | and it worked wonderfully. Make sure to line |
| in beauty. | | | | up the marker with a ruler if you are |
| | | | creating lines. |
| Glue is Your Time Savor | | | | |
| | | | Fleece is a wonderful warm fabric that you |
| If you are not a natural seamstress, or you | | | | can cut and leave. It doesn't even require |
| just don't have the time to sew, try the | | | | hemming if you don't have the time. It is |
| various glues that "stitch" like sewing. They | | | | also available in so many colors that you can |
| have several in the fabric stores, and your | | | | just about do anything with it for a costume. |
| local discount stores. And while they do work | | | | It works well with the fabric glues as well. |
| just as well as sewing a seam with a machine, | | | | Just make sure that once you put the glue on |
| consider that they will take 24 hours to dry. | | | | the fleece seams, to immediately stick |
| The upside is that you can glue a whole | | | | together. Fleece can soak up glue very |
| costume together without ever having to sew a | | | | quickly. Another great product is foam rubber |
| stitch. | | | | sheets. These come in an array of colors and |
| | | | they are easy to apply. They come with our |
| Varying Fabrics | | | | without sticky backs, and they cut easily. |
| | | | These sheets especially work well when |
| Use fabrics that you wouldn't normally put | | | | creating robot buttons or clown polka dots |
| together. This is a Halloween costume | | | | when you are in a hurry. |
| remember ― not a dress that is going to | | | | |
| be passed down for generations to come. On | | | | These are just a few tricks that I use in |
| more than one occasion I have acquired | | | | costuming and will make your costume project |
| tapestries and quilting materials for use in | | | | happen a little easier and quicker. But most |
| a costume. Yes, these fabrics were intended | | | | of all enjoy the process. Creating something |
| for use in couches and blankets, but they | | | | out of nothing is the ultimate art, and it's |
| have some beautiful textures and colors that | | | | so much more fun if you enjoy yourself. |
| you just can't find in a regular broad cloth. | | | | |