Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-12 Thread Michael Deibert
Because you bring up specific points in your rebuttal, I feel the need to
address some the ones I perceive as misconceptions so  those following can
understand my thoughts. Until we all understand where each of us is coming
from, we will never begin to truly discuss the issue. However, since we have
essential taken over this thread, I feel we should take this into private
emails - or create a separate thread so the original one can remain to its
intent regarding books for the courses Kate is looking at teaching.


On Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 11:53 PM, Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.comwrote:

 I don't think that's true.  I've been on a number of e-groups related to
 sewing and pattern making, that include people with a wide variety of
 backgrounds. I don't see them refusing to talk to or help each other, at
 all.


Not to argue, but I think that's a biased view-point. If they are on the
list-serve already then they are already haring their knowledge. But is that
a good portion of the whole or just a select few oddballs? I personally
don't know any statistics but from what others have said and what I've seen,
it's more the few oddballs than majority. Without actual statistics, it's
only an educated guess.



  It really comes down to thesame basic steps that both sides follow, with
 slight changes in the order and importance each side places on those steps.


 No, it doesn't.  There are very distinct differences in procedures, and
 even techniques, depending on whether you are making clothes for yourself,
 or custom making them for others, or making them for theatrical productions,
 or for a ready-to-wear business. For that matter, whether you are making
 modern clothes or historic ones.


I'm talking about the basic core steps, which do transcend all the various
options (making clothes for oneself, making theatrical costumes, RTW,
historical, modern, etc.). I'll try to break it down and keep it simple so
hopefully you can understand my thought process.

- The client is established. It might be for oneself, the client might
request a custom-made garment, the costumer determines a costume needs made,
or a company's sample is ordered t market. Regardless, there is always a
client before the garment is made.

- Next, everyone develops the design. That design is often based on research
as well as the desires of the client.

-Once the design is finalized, everyone moves onto the pattern. Some draft
it, some drape it, or use purchased patterns - but everyone uses a pattern.

- The pattern is fit to the client. Some use samples/muslins, some fit
before making the finished garment, some fit during construction, and often
it takes a couple fittings. Some go back and correct the pattern before
moving on.

- The materials for the project are sourced. Some do this before the design,
some before the pattern is made, some after the pattern - but at some point
everyone sources materials.

- The sewing process has to be established. Some is by instinct and common
sense, some use the instructions with the purchased pattern, some use advice
of others. But we all use similar steps in assembling garments.

- The garment is sewn. This is the most obvious commonality because
otherwise we don't have an end product. Some do it all themselves, some do
it by hand, some use machines, some use assembly lines - but it is always
sewn together.

-Lastly, the garment is approved by the  client and then belongs o the
client. If not, the issues are fixed. After approval it does separate on
whether the client simply wear their own work, the theater company uses it
for their run, the client purchases - but in the end the client get the
garment.

The important thing to remember is that while we all use these core steps,
the order they are used in and the the specific methods for each step do
vary. We are all in the garment field, but our specific focuses DO vary. It
they didn't, then we'd only need one degree program that would be the
all-encompassing course of knowledge. We wouldn't need all the books and
resources out there that are specialized to certain steps or methods.

Because we have different focuses, different methods, and different clients,
each segment of the field is unique and variations exist. But we mustn't
ignore the commonalities that tie us together.


I wasn't really seeing any problems with the ways the courses I took were
 set up. The thing is, there were basic dressmaking courses and advanced
 ones, and the instructors managed to accommodate students with a variety of
 goals. Then there were separate courses in flat pattern work, and in
 draping, and in grading patterns, and in merchandising.  But:  No one had to
 take any of these courses, other than dressmaking being required before
 taking pattern-making courses. No one who thought grading, or draping, or
 fashion illustration, or whatever would be useless for their purposes had to
 take that course. No one had to be a garment design and merchandising major
 to take 

Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-12 Thread Lavolta Press



Not to argue, but I think that's a biased view-point. If they are on the
list-serve already then they are already haring their knowledge. But is that
a good portion of the whole or just a select few oddballs? I personally
don't know any statistics but from what others have said and what I've seen,
it's more the few oddballs than majority. Without actual statistics, it's
only an educated guess.


Do we need statistics?  We are on a list-serve. People are sharing their 
knowledge here. I personally have not found people to be at all 
unwilling to share information. Your mileage may vary.


Can we get back to historical costuming now?  There are people on this 
list who hold different views on things like, whether a given garment is 
totally authentic for a given wearer in a given period--and whether it 
even matters if the person wearing the garment is not a historical 
interpreter. I personally think that holding a different view is not a 
misconception.


The point, however, is that everyone on this list already knows the 
basic steps of producing garments for their purposes. They do not need 
you to lecture them about it. You're not addressing a roomful of 
clueless newbies to whom you can dispense your wisdom about how the 
garment industry works--even though you're not working in it and just 
repeating what you heard on another forum.


Fran
Lavolta Press
www.lavoltapress.com
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-12 Thread Michael Deibert
On Sat, Mar 12, 2011 at 1:51 PM, Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.comwrote:

 Can we get back to historical costuming now?


That's what I've been trying to do!

The point, however, is that everyone on this list already knows the basic
 steps of producing garments for their purposes. They do not need you to
 lecture them about it. You're not addressing a roomful of clueless newbies
 to whom you can dispense your wisdom about how the garment industry
 works--even though you're not working in it and just repeating what you
 heard on another forum.


Then please don't patronize me the same way you claim I am. And I am working
in the industry, not just repeating what I have been told. Yet I also am a
costume designer and am knowledgable in those skills. And I do custom,
period garments. Am I an expert? No, but I never claimed I am either.


 There are people on this list who hold different views on things like,
 whether a given garment is totally authentic for a given wearer in a given
 period--and whether it even matters if the person wearing the garment is not
 a historical interpreter. I personally think that holding a different view
 is not a misconception.


I think that's a wonderful topic for discussion. Perhaps a new thread? Here
are some questions that I've pondered.

- Where do we draw the line between what is acceptable as historically
accurate vs historically authentic?
- With modern sewing skills and fads (such as zippers), where do we
encorporate those skills to aid in construction of period garments, or do we
insist on using the period methods?

Michael.
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-12 Thread Lavolta Press



I think that's a wonderful topic for discussion. Perhaps a new thread? Here
are some questions that I've pondered.

