Costume Construction and Crafts

Theatre

Little Women

Fabric pieces cut for garment sewing, on a white worktable, mostly in beige and green colors, surrounded by sewing tools and other fabric samples.
Fabric pattern with pinned fabric pieces on a white table, likely part of a sewing or tailoring project.
Green fabric with black polka dots cut into several triangle shapes, connected with white thread, placed on a dark wooden table.
Two pieces of fabric with pins and markings, likely pattern pieces for sewing, on a white work surface.
A workspace with a cutting mat, fabrics, and sewing supplies. Green polka dot fabric is cut and stacked, with some strips cut and laid out. There is a box of assorted pins, and a decorative box of buttons, with an individual wearing plaid shorts and a gray top visible at the bottom of the image.
Green fabric with black polka dots cut into pieces for sewing, pins attaching pieces together, sewing tools and lace fabric on a white table, with boxes and other sewing supplies around.
A dress form wearing an olive green, polka-dot long sleeve jacket in a sewing studio.
Partial view of an olive green fabric with black polka dots draped over a dress form or mannequin, with colorful workspace and person in the background.

Step 2: Base bodice construction

A vintage dress form mannequin wearing an olive green blouse with black polka dots, displayed in a sewing room. The dress form has labels indicating it is a 'WOLF FORM CO.' model from 2014.
Close-up of a dressmaking mannequin and a sewing pattern, with fabric and lining visible, in a sewing studio.
A partially constructed dress with a cream/yellowish satin fabric and a green satin collar with black polka dots, lying on a pink sewing machine cover.
Light green sheer fabric draped on a dress form in a sewing workshop, with multiple layers and ruffles, labeled 'Wolf Form Co. Englewood, N.J.'

Step 3: Lining construction and bagging

Light green fabric or garment laid out on a surface, partially sewn with visible seams and frayed edges.
A vintage dress form displaying a unique, layered green and black ensemble resembling a top and skirt, inside a sewing or fashion design studio with large windows, sewing machines, and fabric supplies in the background.
A vintage-style dress on a dress form, featuring black polka dots on olive-green fabric, with red and black lace details, ruffles on the sleeves, and a wide red sash at the waist, displayed in a room with sewing or costume design supplies.

By Kate Hamill Directed by Dr. Amanda Nelson

Aunt March Dress Bodice

Step 1: Flat lining

A vintage-style dress on a mannequin with a green fabric featuring black polka dots, black lace details on the shoulders and cuffs, red ruffles around the neckline and waist, in a room with sewing and craft supplies.
A vintage green polka dot dress with red ruffle trim and a red waistband displayed on a dress form in a sewing room.
A sewing machine stitching red fabric.

Step 4: Embellishments

Red fabric with ruffled texture placed on green grass.
A mannequin wearing a vintage-style, green dress with black polka dots, black lace and red accents. The dress features a ruffled black lace collar with red trim, long sleeves with ruffled black lace cuffs, and a red waistband. The mannequin is in a sewing or costume workshop with fabric, sewing tools, and furniture in the background.
A vintage green polka dot dress with black and red ruffle trim, bead, and thread embellishments, displayed on a dress form in a costume or sewing studio.

Finished Product:

Eurydice

For Eurydice, I was tasked with beading Orpheus’ raincoat to create the effect of water dripping down with the beads. For this, I got the opportunity to explore the most effective ways to bead that read well from both up close and far away. The beading was done with 5 colors of beads that are the same size and used distance to make the look of water dripping.

By Sarah Ruhl Directed by Greg Justice

A mannequin dressed in a dark green trench coat with embellishments of green and clear rhinestones on the shoulders and collar, and a matching green bucket hat with rhinestones.
Black bucket hat with green and clear rhinestone embellishments displayed on a mannequin in front of a window.

Stupid Fucking Bird

For this show, I was tasked with making a duster for the character of Emma. This garment was cut before the show run, so it was never completed, however, it allowed me to work with many different techniques and materials. The first task was to dye the fabric to the previously selected color. This was one of my first experiences with dying and it taught me a lot about the process and gave me tools to use next time I do it. (Original color on the right final recreation next to it)

Velvet was not a material I had had the chance to work with much before, so making this showed me the ways that velvet can be both fun and difficult to work with.

I then made the lining which was a satin charmeuse and used the technique of bagging out to finish the sewing.

