Elements and Performance Criteria
- Conduct research for period costumes
- Undertake research to identify historical, cultural and other factors that might influence period costume styles, construction techniques and costume development
- Analyse designs and text for period costume requirements, and identify the relationship between costumes and character portrayal and development
- Gather a range of research materials to develop knowledge of historical clothing in a performance context
- Use research materials to interpret and adapt clothing styles for performance
- Interpret brief for period costume design
- Prepare for period costume construction
- Select materials and methods of costume construction according to production requirements and factors affecting garments from particular periods
- Take and record accurate measurements of performers to ensure correct fitting of costumes
- Integrate work health and safety considerations into costume planning
- Identify style and fabric characteristics that influence period costume construction and clarify queries with relevant colleagues
- Select appropriate pattern cutting method
- Make and grade patterns for period costumes
- Produce or adjust pattern to required specifications, ensuring that patterns comply with character and period costume and undergarment requirements, gender and figure proportions, and performance requirements
- Grade pattern manually or by computer, adjusting design, maintaining accuracy and shape, notches, design proportion and other design requirements
- Check pattern for accuracy and make adjustments as required
- Store pattern according to workplace procedures
- Lay up and cut work for period costume
- Establish the required meterage of fabric and other materials to minimise waste
- Check materials for quality, faults, width, selvedges, dye, lot and marking requirements
- Identify and assemble appropriate base and outer fabrics for period costumes
- Lay up base and self-fabrics and check alignment conforms to specifications
- Cut materials to meet pattern requirements
- Prepare fabric base and mount fabrics, as necessary, to achieve required stiffening or support effect
- Sew and fit period costumes
- Pin or sew fabric pieces and linings and where appropriate hang, in readiness for assembly
- Conduct fittings with performers and identify, record and action required adjustments and alterations
- Sew costume pieces together to form the whole costume and attach required trimmings, fasteners and decorations using appropriate techniques
- Finish period costumes according to requirements
- Identify modifications to period costumes in consultation with relevant personnel and complete as required
- Correctly label and code all period costumes for identification during production