Overview
We're delighted to have you join us at Arts University Bournemouth
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We're delighted to have you join us at Arts University Bournemouth, and hope that your time here will be rewarding, challenging, creative and enjoyable.
Welcome to BA (Hons) Costume
This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully and take particular note of the pre-course preparation. We hope that you will enjoy a happy and productive time with us, and we look forward to meeting you in October.
A message from your Course Leader
Congratulations on achieving your place on BA (Hons) Costume at AUB!
We look forward to welcoming you to AUB at induction week, when you'll have the opportunity to meet staff and current students, find your way around the University, discover Bournemouth and learn more about studying at AUB. The course is delivered over 30 weeks with a Christmas and Easter break and two consolidation weeks.
You can find information below about what the course provides for you and what you need to bring.
- Sarah Magill, Course Leader
Before you join us
There is no summer project as such, but we recommend practising drawing and sewing, reading around your subject, watching live and online productions and films, and visiting exhibitions and art galleries.
The Library at AUB is extremely well resourced and includes all key texts that you'll need. The books listed below (digital and hard copy versions are available in the AUB Library) are suggested to get you started; you might like to borrow a copy from your local library to read before you arrive. You'll receive a comprehensive reading list in the Course Handbook when you enrol and at the start of each unit of study.
- Arnold, J. (1977) Patterns of Fashion 1: Englishwomen’s Dresses and their Construction c1660-1860. London: Macmillan.
- Arnold, J. (1972) Patterns of Fashion 2: Englishwomen’s Dresses and their Construction c1860-1940. London: Macmillan.
- Barrington, M. (2016) Stays and Corsets: Historical Patterns Translated for the Modern Body. New York: Focal Press.
- Counsel, C. & Wolf, L. (2001) Performance Analysis, An Introductory Coursebook. London: Taylor & Francis.
- Fortier, M. (2002) Theory/Theatre: An Introduction. London: Psychology Press.
- Pride, R. (2018) The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit: supervising theatre costume production from first meeting to final performance. New York: Routledge.
- Magill, S. (2017) Making Vintage 1940s Clothes for Women. Marlborough: The Crowood Press.
- Pride, R. (2018) The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit: supervising theatre costume production from first meeting to final performance. New York: Routledge.
- Schechner, R. (2013) Performance Studies: An introduction. London: Routledge.
- Waugh, N. (1964) The Cut of Men’s Clothes 1600-1900. London: Faber.
- Waugh, N. (1968) The Cut of Women’s Clothes 1600-1930. London: Faber.
If you read one thing before you arrive, we recommend...
A journal article from Costume, The Journal of Dress History or Studies in Costume and Performance.
Current student work
Have a look through some of the work our current students are producing to get an idea of the type of work you may be making on our course.
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Accept to viewIf you watch one thing before you arrive, we recommend...
Abstract: The Art of Design on Netflix.
Course equipment
The course provides all new first year students with a free induction kit. Please note the exact items included may vary.
Making:
- Bobbin and Bobbin Case for Industrial Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Pins
- Hand Sewing Needles
- Chalk
- Tape Measure
- Calico
- Tracing wheel
- A Pair of Snips
Design:
- Cutting mat
- Pliers
- Aluminium wire
- Block of Sculpey
- Plastic set square (45º)
- Box of glass headed pins
- Propelling pencil
- Eraser
- Scalpel handle and x5 blades
- Metal tape measure (design)
- Sharpie pen
- 5 m steel tape
- Aluminium cutting ruler
- PVA glue
- Masking Tape
- Sketch book
- Artway S-Tuff Bag
The first two units develop both design and making skills. You may wish to purchase additional specialist items and we have included a list of specialist suppliers below.
Additional items, not included in the free induction kit, but are required:
Making:
Essential:
- Fabric scissors/Tailor’s shears
- Small Embroidery/Needlework scissors
- Paper Scissors
- Propelling Pencil
- Thimbles
- Pack of safety pins in different sizes
Optional:
- Pinking Shears
- L-Square/ pattern master (although these can be loaned from the course)
- French Curve (although these can be loaned from the course)
Design:
Essential:
- Paper scissors
- A range of hard and soft graphite pencils
- A range of short handled brushes in various styles (round/flat)
- Watercolour pencils
- Acrylic paint set (basic colours)
- Inks in various colours (we recommend Dr. Ph. Martins)
- Glue Stick
- Putty eraser
Optional:
- Palette
- A3 Cartridge paper sketchbook (can be purchased on campus on arrival)
- A4 Watercolour sketchbook (can be purchased on campus on arrival)
- Sandpaper
- Sponges
- Wood glue
Recommended suppliers:
- Artway Creative Supplies (Art materials/sewing supplies)
- William Gee Haberdashery (Sewing Supplies)
- Morplan (Sewing Workroom Equipment)
General Additional Equipment
- A small work box to store your items - you'll need to carry this kit to and from campus as there is limited storage space in the studios
- Old clothes/overall/apron (for Dye Room work)
- Reusable water bottle
- Basic Domestic Sewing machine for continuing your work at home
- Iron and ironing board
- Laptop (we recommend a Mac, but if you already have a PC this is also compatible. Laptops are available to hire for short periods from the library). The Adobe suite including Photoshop and Illustrator will be provided by the AUB for free.
- Digital camera/ phone to record your learning journey
What to bring on your first day
On your first day, you will just need to bring a notebook and pen/ phone for taking notes. We provide all new first year students with a free induction kit for the first unit of study. A rough guide to unit costs can be found below so that you can budget for the academic year.
Autumn Level 4
Core Skills: approximately £30
Spring Level 4
Design and Making: approximately £100
Summer Level 4
Costume Workshop: approximately £70
Autumn Level 5
Historical Costume: approximately £200
Spring Level 5
Tailoring: approximately £180
Summer Level 5
Experimental Costume: approximately £100
Level 6 units
There is always a broad selection of projects available for you to work on, which varies from year to year. AUB Productions, AUB Dance productions, external museum commissions and external performance collaborations are paid for, whereas a personal project will need to be funded by you. This might range from a collection of period underwear costing £500 to a full historical costume costing £1,500.
Explore more
Next Steps
Find out the useful dates and contact before you start here
Arrival
We are looking forward to welcoming you to BA Costume this year in just a few weeks!