Customer Reviews

The Costume Technician's Handbook 3/e

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Seriously. It is. Am a professional in a costume shop, and I refer to this book all the time. It explains anything you may need to reference clearly and correctly. Perfect for a quick questions as well as more complex projects. If you are in any way involved in costume construction, get this book!

This book is full of great tips, tricks, and techniques. It gives some instruction in basics but not all and does not specify for certain issues you may have with actors/actresses of odd size or shape. For example I wish there was a more detailed section addressing pants patterning rather than just alterations. But really it is meant to be an overview and other books on pants patterning are just fine. It is overall a good book with lots for beginners to learn and for oldtimers to remind themselves of.