Costume Videos
The videos listed on this page are provided as a service to the
costuming community. Most of the masquerades are "oldies" but I feel
are some of the
best presentations (on video) of the art of costuming. The panel
libraries, though almost 10 years old now, are still an incredible
resource for any costumer
and cover a huge variety of subjects.
New for 2003 are copies of the masquerades onto DVDs at the same
price as the video tapes! (Sorry, the libraries are not available
in DVD format, yet). Just state your choice of media when you
order.
Volume 1: Presenting Your
Costume
How to best display your costume on stage. Basic turns and movements that suit most costumes.
A how-to panel for the amateur shoemaker. How to construct shoes for your costume without having access to professional cobbling tools. How to "fake it" with spats. How to convert modern shoes to acceptable "period" ones.
A demo of batiking techniques and how they can be used to enhance your costume.
A discussion of some of the techniques that can be used to alter the surface of fabric for a "different" look--quilting, applique, couching, airbrushing, t-shirt transfers, silk resist painting, etc.
Construction techniques. How to create really unique items with readily available materials.
A.k.a. "Historicals for the Science-Fiction Costumer." This panel will take the fear out of making your own historical reproductions.
How to find materials that are look-alike, work-alike, or feel- alike for their historical counterparts which may no longer exist or may now be prohibitively expensive.
Pre-1800 corseting for women. A discussion of materials, techniques, and how to fit these garments.
A.k.a. "Tailoring for the Totally Inept." How to drape a basic "sloper" that is customized to. How to make collars that roll correctly and trains that don't wad. Draping the female body and draping for a custom boot.
A continuation of the concepts in TAILORING & DRAPING I. Draping the male body and other bizarre shapes.
Many good costumes have a character behind them: this can mean anything from walking differently than you usually do to adopting a full-blown personality. The various panelists offer perspectives on how to bring your character's personality to life.
An overview discussion and slide show of historical costume: what the silhouettes were, what the common people and the aristocracy wore, how society influenced fashion, etc.
A slide show of the fashions of the Victorian era, when mourning was a high art.
A panel for the first-timer. How costume fandom currently seems to be working; the Division System; competitions; the Costumer's Guild, etc.
The right accessories to put the finishing touch on your period costume: fans, jewelry, hats, parasols, walking sticks, etc.
Related panels: CC8-V21, CC8-V25, CC8-V46
A more advanced electronics panel than Electronics I [ed. note: unfortunately, we lost the audio signal for the panel Electronics I during taping, so we do not have a record of that panel]. Electronics II covers actual circuit design. Emphasis will be on circuits which are effective for stage and hall costume accessories. It is helpful to know how to read basic schematics for understanding this panel.
How to take the fear out of dealing with wigs. How to style and modify wigs to get the effect you want. How to make your own wigs out of yarn for a "cartoon character" effect.
Odd materials and how to deal with them. What materials work well with each other and which don't mix well. Includes some time-saving shortcuts that can be used in costuming.
How to work with leather. Places to get leather inexpensively. Things to look for when buying leather.
How to glue things to each other and to to your body. The right glues to use for a specific job. Safety/toxicity factors.
Blivets are items you can make out of scraps of fabric and trim that are too small to use for anything else. These blivets can then be used, very effectively, to decorate your costume. See examples of blivets and make one of your own!
How to do the correct hand-finishing work for a particular historical period--hemming, buttonholes, other finishing stitches.
How to enhance your costume with detail work that will be appreciated close-up rather than from stage. Rhinestones, sequins, embellished trims, applique, etc.
A demo of some of the more popular kinds of embellishment: black- work embroidery, counted cross-stitch, tatting, etc.
How to make a dress form that is custom-fit to you, using inexpensive, ordinary materials.
How to survive costuming if you have a non-standard body type. Overweight? Big bones? Broad shoulders? This is the panel for you.
How to work with feathers. Steaming, curling, gluing, sewing. Sources and types of feathers. How to care for feathers.
Stage make-up. Glamour make-up. Disguising flaws with make-up. Latex appliances.
