Draping: The Complete Course

Draping - the art of using calico to design directly on a mannequin - is an essential skill for fashion students. Covering the most basic to more advanced techniques, this series of master classes provides a complete course. Projects include dresses, skirts, trousers and jackets, highlighting key fashion garments such as Audrey Hepburn's dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Starting with the basics of preparing the mannequin and fabric, the book advances through pinning, trimming and clipping, and creating shape using darts and tucks, to adding volume using pleats and gathers, and handling complex curves.

Advanced skills include how to use support elements such as shoulder pads, under layers and petticoats, and how to handle bias draping. Each skill and technique throughout the book is explained with step-by-step photographs and line drawings that bring to life the art of creating womenswear in three dimensions.

About the Author

Karolyn Kiisel is currently teaching costume at the historic Theater Academy of Los Angeles City College, California, and taught in the fashion department at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles for over twenty years. Her fashion designs have been sold internationally, and her costume work has appeared widely on screen and stage.