- Where do we draw the line between what is acceptable as historically
accurate vs historically authentic?
- With modern sewing skills and fads (such as zippers), where do we
encorporate those skills to aid in construction of period garments, or do we
insist on using the period methods?


Yeah, well, when this list started some years ago, the authenticity 
flame wars were scorching all our monitors. We've now achieved a 
live-and-let live attitude for which I am grateful. List members have 
recognized they do not all have identical goals, schedules, budgets, or 
issues like whether they can hand sew everything anyway because they 
have carpal tunnel.


But at least, it's not historic costuming and not the modern 
ready-to-wear industry.


I'll leave you guys to it, since I have a big wad of end-of-the-week 
book orders to fill.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com




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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-12 Thread Lavolta Press

Sorry, I meant, at least it IS historic costuming.

Fran



But at least, it's not historic costuming and not the modern 
ready-to-wear industry.





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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread AVCHASE
Bravo, Fran! What a cogent analysis of the problem. 
I have such a hard time getting across to people that theatrical costuming is 
not fashion design or couture or ready to wear or home sewing. It's about the 
play.
Audy

in the high boonies of Central Texas


PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press



On 3/10/2011 1:52 PM, Lavolta Press wrote:
Who's your audience? From what I recall from being a fashion design 
student at two different colleges, people seem to enter college 
fashion design programs for a number of different reasons:


snip

More comments:

* In every course I was in, the students wanted to make garments for 
themselves, regardless of their goals for the course. If they were going 
to put all that time and money into making something they loved, they 
wanted to wear it.


* We were always taught custom fitting. In one ready-to-wear course, the 
instructor paradoxically claimed that even though we were there to learn 
about ready-to-wear, a custom-fitted garment was always superior, so we 
spent a lot of time on fitting techniques. The students thought it was 
great, but again, it's not how the ready-to-wear industry works. There's 
no way anyone could have been induced to buy an industry dress form for 
a standard size and make all the clothes for it (considering none of the 
students were exactly an industry standard size, which of course was the 
point of the fitting lessons). One student wanted to make a dress for 
her sister. The instructor allowed it, but required that the sister show 
up in class for all the fitting sessions, because the whole point of the 
course was that we were not supposed to be at home teaching ourselves, 
but learning under supervision. The sister showed up, but she found the 
scheduling to be a pain because although she lived in the area, she 
attended a different college.


* When I took couture courses we were required to make custom dress 
forms. I bought a foam form and customized it. A lot of the students got 
together and made them from paper-mache, duct tape not being trendy at 
the time. Paper mache was worse, as the student had to maintain a normal 
posture not only while she was being mummy wrapped, but while the 
structure dried.


* Although I went through a  whole ready-to-wear program at one college 
and couture at another, I encountered exactly one male student (in one 
of the RTW courses). He posed a whole set of problems for the 
instructor. The females were not allowed to fit him, and he had to be 
sent out of the room for all their fitting sessions. You understand we 
did fitting over underwear only, which of course was visible part of the 
time. The instructor did dictate that the female students had to wear 
not only bras and panties but full slips, regardless of their usual 
habits. This was merely to preserve decency among themselves. It was too 
heady for a male student to view. (He was a very nice, rather shy guy.) 
Even regardless of mores, no one wants to risk a sexual harassment suit.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press
 He posed a whole set of problems for the instructor. The females were 
not allowed to fit him, and he had to be sent out of the room for all 
their fitting sessions.


snip

The instructor also had to customize the whole course for him, due to 
the students always wearing their creations. He made a shirt, pants, and 
a jacket, but blouses, skirts, and dresses remained a mystery to him. Or 
at least, he was there for the lectures on on developing patterns for 
them and constructing them, but he didn't actually make any.





Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com

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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Michael Deibert
On Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 2:10 PM, Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.comwrote:

 * In every course I was in, the students wanted to make garments for
 themselves, regardless of their goals for the course. If they were going to
 put all that time and money into making something they loved, they wanted to
 wear it.


There is some sense in doing this in the RTW learning process. Most fashion
degree programs culminate in the creation of a line that is then shown as a
final project. I know of at least one recent graduate (she's active on the
forums I mentioned), who decided that since she was putting all this work
into creating her line, she wanted to do it correctly so that it could be
manufactured and earn back all the money she invested in the project to
graduate. So a program geared with this in mind would be extremely
beneficial but only if they themselves were the target market for their
line.



 * We were always taught custom fitting ... it's not how the ready-to-wear
 industry works. There's no way anyone could have been induced to buy an
 industry dress form for a standard size and make all the clothes for it
 (considering none of the students were exactly an industry standard size,
 which of course was the point of the fitting lessons).


This is a slight misconception and I'll avoid going into sizing issues. But
while there are industrial sized dress forms, the industry standard size is
a medium. The actual measurements of your line's medium is based on your
target market and your fit model. A fit model is the actual model you will
fit everything to - this is where the training on how to custom fit models
comes in handy.

Where the industry process differs from the home-sewing mindset is that
after the sample (muslin in home-sewing world) is fit to the fit model, the
pattern is then corrected to the new changes. The home-sewer takes the fit
sample and finishes it off because the alterations were done on the almost
finished garment.


Lastly, that is extremely unforunate regarding your male classmate but I
completely sympathize with him. As a male myself, most of the drafting books
and courses out there are geared towards women's clothing - not men.
Tailoring courses are for the male clothing yet unless you apprentice under
a tailor, very few courses come close to covering the basics of drafting
men's patterns.

Michael Deibert
OAS AAS LLS
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press



This is a slight misconception and I'll avoid going into sizing issues. But
while there are industrial sized dress forms, the industry standard size is
a medium. The actual measurements of your line's medium is based on your
target market and your fit model. A fit model is the actual model you will
fit everything to - this is where the training on how to custom fit models
comes in handy.


Yes, I know. I did go through more than one RTW class.

But, the average human body does not have identical proportions to 
either a standard industry dress form or an industry fit model. That's 
why ready-to-wear does not fit the average person well. Everyone is 
unique in terms of the combination of the shape of their shoulders, 
bust, hips, abdomen, behind, the length of their arms, and many other 
things. And that's not even counting people who are considered to be 
overweight or to have physical deformities/medical issues.


