Thr 351 Costume Construction
COSTUME CONSTRUCTION - Fall 2011
Theatre 351 - 001
T/TH: 9:40 - 11:10am
Room: AC/W 17
Instructor: Kathleen Donnelly
e-mail: donnelly@uwosh.edu
424-7127 / Office ACW 220
Office Hours: M/W: 11:30am -12:30pm, Tues 8:00 - 9:00am, or by appointment
TEXT: Rebecca Cunningham: Basic Sewing for Costume Construction, A Handbook
GOALS:
Based on goals established by the Theatre Department, the goals of this course, for the student, are: 1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of theatrical production; 2. To be able to analyze and communicate a dramatic text to an audience; 3. 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 of this course: to introduce the student in theatre/film/video to the techniques and skills required to construct costumes. These principles will be demonstrated and tested through projects, exams 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 basic construction skills and techniques used in costuming for the stage and screen. A production project will be included which will provide the student with a practical application of the skills learned.
EXAMS:
There will be a midterm and final exam in this class. These exams will cover reading material and information given in class lectures.
ATTENDANCE:
Consistent attendance is critical to understanding the process and techniques of costume construction. If a student is going to be absent for a lecture, they need to contact the professor in advance of the class. The student is also responsible for getting the material that was covered, 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.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
Project 1. Hand Sewing Sampler- due: 9/22
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the basic hand sewing stitches and techniques needed for the construction of costumes. The student will produce muslin samplers which will demonstrate the stitches and techniques learned. Projects will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 2. Machine Sewing Samplers
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the basic machine sewing techniques needed for the construction of costumes. Ten samplers demonstrating proficiency in these techniques will be required. Projects will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
a. machine control - due: 9/27
b. regular seam - due: 9/29
c. jean seam - due: 9/29
d. serged edge – due: 10/4
e. bias tape edge – due: 10/4
f. gathering - due: 10/11
g. pleating - due: 10/11
h. dart - due: 10/11
i. buttonholes - due: 10/13
j zipper - due: 10/13
Project 3. Production Project - due: 10/27
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the practical application skills in the area of costuming. The student will create a costume item to be used in upcoming production of The Children’s Hour. The project will require 10-15 additional hours of supervised practicum in the costume shop to complete project. Project will be graded on neatness, and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 4. From Pattern to Finished Costume - due: 12/6
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the skills and experience of costume construction, from pattern to finished garment. The student will use a commercial pattern to create a modern garment. Project will include: laying out the pattern on the fabric, cutting the fabric, sewing the garment, and finishing work. Student will provide the fabric for this project.
Project will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 5. Costume Accessory Project - due: 12/13
The objective of the project is to provide the student the experience of constructing accessories for costumes. The student will create a hat based on the techniques learned in class. Requirements for this project include: paper pattern(s) used in creation of the hat, instruction sheet detailing the steps in creating the hat, and the finished hat which includes finished edges and trim. Projects will be graded on neatness, accuracy and creativity.
GRADES:
Grading for projects will be as follows:
Project 1: Hand Sewing : 10%
Project 2: Machine Sewing : 20%
Project 3: Production Project : 20%
Project 4: Construction Project: 20%
Project 5: Accessory Project : 20%
Midterm Exam: 10%
100%
New Letter Grade Scale:
A 94 - 100%
A- 90 - 93.9%
B+ 87 - 89.9%
B 84 - 86.9%
B- 80 - 83.9%
C+ 77 - 79.9%
C 74 - 76.9%
C- 70 - 73.9%
D+ 67 - 69.9%
D 64 - 66.9%
D- 60 - 63.9%
F Below 60
TEXT READINGS:
9/8 Tools of the Trade/ Appendix 1
9/13 Hand sewing stitches / Chapter 1
9/15 Hand sewing closures / Chapter 2
9/22 Machine sewing - Seams / Chapter Chapters 3, 4, and 5
9/27 Machine sewing – Seam finishes/ Chapter 6
9/29 Machine sewing – Special Techniques/ Chapter 7
11/1 Measuring the Actor/ Chapter 8
11/1 Pattern Making Basics/ Chapter 9
11/1 Using Commercial Patterns/ Chapter 13
11/22 Hat making / Chapter 10
Costume Construction: Semester Schedule - Fall 2011
September 8 Introduction to costume shop, tools, personnel
September 13 Hand Sewing: stitches
September 15 Hand Sewing: closures
September 20 Machine Sewing: Intro to the sewing machine & machine control
September 22 Machine Sewing: Seams / (project 1 due)
September 27 Machine Sewing: Seam finishes
September 29 Machine Sewing: Special Techniques
October 4 Machine Sewing: gathering, pleating and darts
October 6 Machine Sewing: buttonholes and zippers
October 11 Introduction to Production Project
October 13 Production Project Workday/ (project 2 due)
October 18 Production Project Workday
October 20 Production Project Workday
October 25 Intro to Fabric: natural vs synthetic, properties
October 27 Fabric: grain, layout, weaves (project 3 due)
November 1 Midterm review/ Intro to Commercial Patterns/ / Taking Measurements
November 3 Midterm Exam
November 8 Intro to Proj #4: Constructing a garment: layout and cutting
November 10 Constructing a garment: sewing, lining and interfacing
November 15 Constructing a garment: finishing techniques
November 17 Construction Workday
November 22 Intro to Proj #5: Costume Accessories & Hat Making
November 24 THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 29 Accessories & Hat making - patterns and materials
December 1 Accessories & Hat making - construction and finishing techniques
December 6 Costume Accessory Workday/ (project 4 due)
December 8 Special construction techniques: boning, grommeting
December 13 Project 5 due/ Final Exam
December 15 Final class meeting
Theatre 351 - 001
T/TH: 9:40 - 11:10am
Room: AC/W 17
Instructor: Kathleen Donnelly
e-mail: donnelly@uwosh.edu
424-7127 / Office ACW 220
Office Hours: M/W: 11:30am -12:30pm, Tues 8:00 - 9:00am, or by appointment
TEXT: Rebecca Cunningham: Basic Sewing for Costume Construction, A Handbook
GOALS:
Based on goals established by the Theatre Department, the goals of this course, for the student, are: 1. To have a broad knowledge of the processes of theatrical production; 2. To be able to analyze and communicate a dramatic text to an audience; 3. 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 of this course: to introduce the student in theatre/film/video to the techniques and skills required to construct costumes. These principles will be demonstrated and tested through projects, exams 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 basic construction skills and techniques used in costuming for the stage and screen. A production project will be included which will provide the student with a practical application of the skills learned.
