The Craft of Costume Design
MIT's course on costume construction techniques that rely on crafting rather than sewing. Students work with materials such as foam, thermoplastics, and worbla to build costume pieces, learning how each material can be shaped, textured, and finished for stage or screen use. The course walks through specific projects, armor pieces, masks, and structural garment elements, while also considering alternative uses for the same materials and techniques beyond the assigned piece. Course materials on MIT OpenCourseWare include the syllabus, project briefs, and material lists used in the class. The course is aimed at students with some background in theater arts or costume work who want hands-on technique instruction rather than general design theory. No sewing machine required for these builds, the focus stays on sculpting, molding, and assembly methods used in professional costume shops.