By Aaron Posner Directed by David R Gammons

Four strips of yellow fabric, each with different textures and slight fraying, laid out on a cardboard surface.
Yellow fabric material spread out on a worktable, with some frayed edges and partially sewn seams.
A mannequin wearing a bright yellow-green garment, with shelves of fabric and sewing supplies in the background.
A dress form with a yellow velvet coat lined with bright green satin fabric, standing in a sewing or costume workshop. Behind, a person in a maroon hat and light-colored clothing is working near shelves filled with fabric and sewing supplies.

Drag Craft

A fashion sketch of a bird mascot costume inspired by the Hokie Bird, showing a person in an abstract bird costume with a maroon dress, orange boots, fishnet stockings, and a large bird head with a beak and eyes.

Drag Hokie Bird

Performer with red hair and feathered costume on stage, entertaining an audience in a dimly lit setting.
A burgundy corset with orange trim laid flat on a wooden floor.
A corset with red, orange, and white colors placed on a wooden floor.
Colorful feathers in red, orange, and white spread out on a patterned area rug.

DIVOS

I work with a Drag Queen in Los Angeles to construct and design looks for performances across the LA area

@D.I.V.O.S on Instagram

Skirts

Person with dark curly hair, yellow makeup, and yellow lipstick, wearing a sheer orange top and a black skirt with cut-outs, holding a yellow spray bottle and a cleaning brush, standing in a kitchen.
Orange
A person with platinum blonde hair and dramatic makeup, posing outdoors under a tree with green leaves, wearing a black and gold strapless dress, a black fascinator hat, and gold jewelry.
A person with dramatic green makeup and a teased hairstyle wearing black high heels, posing topless on a small stool with green lace fabric. They are in a dance studio or performance space, reflected in a mirror, with a playlist of songs written on the wall in the background.
A person with bright pink hair styled in two large puffs, wearing bold green makeup and jewelry, dressed in a red cropped top, blue skirt, and yellow jacket with black abstract patterns, standing outdoors near a railing with parked cars and palm trees in the background.
A person dressed in a luxurious red and gold outfit sitting on a white chair, with bold makeup and a large red curly wig, in a room with a potted plant, a wall-mounted picture, and a small lamp.

For DIVOS’ 2023 Pride series, I was asked to create a skirt for most of the colors that went with the corset that they were wearing

This work included designing, patterning, cutting, and sewing

Full Garments

Designed, patterned, and constructed full looks to be worn in various performances, including DIVOS’ original show Playback at the Bayou in West Hollywood

Fashion illustration of a female runway model wearing a floral blue two-piece outfit with a high-low cape.
A person dressed in a creative denim outfit, with a denim crop top, denim skirt, and denim accessories, standing inside a colorful, poster-filled room. They are wearing white high-heeled boots with denim cuffs.
A drag performer with platinum blonde curly hair, bright blue eye makeup, and bold lipstick, posing with a colorful background covered in graffiti and writings. They are wearing a checkered purple and pink top, a yellow and white checkered skirt with a blue waistband, fishnet stockings, and accessories including earrings and a necklace. Text overlay promotes a RuPaul's Drag Race themed event with times listed for the drag race and show.
Pair of white high-heeled shoes decorated with blue and yellow floral patterns on a wooden table.

Rhinestoning

A white high-heeled shoe decorated with blue and yellow rhinestones on the front, placed on a metallic table surrounded by scattered rhinestones and sewing tools, with a purse and water bottle in the background.
A white high-heeled shoe decorated with blue and yellow rhinestone flowers on the toe. The shoe is on a metallic surface with craft supplies and tools around.
A white high-heeled shoe decorated with blue and yellow rhinestone flowers on the toe area, placed on a metallic worktable with various tools and supplies around.

Garment Construction

Prom Dress

Fashion illustration of a woman in a dark blue dress with white star pattern, featuring puffed sleeves and a corset-style bodice, standing with one hand on her hip and the other touching her head.
A young woman with red hair posing in front of a fountain with a cherub statue in an elegant indoor space. She is wearing a navy blue, star-patterned dress with a thigh-high slit, silver platform heels, and jewelry, smiling at the camera.
A flat lay of a table with cors and miscellaneous items, including a navy star-patterned top with silver straps.
A pink crafting board on a wooden table with a partially sewn navy blue fabric decorated with silver stars and silver ribbon. Scissors and a rotary cutter are nearby, along with glasses, a sticker sheet, and various sewing supplies.
Person wearing layered skirts with white shoes, standing on a wooden floor against a plain wall.

Stackable Tiered and Faerie Skirts

Person wearing a gray top, white long flowing skirt, and white slippers standing indoors on a wooden floor against a plain wall.
A person wearing a long, sheer, brown skirt that reaches the floor.
A person wearing gray sweatshirt and layered skirts with white socks standing on a wooden floor.