Draping Period Costumes ─ Classical Greek to Victorian

One way of creating a theatrical costume is called flat patterning. This is when a costume designer uses a pattern made to the wearer’s measurements to cut out and sew together a costume. In many cases flat patterning is the more appropriate method for creating a period costume - skirts, pants, and sleeves, for example. However, working in two-dimensions often does not translate correctly onto a three-dimensional dress form or person. Often a designer will need to tweak style lines on a garment once they see it worn, or a costume will need a quick adjustment right before going on stage. In those cases, designers need to know how to correctly drape a costume. Draping is also the best way to construct a period costume right from the start. The construction of garments in earlier centuries often constricted movement, especially in the area of the armhole. The very different size and proportions of contemporary people compared to those in previous centuries makes the use of period patterns difficult. A well-draped garment can give the impression of period accuracy while permitting the wearer greater freedom of movement. Having a mock-up pinned to the form in its early stages is quicker and easier to adapt than drafting a flat pattern, cutting it out of muslin and sewing it. It also provides the opportunity for greater creativity and adaptation as well as a better understanding of what fabric will and won’t do.

In Draping Period Costumes, Sharon Sobel explains in step-by-step detail the basics of draping and demonstrates the use of those basic skills in the creation of a representative selection of period costumes from a variety of time periods. Chapters are broken into time periods and have two parts: an analysis of how clothing was made and worn during that specific time period, and detailed instruction on draping techniques to construct the costume. Copiously illustrated, images allow this visual audience to easily follow along with detailed instructions.

A part of the Costume Topics series, this book will be 256 pages, a snazzy 8.25 x 7.5 trim size, and spiral bound-a format consistently requested by our audience so that they can lay the book flat while working from it.

Covers sizing, necessary tools, and basic rules of draping, along with more specific draping assignments

Includes draping examples from a variety of historical periods, including ancient Greece/Rome, Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, Neoclassical, Victorian, and more!

Heavily illustrated with full color images that show each stitch and seam

Sharon Sobel is Professor of Theatre and Costume Designer at University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has designed and/or draped costumes for over 100 200 productions at her home institutions as well as at The Bermuda Festival, The Juilliard School, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Long Island Stage, New York International Fringe Festival, Queens Theatre in the Park, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Asolo Center for Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera, The Alley Theatre, Madison Repertory Theatre, Opera Omaha, Nebraska Repertory Theatre and Nebraska Shakespeare Festival. She has also designed and draped costumes for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College. Professor Sobel is a member of United Scenic Artists of America and recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Gold Medallion.