ADVANCED COSTUME CONSTRUCTION- Spring 2007            
Theatre-452-001                     
T/TH: 11:30am - 1:00pm                    
Room: AC/W 17

Kathleen Donnelly
e-mail: donnelly@uwosh.edu
Office: AC/W 220 - 424-7127
Office Hours: W 10:20 - 11:20am , Tues/Thurs: 9:00-10:00am

TEXT:  There is no assigned text for this course. A list of related texts used throughout the course is listed under reference books.

GOALS:
Based on goals established by the Theatre Program, the goals of this course, for the student, are: 1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of theatrical production; 2.To develop a commitment to the pursuit of artistic excellence and integrity.

Theatre is a collaborative creative process requiring a broad knowledge of the human condition to be successful.  The importance of theatre in society is well documented, and understanding the role it plays in society contributes to the development of a well rounded citizen.  Theatre, as with all areas of the Liberal Arts, is most effectively employed when it is built on a broad base of knowledge.

OBJECTIVE;
The goals listed above will be achieved through the following objective.  The objective of this course is to expand the knowledge of the student in theatre/film/video to the advanced techniques and skills in costume construction. This course builds on techniques and skills acquired in the basic Costume Construction course or through outside experience. The student will be introduced to both flat and draped methods of pattern drafting, and advanced construction techniques used in the creation of historical or Non Western costumes. These principles will be demonstrated and tested through projects and practical application.

LECTURE/DEMONSTRATION:
At the beginning of each project, a lecture/demonstration will be given to familiarize the student with the purpose, demands, and techniques required of a project.

PROJECTS:
There will be five projects required in this class.  The purpose of these projects is to give the student the specialized skills in pattern drafting, and advanced techniques used in costuming for the stage and screen.  A production project is included which will provide the student with a practical application of the skills learned.

ATTENDANCE:
Consistent attendance is critical to understanding the process and techniques of advanced costume construction and pattern drafting. If a student is going to be absent for a lecture, they need to contact the professor in advance of the class, if possible. The student is also responsible for getting the material that was covered in the missed class, and expected to be prepared for the next class. Two unexcused class absences will not affect grade, however unexcused absences in excess of two will decrease your overall class grade by two points for each absence thereafter.  Because it is important to keep up with the time schedule allotted, no late projects will be accepted.

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:

Project 1: Bodice Sloper                        due: Feb 20th
    The objective of the project is to develop a bodice sloper , based on a selected dress form, using the flat pattern method of pattern drafting. The bodice will then be cut and constructed out of muslin and fitted on a dress form. Project will be graded based on accuracy, neatness and demonstrated proficiency.
    
Project 2:  Draped Bodice                        due: March 6th
The objective of the project is to develop a pattern for a bodice or garment, based on a selected dress form, using the draping method  of pattern drafting.  The bodice will then be sewn , and pattern lines transferred to a paper pattern. Project will be graded based on accuracy, neatness and demonstrated proficiency.

Project 3: Construction of a Historical garment                due: March 29th- fitting
                                    final garment due  April 12
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the skills needed to construct a historical garment with period details. Students will construct an 18th C garment for the Spring production of A School for Scandal. Project may require additional time during Costume Shop hours to finish garment in a timely fashion.  Projects will be graded on accuracy, neatness and proficiency demonstrated.

Project 4:  Pattern a Historical garment                due: April 5th
Part a: Paper Pattern
 The objective of this project is to introduce the student to the flat pattern (grid method) techniques used to draft a pattern of a historical garment . The student will use as a basis a garment pattern illustrated in the Janet Arnold: Patterns of Fashion  series or similar book to create a paper pattern. Projects will be graded on accuracy, neatness and proficiency demonstrated.

Part b: Muslin Mockup                            due: May 1st
Students will use the patterns created in Project 4a to create a muslin mockup of the garment. Students will then fit the garment on a dress form to determine the alterations needed to the pattern. Muslin pieces will be altered to created final pattern.  Projects will be graded on accuracy, neatness and proficiency demonstrated.

Project 5 : The Historical Accessory Project                due: May 8th
The objective of the project is to provide the student the experience of constructing accessories for historical costumes.  The student will create an accessory appropriate to the historical period given.  Projects will be graded on creativity and proficiency demonstrated.

GRADES:
Grading for projects will be as follows:

Project 1 15%
Project 2 15%
Project 3 25%
Project 4a 15%
Project 4b 15%
Project 5 15%
100%


p.3 Advanced Costume Construction Syllabus


SCHEDULE

Jan  30        Intro to course    
Feb   1        Intro to Flat pattern Method
Feb   6        Flat pattern workday/ paper pattern
Feb   8        Flat pattern workday / muslin
Feb 13        Flat pattern workday/ fit and true
Feb 15        Intro to Draping Method
Feb 20        Draping Method: muslin / Project #1 due
Feb 22        Draping Method: paper pattern
Feb 27           Draping Method: final muslin
Mar  1        Intro to Project #3:  Construction of Historical Garment
Mar  6        Historical Garment workday / Project #2 due
Mar  8        Historical Garment workday
Mar 13       Historical Garment workday
Mar 15       Historical Garment workday
Mar 20       SPRING BREAK
Mar 22       SPRING BREAK
Mar 27       Intro to Project #4: Historical Pattern Methods
Mar 29       Pattern Workday / Project #3 due for Fitting
Apr   3       Pattern Workday
Apr   5       Layout muslin of pattern
Apr  10      Cut muslin / Start muslin mockup
Apr  12      Muslin mockup workday / Project #3 final completion
Apr  17      Muslin mockup workday
Apr  19      Fit and alter mockup
Apr  24      Final pattern
Apr  26      Intro to Accessory Project        
May   1      Accessory  Workday / Project #4 due
May   3      Accessory Workday
May   8      Project #5 due    
May 10      Final Class Meeting    
            
    


BIBLIOGRAPHY for Advanced Costume Construction

Armstrong, Helen Joseph.  Patternmaking for Fashion Design, 2/e. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.

Arnold, Janet.  Patterns of Fashion: The cut and construction of clothes for men and women c1560-1620.  London: Macmillan London Limited, 1985.

Arnold, Janet.  Patterns of Fashion I: Englishwomen’s dresses and their construction c 1660-1860.  London: Macmillan London Limited, 1985.

Arnold, Janet.  Patterns of Fashion 2 : Englishwomen’s dresses and their construction c 1860-1940. London: Macmillan London Limited, 1985.

Davis, R.I.  Men’s Garments 1830-1900: A guide to pattern cutting and tailoring, 2/e (revised).  Studio City, CA : Players Press, Inc., 1994.

Emery, Joy Spanabel.  Stage Costume Techniques.  Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1981.

Holkeboer, Katherine Strand.  Patterns for Theatrical Costumes.  New York: Drama Book Publishers, 1993.

Hunnisett, Jean.  Period Costume for Stage & Screen: Patterns for Women’s Dress 1800-1909.  Studio City, CA: Players Press, Inc., 1991.

Ingham, Rosemary/Covey, Liz:  Costume Technicians Handbook.  Heinemann Publications

Waugh, Nora. Corsets and Crinolines. New York: Routledge/Theatre Arts Books, 2000.

Waugh, Nora. The Cut of Women’s Clothes 1600-1930.  New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1968.

Waugh, Nora.  The Cut of Men’s Clothes 1600-1900. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1964.