HS Production of Camelot Costume Help

[ladydiwinter]

So I opened my big mouth and told my friend I would help with costumes for the local high school production of Camelot... any suggestions to make it easy on myself and the rest of the crew. Also, does anyone have any suggestions for patterns? Most economic way also.

[gem]

See if your local library has (or can order via interlibrary loan) a copy of Patterns for Theatrical Costumes by Katherine Strand Holkeboer. 

"Camelot" is the High Middle Ages, and this book has several patterns for this period (including headgear), designed to look right from the stage, with a minimum of construction time.  You'll want to read all the instructions carefully, because there are special notes regarding sizing and seam allowances (or possible lack thereof).

I haven't actually made anything from this book yet, but I've read through it oodles of times, and I think it might be a good place for you to start.  Amazon (link above) has a search inside feature for this book, which might help.

[Syrilla]

A cheap way to make sideless surcoat is to find women's cotton or linen straight or shapeless dresses.  The ones that have no waist seam and normally no darts.  Go a size or three larger than the person and cut to the shape you like or add grommets to make it lace up the side.

 
See girl in gray.   That was a long 60's wool dress cut out, the under gown was a prom formal that I added two layers of sleeves to.  Most of the men's gowns were found and pieced from women's textured gown and ethnic items.  Everything was meant to look heavy and bulky.

[WaywardWench]

Forgive me if these suggestions are obvious. Definitely thrift stores are your friends for things you can hack and repurpose here. Fake fur coats, leggings for tights, gowns, dresses and shirts. Look for texture. As said, a tunic is not much more than a couple of side seams, a keyhole for the neck and a belt, shorter for the men, longer for the women. An embellished and disguised, long sleeve tee shirt under it may work for the stage. It depends on the show's budget of course. Stage costumes are different then H/A or faire gear. It has to read bigger because the lights and distance wash out details. The same thing walking festival should look overdone and garish close up.

Its fun to see a show come together from casting to curtain.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Velvet curtains and machine dyes...

Iron-on trims and fabric glues

If there is a lot of cutting, learn to use a rotary cutter!

[Aunty Lou]

Paint on trimming and glitter with those squeeze paints (Dots of bright glitter colors work very well as jewels without adding wieght).  And upholstery material is your friend.  The heavy upholstery trims also work very well under stage lighting.  T-shapes with added sleves and over-tunics and belting read middle ages, as well.  My production of "Once Upon a Mattress" was set in fairy-tale midieval, with the ladies in ice cream colors, variations on a single pattern, and the men in browns and tans of the same tunic pattern.  That may be too foo-foo-fairy for your production, but find a single patterns that can be varied (Caps and hats and trims and sleeves), and that's half the battle.  (The next is to get your meat puppets to wear the things like they're supposed to!)

[shadowcat546]

...*wow, I messed up on grammer, somewhat*....
Hi Lady Diwinter.   .... My name is Shannon.  I'm here in southeast Michigan.  I could probably get you a basic outfit for under $30.00 per person (dresses, skirts, pants, shirts).  Just last year I chatted up some teens while waiting in line and helped them get costume  pieces for their high school "Beauty & the beast" play for less than $30.00 each.  One afternoon of trying on 4 bags of clothes, and they were set.

I have a variety of goods posted now.  Most are natural fabrics, and have been washed, so they drape naturally.  If you're interested in something particular, I'm willing to take its measurements so you know.  
http://community.webshots.com/user/shadowcat546

I have 5 bags of goods I haven't even processed and posted on Webshots online photo album yet.  If nothing I have works,
perhaps these books would:
"Instant period costumes : how to make classic costumes from cast-off clothing"  ....by  Barb Rogers
and  "Costuming made easy: make theatrical costumes from clothing" by Barb Rogers
and "Historic Costumes and How to Make them" by Mary Fernald

Good luck.  --Shannon

[Cilean]

So I opened my big mouth and told my friend I would help with costumes for the local high school production of Camelot... any suggestions to make it easy on myself and the rest of the crew. Also, does anyone have any suggestions for patterns? Most economic way also.

So here are some things I can help you with,  speak with the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) see if the "Gold Key" can help you all borrow some garb. 
Also here is a book that might help you out!

Here are some Books to help you out with:

Clothes of the Medieval World (500 AD to 1500) (Dress Sense)
by Christine Hatt, Danuta Mayer

Medieval Clothing and Textiles I thru 4
By Robin Netherton

Medieval Tailor's Assistant: Making Common Garments 1200-1500
by Sarah Thursfield

Medieval Costume and How to Recreate It
By Dorothy Hartley

Medieval Costume in England and France: The 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries
by Mary G. Houston


Check out these URL's on Medieval Garb:

La Cotte Simple how to make a Gothic Fitted Gown
http://www.cottesimple.com/

Fashion Era - Saxon, Frankish & Anglo-Saxon Clothing
http://www.fashion-era.com/ancient_costume/clothing-saxon-frankish-anglo.htm

Here are some places to get patterns on Medieval Clothing:

http://www.mediaevalmisc.com/patterns.htm

www.reconstructinghistory.com


http://www.lothene.org/crafts6.html

http://www.virtue.to/articles/

I hope this helps you out!

Cilean

[ladydiwinter]

Hi Lady Diwinter.   .... My name is Shannon.  I'm here in southeast Michigan.  I could probably get you a basic outfit for under $30.00 per person (dresses, skirts, pants, shirts).  Just last year I chatted up some teens while waiting in line and helped them costume  themselves for their high school "Beauty & the beast" play for less than $30.00 each.  One afternoon of trying on 4 bags of clothes, and they were set.

I have a variety of goods posted now.  Most are natural fabrics, and have been washed, so they drape naturally.  If you're interested in something particular, I'm willing to take its measurements so you know. 
http://community.webshots.com/user/shadowcat546

I have 5 bags of goods I haven't even processed and posted on Webshots online photo album yet.  If nothing I have works,
perhaps these books would:
"Instant period costumes : how to make classic costumes from cast-off clothing"  ....by  Barb Rogers
and  "Costuming made easy: make theatrical costumes from clothing" by Barb Rogers
and "Historic Costumes and How to Make them" by Mary Fernald

Good luck.  --Shannon

Thanks I will keep that in mind. I'm not sure what the budget is yet. Thanks to everyone with the great suggestions.