Again, for many students, making something they cannot wear and that 
they are not currently in a position to sell is throwing away time and 
money.  Students are typically short on both. And again, to a lot of 
them it sounds fancy to enter an RTW course but that's not really what 
they will do when they graduate. Colleges look at the numbers and if 
there are not enough students to justify a class, it's not given.


I think it's a very good thing that all those teenagers are watching 
Project Runway and thinking, Cool!  I want to learn to sew and design 
clothes! Because, if people want clothes with a custom fit, fine 
construction, and/or unique styling, they're typically going to be 
either spending more than a middle-class person can easily afford to get 
clothes made for them,  or making their own clothes.  Most ready-to-wear 
is pretty drecky.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books on making historic clothing
www.lavoltapress.com










Where the industry process differs from the home-sewing mindset is that
after the sample (muslin in home-sewing world) is fit to the fit model, the
pattern is then corrected to the new changes. The home-sewer takes the fit
sample and finishes it off because the alterations were done on the almost
finished garment.


Lastly, that is extremely unforunate regarding your male classmate but I
completely sympathize with him. As a male myself, most of the drafting books
and courses out there are geared towards women's clothing - not men.
Tailoring courses are for the male clothing yet unless you apprentice under
a tailor, very few courses come close to covering the basics of drafting
men's patterns.

Michael Deibert
OAS AAS LLS
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread michaeljdeib...@gmail.com
Replying on my phone so I apologize for any typos I miss! And I apologize if I 
cone across as arguing, want to make sure we're on the same page in 
understanding even if it means I misunderstood something along the process of 
learning. 

No, the standard industry dress form does not work - unless you're one of the 
small group of people with the ideal measurement. In terms of learning 
though, the standard size allows teachers to easily see if something is wrong 
and needs corrected. It's ideal for learning but not for the real world.

Unless I have misunderstood the concept (entirely possible btw!), your fit 
model should not be the industry standard in any measurements. When you develop 
a RTW line, the first major hurdle is determining the market. Is it young 
teenage girls who cannot afford to buy their clothes themselves? Or is it the 
40-65 middle aged women who strive for a professional image? It is impossible 
to make clothing for the average customer. Nor is it possible to satisfy 
everyone in terms of sizing. 

Once the market is established and concise enough to be realistic, you create 
your sizes from the measurements and studies of your market. The size medium 
(or it's equivalent numerical size) is what sales reps and sample makers are 
used to working with. Your fit model then is sized according to the 
measurements of your line's size medium. 

I agree that it is frustrating to waste one's time on something that cannot be 
worn or sold but how else can they learn the process? The architect doesn't 
build a building while they're earning their degree... The wok with models 
until they learn and master the skills needed. I also am under the impression 
that many programs out there aren't suited for what the industry has in terms 
of job openings. There are plenty of amazing designers who've graduated but 
most don't want to do the manufacturing work themselves (or worse, they don't 
know how even after earning their degree!).

I also am not a fan of Project Runway. I'm glad it seems to be leading kids to 
sew their own clothes that will fit them ... But it's equally pushing out 
designers who think it's easy to produce a line because that's how Project 
Runway does it. Also not a fan of the reality show aspect - the real industry 
is reality enough without adding more competition and challenges! 

But imagine if the kids watching the show, those who want to make clothes not 
to fit themselves but to fit others (because RTW is so crappy), and then are 
given the right skills to follow thru and produce their line - they will not 
only be successful, but will force those manufacturers who don't care about 
size to fix their doing issues and thereby bring the industry back to where it 
should be. That would be the ideal program of study. 

Michael Deibert
OAS AAS LLS
Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 11, 2011, at 15:33, Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.com wrote:

 
 This is a slight misconception and I'll avoid going into sizing issues. But
 while there are industrial sized dress forms, the industry standard size is
 a medium. The actual measurements of your line's medium is based on your
 target market and your fit model. A fit model is the actual model you will
 fit everything to - this is where the training on how to custom fit models
 comes in handy.
 
 Yes, I know. I did go through more than one RTW class.
 
 But, the average human body does not have identical proportions to either a 
 standard industry dress form or an industry fit model. That's why 
 ready-to-wear does not fit the average person well. Everyone is unique in 
 terms of the combination of the shape of their shoulders, bust, hips, 
 abdomen, behind, the length of their arms, and many other things. And that's 
 not even counting people who are considered to be overweight or to have 
 physical deformities/medical issues.
 
 Again, for many students, making something they cannot wear and that they are 
 not currently in a position to sell is throwing away time and money.  
 Students are typically short on both. And again, to a lot of them it sounds 
 fancy to enter an RTW course but that's not really what they will do when 
 they graduate. Colleges look at the numbers and if there are not enough 
 students to justify a class, it's not given.
 
 I think it's a very good thing that all those teenagers are watching Project 
 Runway and thinking, Cool!  I want to learn to sew and design clothes! 
 Because, if people want clothes with a custom fit, fine construction, and/or 
 unique styling, they're typically going to be either spending more than a 
 middle-class person can easily afford to get clothes made for them,  or 
 making their own clothes.  Most ready-to-wear is pretty drecky.
 
 Fran
 Lavolta Press
 Books on making historic clothing
 www.lavoltapress.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Where the industry process differs from the home-sewing mindset is that
 after the sample (muslin in home-sewing world) is fit to the fit model, the
 

Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press



I agree that it is frustrating to waste one's time on something that cannot be worn 
or sold but how else can they learn the process?


The person who originally posted was planning to teach a *beginning* 
sewing class. A great many people want to learn to sew, to custom fit, 
and to create patterns, without any intention of entering the 
ready-to-wear field. This is as it should be. Not everyone can enter 
that field, and not everyone wants to start a small business 
manufacturing ready-to-wear. I will not say that everyone can make their 
own clothes, even if they have the skills. People have time constraints, 
or they lose enthusiasm. But, it is still much more likely that the 
person who enters a beginning class can continue to make clothes for 
themselves, than it is they will find a job in the industry. Therefore, 
a beginning class that accommodates such students will be much more 
popular.  And as I pointed out, a class that focuses on ready-to-wear 
sewing techniques, like the one I dropped out of because it was bad for 
my health, is a course in factory sewing on factory machines. The 
instructor actively helped to place students who wanted factory jobs 
into factories in the local garment industry (which used to be much more 
vital than it is today).  But, not everyone wants to sew on the factory 
floor, not to mention most of that work gets outsourced to third-world 
countries these days.



