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Costume Design & Construction

Measurement Sheet Project (5C)

In this project you will learn to take measurements in preparation for building a costume.  Use whatever scale of measurement (metric or inches) you normally use in your country.

Read : How to Measure Up From Threads magazine, and print out a copy of the Sample Measurement Sheet to fill out.  Read the part below the sheet about the "Magic Codes", so you will know what they are.  Measure your performer (or with a partner measure yourself), and fill out as much of the form as you can.  

Assume that you need to order an American made man's hat for this person.  Using one of the charts below, find out the correct hat size to order based on the head measurement.

• Hat Size Guidelines

• Find Your Hat Size

(Special note:  Acme Notions makes an inexpensive Hat measuring tape for costumers).

Some English made hats are on a slightly different scale, so it is good to know about the conversion table for these hats if you have a lot of old English made hats in your stockroom.

Write the appropriate hat size (based on your location) in the "hat size" box.

Trace the performer's foot shape on the back of the form for reference.  Shoe sizes vary from country to country as well, so this Shoe Size conversion chart can be used for ordering shoes from abroad that will fit correctly.  And, by the way, in case you were wondering, shoe size is not an indication of the size of...um...other...body parts.

Complete Book of Sewing

The Costume Designer's Handbook : A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers

The Costume Technician's Handbook : A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Technicians

 

Stage Costume Step-By-Step : The Complete Guide to Designing and Making Stage Costumes for All Major Drama Periods and Genres

The Magic Garment : Principles of Costume Design

Costume Construction

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

While Glove size is needed so rarely that it isn't worthwhile to measure everyone for gloves, it is still handy to know methods for doing it.  Here are some links that help:

• Glove Size tester

• Glove Size Charts

• Measuring your Glove size (fancy method)

Now that you have your measurements, read how to Choose the Correct Pattern Size From Threads magazine.  Choose a particular commercial pattern to work with in theory. Based on this article write up a post to the class eGroup describing briefly which commercial pattern size you chose, and why (based on the measurements).  Also mention if you can tell from the measurements that you will need to make any alterations to your (theoretical) pattern.

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