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Member since 3/19/09
Posts: 758
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Posted on: 12/3/09 10:04 AM ET
(I wasn't sure where this needed to go; so if this needs to be moved else where not a problem.)

I'm still running on a high that I was able to make 2 nice pieces for people that actually fit them and make them look wonderful. A thought came into my head, "Why are my actors amazed that I actually make stuff that fits them?"

I take a fairly complete set of measurements. I adjust the patterns to accomedate these changes (FBA, SBA, FAA, short/long torso, wide shoulders, ect.) and when I fit the mock up, there are extremely minor, if any, adjustments.

Why is it so surprising to them that I actually do my job, and the outfit looks good on their body? Thoughts?

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"Costume Tech's are overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated except to those designers, actors, directors, playwrights, and other theater artists who depend on them." - The Costume Technicians Handbook
  
Member since 9/29/02
Posts: 3237
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Posted on: 12/3/09 10:47 AM ET
I think most people who aren't models are used to wearing clothes that don't quite fit and so they think that's the norm. It is quite nice when you wear clothes that fit your body and they're just surprised.
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Patti

R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
  
Member since 3/19/09
Posts: 758
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Posted on: 12/3/09 11:25 AM ET
I know that 3 of my actors worked with someone that didn't fit them well. This is why one of them was seriously gun shy of me when I said I was custom making something for her. It took some serious talks from fellow actors to get her comfortable with the idea. When i showed her what I could do last night she was amazed that someone actually knew what they were doing when it came to fitting people.

If I don't know how to fix the problem I come to all of you. Before I came here I was just guessing on how to fix things. Now there is probobly someone on here who has run into the problem before.

Sorry it just amazes me that they are suprised when you what you are supposed to and they look better for it. /shrug
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"Costume Tech's are overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated except to those designers, actors, directors, playwrights, and other theater artists who depend on them." - The Costume Technicians Handbook
  
Member since 8/18/02
Posts: 1578
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Posted on: 12/3/09 12:00 PM ET
Fitting is a dying art. Most people don't even know what it means but once they have something that fits well they know it.
  
Member since 7/24/08
Posts: 833
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Posted on: 12/3/09 2:35 PM ET
In reply to shanntarra
Maybe because they've never worked with YOU before, they don't realize that you are a true professional, not just a wannabe who likes costumes and has a sewing machine. Sadly, there are wannabes getting paid to do sub-par work in every type of endeavor! Your actors have all probably worn costumes that were not even their size, much less custom fitted. I'm sure they learn to trust and appreciate you when they see what you can do.

I agree that most people have never worn any garment, on stage or in real life, that fits them properly. Most people are used to RTW and having to make it "work" somehow. It's surprising and delightful to wear something that really fits!

I'm sure all actors (and lots of other people) have been measured for clothing at some point, but the usual result is that those measurements are used to make or buy something in a standard size, so they end up with the same old RTW problems. They won't know that your measurements will produce a different result until they experience it.

  
Member since 3/19/09
Posts: 758
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Posted on: 12/3/09 2:48 PM ET
In reply to mmmckay
I know 3 of them just finished a show where it was...bad. /shutters Most of the others I have worked with before (one guy 5 times). Many of them I could put them in anything and they trust me to make them look good in it.

The more I think about it I think it comes down to , "It is not often in current times that when some one says they can/will do something they actually fullfill or exceed what they promised. " That is why they are surprised.

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"Costume Tech's are overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated except to those designers, actors, directors, playwrights, and other theater artists who depend on them." - The Costume Technicians Handbook
  
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