An overview of some of the historical organizations that are available locally and around the country such as the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Friends of the English Regency, Bye- Gone Eras, Civil War re-enactment groups, etc.
Designing for specific body types; how to enhance good features and play down flaws. What makes a good design?
Construction techniques. How to make headpieces that will survive being scrunched in a suitcase. Unusual materials to use.
How to make the often fantastic hats that were popular during certain historical periods.
Types of ethnic costume. What elements comprise the ethnic "look" and how they can be incorporated into original costumes.
Post-1800 corseting for women. A discussion of materials, techniques, and how to fit these garments. Also a special discussion of how corseting can be incorporated into fantasy costuming.
How to research your historical costume. Good and poor sources to use. How much research is enough.
How to do futuristic, high-tech looking costumes without using electronics! An enjoyable panel to watch...
The "look" of the Western wilderness.
Types of careers available in the costuming field. The rewards; the hardships.
How to build "critter" suits--monsters, aliens, fuzzy animals, etc. How to wear these suits and survive!
A slide presentation on the process of reproducing a garment from just a picture. Figuring out the back, finding seams, etc.
The thought of making an historical garment put you into a panic? Let these panelists guide you into the best places to start, help you overcome your fear of looking foolish and provide tips, sources and advice on everything from underpinnings to accessories.
Tall? Big-boned? Overweight? Broad shoulders? Learn how to design and construct costumes for your body type. Techniques for both men and women are discussed.
So what does go where and in what order under all that historical finery? Jennifer dresses in front of you and describes each piece, its purpose and how it is worn. You will see Elizabethan ca. 1579 and Victorian ca. 1858.
The gentle art of slvaging the borken, and using bits and pieces to make new jewelry. Includes information on glues, jewels and findings.
Covers basic techniques of stage makeup including the use of light, dark, and color to create various effects. Also a look at some of various types of makeups available and basic skin care.
How to research and prepare documentation on historical garments, with particular emphasis on the Costume Con Historical Masquerade.
A quick and easy technique to take a pair of plain pump shoes and turn them into the fantastic boots your costume needs.
The art of papier mache, how to make it, work with it, build jewelry, headpieces and more.
Tall or short, skinny or not, long legs or fat arms - everyone's body has a few things that good design can help. Here's how to do the most with what you've got.
A workshop on how to present a costume on stage, making an entrance, getting off, basic turns, creating a characterization, etc.
Peasant or nobleman, Renaissance rowdy or Regency buck, the movement must suit your clothes. Proper bearing for stage, photo, and hall is shown.
Commanding the stage, use of mime techniques, strong and weak stage positions, creating memorable characterizations and more.
Adrian and Victoria take you on a tour of their costumes of these two centuries and point out key construction elements, accessories, and materials needed to achieve the correct period look.
Our professional guests talk informally to you about their art, their work, and the challenges of a career in Holllywood costuming. Note: the audio level of this panel tape is quite low. Some sections are nearly inaudible.
All the wild and wonderful ways to make strange things to go on your head (and keep them there). Includes a slide presentation. Note: due to scheduling conflicts, we were unable to record the final 15 minutes of this panel.
Carl and Elizabeth take you on a tour of their collection of Native American and Western costume with information about construction, materials, and the culture that produced them.
How to get the most out of the convention experience. Learn the terminology, how things are run, what to expect from programming, the competitions, in the halls, etc.
Don't know a bugle bead from a rocale? Want to understand the difference between fringe beading, loom beading, flat beading, or seed beading? Want to learn how to thread that tiny needle? Here's the place to get started.
Noted Masters of Ceremonies explain their craft and tell you how to get the most out of MC in your presentations. A must for those competing the masquerades! or for those who'd like to learn the art.
From prime ostrich to hackle, from stripping to curling to mounting, gluing, and dyeing, this is an overview of feathers and the art of working with them.
Three who've won with costumes from this period discuss the designers (Erte, Poiret and others), ways to research it, and methods of reproducing the clothes.
Want your costume to light up and glow but don't know a watt from an amp? Afraid of frying yourself and your friends? A noted "techie" and mad scientist takes you through the basics.