But will force those manufacturers who don't care about size to fix their doing 
issues and thereby bring the industry back to where it should be. That would be 
the ideal program of study.


No matter what manufacturers do to sizing, they still will never custom 
fit the human body, unless they make clothes on a custom basis. Nor, I 
think, will most of them ever use fine seam finishes or do hand sewing 
except at the high price ranges.


Remember, this is an e-list that focuses explicitly on making historic 
clothing. Of course, the styles, the fit, etc., vary a great deal with 
geographic location and historic era, and include garments that are not 
fitted, but draped around the body. But, most of us are custom making 
clothing, and much of it is for eras where garments are closely fitted, 
were custom fitted at the time, and are custom fitted by the people who 
make them now. Furthermore, everyone has personal fitting issues and 
sometimes these are discussed in great detail. Many people on this list 
are making very high-end and elaborate garments, whether unique or 
duplicated from period portraits or extant garments. Many of them do 
handwork such as hand sewing, embroidery, beading, etc., or they do 
spinning, weaving, dyeing, etc. Many list members have been doing all 
this for many years and have a high level of expertise in specialized 
fields.


I am not saying that it's somehow wrong to make modern clothes or 
practice modern mass-manufacturing techniques, but that's not what most 
list members are doing. Even though some of them make modern as well as 
historic clothes for themselves, that's not the focus of this list.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com


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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread R Lloyd Mitchell
Fran, I realy appreciate your take and advice on this trend and issue. Given 
the wide scope of researching
?historical costume and puting it together with contemporary interps of?this 
history, having an automatic market out there that will be clamoring to buy the 
designs in Any size does not bode well for a costume business...either in 
selling patterns or ready made clothing..? Anyone who can look at a 
picture/painting and presume to replicate the costume image is dealing with 
more than size, color, fabric. and etc.
Expecting a Class that will allow you to be able to do this is not a real 
prospect
; then you are making Historical Costume just another factory project. Most of 
the costumes that are trying to be faithful copies of originals are/become 
originals in themselves because of the very fact they were designed and 
made?for the individuals who called them forth to begin with.
?kathleen who is always celebrating historical fashion by recreating it in 
miniature...Cut Down To Size?
-Original Message-
From: Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.com
Sent 3/11/2011 5:35:29 PM
To: Historical Costume h-cost...@indra.com
Subject: Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text? I agree that it is frustrating 
to waste one's time on something that cannot be worn or sold but how else can 
they learn the process?
The person who originally posted was planning to teach a *beginning*
sewing class. A great many people want to learn to sew, to custom fit,
and to create patterns, without any intention of entering the
ready-to-wear field. This is as it should be. Not everyone can enter
that field, and not everyone wants to start a small business
manufacturing ready-to-wear. I will not say that everyone can make their
own clothes, even if they have the skills. People have time constraints,
or they lose enthusiasm. But, it is still much more likely that the
person who enters a beginning class can continue to make clothes for
themselves, than it is they will find a job in the industry. Therefore,
a beginning class that accommodates such students will be much more
popular.  And as I pointed out, a class that focuses on ready-to-wear
sewing techniques, like the one I dropped out of because it was bad for
my health, is a course in factory sewing on factory machines. The
instructor actively helped to place students who wanted factory jobs
into factories in the local garment industry (which used to be much more
vital than it is today).  But, not everyone wants to sew on the factory
floor, not to mention most of that work gets outsourced to third-world
countries these days.
 But will force those manufacturers who don't care about size to fix their 
 doing issues and thereby bring the industry back to where it should be. That 
 would be the ideal program of study.
No matter what manufacturers do to sizing, they still will never custom
fit the human body, unless they make clothes on a custom basis. Nor, I
think, will most of them ever use fine seam finishes or do hand sewing
except at the high price ranges.
Remember, this is an e-list that focuses explicitly on making historic
clothing. Of course, the styles, the fit, etc., vary a great deal with
geographic location and historic era, and include garments that are not
fitted, but draped around the body. But, most of us are custom making
clothing, and much of it is for eras where garments are closely fitted,
were custom fitted at the time, and are custom fitted by the people who
make them now. Furthermore, everyone has personal fitting issues and
sometimes these are discussed in great detail. Many people on this list
are making very high-end and elaborate garments, whether unique or
duplicated from period portraits or extant garments. Many of them do
handwork such as hand sewing, embroidery, beading, etc., or they do
spinning, weaving, dyeing, etc. Many list members have been doing all
this for many years and have a high level of expertise in specialized
fields.
I am not saying that it's somehow wrong to make modern clothes or
practice modern mass-manufacturing techniques, but that's not what most
list members are doing. Even though some of them make modern as well as
historic clothes for themselves, that's not the focus of this list.
Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Michael Deibert
Quickly to wrap this up since we seem to agree to disagree... and if you'd
like to continue this because there are some interesting things brought up,
feel free to send me a private email.

First of all,

Remember, this is an e-list that focuses explicitly on making historic
 clothing.


I know exactly what this list is for, else I would not have signed up to
recieve the postings. I too, make made-to-measure, custom designed period
clothing. My degree is in theater with focus on costuming. The only thing
holding me back from knowing and doing the same things others on here do is
that I have not yet had the time to master all the skills.

Even though this is a historical costume list-serve, everything mentioned in
our discussion is completely relevent to original post of this thread.

Now, onto the rest of it and only because it should explain why I initially
went off topic as you proclaim. Here is the full context of the quote:

*On Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 3:37 PM, Kathryn Pinner pinn...@mccc.edu wrote:
*

 *The powers that be at my community college (where I am a theatrical
 costume and set designer) have decided to start a Fashion Design and
 Merchandizing program (the push seems to be from the merchandizing/businesss
 side) and they are expecting me to teach the history of costume, basic
 sewing, and textiles.*


The point I made was that they are starting a Fashion Design and
Merchandizing *program*. Yes, Kate mentions that her courses are geared
towards history of costume, basic sewing, and textiles. Yet, since she is
one of the professors involved in the overall program, she can have input
into what the course are - even is she might not actually teach them.

[On a side note, history of costume would be of little help to a fashion
design major - unless it covers the history of modern fashion or period
fashion is become a mainstream revival without my knowledge.]

