How to make a theater costume.

We have began a new topic, Artefact and to start it we began looking at objects, Example: William Shakespeare or a baseball and bat, We then started looking at theater and had to choose something from theater that is made, Examle: Props. We then had to research how to make the chosen artefact.






Things you will need:

• Material and/or clothing pieces
• Ironing board
• Zippers
• Buttons
• Velcro
• Hook and eyes
• Hangers
• Costume racks
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Saftey pins
• Straight pins
• Hot glue gun and sticks
• Thread
• Needles
• Measuring tape
• Pencils 
• Patterns
• Iron
• Thimbles
• Seam rippers

Planning 

1. Measure everyone who will be performing in the play. This includes (bust or chest for women), waist, hips, length from waist to knees, length from waist to instep, around upper arm, around wrists, shoulder to shoulder and shoulder to wrist. Record these measurements on individual charts for each actor.

2.  Talk to the director of the play and learn her/his "concept"and plans for the show. Directors have their own style and ideas, and it is very important to include her at this stage of the planning.

3.  Research the time period of the play in which the costumes designs will be used. Look up pictures, colors, and patterns.

4.   Determine your color palate. Color plays an important part in the presentation of the play and in the concept of the director. keep the director in the loop at this stage of the planning, keep in mind the skin and hair colors of your actors when planning the colors and use them to enhance, not detract the character he/she is playing. 

costume creation.

1. Present the director with a set of material swatches, representing the color scheme of the costumes, i you are artistic; sketch examples of the main characters planned costumes.\

2. Hire or recruit several seamstresses to help with the sewing if you are creating costumes from scratch. Cut out patterns using your selected material. If you are recycling clothing or old costumes it is still wise to have helping to make alterations to clothing used.

3. Do preliminary fitting with actors, and keep a record on their individual charts of what have been done, which costume pieces are finished, what is lacking and what needs to be changed. 

Finishing Touches.

1.  Finish changes and final touches 

2.  Arrange with the director a time for a 'costume parade' on the theater's stage to give him a chance to view the costumes as a whole before the play opens.

3.  Lay out your costume policies and rules to the actors. Let them know what they are and are not allowed to do in their costumes, such as smoke, eat or drink. Also make it clear that they must hang up their costumes and take good care of them.

4.  Enjoy the show! Be aware that depending on the length of the run of the show, you may be available at the theater to make repairs to damaged costumes and wash some as well.