/r/TheatricalCostuming
This subreddit is for anyone who has an interest in costumes built for theatre, whether you personally design, build, or just like to observe them.
Welcome to Theatrical Costuming :)
I noticed a lot of general theatre or sewing subreddits but nothing as specific as this. I went to school for costume technology and have worked professionally for 10 years. I'd like this to be a place for anyone with an interest in costumes for theatre to be able to ask questions, ask for advice, share a costume you worked on or even just a costume you saw and thought was cool. Please be polite and respectful of each other and please keep all content specific to costumes for the stage.
/r/TheatricalCostuming
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Costume Job Titles in the Theatre Industry (USA)
This video is specific to the costume industry in the US, and is drawn from the USITT Costume Commission Job Description Project report. If you work in theatre costumes outside the US and use different terms or have entirely different job descriptions, please comment!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iSUGYTK3mlo&feature=share
12:49 UTC
Unionized Labor: Costuming
I originally made this to share with my students in the drama department at the university where I teach, to answer their questions about unionized labor in our field (because unions have been in the news a lot lately).
Are you or have you ever been a member of a union? Which one and was it a positive or negative experience?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xMdoTSd7ixM&feature=share
13:22 UTC
Best books on making costume armor
When you talk about armor in a contemporary context, whether it's for performing arts, cosplay, or historical reenactment, you first have to clarify the armor's purpose. Does it protect the wearer in actual combat? Does it look real under stage lights or up close in a convention hall? Does it mimic the historical armor of a specific culture's warriors, or futuristic superhero garb? The most useful reference books will vary depending on the requirements of the armor you need to make.
12:39 UTC
Mocking Up Masks: Maquettes & why to make them || #maskmaking
This step in theatrical maskmaking isn't always possible depending on time constraints, but if at all possible, I like to start with a maquette. I made this video to explain why and how I use them.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PUjlWe_xe-U&feature=share
13:15 UTC
Vocabulary: Making masks for theatre
An overview of the maskmaking process for stage production and some helpful vocabulary words for talking about these topics.
21:02 UTC
Summer Theatre Job Listings: Red Flags 🚩🚩🚩
Have you worked one of those summer jobs that expect you to design and make all the costumes with $50 and no sewing support, and then run wardrobe on all the performances? I have. And if I'd known about these red flags, I could have saved myself a world of angst.
14:37 UTC
Dye Room Ventilation: Everything you need to know
A companion to my video about what you need to know about buying a dye vat: useful info on installing dye room ventilation!
14:13 UTC
Best 3 Books for Theatrical Millinery
The #costubedoesbooktube collab features videos of costume-related book recommendations, and this one is my current contribution. I work as a theatrical milliner, so I have to make hats from all time periods in history--I thought that would be a good topic for a video!
If you've been interested in adding hat making to your costume practice, check it out!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UcFriLtRoE4&feature=share
14:09 UTC
Student Interview
Hi! I'm a Costume Design student and for my Stage Management class I need to interview industry professionals in the area that I'm interested in! Please respond if you would be willing to do an hour zoom interview!
Requirements for my paper are that you are a professional, having made this a primary income (doesn't have to be only source ie. had to take a second job). Any type of theatre experience is welcome (touring, regional, Broadway, Opera) as well as any position that's costume related! Personally, I'm interested in going towards stitching, dressing, and Wigs if you have experience in that!
Thank you to anyone who is willing to help me out!
23:28 UTC
Thinking about buying a dye vat...
This topic comes up all the time in the costume forums I read (mostly among theatre costumers), so I made this video to help folx learn about buying and installing an industrial dye vat.
14:39 UTC
3 book recs for mascots/fursuits
This video of book recommendations on making mascots, cartoon character walkarounds, and fursuits was inspired by the mammoth and dinosaur costumes my team recently made for Skin of our Teeth at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC!
14:56 UTC
UNC-CH costume production MFA video trailer
Autumn is when some people begin considering whether to apply to graduate programs, and the first of the recruitment fairs (LiNK in Atlanta GA) is coming up December 1-3. This year, LiNK will be virtual and they've asked all participating programs to submit video trailers. I was asked to create one for the costume production MFA program at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Our program is one of around a dozen that offer a production-only focus--most are either design focus or a hybrid of design/production. I'm happy to answer any questions I can, and if this feels too spammy, I apologize and please delete.
https://youtu.be/YwuSmyUh0Wg
14:21 UTC
I Can't Eat Exposure
I’m teaching a class on this Friday so I made a video to share the info beyond my students enrolled.
I’m often asked whether I can make something for someone and how much it will cost.
This video covers different ways to put a value on your labor as a costume maker, for all kinds of clients who might want to work with you.
22:59 UTC
Rubberizing shoes/boots in-house for Equity compliance/safety!
So many people have asked for this video about how to rubberize shoes and boots for the stage, a requirement for shows with an Equity cast!
14:15 UTC
New book giveaway--A HISTORY OF THE THEATRE COSTUME BUSINESS
Super excited about this! Enter our Goodreads giveaway to win one of three copies of A HISTORY OF THE THEATER COSTUME BUSINESS signed by all three authors!
16:59 UTC
Creepy costumes for Halloween haunts!
Have you ever wondered where the performers get their costumes for haunted houses and other spooky Halloween attractions and events?
I did, so I interviewed Rob O'Brien of ResirWrecked Costumes, a former Disney costume department project manager-turned-haunt entrepreneur! We talked about his background in theatre and what haunted attractions have in common with it!