Yes, many people want to learn to sew their own clothes that fit them. That
is why all the community colleges around the area I live have continuing
education classes, which are separate from their degree courses. A course
such as the one you describe is better suited towards those courses, where
the more specialized courses would be for those pursing that degree program.

*The instructor actively helped to place students who wanted factory jobs
 into factories in the local garment industry (which used to be much more
 vital than it is today).  But, not everyone wants to sew on the factory
 floor, not to mention most of that work gets outsourced to third-world
 countries these days.
 *


True, the industry is not as vital today as it was even ten years ago. But
actually, the current trend is bringing manufacturing back into the US
because that is what the customers want - except there are no workers to do
the work. The manufacturing field in the US is full of open jobs for the
taking, yet most college graduates do not want to do actualy work but
instead become the next overnight sensation.


 *No matter what manufacturers do to sizing, they still will never custom
 fit the human body, unless they make clothes on a custom basis.
 *


Manufacturing clothing will never fit everyone perfectly - that's a fact
that has not nor will change. That is one of many reasons there is the
distinction between made-to-measure garments and those that are RTW
manufactured.


Michael Deibert
OAS AAS LLS
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Laurie Taylor
Regarding this quote, 

[On a side note, history of costume would be of little help to a fashion
design major - unless it covers the history of modern fashion or period
fashion is become a mainstream revival without my knowledge.]

I disagree completely and must say so.  Inspiration for new fashion designs
comes from more than just the last century, from much more than just modern
fashion.  Designers look everywhere for their inspiration.  Historic costume
is one of the most valuable resources that any modern fashion designer can
have.  Fashion design majors need to study historic costume, both for
inspiration and to understand where fashion came from.  That 'history of
costume would be of little help to a fashion design major' is just not
right.

I'm really, truly not out to start a fight here.  I teach History of
Costume.  I also teach or have taught almost every class in one of those
Fashion Design programs.  I'm working to get more costume-oriented classes
into our overall curriculum, to build up our Costume Construction
certificate and to help open up job options for students in an area where
there are several theater costume shops, but almost no apparel production.

I'd like to suggest that taking some Costume History courses might surprise
you.  One of my major assignments, which happens every week of the course,
has my students looking at modern fashion for details and elements that have
their roots in historic apparel, all the way from ancient Egypt to the 20th
century.  It's truly wonderful to see how their perspective on fashion and
the whole industry changes and grows.

It seems like this is turning into a battle between the Fashion Design
program people and the Historic Costume people.  It shouldn't.  We're all
very much part of the same wonderful world of apparel and textiles...old and
new.  Don't you just love it?

Laurie T.
Phoenix


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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Carol Kocian


On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:06 PM, Michael Deibert wrote:

[On a side note, history of costume would be of little help to a  
fashion design major - unless it covers the history of modern  
fashion or period fashion is become a mainstream revival without my  
knowledge.]


When I was studying fashion design, there were two history of  
costume courses, covering before and after about 1840. Merchandising  
majors only were required to take the later course, and fashion  
required both. I would think the classes were useful to the Theater  
department, too.


First of all, aren't the designers the ones who create various  
revivals? Often there is a movie that has an impact or inspiration to  
fashion, like Shakespeare in Love, or Out of Africa. Mad Men seems to  
be having an effect currently.


One of the big benefits of the History of Costume class is that it  
teaches or reinforces research skills. For example, say a designer or  
custom seamstress or costumer wants to use cartridge pleats. What  
eras used them? Can I find pictures or artwork of people in them? Can  
I find extant examples, in a museum or in a vintage clothing store?  
How can I get the look using less fabric, did any era do that? How is  
it that a particular ensemble looks when all put together?


There is more to a costume history class than chitons and hoop  
skirts. We had projects that involved research and we presented them  
to the class. The class taught us where to look for information, and  
that we had the capability to do that.


-Carol
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Michael Deibert
First off let me apologize. It was a side comment that popped into my mind
that almost didn't make it through to the final edited post. Perhaps my mind
was preoccupied on the rest of the post that it made sense at the time?
Regardless, upon both replies and rethinking it myself I have to say even I
disagree with my own comment! [remember to think before typing next time!]

And Laurie, no fight needed. We all are entitled to our thoughts, and its
always best when they can be further supported such as both yours and
Carol's.

The history of costume/fashion [not to risk another side topic but I always
find it hard to distinquish between the two yet both words have different
connotations to most of society... hmmm...] is definitely something that is
needed. In all honesty, I wish I had more! I think my bias is that the only
course I had in studing for my degree was a combined Costume Design and
Costume History course - geared only towards theater. So not only was it
really half a course, but not once was the topic of how modern fashion draws
conclusions from historical periods. It wasn't until I really focused in on
theatrical costuming, that my interest in history in general grew - mostly
because now I felt in order to understand how the changes in costume
dictated/were dictated by changes in society.

And Carol, anytime actual research methods are employed is a huge benefit to
any degree. The world we live in seems to require proof before believing in
something. Research provides that. Knowing not only how to reseach but, more
importantly, how to apply that research to the use you need it to be is an
extremely useful skill. And I'd be perfectly fine with a revival of the
crinoline hoops or even the bustle!

And before I create more mess and drama, I completely agree Laurie that it
seems to have turned into the Fashion Design crowd versus the Historical
Costume crowd... and here I am debating for both sides at the middle of the
arguement! Extremely sorry, that was not my intent! But as you point out,
there are multiple ways we are all alike. Regardless of the time period,
both sides create a look based on research. Both sides use patterns of some
kind to transfer that design into the 3D reality. We all are constantly
sourcing for the right materials, be it for a certain look or certain price
point. At some point in the process we perfect the pattern to the intended
target wearer (be it one person or an entire age group). Almost always is
there something that needs to be undone and resewn, or replanned, etc.
Always. And after all that mess, both sides exit the process with a finished
garment that meets all the requirements they were aiming for.

It's only when we think we've learned everything we need to know, that we've
only just begun to learn the lesson.

Michael Deibert
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press

On 3/11/2011 5:04 PM, R Lloyd Mitchell wrote:

Expecting a Class that will allow you to be able to do this is not a real 
prospect


I'm not entirely sure what your point is. It is true that many historic 
techniques differ from modern ones, in fact they differ from one 
historic period to another. But, taking classes in modern sewing and 
pattern design did help me in creating historic garments.


