Peter and the Starcatcher Jacket

Peter and the Starcatcher is a play that speculates about the origin of Peter Pan and Neverland.  The play is based on the books written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.  I have not read them yet but I plan to soon.  One of the characters the figures prominently in these stories is a pirate called Black Stash (for his formidable facial hair.)

 I am going to be building this jacket for both the Black Stash character and another character named Lord Astor (from whom it is stolen.) One of the more common things we do in our costume shop is repurpose or upcycle old clothes.  I am starting with a man's navy blue blazer as the foundation for Black Stash's coat.

Here are some sketches of ideas I had.

I decided that I would go with a series of graduated bars with pointed ends.  I've folded under where I'm planning to cut and laid the cardboard pattern pieces along the edge to see what it may look like.

Another Red Coat

This year's production is going to be very exciting!  We are putting on Mary Poppins and it should be a challenge for me.  Already, I have had to alter a pattern.  I sewed a muslin of one of Mary Poppins' coats and then fitted it to the actress playing her.  (With a little direction from my assistant there in the lower right.)

 

A red coat, haven't we seen something like this before?  So far, this coat that she'll be wearing in "Step In Time" is going together without problems.  The trickiest bit was the set in pockets.  The fabric I am using is a poly-cotton gabardine and it has a very nice hand and drapes well.  At least one of Mary's coats is going to have to be fitted specially for a flying harness which will be a totally new thing that I've not done before. 

More Progress on Hook's Coat

So you remember my sketch from the other day?

Well this is what it was meant to be.  A stylized paisley-ish  crocodile and hook to adorn the cuff of the coat.

I am really loving my choice of gold satin.  It looks shiny and expensive without being tacky.  Well, as non-tacky as a bright red coat trimmed in fancy gold appliques could be. 

 

A close up of the front of the coat and pockets.

 

It's close to being done!  I have made a lot of progress as of Sunday afternoon.  The lining is finished and waiting to be put in, the cuffs are ready to be attached so I will work on that next costume crew session.