Elegantly Frugal Costumes: The Poor Man's Do-It-Yourself Costume Maker's Guide

by Shirley Dearing

Book Overview

Costuming can be one of the most difficult aspects of putting on a play. It can also be the most expensive. Here is a do-it-yourself costume maker's guide. This wonderfully practical book literally shows you how to make costumes for plays and musicals at the lowest possible expense! With over 150 detailed illustrations, the book aids all costumers with its easy-to-follow text. Just about every basic period is covered: Biblical to Medieval, Renaissance,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916260887
• ISBN13: 9780916260880
• Release Date: August 1992
• Publisher: Meriwether Publishing
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Meant for stage costuming

Medieval reenactment is a fun past time of mine. This book is not meant for that. This book was written for stage costuming. Only approximately 20 pages are for pre-colonial costuming. This book is written with the 1900s as its main focus.

costumes

nice little book, detailing ways to change existing 20th century clothes into period costumes for theatre.

Some good ideas.....

I received this book as a gift, and I am grateful for it. It does have some good ideas, some that I hadn't thought about, some different ways of doing things. It helps to think in different ways, do some brain-exercising.

Simple and Informative

What I like about this book is that it foregoes any esoterica and costuming theory in favor of good old fashioned practicality. The reader doesn't have to sift through the excruciating snobby details, but instead is given the real lowdown as if visiting with a best friend who happens to be a costume mistress.This book focuses mainly on costuming for low-budget productions (such as community theatre or a school play), providing useful information and advice on making good-looking costumes from already existing garments and/or thrift store offerings. Information abounds about time period, costume cuts & styles, ways to splurge or skimp on your costumes and still have them look fabulous, as well as details that an inexperienced costumer might overlook (such as using velcro instead of buttons for ease in costume changes).I would highly recommend this to anyone who is involved in costuming for a production, or anyone who simply loves costumes and loves to recycle old clothes into great new ones. I love this book and have read through it several times just for inspiration.

cosstuming on small budget

An excellent book of ideas and help for someone wanting to learn to costume for community theatre. It contains excellent examples of her own work that is easy to follow. It does not overload your brain with useless information. A good starting out book, that aids a person in organizing the information , and research problems needed to suceeded in this field. Also a good read for veterans of the design buisness to give fresh ideas and back up what they have done . After 35 years finally I have found someone who appreciates the use of thrift stores , goodwill and lace curtains for stage costumes. Thank you Shirley for putting it into words and pictures.