I actually embarked on my clothing design courses because I wanted to 
learn to create better historic clothing. I had some basic, largely 
self-taught sewing and pattern-making skills, but they were proving 
insufficient for what I wanted to do.  Most of my instructors were 
fairly unsympathetic about my projects. (I did have an instructor for 
couture design and hand-sewing courses who was sympathetic.) But, I was 
allowed to design and construct whatever I wanted, provided I met the 
class guidelines about what techniques a given project was supposed to 
display. Generally, as a course progressed we were taught various 
techniques, then we had to make a project that displayed them. Then 
there would be another set of techniques and another project.


I certainly have never wanted to create a ready-to wear collection of 
clothes for any historic era. I was taking courses so I could make 
exactly what I wanted. So were most other students. My ideas of what I 
wanted were more outre than most of theirs, though a couple of wearable 
art enthusiasts in my classes were pretty outre too. I actually have 
zero desire to make anything whatever for anyone else except, 
occasionally, my husband. Making clothes for other people generally 
means not making exactly what you want to make, and making them for 
manufacture (or theater) _really_ means not making what you want to make.


I did consider taking theatrical costume design (one college gave one 
course in it, in the theater department), but looked into it and 
discovered how different stage costumes are from wearable clothes, even 
historic ones


I agree with Carol that considering how heavily mainstream fashion mines 
the styles of previous periods, and how long that's been going on (since 
1800 at least), a history of costume course is a must for modern 
designers. I actually never took one. By the time I started taking 
clothing design classes I'd already done a fair amount of reading and 
the course syllabus didn't look like anything new.


Fran
Lavolta Press
www.lavoltapress.com






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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press

So not only was it

really half a course, but not once was the topic of how modern fashion draws
conclusions from historical periods.


I was going to college in a period when modern fashion was drawing very 
heavily from both folk and historic clothing. The instructors were well 
aware of that and constantly pointing out how various Paris and NY 
designers were using and putting together various elements. What was 
weird about me is that I really wanted to make historic clothing, not 
just borrow a collar from here and a sleeve from there.



And Carol, anytime actual research methods are employed is a huge benefit to
any degree. The world we live in seems to require proof before believing in
something. Research provides that.


I was a history major, not a clothing design major (most of the time). 
Historical research very often does not, in fact, _prove_things. What 
research does is provide information, often with significant gaps, that 
can be analyzed, and then a plausible theory can be constructed. Go to a 
senior seminar, and you can hear 20 students come up with 20 different 
equally plausible theories based on the same facts, and equally well 
supported by good arguments.  It's very illuminating.   This doesn't 
mean that everyone should collapse in total confusion because 
interpretations differ. But, history is a social science, not a hard 
science.



And before I create more mess and drama, I completely agree Laurie that it
seems to have turned into the Fashion Design crowd versus the Historical
Costume crowd...

 I wasn't aware that there was a Fashion Design Crowd here.

Fran
Lavolta Press
Books of historic clothing patterns
www.lavoltapress.com


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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Michael Deibert
First, I don't think there exists a state that actually has money right now
- but that's a whole nothing topic! I am definitely not talking about
courses offered by fabric stores - unless one is an absolute complete
beginner and even then, the projects are way too simple.

Also, tuition is going up everywhere - unfortunately because it also means
that many future students might not get their education now because of the
increases.

As to the dream situation you refer to, its unfortunately not as easy as
that. Both sides (the aspiring amateur and the industry professionals) are
much more alike than either would like to agree. Except neither side is
willing to even talk to each other, let alone share the information that
would help bridge the chasm between the two. It really comes down to the
same basic steps that both sides follow, with slight changes in the order
and importance each side places on those steps. But most programs out their
focus solely on one or the other. Simple work on the cooperation, perhaps
even collaboration with certificate programs instead of full out degree
programs, would provide students with skills they need to get a job after
they graduate.  I hope that makes sense.
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-11 Thread Lavolta Press



As to the dream situation you refer to, its unfortunately not as easy as
that. Both sides (the aspiring amateur and the industry professionals) are
much more alike than either would like to agree. Except neither side is
willing to even talk to each other, let alone share the information that
would help bridge the chasm between the two.


I don't think that's true.  I've been on a number of e-groups related to 
sewing and pattern making, that include people with a wide variety of 
backgrounds. I don't see them refusing to talk to or help each other, at 
all.


It really comes down to the

same basic steps that both sides follow, with slight changes in the order
and importance each side places on those steps.


No, it doesn't.  There are very distinct differences in procedures, and 
even techniques, depending on whether you are making clothes for 
yourself, or custom making them for others, or making them for 
theatrical productions, or for a ready-to-wear business. For that 
matter, whether you are making modern clothes or historic ones.


People making clothes for themselves simply don't have to worry about 
grading for a range of RTW sizes, marketing, or manufacturing. And, they 
can make whatever they want, aside from constraints imposed by their 
personal budgets and schedules. They can be as unfashionable or outre as 
their lifestyle permits. They also don't have to carry out a theatrical 
director's vision of a production.


People making clothes for theater have to deal with the director's 
vision, plus struggle with the actors' visions if the actors decide to 
be a pain, plus (usually) a tight budget, plus (at least for stage) the 
constraints of quick changes, the appearance of the costume from the 
back of the theater and under lights, and the likely necessity of 
altering the size of the costume later for some future production with a 
different actor.


People making clothes for a small ready-to-wear business have to design 
salable styles, they have to design whole product lines, they have to 
get them manufactured, and they have to market them.  They have to run a 
small business and deal with all the accounting, legal regulations, and 
other issues.


And then there are variants for people making custom clothing for 
others, and people designing ready-to-wear for a large manufacturer.


The basic sewing level isn't even the same. As I've pointed out, in a 
factory the stitchers use specialized machines and they do not make 
whole garments. Not to mention, people don't cut around individual 
garments with shears. As far as I know, they use computer-driven laser 
knives.


The pattern-making level is sort of the same, except, people making 
clothes for themselves do not need to grade a range of ready-to-wear 
sizes.  In fact, some will quite happily use commercial patterns and 
just alter the size to fit.


