Successful costume design requires a solid foundation in general artistic principles and specific knowledge of how to apply those principles. Cunningham presents readers with just such a foundation and develops it to expose beginning costume designers to the myriad skills they need to develop in order to costume successful stage productions. She begins at the most basic conceptual level—reading plays from a costume designer's perspective. She then follows through with the practical considerations that must be considered at every stage of the costuming process—research, development, sketching, and costume construction. Cunningham has built on the long-standing success of the outstanding first edition with new figures and updates throughout the text, including 24 pages in full color. Examples have been selected from a wide range of stage productions representing a variety of designers, styles, and approaches. Interviews with award-winning designers from stage, film, and other media show the practical importance of the book's concepts. Every chapter incorporates material reflecting the ever-increasing impact of technology, especially computers, on costuming. New to this edition is an ancillary download package (available here), giving students a selection of basic figure drawings to serve as the base layer for digital renderings, ready-made forms and checklists for assembling and organizing costumes for shows, and a list of research and reference websites with easily clickable links.

The Costume Designer's Handbook is the definitive guide for both aspiring and seasoned costume designers, blending the art and business of theatrical costume design since its inception in 1983. Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey offer deep insights into play analysis, historical research, collaboration techniques, drafting, and setting up an effective workspace. The book addresses the practicalities of the industry, including job market navigation, freelancing, contracts, and taxes. With over 150 illustrations, an 8-page color insert, and a comprehensive reference section for resources, this handbook encapsulates the essence of costume design, making it an indispensable resource for professionals in the field.

All students of costuming need to learn basic sewing techniques to build costumes for theatrical performance. Basic Sewing for Costume Construction teaches just those fundamentals. Cunningham brings decades of classroom experience as she guides readers with clearly laid-out projects covering hand stitching, fasteners, pinning, sewing, and seams. Additional material on measurement, fabric selection, and use of commercial patterns, as well as three complete construction projects, round out the Second Edition. Each project builds on the previous one to develop a full understanding of the costume construction process.

Pattern Magic is the cult pattern-cutting book from Japan. Taking inspiration from nature, from geometric shapes and from the street, this book harnesses the sheer joy of making and sculpting clothes. Pattern Magic takes a creative approach to pattern cutting, with step-by-step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers to enjoy. All the basic information you need to start pattern cutting is included, from the basic block to measurements and scaling. Each project is beautifully illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs showing the stages of construction, the toiles and the finished garments. These easy-to-follow illustrations and detailed instructions make it easy to create stunning, sculptural clothes with a couture look. Step-by-step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers - with clear diagrams and photographs. Gives all the basic information needed to start pattern cutting: from the basic block to measurements and scaling. Easy-to-follow, detailed instructions make it easy to create stunning, sculptural clothes with a couture look Reviews for Pattern Magic: 'The feeling of figuring the puzzle out makes this book series a joy to explore' House of Pinheiro 'If you've mastered the basics of pattern cutting, have caught the bug and are eager to experiment with complex 3d designs, you should definitely take a look at Pattern Magic' Tilly And The Buttons Blog 'I've had an explosion of inspiration, and I'm not even an expert in sewing!...I'm sure that many of you, fashion designers or not, can learn a lot from these tutorials' ImaginativeBloom.com CONTENTS: Part 1: Creating form through inspiration: Accents, Gathered hole, Crater, The drop hole, Lumps and bumps Part 2: Making patterns for haute couture garments: Draped design, The twist, Hide and seek, Interwoven design, Bamboo shoot, The knot, Two distinct expressions, An intriguing curve, Bunka-style sloper (block) for an adult woman, Bunka-style sloper (block) for an adult woman (Size M) (half-scale)

The distinctive style of the Regency period is a source of endless fascination for fashion academics and historians, living historians, re-enactors and costume designers for stage and screen. Author and fashion historian Cassidy Percoco has delved into little-known museum hoards to create a stunning collection of 26 garments, many with clear provenance tied to a specific location, which have never before been published and never – or very rarely – displayed. Most of the garments have an aspect in their construction that has not been previously documented, from a style of skirt trim to the method of gown closure. This practical guide begins with a general history of the early 19th-century women's dress. This is followed by 26 patterns of gowns, spencers, chemises, and corsets, each with an illustration of the finished piece and description of its construction. This must-have guide is an essential reference for anyone interested in the fashions or the history of the period, or for anyone wishing to recreate their own beautiful Regency clothing.

The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit explores the responsibilities of a Costume Supervisor within a theatrical, opera or dance production company. Rebecca Pride provides an insight into all manner of processes, beginning with a definition of the role, and offers explanations of the timeline from the first design meetings, leading all the way up to managing fittings and final rehearsals. This how-to guide outlines best working practices, including building a team and creating a Costume Bible, whilst also providing helpful resources such as sizing guides, a list of useful addresses, and case studies from renowned theatrical organizations.

Presents six dressmaking patterns that can be used to create an entire wardrobe that has thirty-six different looks and a total of over two hundred garments and accessories.

The effective preparation of garments for display is essential for exhibitions of contemporary and historical dress. Costumes not only need to be visually appealing but also fully supported and historically accurate. This book provides a comprehensive guide to mounting costumes from the eighteenth century to the present day. It includes methods for adapting and shaping figures to create historical silhouettes, constructing underpinnings and making replicas and toiles using inexpensive and simple techniques. A Practical Guide to Costume Mounting is an invaluable resource for conservators, historians and all those working with clothing in museums, private collections and throughout the fashion and theatre industries. Trained as a historical costume maker, author Lara Flecker is the textile display specialist at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. She has worked extensively with the museum’s world-class costume collection, preparing garments for display. Her simple mounting methods are clearly explained and can be used by people with a wide range of experience, including those with few sewing skills.

Transform common people into superheroes, movie stars, witches -- whatever illusion you want to create. Creative costuming is all in the details. One garment can take on many totally different looks depending on how you accessorise it. Over the years, the author has learned all the tricks about how anyone can turn leftover clothing into fabulous costumes. This book's numerous drawings explain in detail the costuming process of 'turning straw into gold'. It shows you how to design illusions that you never thought possible. Yes, you can easily do all this -- and at a minimum expense! This is another Barb Rogers must have book for your library of costume ideas.