THTR 425: INTRODUCTION TO FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION NONCREDIT
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Fall 2026 |
| Units: | 0 |
| Hours: | 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter) |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Non-Degree-Applicable Non-Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | None |
| Grade Type: | Non-Credit Course (Receives no Grade) |
| Repeatability: | Unlimited Repeatability |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Successful students can demonstrate sewing skills through the use of the sewing machine and a variety of hand stitches.
- Successful students can identify and produce a variety of craft applications used in costume preparation, including millinery/hat making, shoe modification, and accessory making.
- Successful students recognize and use the costume process to prepare the costumes for a theatrical production.
- Upon completion, students can operate specialty equipment for costume preparation, including the overlock, blind hemmer, steam iron, garment steamer and pattern drafting tools.
Description
An introduction to sewing techniques, pattern cutting, costume room equipment, and the design and fabrication of clothing and costumes for the theatre and stage.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
- Analyze and practice with the techniques of costume construction and sewing for the stage.
- Identify fabric weaves, fibers, fabric names and uses.
- Develop techniques of pattern cutting, layout, and sizing of patterns and clothing for costumes on the stage.
- Understand the organization elements in creating costumes for production.
- Classify and identify costume styles and periods of various regions and in different cultures for the theatre and stage.
Course Content
- Practice techniques of cutting, sewing, craftmaking (including textiles and millinery), and building and finishing the costume design using sewing machines, scissors, needles, threads, steaming and ironing equipment.
- Practice body measuring using language and practices that respect gender and culture.
- Introduce fabric basics, distinguishing differences in fabric weaves and fibers; identify fabric names and their sewing properties and practical usage.
- Draft costume patterns for the stage by using paper, tape, tape measures, and muslin.
- Analyze clothing for particular eras and cultures and the relationship to the theatre, stage, and script.
Lab Content
- Supervised construction of related projects, including costume alterations, cutting, and creating new costume garments and accessories.
- Craft projects include millinery and accessory fabrication with some advanced techniques touching on corsetry boning.
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.
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 exam project/paper
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
- Reading assignments include chapters from the textbook or online content, as well as research assignments that include verbal and visual research.
- Students complete a paper that outlines the techniques they have learned in class.
Discipline(s)
Stagecraft or Theater Arts