Another issue is, there are different methods of producing patterns 
(drafting, flat pattern work, and draping). People working for an 
employer, whether a theater or a ready-to-wear company, cannot 
necessarily choose which method they use. Also, at RTW companies the 
pattern-making process is much more computerized. Designers are not 
drawing around slopers with a pencil and then slashing and spreading the 
paper. Yes, some amateurs use pattern-design software but in the 
industry it is a necessity. In fact, the designer may well farm out 
making the patterns to someone else, and that goes for theatrical design 
as well.




But most programs out their
focus solely on one or the other. Simple work on the cooperation, perhaps
even collaboration with certificate programs instead of full out degree
programs, would provide students with skills they need to get a job after
they graduate.  I hope that makes sense.


I wasn't really seeing any problems with the ways the courses I took 
were set up. The thing is, there were basic dressmaking courses and 
advanced ones, and the instructors managed to accommodate students with 
a variety of goals. This was achieved largely by letting students choose 
their own projects insofar as the learning goals of that part of the 
course were achieved.


Then there were separate courses in flat pattern work, and in draping, 
and in grading patterns, and in merchandising.  But:  No one had to take 
any of these courses, other than dressmaking being required before 
taking pattern-making courses. No one who thought grading, or draping, 
or fashion illustration, or whatever would be useless for their purposes 
had to take that course. No one had to be a  garment design and 
merchandising major to take the classes.


Theatrical costume design courses are usually part of the theater 
department. But they have to be, because usually they are organized so 
the students are making the costumes for an upcoming production.  That 
doesn't leave much room for students to choose their own projects.


I'm just not seeing a huge problem here. Oh, I'm not saying every 

Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Michael Deibert
Is this a new degree program? How many courses will be required for the new
degree and do you have any control over what they might, or could be?

In terms of those books, I personally don't know either. But unless it is a
course entirely on costume history, I would advise to give brief lectures of
each period. This is how the Costume History course I had was taught.
(Granted it was combined equally with costume design so the time was really
limited.) But my professor spent one of the two classes each week on a time
period, starting from the Egyptians and working forward in history. It was a
very brief into to each period but it covered the basic differences as the
era's changed - enough to cover costume history but if one wanted a
further knowledge, they then knew terms and resources to research. We did
not have a required book in the costume history portion, however on our
syllabus were listed a couple books that were recommended to purchase. Many
of these could even be bought second-hand for cheap.

On another note, if they are pushing for a fashion design degree with the
aims of being able to design and then produce a line, then I would highly
recommend Kathleen Fasanella's book *The Entrapreneur's Guide to Sewn
Product Manufacturing*. It is the only book of its kind, and it is aimed
soley at Design Entrepreneurs (DE's) in any sewn product field. Within its
pages, there is real-world, industry advice on everything from what not to
do, to how to go through every stage of the process. She wrote and published
it herself, so it can be quite frank at times but the points she makes are
worth it! She has a blog at http://www.fashion-incubator.com/. For the
purchase of a new book, anyone can then gain access to the members only
forum where everyone is somehow connected to the industry and there are many
DE's on there in the process of developing lines - I'm one of them!
Currently, most fashion design schools worry all about the designing element
and put little emphasis on actual manufacturing. If your community college
focus on the degree from this angle, not only will it be a unique program
out there but the students who earn that degree will be able to actually get
jobs. Most fashion school graduates are unprepared for the industry and the
industry is way oversaturated with amazing designers who can't manufacture
their designs because their education lacked those skills.

And if it helps, my degree is in theatrical costuming, not fashion. Most of
the DE's on Kathleen's site did not go to fashion schools either and those
who did only have a slight advantage over those who didn't but mostly in
skill such as patternmaking or such.

Hope this helps, and at the least check out Kathleen's blog. She also
replies to emails and has even talked to people over the phone before to
help them out.

Michael Deibert



On Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 3:37 PM, Kathryn Pinner pinn...@mccc.edu wrote:

 The powers that be at my community college (where I am a theatrical costume
 and set designer) have decided to start a Fashion Design and Merchandizing
 program (the push seems to be from the merchandizing/businesss side) and
 they are expecting me to teach the history of costume, basic sewing, and
 textiles. They seem to be leaning toward using books from Pearson  and the
 the text for costume history they are looking at is 'History of World
 Costume and Fashion' by Daniel Delis Hill. Anyone know this text and have a
 comment? (I suggested 'Survey of Historic Costume' by Tortora  Eubanks --
 don't know if they will listen to me).  Other texts they are looking at are
 'The Sewing Book' by Alison Smith and 'Textiles' by Kadolph. Any comments?


 Kate Pinner

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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Land of Oz

and 'Textiles' by
Kadolph. Any comments?




I used an earlier edition of this text for a college class and it is 
*extremely* thorough. Very good material.  If you contact the publisher, you 
may be able to find out when her new books comes out. She is writing a more 
basic text designed for community college classes, but I don't know the 
name.


Denise B
Iowa
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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Lavolta Press
Who's your audience? From what I recall from being a fashion design 
student at two different colleges, people seem to enter college fashion 
design programs for a number of different reasons:


* They want to make clothes for themselves, clothes that are custom fit 
and are well made. They want to wear better quality than ready-to-wear 
and perhaps save money, plus they enjoy the creativity of making 
clothes.  Occasionally they have avant-garde or wearable art tastes and 
just can't buy what they envision themselves wearing.  In my experience, 
the vast majority of students merely wanted to make good clothes for 
themselves. What the instructor said about, Pay attention to what the 
Paris shows say will be worn next season, or This is how designs are 
evaluated by a ready-to-wear manufacturer, was interesting, but nothing 
most students really needed or cared about much. Working in the industry 
sounds glamorous to a lot of people who don't really want to do it.


* They really want to enter the ready-to-wear industry. At one college, 
the program for this started with stitching, in a factory-like 
atmosphere with industrial machines. The students repeatedly stitched 
nothing but one thing, for example, practicing attaching patch pockets 
to pieces of fabric till they could do it not only perfectly, but very 
fast. I dropped out after a week or so, after leaving every class with 
an incredible headache and partial deafness for the next hour (because 
of the noise of the machines). I did learn the principle that if you 
want to get really good, practice techniques intensively outside of 
using them to make a garment.  As the instructor pointed out, the 
techniques and machines used in ready-to-wear are different from those 
used in home sewing. It's the same with the garment design process. 
Note, the students insisted on making one dress for themselves at the 
end of the semester and the instructor let them do it, not because the 
same person usually sews the entire garment in the factory but because 
the students felt dissatisfied if they did not make at least one entire 
garment they could wear.


