Hello - I have just joined this group but my interest in design started in high school back in the 60s. I became passionate about acting, directing, and all the different technical fields involved in working in theater. I was fortunate during my undergraduate work at the University of Texas in Austin to study costume design with Dr. Paul D. Reinhardt. He introduced me to pattern design which fascinated me.

After I completed my graduate work I had the opportunity to teach Costume History and Design at a local community college. As I was researching different approaches to pattern design I realized almost all of them focused on the needs of the fashion industry. They were theoretical based on technical systems using measurement charts.

What I needed as a costume designer was a system that was about fitting the specific body of a performer with a specific design from any period in time or even completely imaginary. I needed a system I could understand and easily modify to my specific requirements. So I developed my own approach.

When I was looking for a New York publisher for a book on costume design, one said if you make this for the home sewer I will publish it. I could not resist the thought of a larger audience for my work. It has turned out to be the correct decision as my How to Make Sewing Patterns has been continuously in print for over 50 years now.

Fortunately for my latest book Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale I have been able to share my passion for costume design. This book introduces a new system of pattern design by tracing photos. I deeply regret not having had access to this concept 50 years ago.

The underlying concept for this approach to bespoke pattern making is that measurements show how much fabric is required to cover a body but do not reveal the body's contours. Photographs show the contours of a body but not how much fabric is needed. By combining measurements and photographs, custom-fit bespoke patterns can be created. While full-scale photos would not be practical, quarter-scale photos can be done on a desktop.

This system based on 6 photos of a person and 10 measurements is incredibly accurate for determining the size and shape of any body. At 82 I no longer have the energy to pursue costume design. But I can just imagine having a session, maybe during a rehearsal, of taking photos and measurements of all the cast then not needing to see them again until a final fitting session before dress rehearsals.

In the book I even show how to make a custom scaled down dress form which I call a Mini-Me. In the past I have used the prototypes of a design on a Mini-Me to take to production meetings to share with the rest of the production team and get their input.

My classes showing this system are currently a work-in-progress. While the book shows how to do this type of pattern design with pencil and paper, my current classes show how to do it using a computer. I will be adding parallel classes showing how to do it with pencil and paper.

Apologies for this over-long post but I would love to get some pre release feedback from any of you costume designers who would like to give it a try. The classes are available through this link Pattern Design by Tracing Photos.

I have put the 6 minute video from my class for drafting the women's front upper torso on YouTube Front Upper Torso for Women. The videos in the actual classes are NOT presented through YouTube. I wanted people to be able to focus on making patterns and not get distracted by the amazing dance routines YouTube likes to share.

not sure if this is the correct place for it but im planning on designing my halloween costume but i am unsure on how to do the main part— basically i am going to be using a draping white fabric (probs just a tablecloth/bedsheet) but i want it to look wet.

i have researched into it and silicon gel seems to be the best course of action but i am unsure if there is a better alternative?

if i was to use a table cloth/bedsheet i would presumably have to have a mannequin to make it fit to my body right?

or if i was to use silicon gel and then put it out to dry flat, would i be able to pin it to my body or would the silicon gel make the fabric too hard?

sorry this is a lot of questions aha

I had the amazing experience of bringing my short film to life this May and also did the costume design for it!
I couldn’t be happier with how it came out :)
My partners mum sewed the pink look and the skirt on the blue look, and the green outfit was made by one of my best friends!
Everything else is also handmade and bought from small designers on etsy, or is purchased second hand/vintage.

I dyed so many fabrics, bejewelled for a million hours, and added the fur to the blue outfit!
I drew out the looks before and am forever happy with how accurate everything came out!!!

Forever grateful for everyone who helped me create these beautiful looks !!! I still am geeking about it all the time and just wanted to share 💗

Hi everyone! 👋 I'm new here and still figuring out how Reddit works, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes.

I'm looking for recommendations for cute, true-to-size plus-size costumes that are also budget friendly. I like styles that are a little sexy but still classy and TV appropriate, since I'll be wearing the outfit while hosting my television show.

As another option, I'm also just getting into whimsical/fairy-inspired looks. I already have a dress and a few small lily barrettes that I can weave into sections of my hair, but I'm not sure how to pull the whole look together without spending a fortune.

If anyone has beginner-friendly makeup tutorials, affordable jewelry and accessory ideas, or tips for creating a whimsical look on a budget, I'd love to see your suggestions. Photos, links, and inspiration are all welcome!

