Threads - for people who love to sew

Hurrah for Hollywood II

Every size, shape, and color top hat is displayed on this wall. If these hats could talk—what interesting stories they would tell.

When a straw hat is in order, they have plenty of those too.

When you enter the front door at Western Costume you’re welcomed by their logo.

Photo: Rob Berezowski

Photographing Threads’ back covers is more involved than it appears. First, Gloria Melfi, the art director for this project, and I flew to Los Angeles where we spent the first day pulling garments from the vintage collection at Western Costume. We had two packed racks of clothes before turning to our studies. The second day we studied the age and construction of the garments. We recorded their catalogue numbers and measured all of the design details. I sketched construction elements so we would be able to accurately duplicate them for How Did They Sew That.

On the third day our New York photographer, Jack Deutsch, and his assistant Rob Berezowski came with all of their equipment. We were supplied a “dressing room”. The room is well equipped with refrigerator, sofa, and stage. We were also supplied with three dress forms. One of them was Dorothy Malone. (Last time we used Audrey Hepburn, but she was busy this day.)

Dorothy has a slightly different shape than Audrey. We use dress forms because some of these clothes are quite fragile and mannequin arms and hands are hard to dress.

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judith neukam, senior technical editor
Posted on Feb 23rd, 2011 in sewing, online extras, designers

Comments (6)

Rabia writes: The back cover is one of the reasons Threads is my favest magazine ever.
Posted: 11:42 pm on April 11th

Djonee writes: Love it where do I apply?
Posted: 6:38 pm on March 2nd

talondrago writes: Wish I could join you for these little trips. Thanks for sharing with us.

Posted: 8:52 am on March 2nd

dckitty writes: I was fortunate enough to wear dozens of those vintage treasures at Western Costume back in the days when I was acting. The job was the playing the old fashioned girl who got caught smoking in those Virginia Slims ads. Gorgeous gowns!
Posted: 11:44 pm on March 1st

russellgibson writes: Being an Actor and a sewer i had fun reading this story thanks. Russell Gibson
Posted: 8:10 pm on March 1st

suzannity writes: Wow. I like your job. Thanks again for this look behind the scenes at Western Costume Company and what you folks do for Up Close and How Did They Sew That. Really really neat. I think this bit of education will make those two magazine items even more interesting in the future.
Posted: 8:27 am on February 24th

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