The National Theatre option for the Independent Project was an ideal choice for me. I believed working within a famous and established company like The National Theatre would be a great experience and would build on my CV.
Due to the short timescale of the project it was extremely beneficial to create a time plan of my day-to-day tasks. At first this time plan was not very detailed, however, as the term went on I understood more about the order that specific tasks needed to be undertaken. By updating the time plan and and working towards each task I successfully created two garments, a complicated one and a more basic item within the six-week project.
I feel that I have enhanced my skills and learnt new techniques for working in theatre costume. I can now compare and understand the differences in working within theatre and film, realising that theatre costume, as well as needing to be historically accurate also requires ‘strength and durability’ in manufacture due to the potentially long running times and extensive wear. Film requires more consideration to the detail due to up-close camera angles and shots. This project has taught me that theatre costumes need a lot of seam allowance added, due to the fact that actors need to change quickly, and also may change in size over a long running performance. I enjoyed gaining knowledge and experience in this area, and now feel more rounded and have broadened my options for working in theatre in the future.
There were a few complicated tasks during the construction of the blazer, the stripes were difficult to work with and I needed to re do the two back panels of the garment a number of times in an effort to match the stripes accurately. Although this had an impact on the time plan I had created, I learnt to use my own ‘quality control’ to consider whether tasks were worth re-doing or were acceptable to be left. I concluded that this decision making and evaluation process was a major part in the successful finishing of the garment. The most complicated task was inserting sleeves to both the blazer and the chemise. I would like to build further on my skills in this area, as I know this is a personal weakness of mine.
I have learnt new techniques and construction methods in producing a professional tailored blazer for theatre. Before this Independent Project, I knew very little about the field of tailoring, which has been my ideal career path. I now feel that I have furthered my knowledge in this area to a valuable level, for example, I have learnt about new fabrics and the high importance of the ‘inside’ of a blazer and now know that Melton, a felt like fabric, is applied to the back of the collar, giving it shape and strength. I can identify the importance of basting within a blazer and how canvas is vital for the shape and strength of a tailored blazer. A small factor i will also focus on during all costume construction is preventing to press too hard while using tailors chalk, as i have found that it creates permanent marks.
Through the whole process I have been able to define and identify specific areas for development of my own work, aimed towards my personnel aspiration to specialize in menswear, specifically concentrating on tailoring. I have developed my organizational skills and self-direction, creating a time plan was extremely useful in this area. I have learnt that making mistakes at this stage in my learning phase is very useful, as I am more aware of the potential problems that may arise in the future while undertaking the tailoring of garments.
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