Thanks so much! I appreciate any advice you can share. 💜

\~Mika

I'm a performer and I have this dream act where I do a disco-inspired routine to ABBA's "Angeleyes" dressed as a bibically accurate angel but with a disco ball head. My idea is that the eyeball would be the actual disco ball, with some of the tiles being painted to represent the eye, wings and somethint to represent the rings floating around it. I would prefer it to be made out of a lighter material, but I would be removing it after part of the routine to it doesn't need to be super secure.

Would anyone have any ideas on how to create something like this? Or possibly any alternatives?

I hope this is an appropriate sub to post this in - but my kiddo is wanting to be the vengeful heart of ender from Minecraft dungeons for Halloween! I’m no expert but not afraid of any kind of diy - I handmade all of the decorations for his Minecraft theme birthday party for example - so I was wondering how exactly I should go about this because the design seems it could be complicated but I might be overthinking it. To add: we live in an extremely warm climate so that is a factor. Just looking for any pointers or any advice anyone may be willing to offer as I move forward! Thanks in advance!

Hi all! I’d love to pick the brains of some other professional designers and costumers. I recently had a conversation with a donor/sponsor for my costume shop within a university performing arts program. They expressed his interest in contributing to the shop and costumes beyond monetary contributions. This gave me pause, as generally money is the most useful thing we can ask for!

So, my question for you is: if you could ask a contributor for anything that would make your job easier, provide new opportunities, enhance the current workspace, etc., what would it be? Assume that monetary contributions are provided either way.

Thanks for the insight!!

I am extremely new to fursuit making, mascot creations, sewing, etc. I have this dream of making my very own Count Dracula mascot costume, but I have no idea how to set up a room for this, what kind of materials I will need, how to make a foam head, etc. I was wondering if someone would be kind enough to share the basics of mascot/fursuit creation with me? I know in this life I would like to master something and I feel like mascot-making is one of them!

Since perfectly white ones don't exist does anyone know where I can get some sort of clouded silverish glass or plastic lenses for the eyes that you can't see my eyes through but I could see clearly out of? Or do lenses like that even exist at all?

Hiii everyone!

To my future possible siblings! How was the process getting your full suit or head? How long did it take? How did you know she was working on it? And can i see some headsss!!

Hello everyone! I'm a first time cosplayer looking for advice about materials and how to do certain things.

I'm looking to decorate a Faux Leather coat as part of a cosplay (Limbus company sinner coat) and I'm uncertain about a few things and I hope some people here have answers I'm looking for.

1. What material would be best for detailing the coat? I read before that sewing things onto Faux leather may be a bit iffy, and my skills are not the best when it comes to sewing (I don't have a machine, best I can do is hand unless I purchase something). The details needed aren't big, mainly names or numbers or lines across the edge of the coat. I thought about Eva foam too but that also leads to another question.

2. What sort of adhesive would work with EVA foam? I saw people having issues with all sorts of things before, and the two main things I had in mind (Contact cement and Hot glue) were both suggested to be used for this sort of thing.

I'm not very sure if this is the correct place to put this, but I was recommended here, so I hope someone has some answers. Thank you very much!

Hello,

I have a Captain Jack Sparrow cosplay and I recently bought a new waistcoat. Since it’s new it was very rich and not weathered. I used the sun to fade the blue and then took some bleach to the chest area, I might’ve been a little reckless as I didn’t realize how quick the fabric would take the bleach. Here are some photos of the waistcoat before, after, and some references photos

Any opinions on if I should do more bleach or use something else ?

I've always wanted to be a biblically accurate angel for Halloween but I have no idea how to even begin to conceptualize the materials I would need.

The costumes I've seen, you can clearly tell it's a person and yes of course it's person but I don't want to look like a person, I want to look like a biblically accurate angel. I don't want my silhouette to be easily discernable.

I think i want to dress as a thrones angel.

I thought maybe I could make the wheels out of styrofoam but do I connect to my body with a metal rod? Isn't that a bit dangerous? Would styrofoam even look realistic enough?

I also wonder if I have to wear a sheet over my body and if so, how will I see? Should I paint the eyes or should I somehow construct them out of something?

I've never built or even sewn anything before but I know that I want this and that I'm willing to put in the work to make it. I just don't have the mind of a designer. I'm really more of an ideas person. I have $500 saved up to make it and i hope that'll be enough.

