Shoulder Pieces Class

Learn to create sculptural shoulder Pieces for your Costumes using this instructional video.

A few years ago I hosted some online Classes. This was my 1st, an introduction to using my Interchangeable Panto Dame Sewing Pattern to create fantastical Shoulder Pieces.

In this Class I use the pattern as a basic block- you can use one you already have, you don’t have to use mine- and I illustrate how to create new pieces to add and change up the pattern to make new costumes. These additional elements can help a Dame or a Villain really come to life on stage. They would be a particularly creative addition if creating costumes for Aladdin.

In this video I create small shoulder elements to add on to a shoulder or into a seam. I work quite small because of the confines of the video teaching medium, however; I am sure you can see how this tutorial would scale to create larger pieces.

This video includes an introduction to me and the class, technical illustrations, drafting the basic shoulder piece pattern, a basic pattern adjustment to allow you to insert shoulder pieces into a shoulder seam- particularly important if creating large or ‘‘stacked’’ shoulder pieces - creating different shapes and more complex designs and making up a basic shoulder piece ready to insert into a costume. There is a question and answer section that I have kept at the end from the original online class I am hoping will still be helpful.

You will need card, pins, pencil, sellotape and dress form.