USITT Costume Symposium to Welcome UK Master Tailor Graham Cottenden This July

USITT's 2016 Costume Symposium brings master tailor Graham Cottenden of the UK to Penn State University July 27-30 for four days of conquering the "Tricky Bits of Tailoring."

Penn State's Laura Robinson, who studied with Cottenden, said the symposium offers detailed instruction on mastering 19th Century men's tailoring challenges like welt and jetted pockets, lapel stitching, lining sleeves, and more.

"Participants will receive detailed instruction in the steps that give the novice tailor so much trouble, and tips that will improve the journeyman's craft," she wrote.

Cottenden is a costumier, tailor, and historian who graduated from the Wimbeldon School of Art in 1975 and worked as a freelance costume designer and maker in London for 20 years before becoming an educator. He taught at the Arts University Bournemouth for another 20 years, and just returned from a one-year stint as Head of Wardrobe/Artist in Residence at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

The symposium includes a workbook, materials, lunches and a closing cocktail reception on Saturday, July 30. Attendees will leave with a partially constructed jacket and the skills and confidence to finish it at home.

Participants will be asked to bring a basic sewing kit including tailor's points and cutting shears, and a small notebook. Space is limited. Register by May 1 for lowest rates. Register here.

More details and hotel housing at a reduced rate can also be found at www.usitt.org/costume16.

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, is a national non-profit association for the live entertainment production industry. It provides hands-on learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities for emerging and working professionals in the backstage arts. USITT's Annual Conference and Stage Expo is the only complete production event in North America, featuring over 250 training sessions and 280 exhibitors of the latest tools and resources for creating live entertainment. More information is at www.usitt.org.

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