The Costume Technician's Handbook 3/e [Paperback]

Rosemary Ingham (Author), Liz Covey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0325004773 | ISBN-13: 978-0325004778 | Publication Date: July 24, 2003 | Edition: 3rd

The classic book on costuming is back and better than ever!

In the third edition of The Costume Technician's Handbook, Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey once again draw upon their many years of hands-on experience in costume design and technology. Now they add information gleaned across the country from shop managers and staff about their methods and supplement it with images of some of the very best theatrical costume work to be seen today. And they continue to provide the most complete guide to developing costumes that are personally distinctive and artistically expressive.

Ingham and Covey have been attentive to technical developments as well to keep you up to date and ready for action. They have expanded their book to include:

• two new chapters on costume shop management and the use of computers in costume shops
• instructions for using new materials
• a substantial updated bibliography
• lots of brand-new color and black-and-white photographs
• new appendixes on mathematics for technicians, health and safety standards, and much more
• plus a companion website - a continually updated source list of booksellers, useful publications and addresses, costume societies, and shopping guide - all available at www.heinemanndrama.com/ingham-covey.

Whether you're a professional costume technician, a student of costume design, or an adventuresome home stitcher, settle for nothing less than the best - The Costume Technician's Handbook.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rosemary Ingham is a costume designer and writer. Her design work has been seen at regional theatres across the country for more than three decades.

Liz Covey is a freelance costume designer whose work has been seen in England's and America's leading theatres. She has taught at Barnard College, Columbia University, Marymount Manhattan College, and Bennington College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama; 3rd edition (July 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325004773
• ISBN-13: 978-0325004778
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Textile & Costume

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stage and Cosplay, find it here., April 11, 2006

By 

Jackie Lee "raised by wolves" (Sunny Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Costume Technician's Handbook 3/e (Paperback)

For intermediate level constume construction, but highly inspiring to the novice. Helpful for cosplay as well as stage.

This book goes into great detail concerning tools and technical sewing, materials and dyeing, drafting and creating patterns, measuring and fitting bodies, improvising props, and creating illusions. There is a helpful section about hair and hats, skipped over in other books. Many suggestions and ideas to make your own fake armour, jewelry, and shoes.

Pricey, but worth it. This book will bring out creativity you didn't know you had.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like costuming, you need this book!, September 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Costume Technician's Handbook 3/e (Paperback)

This book gives you everything you need for in-home costuming and working in a costume shop. Covers fabric, drafting and draping for patterns, how-to's on costume accessories, including shoes and wigs. Even covers armor. This book is 100% fabulous.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource for everyone in the costume business, March 10, 2010

By 

K the Stitcher "K the Stitcher" (Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Costume Technician's Handbook 3/e (Paperback)

I wish I'd bought this years ago! It's an all around reference on the process of making costumes. As an unexpected bonus, it has the BEST SHORT COURSE IN PATTERN DRAFTING I've ever used. I've been doing this for while, and this book taught me several new things about draping and pattern drafting. The instructions are succinct, yet complete--and readily understandable (I cannot say this about many pattern drafting texts). Instructions are given for men as well as for women (not all pattern drafting books remember that other gender, the guys). Another wonderful section covers fabric characteristics--and how to identify fabrics of unknown origin (is it silk? rayon? polyester?) and how to best use them! There is excellent information on construction, that would be helpful to the beginner and those of us who've been stitching things together for awhile. Both dressmaking and tailoring are covered. Need to dye? There's a discussion of that, also. Millinery? Yep, it's in there! There is a section on computers in the costume shop.
In short, this book is not exactly indispensable--but it will make the costume process much more professional. Definitely, it's one I'll be using a great deal as long as I continue to work in this field!