Academic Catalog

THTR 25C: FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION III

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: THTR 25B.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Create and adjust a custom body block pattern through drafting, sewing, fitting and correction as a tool to create patterns and clothing for costumes on the stage.
  • Organize and plan creating costumes for production, including analyzing a script, creating a costume plot and evaluating materials costs for budgeting.
  • Synthesize and demonstrate advanced techniques of costume creation in both sewing applications and craft processes

Description

Continuation of THTR 25B with a practical focus on creating costumes from designs for a theatrical production. Further use and practice with complex sewing projects and patterning skills to include drafting and fitting a body block, then creating a pattern from it, basic draping techniques and advanced materials usage with specialty materials for complex theatrical headgear, wigs, and costumes.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Master complex elements of costume construction for the stage.
  2. Choose appropriate textile or fabrics to support the development of creative design ideas.
  3. Draft a body block from measurements to create custom patterns.
  4. Interpret sketches and renderings of costume designs for theatrical productions, and understand the techniques used to create costumes for various regions and in different cultures.
  5. Budget for creating a costume for production.
  6. Research, classify, and identify clothing styles of different eras and cultures for the theatre and stage.

Course Content

  1. Take a leadership role in body measuring, pulling costumes, fitting, garment measuring, garment alterations, show maintenance, and laundering theatrical costumes.
  2. Develop a costume design or accessory that might include lights, moving parts, draping, or a complex breakaway action.
  3. Learn and practice techniques of drafting, constructing, and fitting a custom pattern, considering textile choices.
  4. Create headgear or accessory using modern materials such as thermoplastic.
  5. Research and analyze the use of line, texture, color, and form in costume design, nuanced for skin tone and hair color of the entire cast.
  6. Analyze a script, create a costume plot, production schedule, and evaluate costs and budgeting for costumes in the theatre.

Lab Content

  1. Supervised construction of related projects, including racking a show and pulling existing garments, creating new garments and accessories, and maintaining the show during its run.
  2. Advanced projects include millinery and thermoplastic fabrication, and advanced structuring such as tailoring and corsetry.
  3. Costume work using a dress form.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Studio facilities with access to sewing machines and tables, overlock, blind hemmer, industrial iron and table, steamer, and costume shop.
2. Space appropriate for storing class materials and projects.
3. Space appropriate for storing show costumes.
4. Adequate amperage for costume industry equipment.
5. Online portions of class require weekly student access to an internet enabled computer.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

In-class projects
Assigned construction exercises
Project review
Final project presentation

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations and classroom discussion covering costume research, technology, and construction
Oral presentations of major projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Instructor guided laboratory practice sessions
Instructor demonstrations of costume technology and techniques

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Ingham, Rosemary, and Liz Covey. Costume Technicians Handbook, 3rd ed.. 2003.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains the current school standard, and sewing techniques do not change much. The printed text was reissued in 2024.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading assignments include reading a script and chapters from the various texts, as well as research assignments that include verbal and visual research.
  2. Students complete costume production worksheets that include pre-production, production planning, and budgeting for a show.

Discipline(s)

Stagecraft or Theater Arts