EXAMS:
There will be a midterm and final exam in this class. These exams will cover reading material and information given in class lectures.
ATTENDANCE:
Consistent attendance is critical to understanding the process and techniques of costume construction. If a student is going to be absent for a lecture, they need to contact the professor in advance of the class. The student is also responsible for getting the material that was covered, 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.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
Project 1. Hand Sewing Sampler- due: 9/22
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the basic hand sewing stitches and techniques needed for the construction of costumes. The student will produce muslin samplers which will demonstrate the stitches and techniques learned. Projects will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 2. Machine Sewing Samplers
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the basic machine sewing techniques needed for the construction of costumes. Ten samplers demonstrating proficiency in these techniques will be required. Projects will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
a. machine control - due: 9/27
b. regular seam - due: 9/29
c. jean seam - due: 9/29
d. serged edge – due: 10/4
e. bias tape edge – due: 10/4
f. gathering - due: 10/11
g. pleating - due: 10/11
h. dart - due: 10/11
i. buttonholes - due: 10/13
j zipper - due: 10/13
Project 3. Production Project - due: 10/27
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the practical application skills in the area of costuming. The student will create a costume item to be used in upcoming production of The Children’s Hour. The project will require 10-15 additional hours of supervised practicum in the costume shop to complete project. Project will be graded on neatness, and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 4. From Pattern to Finished Costume - due: 12/6
The objective of this project is to provide the student with the skills and experience of costume construction, from pattern to finished garment. The student will use a commercial pattern to create a modern garment. Project will include: laying out the pattern on the fabric, cutting the fabric, sewing the garment, and finishing work. Student will provide the fabric for this project.
Project will be graded on neatness and proficiency demonstrated.
Project 5. Costume Accessory Project - due: 12/13
The objective of the project is to provide the student the experience of constructing accessories for costumes. The student will create a hat based on the techniques learned in class. Requirements for this project include: paper pattern(s) used in creation of the hat, instruction sheet detailing the steps in creating the hat, and the finished hat which includes finished edges and trim. Projects will be graded on neatness, accuracy and creativity.
GRADES:
Grading for projects will be as follows:
Project 1: Hand Sewing : 10%
Project 2: Machine Sewing : 20%
Project 3: Production Project : 20%
Project 4: Construction Project: 20%
Project 5: Accessory Project : 20%
Midterm Exam: 10%
100%
New Letter Grade Scale:
A 94 - 100%
A- 90 - 93.9%
B+ 87 - 89.9%
B 84 - 86.9%
B- 80 - 83.9%
C+ 77 - 79.9%
C 74 - 76.9%
C- 70 - 73.9%
D+ 67 - 69.9%
D 64 - 66.9%
D- 60 - 63.9%
F Below 60
TEXT READINGS:
9/8 Tools of the Trade/ Appendix 1
9/13 Hand sewing stitches / Chapter 1
9/15 Hand sewing closures / Chapter 2
9/22 Machine sewing - Seams / Chapter Chapters 3, 4, and 5
9/27 Machine sewing – Seam finishes/ Chapter 6
9/29 Machine sewing – Special Techniques/ Chapter 7
11/1 Measuring the Actor/ Chapter 8
11/1 Pattern Making Basics/ Chapter 9
11/1 Using Commercial Patterns/ Chapter 13
11/22 Hat making / Chapter 10
Costume Construction: Semester Schedule - Fall 2011
September 8 Introduction to costume shop, tools, personnel
September 13 Hand Sewing: stitches
September 15 Hand Sewing: closures
September 20 Machine Sewing: Intro to the sewing machine & machine control
September 22 Machine Sewing: Seams / (project 1 due)
September 27 Machine Sewing: Seam finishes
September 29 Machine Sewing: Special Techniques
October 4 Machine Sewing: gathering, pleating and darts
October 6 Machine Sewing: buttonholes and zippers
October 11 Introduction to Production Project
October 13 Production Project Workday/ (project 2 due)
October 18 Production Project Workday
October 20 Production Project Workday
October 25 Intro to Fabric: natural vs synthetic, properties
October 27 Fabric: grain, layout, weaves (project 3 due)
November 1 Midterm review/ Intro to Commercial Patterns/ / Taking Measurements
November 3 Midterm Exam
November 8 Intro to Proj #4: Constructing a garment: layout and cutting
November 10 Constructing a garment: sewing, lining and interfacing
November 15 Constructing a garment: finishing techniques
November 17 Construction Workday
November 22 Intro to Proj #5: Costume Accessories & Hat Making
November 24 THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 29 Accessories & Hat making - patterns and materials
December 1 Accessories & Hat making - construction and finishing techniques
December 6 Costume Accessory Workday/ (project 4 due)
December 8 Special construction techniques: boning, grommeting
December 13 Project 5 due/ Final Exam
December 15 Final class meeting
