Garments & patterns

A cutting technique in which pattern pieces are placed at a 45-degree angle to the fabric's grainline, producing extra drape, stretch, and a fluid hang.

A long sleeve that is full through the forearm and gathered into a fitted cuff at the wrist, historically associated with clerical and Victorian dress.

A tailored jacket, single- or double-breasted, structured with shoulder padding and often lapels, worn as smart separates rather than part of a matched suit.

An undergarment designed to support and shape the bust, typically constructed with cups, a band, and shoulder straps.

A skirt with an outer layer gathered at the waist and again at the hem into a lining, creating a rounded, puffed silhouette.

A fitted, often boned bodice-length undergarment or top that shapes the torso from bust to waist, typically worn without a separate bra.

A tailored overcoat with a velvet collar, concealed button closure, and minimal waist shaping, originating in 19th-century English menswear.

The practice of drafting or tracing a sewing pattern directly from an existing ready-to-wear garment, used to reproduce or reverse-engineer its fit and construction.

A close-fitting, boned undergarment or outer garment that shapes and supports the torso, traditionally laced or hooked to control the waist and bust.

Process of drafting or adapting patterns for fantasy, sci-fi, or stylised character costumes, often exaggerating proportions or silhouettes beyond conventional garment fit.

Costume-making practice that researches original garments, patterns, and construction methods from a specific historical period to recreate them as accurately as materials allow.

A sleeve that is voluminous and gathered from the shoulder to the elbow, then fitted closely from elbow to wrist, resembling a mutton leg in profile.

A lapel style in which the collar and lapel meet at an angled notch, the standard configuration on single-breasted jackets and blazers.

A long, heavy outer coat worn over other clothing for warmth, typically extending to the knee or below and tailored with structured shoulders.

The technique of aligning stripes, plaids, or repeating prints across seams so that the design continues unbroken from one fabric piece to the next.

A lapel style with a point that angles upward toward the shoulder above the collar seam, traditionally used on double-breasted jackets and formalwear.

Costume construction approach using hidden closures such as hook-and-loop tape, snaps, or breakaway seams to allow a performer to change garments rapidly offstage or mid-scene.

Denim woven on a narrow shuttle loom that produces a tightly finished, self-edged fabric border, prized for durability and reduced fraying.

A tailored, structured jacket cut to match trousers as part of a matched suit, featuring lapels, a canvassed front, and set-in sleeves.

A long, belted coat traditionally made of water-resistant gabardine, featuring a double-breasted front, storm flaps, and epaulettes, derived from military rainwear.

A skirt fitted closely through the hip and thigh that flares abruptly near the knee, resembling the shape of a trumpet bell.

A curved, rigid strip, usually plastic-coated metal, encased in fabric channels beneath the cups of a bra to provide structural lift and support.