* They want to run a small business being custom dressmakers. Such 
students are likely to be more interested than average in the fine 
techniques used for the best bridal and evening wear.


* They want to do theatrical costume design, but the college does not 
have a course specifically for that.


I think these goals are all opposed to each other to some extent. If you 
really focus a course on factory techniques or on working in a 
ready-to-wear business, you are likely to lose the amateur sewers, even 
if they are enthused about improving their skills. If you really focus a 
course on doing very good home sewing, the people who are determined to 
enter the industry will find little meat in it.


Frankly, my sister-in-law was a vice-president for a couple of local 
garment companies, and she can't even sew on a button. She's never used 
a sewing machine in her life. And she reorganized an entire factory (to 
improve efficiency) for one company!


There are many good home-sewing manuals that describe all or at least 
most of the techniques a home sewer will ever want to use, except for 
in-depth information on the various kinds of fancy handwork. I do not 
have them all. However, some people learn visually and some learn 
textually. Manuals that are mostly text often frustrate visual learners, 
but manuals that are mostly pictures often annoy textual learners. You 
need a manual that has a balance of pictures and text.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books on making historic clothing
www.lavoltapress.com


On 3/10/2011 12:37 PM, Kathryn Pinner wrote:

The powers that be at my community college (where I am a theatrical costume and set 
designer) have decided to start a Fashion Design and Merchandizing program (the 
push seems to be from the merchandizing/businesss side) and they are expecting me 
to teach the history of costume, basic sewing, and textiles. They seem to be 
leaning toward using books from Pearson  and the the text for costume history they 
are looking at is 'History of World Costume and Fashion' by Daniel Delis Hill. 
Anyone know this text and have a comment? (I suggested 'Survey of Historic Costume' 
by Tortora  Eubanks -- don't know if they will listen to me).  Other texts 
they are looking at are 'The Sewing Book' by Alison Smith and 'Textiles' by 
Kadolph. Any comments?


Kate Pinner

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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Lavolta Press



On another note, if they are pushing for a fashion design degree with the
aims of being able to design and then produce a line, then I would highly
recommend Kathleen Fasanella's book *The Entrapreneur's Guide to Sewn
Product Manufacturing*.
On Amazon I searched on Fashion Design, and also found How to Set Up 
and Run a Fashion Label,Basics Fashion Design: Developing a 
Collection, 200 Projects to Get You into Fashion Design, How to Open 
and Operate a Financially Successful Fashion Design Business, (this 
seems very similar the The Entrepreneur's Guide,) and a number of 
other books on setting up and running your own design business, as well 
as books I have not mentioned that focus entering the industry by 
working for other companies. Some of these books look excellent, for 
anyone interested in these topics.


Fran
Lavolta Press
Books on making historic clothing
www.lavoltapress.com

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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Susan Farmer

On 3/10/2011 3:37 PM, Kathryn Pinner wrote:

The powers that be at my community college (where I am a theatrical costume and set 
designer) have decided to start a Fashion Design and Merchandizing program (the 
push seems to be from the merchandizing/businesss side) and they are expecting me 
to teach the history of costume, basic sewing, and textiles. They seem to be 
leaning toward using books from Pearson  and the the text for costume history they 
are looking at is 'History of World Costume and Fashion' by Daniel Delis Hill. 
Anyone know this text and have a comment? (I suggested 'Survey of Historic Costume' 
by Tortora  Eubanks -- don't know if they will listen to me).  Other texts 
they are looking at are 'The Sewing Book' by Alison Smith and 'Textiles' by 
Kadolph. Any comments?




I've actually got a desk copy of Kadolph coming -- and I like the swatch 
kit that they can get with it.  I didn't know that there was a costume 
book too, or I would have had my Pearson Rep send me a copy of that one too.


I 3 my Pearson rep!

Susan (who teaches biology!)

--
Susan Farmer
sfar...@goldsword.com
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Division of Science and Math
http://www.goldsword.com/sfarmer/Trillium/

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Re: [h-cost] History of Costume text?

2011-03-10 Thread Michael Deibert
On Thu, Mar 10, 2011 at 5:18 PM, Lavolta Press f...@lavoltapress.comwrote:


  On another note, if they are pushing for a fashion design degree with the
 aims of being able to design and then produce a line, then I would highly
 recommend Kathleen Fasanella's book *The Entrapreneur's Guide to Sewn
 Product Manufacturing*.

 On Amazon I searched on Fashion Design, and also found How to Set Up and
 Run a Fashion Label,Basics Fashion Design: Developing a Collection, 200
 Projects to Get You into Fashion Design, How to Open and Operate a
 Financially Successful Fashion Design Business, (this seems very similar
 the The Entrepreneur's Guide,) and a number of other books on setting up
 and running your own design business, as well as books I have not mentioned
 that focus entering the industry by working for other companies. Some of
 these books look excellent, for anyone interested in these topics.


While I cannot attest to the books you mentioned, Kathleen Fasanella's book
*The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn-Product Manufacturing* is NOT a book on
how to start a fashion design business, how to start a sewn manufacturing
business, etc. She takes one page and goes over a very short, brief run down
of things like that. It's actually quite humorous!  Her take on it is there
are way too many books out there on how to actually get a business started,
regardless of whether its in fashion or sewn products - and she is quite
right.

What her book does cover, are things that no other book has covered before.
Her book is actually known as the blue book in the industry know for those
who know of it. Some of the topics covered are: How to plan a line, style
numbers, What are blocks, Determining market entry, Producting Scheduling,
Sale's Reps, Market trends: what customers want, Producting costing, Setting
up shop, Improving product quality, Cutting a pattern for shrinkage, Why
DE's are destined to succeed, and many more.

She even has the full table of contents on here website, and some chapters
are free to preview. Here's the link:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/products_services/table-of-contents/. I
recommend anyone interested in this to check it out - even if you are just
looking to achieve that professional, industry standard look (which btw is
not because of industrial secret techniques, but rather because the pattern
and the process are perfected that they can be quickly sewn in repetition
for large orders and still have the same qualifing markers in all finished
garments.)

And no, Kathleen is not paying me to advertise her book or anything like
that. I have learned more from her one book than I have any of the other
books I've read and looked into getting.
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