Costumes for the Stage by Sheila Jackson

Costumes for the Stage

A Complete Handbook for Every Kind of Play

Sheila Jackson

New Amsterdam Books · Print & ebook · September 26, 2001

This updated edition of Costumes for the Stage aims at simplicity in all aspects of designing and making costumes.

Buy on Amazon

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
Sheila Jackson’s handbook pairs period costume guidance with practical ways to adapt and simplify styles.
Themes
Costume design for theater, Historical clothing across periods, Practical costume construction
Genres
Stagecraft, Performing Arts Resources

About this book

This updated edition of Costumes for the Stage aims at simplicity in all aspects of designing and making costumes. It is designed primarily for those who need to dress plays on a small budget, whether for amateur, semi-professional, or professional groups. Starting with five pages illustrating the basic shapes of each period, Sheila Jackson provides practical advice for every kind of play, together with drawings, diagrams, and patterns from which to work.

Continue reading

Included are sections on Greek plays, medieval miracles and mysteries, Shakespeare, seventeenth century, eighteenth century, Victorian and Edwardian costume, the twenties and thirties, and the present day. Each section covers the details of men's and women's clothes (hats, collars, shoes, jewelry, etc.) as well as methods for adapting and simplifying the style of the period. There are also sections on pantomimes and musicals, pageants and school plays, and invaluable advice on underwear, fabrics, measurements and fitting, the use of color, and simple ways to make masks, crowns, and decorations. The revised edition features expanded text and new illustrations. Hundreds of line drawings and no-nonsense, authoritative text combine to make this an essential book of costume design.

Period Costume Details

Sheila Jackson’s handbook pairs period costume guidance with practical ways to adapt and simplify styles.

Come here for

  • Period-by-period clothing details, from Greek plays to the present day
  • Practical advice on fabrics, measurements, fitting, color, and costume adaptations

Expect

  • Drawings, diagrams, and patterns to work from
  • Separate sections on pantomimes and musicals, pageants, and school plays

Where it sits

Stagecraft76%
Performing Arts Resources52%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Plays
  • Performing Arts
  • Theater
  • Stagecraft
Authors
Sheila Jackson
Publisher
New Amsterdam Books
Published
September 26, 2001
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Costume design for theater · Historical clothing across periods · Practical costume construction
Reading lane
Plays