Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 [Paperback]

Katherine Strand Holkeboer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993

Patterns for Theatrical Costumes by Katherine Strand Holkeboer is back in print at the same $29.95 price.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Drama Publishers (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896761258
• ISBN-13: 978-0896761254
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deceptively simple, infinitely functional, December 18, 1999

By 

cynth (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 (Paperback)

At first glance, a costume historian would not be impressed by this book's oversimplified patterns and lack of detail. Its renderings of the human figure are cartoonish, and no instructions for esoteric closures and construction are provided.

However, the Holkeboer directed her opus toward the theatrical costumer: an individual who must cobble together a volunteer staff, construct garments for modern bodies, and adapt to quick-changes between scenes. The patterns are necessarily basic; the cuts are nearly authentic; and the suggestions of embellishment design save the costumer much time. This book is not some tome to be displayed on a shelf; it belongs in the studio, its spine creased, its cover dog-eared, and its pages scribbled with measurements and notes. This book is a workhorse. An added bonus is its illustrative use of labels for describing many weird terms, among them: simar, barbette, picadils.

I have found in no other book of scaled patterns but this one, the instructions for THREE methods of enlargement: optical projection, grid method, and radial projection. This book also includes headgear, specialty costumes like kimono, ecclesiastical garb, and a LION! This book also prevides a wonderful equity of both men's and women's clothing which is unfortunately not represented in the body of dramatic literature. (Why are there so few women's roles? But I digress.)

The introduction and final chapter contain essential information on fitting and draping (remember: you must add your own seam allowances) and millinery and corsetry. I'd have given this book another star if I felt that it did justice to constructing corsets -- these items are too complex to build from Holkeboer's 1/8" = 1" scale. But she is absolutely correct in providing undergarment patterns if only to emphasize that they are necessary for achieving a true period look. Also, this book needs either a durable sewn or spiral binding to lie flat for usage. The glued softcover is impractical.

This book cannot function as the only book in a costumer's library; supplement your collection with costume books on period styles to achieve variety in design. As far as PfTC being indispensible to a costume shop, I don't recommend buying a copy of this book; buy TWO!

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable resource., June 9, 2004

By 

M. E. Volmar - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 (Paperback)

This book is the most comprehensive, single-volume collection of historical patterns (from Ancient Egypt through 1915) available today for men's and women's costumes. While the pattern designs are very simplistic, present little detail on closures or embellishments and present only general instructions on construction, they are functional and very easy to make, represent nearly authentic cuts and effectively achieve the intended essential look for their specific period.
Each pattern in the book is presented in three sizes, and for each individual piece of a complete garment a label is often attached, giving its historical name and a brief description of its appearance or use. As a bonus, patterns for specialty costumes (fantasy, religious, Chinese, Japanese, and animals), undergarments, hats, wigs and masks are included, and its Introduction explains, in a step-by-step format, costuming techniques such as enlarging patterns, fitting designs, and draping.
This book can also serve, with just a little imagination, as an infinite source of ideas to help you create your own patterns, although you will have to refer to other books on period specific costumes to give your work finishing details like ornaments, trims, and other accessories.
The only weak point of the book is its glued soft-cover binding, which is completely inadequate for the spine-creasing use to which it's sure to be subjected.
If you either work for the theater or just enjoy making your own costumes, you will find this book to be an indispensable part of your library.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for silhouette, but mediocre patterns, February 26, 2006

By 

Heather Kellems "Instructor" (Redwood City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 (Paperback)

I have to agree with the other reviews, this book is great for Halloween costumes, general period silhouette, and for the novice costumer. Instructions are not included, and seam allowance is not included in the patterns. Patterns are 1/8 scale unless otherwise noted (so they must be enlarged), and in sizes S-M-L (But I question the grading).

I teach Period Costuming from this book, and as a instructor, this book can be extremely frustrating at times.
The illustrations that accompany each era's patterns do not always reflect the pattern pieces.
My students enlarge these patterns by hand or take them to Kinko's to enlarge. As a patternmaking instructor, I give the patterns from this book a "C" grade. The patterns are not trued, seam lines are not walked, and skirt, bodice and sleeve patterns are not balanced. My students spend as much time correcting these patterns as they would starting from scratch with a set of blocks.

But it is a great instruction tool showing differences in silhouette and cut over the centuries.