Sewing Secrets from a Backstage Mom
As I step into the bustling costume shop of our local musical theater center, the Musical Theater Center, the air is thick with the scent of fabric and the hum of sewing machines. This is my home away from home, where I’ve spent countless hours over the past decade, stitching and crafting the elaborate costumes that bring the magic of the stage to life.
You see, I’m not your average seamstress. I’m a backstage mom, a dedicated volunteer whose passion for the performing arts has led me on a journey through the intricate world of costume design and construction. And let me tell you, sewing for the stage is a far cry from the couture gowns and tailored suits I used to create in my former life.
It all started when my younger son joined the theater program at our high school. I remember the first time I walked into the costume department – it was like stepping into a whole new universe. Racks upon racks of colorful, glittering garments, bins overflowing with trims and accessories, and a team of dedicated volunteers, each with their own unique set of skills, all working together to bring these characters to life.
I’ll never forget the day the director, Bev, approached me and asked if I’d be willing to lend a hand. “We’ve got a big show coming up, and we could really use an extra set of skilled hands,” she said, her eyes practically begging. How could I say no? After all, I’d spent years honing my sewing prowess, from mastering the perfect tailored fit to navigating the intricate world of couture construction. Surely, I could use those skills to help create something truly magical for the stage.
And so, I dove in, headfirst, into the world of theatrical costuming. It was a whole new ballgame, and I quickly learned that the rules of the game were quite different from the ones I was used to.
The Challenges of Costume Construction
For starters, the fabrics we work with are often the polar opposite of the high-end materials I’d become accustomed to. Instead of delicate silks and luxurious velvets, we’re dealing with sturdy knits, stretchy spandex, and sparkly, sequined fabrics that can withstand the rigors of the stage.
As Linda Teufel, a fellow backstage mom, shared, “Almost everything was a knit fabric for easy fit and for ease of sewing since we could just cut off for the hem with no finishing of edges.” And with a cast of over 30 performers, each with their own unique proportions, we had to think carefully about how to create pieces that would flatter a wide range of body types.
But the real challenge came in the sheer volume of costumes we had to produce. In a typical high school production, there might be a dozen or so principal characters, each with multiple costume changes. But in a large-scale musical like the one we were taking on, the number of costumes we needed to create was staggering.
As Linda shared, “These fringe flapper dresses took about a half hour each to make. I used a narrow long zigzag stitch and engaged the dual feed foot attachment – construction was fast and smooth with no puckers.”
Bev, our fearless costume director, had been doing this for over three decades, and she knew our extensive costume library inside and out. But even with her expertise, the sheer volume of work was overwhelming. That’s where our team of dedicated volunteers came in, each bringing their own unique set of skills to the table.
A Collaborative Effort
I’ll never forget the day we all gathered in the costume shop, rolling up our sleeves and diving into the piles of fabric and trims. There were the expert seamstresses, who could whip up a flawless garment in no time flat. Then there were the DIY queens, who could transform a simple piece of fabric into a work of art with their clever crafting skills.
And let’s not forget the ones who tackled the more intricate tasks, like the mom who painstakingly glued the sequins and glitter onto the buckram hat bases. Or the one who embroidered the monogram onto Lina Lamont’s dressing robe, ensuring that it was big enough to be seen from the audience.
As Linda described, “Lina Lamont the star of the show needed her monogram on her dressing robe which was easily done on my BERNINA 830. It had to be large so it could be seen from a distance. Also, I had to stitch it on a patch of fabric so it could be removed if we needed the robe for another show.”
And of course, there was me, the former couture seamstress-turned-costume-enthusiast. I may have been out of my element at first, but I quickly learned the tricks of the trade. Like how to use a narrow, long zigzag stitch to create those fringe flapper dresses in a flash. Or how to keep the neck facing down on a dress without that pesky row of stitching.
As Linda shared, “Bev told me to smooth down the facing and then just stitch through on a few of the glitter design lines around the neck, and it’s invisible.”
It was a true team effort, with everyone pitching in and using their unique skills to create something truly magical. And let me tell you, the end result was nothing short of spectacular.
The Thrill of Opening Night
As the curtain rose on opening night, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride and excitement coursing through me. There, on the stage, were the characters I had helped to bring to life, their costumes shimmering under the bright lights, their movements fluid and graceful.
As Linda described, “What I loved was seeing the students that I know tap dance, soft shoe, and sing like professionals. They are so dedicated and put so many hours into rehearsing. It is a joy for me to help and be a small part of it.”
And as the audience erupted in thunderous applause, I knew that our hard work had paid off. The hours spent hunched over sewing machines, the late nights spent meticulously crafting each and every detail – it had all been worth it to see the sheer joy and wonder on the faces of the performers and the audience alike.
It’s moments like these that make all the challenges of costume construction worth it. The frantic last-minute sewing sessions, the endless trims and accessories to sort through, the juggling of multiple projects at once – it’s all part of the magic of bringing a musical to life.
Costume Couture: The Art of Dressing the Stars
But the true magic, I’ve found, lies in the collaborative nature of it all. When you have a team of dedicated volunteers, each with their own unique set of skills and talents, the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s the seamstress who can whip up a perfect fit in no time flat, the crafter who can turn a simple piece of fabric into a work of art, or the embroidery aficionado who can add that perfect finishing touch, every contribution is invaluable.
And as I look around the bustling costume shop, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the community that has welcomed me with open arms. It’s not just about the costumes, you see – it’s about the connections we’ve made, the memories we’ve shared, and the joy we’ve brought to the stage.
So, if you’re ever in the mood for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of musical theater costuming, I invite you to come on down to the Musical Theater Center. Who knows, you might just find yourself stitching alongside a former couture seamstress-turned-costume-enthusiast, with a whole new appreciation for the art of dressing the stars of the stage.