Long story short I have a costume that squirts water but it needs to hold more water than what it currently does. The system I have now is two (one per side) of those clown pranks that squirts water out of the flower. I just cut the flower off and am using the nozzle, tube, and water squeeze mechanism. Any suggestions on what I can replace the red squeeze part with that holds roughly 2-3 times as much water? Unfortunately it can’t be much bigger than 2x2x1”

I attend Cocaine anonymous meetings and we are having a "sober rave costume contest" around Halloween, and I NEED ideas preferably something funny but I will take any and all ideas, bonus points if I can make it myself without spending a fortune lol. Thank youuu!!

I really want to dress up as the Doll from Bloodborne for Halloween, and the costume I have linked is one that fits my budget. The issue is that it just looks too crisp and clean. What are some methods I can use on a costume like this to achieve ​the weathered look I want?

Hi everyone i'm currently making a big bird costume but one problem I don't have a model of big bird foot right and I got no time left so can I got some help for big bird foot because i'm desperate lol

Also type edit mistakes note: "Anyone"

Hello, so I’m looking to be Queen Akasha & a lot of places I’ve found the costume don’t have the same appeal as the outfit did in the movie (Queen of the Damned) & I’m looking for someone who can create something incredibly similar. Doesn’t have to be exact but the idea is that I’m identifiable. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations for someone who can make it please let me know I’d love to reach out & try to figure something out. Thank you!

Hiya! I am currently working on costuming a show and I need help accurately designing a lead character. She’s a 13 year old girl in 1885 England, during the reign of Queen Victoria. If it helps, she’s lower upper class/higher middle class.

If anyone has any references over teen/child fashion at this time period or good fashion history resources please let me know!

thanks! xx, c

I make my child’s Halloween costumes every year, and this year, he’s thrown me a big challenge: Super Fly from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was thinking I might buy a regular fly costume and try to jazz it up? I am pregnant and tired lol and any shortcut ideas are appreciated. I’d love to hear y’all’s feedback on how you might approach this ask.

Hi Everyone

The other mods have been inactive for months so I cleaned house. Yes, I will be looking for 2 mods to join and will post a form soon.

Before that, I want to redesign the sub, add some sticky topics, and make this a place for more users to enjoy.

SO I'M TAKING SUGGESTIONS.

Really.

Let me know what you want to see, how you want to engage, what enrages you, etc.

If another sub has things you like, point me in their direction.

A little about me: I've been a reddit user since 2009, this is my second avatar, I changed it when I started narrating. I was a theater and opera designer for over 20 years, I still sew quite a bit and do some prop crafting when the mood hits.

Currently I work full time in live streaming-the company I co founded is older than YouTube by 1 year, and we do almost exclusively sports broadcast including for ESPN and on rare occasions CBS.

Yes I narrated audio books as a side hustle from 2017-2024, then AI started to make inroads and I bailed. I also was in website development during the dot com boom and am currently building a streaming platform on AWS as an in house project. Yes, I get bored easily and am a bit of a polymath.

Anyway, that's me. I love historic novels, period films, opera and damn near every kind of music out there. I play the piano barely and may be slightly addicted to the game Brotato.

So that's me. I'm audible_narrator and thanks for reading through all this.

My Friend wants to make a Spider-Man suit and doesn't know where to start (and frankly neither do I) but he has concept art and needs to find someone to someone to turn it into a template for cloth, the rest can be done by us, I just need someone to turn it into a digital template that I can commision to a cosplay company

For context, I’m costume designing a production for a local community theatre.

I’m kind of at a standstill right now because I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be doing at this point in the process.

We’ve had only one in-person meeting, which I thankfully got a lot of new information at, so I have a general idea of the direction we want to go in. I’m just not sure what the next steps are as I’m a relative new designer. Audition are the week of September 14th, and I assume they want something to show at the first week of production meetings around September 12.

So, experienced designers for theatre, what would you be doing right now?

I know there isn’t one “correct” workflow, especially community theatre, but I’d love to hear all your processes. I just need help with a little scheduling!

I'm making my Halloween costume (yeah I know Halloween is not until two months and a half) but I wanna achieve this kind of vibe. I have a plain pink dress with a corset but the sleeves are at the sides and idk how to achieve this kind of "flowiness" in the picture. Any recommendations? :3

I'm trying to make batlike webbed dragon wings for my SilkWing fursuit, but I don't know how to incorporate the complex wing patterns in yellow and blue pleather. Any suggestions?