Customer Reviews

Stage Costume Step-By-Step: The Complete Guide to Designing and Making Stage Costumes for All Major Drama Periods and Genres from Classical Through the Twentieth Century

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

 

 

I found the designs and patterns in Ms. Kidd's book very accurate and easy to execute. Some of the designs, particularly those from the the Middle Ages were beautifully made and outstanding. Nevertheless, the summaries describing the periods were extremely brief. I also hoped to find essential information about the materials that were used in the original designs centuries ago, but I guess I'll have to keep on looking elsewhere. If you are a beginner, if you need ideas and already have fair knowledge of sewing techniques, this book is definitely for you.

I was so happy to find this book and I've been doing costumes for twenty years. This is a concise overview of the historical periods- a starting point for doing in depth research if you're a beginner but also great as a quick reference if you already know the periods. The easy "cheat" way to sew costumes if worth the price of the book alone. Thanks to Mary Kidd for a truly useful costume resource

I have had this book for about 5 years - the length of time I have been sewing historic garb. It has some useful info, and nice illustrations. It is rather clear cut as well, but if you are looking for specifics and acurate costumes this wouldnt be the best choice. Sort of a quick and dirty guide. All in all, useful info for all kinds of costuming, but one can find a much more comprehensive, period specific book for a bit more money. Works well as a companion book.

Costumes frequently loom large in the production of high school theater: where shall we get them? We can't afford to rent! How the heck do I make period costumes?

This lovely book helps fill the gap and, when used in conjunction with Holkeboer's "Patterns for Theatrical Costumes," eases the problem of costume patterns and construction to a great degree. Highly recommended!

But offers little. There are some excellent ideas in this book, but there doesn't seem to be much pay-off. I guess I prefer a more step-by-step approach, in that when someone offers up an idea for making a tiara out of net and wire, I expect some diagrams and instructions. I understand the need for fast and dirty costuming - I don't have to like it! - but every costumer generally finds his or her own ways, and there don't seem to be any new ways in this book that I, or others that I have learned from or spoken with, haven't already passed on (or found in other books, picked up on the streets, heard of in dank bars, and so on and so forth....heh....).

Which is to say, a true compendium of all the tricks of the trade would be as thick and as heavy as the Unabridged Knowledge Of All Things Useful.