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Quick Halloween Costume Tips From a Costumer |
Written by Beth McCain
Friday, 26 October 2007
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The first professional theater company I designed for taught me one of the primary skills that made my career in the world of theatrical wardrobe and costuming the success it has been: Shortcuts. Learning that the outside appearance of a costume is much more important than the inside being steeped in perfection has allowed me to put the effort when building a costume into the actual, measurable effect that it should be for the audience. Before my first show, I was overly, and as I would soon learn, unnecessarily concerned about every little thread and seam no matter where it landed on the piece. But I quickly learned that the inside of a costume was nothing to be concerned about. There would be no time to finish each seam, and there would never be enough time to hand stitch every little sequin in place. More to the point, I learned that none of that was expected. Instead I found out that all I had been taught in my college years, like so much of what is taught in the world of academia versus what is true in the real world, was destined to head out the window once I was in the thick of the theater. My second paying job taught me even more. I was in charge this time. I was shocked to learn that I was not going to be designing costumes from the ground up. This theater company didn't have the funds for new costumes for each production, so I was instructed to take over fifty costumes, pull them apart, redesign them and tailor them for a whole new set of actors, and then put them back together in a completely new form. I cut, pleated, and altered all different velvets and brocades; moreover, I survived and learned even more techniques that help me to this day. I worked for a children's theater as well where I have made more skunks, lions, and flamingos than a zookeeper would care to dream about. Again, the experience increased my knowledge in my chosen profession. Costuming Tips The simpler, the better. When you have a simpler line in a gown and then doll it up with embellishments, the costume appears stylish. For example, if you or your little one is going as a princess this Halloween, either sew a simple long gown from whole cloth, or better still, find one at a second hand store like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Make it any color, but keep even the color simple. Then visit your local discount store and purchase the embellishments that will create the princess look. Here's where the fun and imagination kicks into gear. You can find yards of beads and baubles for very little in cost, but big in beauty. Glue is Your Time Savor If you are not a natural seamstress, or you just don't have the time to sew, try the various glues that "stitch" like sewing. They have several in the fabric stores, and your local discount stores. And while they do work just as well as sewing a seam with a machine, consider that they will take 24 hours to dry. The upside is that you can glue a whole costume together without ever having to sew a stitch. Varying Fabrics Use fabrics that you wouldn't normally put together. This is a Halloween costume remember ― not a dress that is going to be passed down for generations to come. On more than one occasion I have acquired tapestries and quilting materials for use in a costume. Yes, these fabrics were intended for use in couches and blankets, but they have some beautiful textures and colors that you just can't find in a regular broad cloth. A Typical Atypical Job I once was asked to design a white and red polka dot dress like the one that Shirley Temple wore in the film, Captain January. Our costume was for a show finale, so it had to look good, and be sturdy enough to last the whole run. I purchased white seersucker fabric and picked up blocks of red felt, then, with a liberal amount of the costumer's best friend ― Wonder Under ― attached the Wonder to the red felt using an iron. I then proceeded to cut out three-inch circles with my scissors, laid out the seersucker and ironed each individual circle on the fabric. I designed a high-waist empire dress with four yards of seersucker for the lower part of the dress, then took eight yards of netting (the least expensive kind that is extremely stiff) and gathered it under the empire waist. Each gather was assembled by hand and I eyeballed the measurements. The motion for this part of the process was to gather, pinch, and pin. It gave the dress a little more "fluff" without meticulously having to watch every gather. I then performed a quick run of the machine across the gathers. (I used red felt for the dots instead of a typical fabric because of the vibrancy of color.) Even though this costume was a throw away (meaning that it wouldn't be put into the Company's permanent wardrobe inventory), it nevertheless had to appear like any permanent costume would. The dress was a hit and it won numerous industry awards due to the unconventional usage of the different materials, and the vibrancy. More Tips! Don't be afraid to experiment. Nothing is off limits for costuming. (Also, I wouldn't do anything without my pinking shears close at hand. They take care of stringy seams that will keep you from having to sew a seam a second time. Pinking shears can be used to cut out fabric and you won't have to worry about the fabric unraveling. They also make a great hem if you don't want to (or have the time to) sew one. I have built many clown outfits with fabric glue and pinking shears. Don't worry if every little measurement doesn't work out. You can nip and tuck a costume, and they sometimes turn out better than the costumes that are measured to a "T". Permanent markers of all colors are a must. These markers make great drawings of any kind on fabric and it stays. Just be aware that it will not come out. I used a permanent marker for Charlie Brown's costume (for the black zigzag on the lower part of his yellow shirt) and it worked wonderfully. Make sure to line up the marker with a ruler if you are creating lines. Fleece is a wonderful warm fabric that you can cut and leave. It doesn't even require hemming if you don't have the time. It is also available in so many colors that you can just about do anything with it for a costume. It works well with the fabric glues as well. Just make sure that once you put the glue on the fleece seams, to immediately stick together. Fleece can soak up glue very quickly. Another great product is foam rubber sheets. These come in an array of colors and they are easy to apply. They come with our without sticky backs, and they cut easily. These sheets especially work well when creating robot buttons or clown polka dots when you are in a hurry. These are just a few tricks that I use in costuming and will make your costume project happen a little easier and quicker. But most of all enjoy the process. Creating something out of nothing is the ultimate art, and it's so much more fun if you enjoy yourself. Happy Halloween! Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
Beth McCain has been a costumer for over twenty years for professional and non professional theatre groups.
Beth and her husband, Lee, are instructors and lecturers in applying the Law of Attraction in life to attain what you desire. Please visit: http://www.bethandleemccain.com
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