22:17 UTC
How to use an electric hat stretcher plus cheaper hacks you can use without one!
Does your costume shop have an electric hat stretcher for resizing felt hats? If not, would you like to know how they work and what they cost?
In this video, I demonstrate the use of this equipment as well as show you some other options if you don't have the money or the space for one of these.
20:11 UTC
Pre-release author chat: A HISTORY OF THE THEATRE COSTUME BUSINESS
It’s out! The pre-release conversation I had with my co-authors of A HISTORY OF THE THEATRE COSTUMING BUSINESS!
https://youtu.be/6Wkw5UFQ6Ew
17:52 UTC
How to commission a custom piece of clothing?
I'll be needing to commission a custom piece of clothing in 2022 for a short film, how would I find someone to do it? Are there any websites or companies that would be suitable for this? Would Craigslist be good for this? Also for a custom piece of clothing would the tailor need to measure the actor in person to make a good fit or would they be able to work with me emailing them measurements? Thanks in advance for any help.
06:52 UTC
Two Ways to Cut Spiral Bones (demo)
Do you hate cutting spiral bones for corset making? This video is for you.
23:42 UTC
Theatrical millinery vs. fashion millinery
Several retail/bespoke contemporary milliners asked me to make a video explaining how theatrical millinery is similar/different from fashion, so here it is! Yes, we both make hats, but it's more complex than that!
Our theatre is reopening soon and I'm looking forward to being back in the studio. Are you back to productions yet, or back to lockdowns, or...?
17:01 UTC
Costume design vs. costume production
I originally intended to just make an educational video about the difference between costume design and production. As a guest speaker, I talk to a lot of undergraduate classes about that.
But I decided I should also address regional theatres' shitty staffing practices conflating all costume jobs into one position and their accompanying weak "diversity" lip-service, as well as some advice for novice costumers considering accepting underpaid jobs/internships.
15:24 UTC
Making a Replica 1935 Schiaparelli Gown
Several years ago my colleagues, graduate students, and I reproduced a 1935 hand-painted bias-cut 4-ply silk gown designed by Elsa Schiaparelli.
It’s the most challenging and beautiful costume I’ve been a part of creating. This project vlog documents the process and my part in it.
13:44 UTC
Thinking about an MFA but...$?
Possibly relevant for anyone curious about MFA programs in costume design or production: my new video on how to pay for a master of fine arts degree with options other than student loans.
(I teach in a costume production MFA program and undergrads ask me about this stuff all the time, hence the video.)
18:44 UTC
Craft artisanship videos
I made a playlist of all the tutorial videos I've created on costume craft topics. If you have an interest in crafts artisanship or if your theatre's costume shop doesn't have a dedicated craftsperson or team, some of these may be helpful!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrbMVPLCnCL9obfWDZSfhMUBjQLvETWEC
17:55 UTC
Learn Patternmaking from a Las Vegas Costumer
Excited to share this interview with Creative Costume Academy's Tricia Camacho about her career making costumes for Las Vegas spectaculars, fast fashion’s impact on bespoke costumers, and her newest venture, teaching patternmaking online to home sewists and costumers!
https://youtu.be/p4fb6yadjko
13:33 UTC
15th Anniversary Retrospective!
The La Bricoleuse blog (and now YouTube channel) have been a fifteen-year-long project I'm proud of, documenting theatrical costume craft topics like millinery, dyeing, parasol restoration, etc.
This short six-minute video covers the ups and downs, successes and missteps in a brief history of La Bricoleuse.
14:40 UTC
French Curves for Millinery Patternmaking!
I had a couple requests to make a demo video on how I use a French curve when drafting brim patterns for sewn fabric and buckram hats. I also show how I use a flexible curve! Useful for those drafting/altering millinery patterns and other curved pieces.
13:42 UTC
A (forthcoming) History of the Theatre Costume Making Business!
Triffin Morris, the head of the graduate program in which I teach, and her journalist husband Gregory DL Morris, have spent over a decade researching A History of the Theatrical Costume Industry: Creators of Character, an overview of the professional costume makers of the 20th century. When I had the opportunity to write some section drafts for the book in the summer of 2020, I leaped at the chance!
You can read a synopsis and chapter list at the link above, as well as pre-order the book, or--even better--do so through your local independent bookstore! (That's probably the most helpful, because it puts us on their radar and they might choose to stock it.) I wrote most of the chapter, "A Stitch in Time: the early designer-drapers" and portions of the chapter, "The Coming of the Continentals: light hands for ballet and opera."
The 232-page book--releasing on September 30, 2021--will include 159 full-color illustrations and photographs. We're planning some book parties post-release, so I'll share more info on those when I get it. Triffin and I will also be filming a book preview panel
If you're on Goodreads, please add it to your Want to Read shelf here!
If you're on Litsy, please add it to your To Read shelf here! (I'm trying to figure out how to get them to reorder the authors, since as of this posting, they have me listed first instead of third, which is not accurate.)
Next time you're at your local library (or your college library if you're in school), request that they purchase a copy. Library sales are golden!
13:37 UTC
A former theatre costumer making cosplays for a living
I interviewed a professional cosplay maker about her craft! She's one of my former graduate students in costume production who started her own business. It's interesting to contrast her experience with the COVID-19 pandemic with...literally every other costumer I know.
15:06 UTC