4/26/2024 12:53:01 AM	THAR 121.3 Course Outline as of Fall 2021	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 121.3	Title:  CORSET CONSTRUCTION
Full Title:  Stage Costuming: Period Corset Construction
Last Reviewed:4/26/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	2.00		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	35.00
		Contact DHR	1.00			Contact DHR	17.50
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Practical application of methods, materials, and techniques used in constructing a period corset for personal or theatrical use, with emphasis on historical costume construction for a current Theatre Arts production. (Students with prior sewing experience may petition to waive the prerequisite by submitting a Prerequisite Challenge form with Admissions.)

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of THAR 21A or FASH 70A or equivalent

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Practical application of methods, materials, and techniques used in constructing a period corset for personal or theatrical use, with emphasis on historical costume construction for a current Theatre Arts production. (Students with prior sewing experience may petition to waive the prerequisite by submitting a Prerequisite Challenge form with Admissions.)

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of THAR 21A or FASH 70A or equivalent
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Construct a corset according to the requirements of at least one of the following periods:

           a. Tudor

           b. Elizabethan

           c. 17th century European

           d. 18th century men's or women's corsets

           e. 19th century men's or women's corsets

2. Work independently and collaboratively to meet production deadlines.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Interpret and apply the terminology related to basic and intermediate corset and

     costume construction.

2.  Identify body type and problem areas and apply a decision-making process for

     altering the corset mockup to ensure a perfect fit.

3.  Use the tools and equipment used in the corset construction process.

4.  Identify and select appropriate fabrics for corset construction.

5.  Apply pattern development skills to corset construction including:

          a.   measuring the body accurately for corset construction;

          b.   transferring alterations to a paper pattern; and

          c.   utilizing and interpreting pattern symbols appropriately.

6.  Accurately lay out the historical corset pattern pieces on multiple layers of fabric

     for precision cutting.        

7.  Recognize basic period silhouettes for historical corsets.

8.  Demonstrate intermediate costume construction skills relating to corset construction

      including:

      a. the application of measuring and cutting techniques of all boning types;

      b. the placement and setting of a busk; and

      c. the ability to identify and demonstrate setting of grommets and eyelets.

9.   Apply the fundamental stitching techniques in constructing a period corset and

      theatrical costume.

10. Work safely, with effective use of the costume studio workrooms and equipment.

11. Work effectively under the pressure of actual production deadlines and fitting

      schedule demands.

12. Demonstrate the ability to follow instructions and work effectively as a team member.

Topics and Scope

I. The Corset Maker's Work Place

    A. Functionality and organization of Costume Studio work areas

    B. Functionality and organization of Costume Studio equipment

    C. Safety in the Costume Studio work areas

    D. Costuming personnel, titles, and job descriptions     

II. Strategic Planning and Professional Standards

    A. Professionalism and teamwork

    B. Working calmly under the pressure of deadlines

    C. Developing a schedule for fittings

III. Measuring Techniques for Pattern Development

    A. Accurate measuring of the torso

    B. Applying measurements for accurate fit and corset construction

         1. Analysis of body types

         2. Addressing problem areas productively

IV. Basic Terminology and Symbols

    A. Commercial corset patterns

    B. Commercial corset construction   

V. Brief Survey of Historical Corsets

    A. Period silhouettes

    B. Period corset materials

    C. Period corset construction

VI. Basic Corset Construction

    A. Fabrics

    B. Linings, casings, and lacing

    C. Types of stays

    D. Corset building tools and equipment

VII. Making a Mock-up

    A. Cutting and labeling the mock-up

    B. Stitching the mock-up

    C. Fitting the mock-up

VIII. Basic Steps to Building a Corset

    A. Single layer corset

    B. Double layer corset

    C. Fashion fabric corset

IX. Stays, Tips, and Busks

    A. Measuring and cutting techniques

    B. Working with spiral bones

    C. Working with plastic bones

    D. Working with spring steel bones

    E. Working with wood and steel busks

X. Grommets vs. Eyelets

    A. Choosing the right hardware

    B. Setting grommets and eyelets

XI. Corset and Costume Construction Techniques

    A. Turn of cloth

    B. Bias binding

    C. Stitching and hand sewing

    D. Making a modesty panel

    E. Lacing the corset

 

All topics are covered in both the lecture and lab portion of the course, including DHR

lab hour. Topics are introduced during the lecture portion and then actively applied

during the lab/DHR lab portion.

Assignments:

A. Reading: Read approximately five pages a week.

 

B. Quizzes: Complete 1-3 multiple choice quizzes on corset terms, techniques, tools,

    and/or construction safety.

 

C. Production-Related Costume and Corset Construction Assignments

    1. Take accurate measurements of the torso for corset building, fitting, and alterations.

    2. Transfer mock-up alterations to a paper pattern.

    3. Cut, stitch, and fit a corset mock-up for a performer in a Theatre Arts production.

    4. Schedule at least 3 corset fittings with the instructor.

    5. Participate in the construction process of building costumes for a Theatre Arts production

        with effective and safe use of all costume studio workrooms and appropriate use of

        equipment, tools, and materials.

    6. Production Costume Project - Complete all corset building steps and techniques on a

        corset for a performer in a Theatre Arts production utilizing appropriate tools and corset

        building techniques.

    7. Production-Related Costume Studio Tasks - Students may complete additional tasks,

        including organization, alterations, and/or practical maintenance of costumes used

        during the run of a major SRJC production.

 

D. Final Corset Project - Each student will complete a final corset project, involving the

    following components:

    1. Research, design, and draw a costume schematic for the final project.

    2. Plan a budget and shop for all materials for the construction of the final project

         corset.

    3. Draft and accurately label a paper pattern utilizing appropriate tools and pattern

        symbols for the final project corset.

    4. Cut out and complete construction of the final project corset.

 

F. Professionalism - Adhere to the standards of professionalism expected in the field of

    costuming:

    1. Arrive promptly and prepared for all class meetings, participating actively.

    2. Maintain an amiable and supportive attitude when interacting with others (fellow

        students, instructor, Studio supervisor, designers, actors, stage managers, etc.)

    3. Work collaboratively with other team members when working on group tasks.

    4. Acknowledging the sometimes stressful and time-sensitive working environment in

        the Studio, contribute positively by staying focused, listening closely, following

        instructions carefully, and taking initiative when appropriate.

    5. Strive to maintain good personal health and safety practices throughout the semester.

    6. Follow the terms of the course syllabus.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 25 - 40%
Homework assignments including: analysis, research, planning, purchasing
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 35 - 50%
Corset making and costume construction assignments; Final Project - skills components
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 5 - 10%
1-3 multiple choice quizzes on corset construction
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 20 - 35%
Professionalism (including attendance and participation); other production-related tasks

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Basics of Corset Building; A Handbook For Beginners. Sparks, Linda.

    St. Martin's Griffin Press: 2009 (classic)

 

Corsets: Historical Patterns and Techniques. Salen, Jill.

    Costume and Fashion Press: 2007 (classic)

 

Corset Making: for Beginners to Intermediate; Multimedia CD. Bremble, Julia.

    Rainbow Disks Ltd: 2012 (classic)

 

Inside Out; A Brief History of Underwear. Tobin, Shelley.

    The National Trust (Enterprises) Ltd: 2000 (classic)

 

Underwear: Fashion in Detail. Lynn, Eleri. Victoria and Albert Museum: 2014 (classic)

 

Instructor prepared materials

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