Costume Making for Amateur Theater Groups—When Fitting must be Perfect
Many costumes will look fine without a precise fit. Anything loosely fitting works well without a lot effort. Tunics, sarongs, and so on can fit multiple sizes without difficulty.
Sometimes though a close fit is a must. The bodices of close fitting Medieval, Elizabethan, and Victorian dresses must fit well. While not as close-fitting as some garments, men’s waistcoats and vests must also fit well and some styles of breeches and pants require a closer fit.
When you have this problem, remember to use the time honored tailor’s trick—slopers.
What is a sloper?
A sloper is a practice garment out of an inexpensive fabric cut from the pattern you will use for the final garment. Muslin is the best and cheapest fabric to use for this purpose. So that they can be adjusted to fit slopers are basted rather than sewn with permanent seams.
Once the sloper is made, you simply adjust it and mark you alterations to the pattern. You then use the sloper as your new pattern or transfer the alterations to a paper pattern.
Using slopers takes more time, but it is well worth the effort. Remember, you can also take an old garment that fits the person well and take it apart to use for a pattern. If you use this method, cut and try the pattern in muslin before cutting from your good fabric.
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