Fuzzy creatures, aliens, strange beings of all types, this panel introduces you to building them, wearing them (and surviving in them!)
How to make it glow, rotate, throw lightning bolts, run off moters and batteries without frying you or the audience.
One of the most beautiful techniques of Victorian ornamentation. See examples and learn how to do it yourself.
A lecture/demo class concerning the interlinings, closures, dustruffles, padded hems, dust braids, skirt tapes, piping, boning, petersham waists, and multiple pleating used in constructing women's clothing from 1840-1910.
Learn the Renaissance technique for gathering huge amounts of fabric onto a waistband, into a sleeve cap or ruff.
Learn how to design, engineer, and construct panniers and other hoops, including materials selection.
Hands-on introduction to simple metal working techniques. Learning cheap and easy methods.
Famous creator of Furry Creatures Ben Camacho shows you the tricks of handling furry materials.
Making 3-dimensional costume parts out of 2-dimensional (flat) pieces.
The art of successful hall costuming explained, with tips on design, construction, things to avoid and staying in character.
Learn this interesting beading technique.
Costume professionals tell you how they got started, the joys and trials of making a living, and mistakes to avoid.
"Show and Tell" on making latex facial appliances to turn yourself into a Klingon, or other alien being.
How to achieve the properly set-in man's coat sleeve. A "hands- on" demonstration from material to finished sleeve.
Create your own custom silk fabric with this dyeing technique.
Learn how to apply subtle makeup that enhances your character and/or good looks, yet looks great up close.
Confused by the difference between tissue lame and tricot lame? Don't know a nap from a grain? Always thought "hand" was a body part? Here's where to start on the most elementary of costuming skills -- fabric knowledge.
How to create flat beaded appliques and a demonstration of the use of the tambour shuttle for large beading projects.
A slide presentation on what the Victorians wore to play in.
Introduction to this ancient art, with tips on materials and techniques.
Alice takes you on a guided tour of her incredible historical fan collection.
You can't imagine all the strange things that have been used to make costumes. Our panelists introduce you to papier mache, Friendly Plastic, duct tape and cardboard, natural fibers, and much more.
Special effects for stage including live demonstrations of lasers and other special effects.
The self-described Party Animal helps you get a head.
Historical reenactments are a particularly demanding form of historical costuming. Learn what it takes and what mistakes you can avoid.
Tim demonstrates the tools and techniques to get you started in leather.
(A) Making cartoon characters come alive with foam sculpture and
spandex and other materials. (B) A wild technique suitable for those
Rock 'N Roll or Punker costumes. Karen shows you how to make your own.
Learn how to create one of the principal decorative clothing arts of the Renaissance.
Constructing the RenDress is onloy the first step. The proper sufrace decoration is key to the correct look, and here's how to do it.
How to create your own works of wearable silk art.
Tina demonstrates an unusual use for a common craft material.
From finding and drafting a pattern, through making a muslin and cutting fabric, to putting in the bones -- this goes step-by-step through the corset-making process.
The patterns you buy don't match your body? Then learn how to draft a personal pattern using the AFI system.
Step-by-step through the intricacies of making hats with buckram and wire. This panel is PACKED with info!
Making costume accessories, decorations and headpieces out of bits of fabric, trim, jewels and other stuff too good to throw away. Primarily done with glue. Learn how!
Getting financing for your pet project through grants. Learn how to apply, taught by one who is at Costume Con on just such a grant!
Dragon builds the most incredible creatures out of the cheapest materials. Learn how he does it.
Restoring that tattered treasure into new life.
From wool to fiber to dyed thread -- handling raw materials and turning them into costumes, plus safety tips, and identification of non-poisonous dyes, including Kool-Aid.
Learn this unique Native American decorative artform.
Learn how to wield your weapons with maximum stage effect and minimum danger to you, your costume and your audience. Includes tips on choreography of stage fights and more!
All prices listed above include shipping, handling, and sales tax (for WV residents).
Complete sets of the CC6 and CC8 panel libraries are available at
a reduced
cost (compared to ordering the panels individually). If
interested, please e-mail with your inquiry for a quote.