Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: The King and I

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drose
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Topic: The King and I
Posted: 8/23/07 at 7:12pm

How is it so impossible to find a pattern for the Siamese envelope pants the the king wears in almost every concievable version of the King and I? If anyone knows where to find the pattern, or how to make and tie them, I would love to hear from you! I'm certain I can create my own pattern, but I'd love to know if a "real" pattern exists somewhere. Thanks! -d.

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biggertigger
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Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:28pm

Here is a book about costume design. http://www.theatrehouse.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=THH&Product_Code=9206&Category_Code=

I'll try to find others.

The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.

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Linda S
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Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:52pm

I found this link. http://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/2004_02.html

Scroll down a bit and they give full instructions on how to make two kinds of traditional Thai pants with illustrations.

Linda

This is an example:

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Linda S
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Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:57pm

I also found this link. It has a variety of middle eastern patterns. I also believe that men's and women's pant styles are similiar. http://www.artemisimports.com/patterns/

Linda

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drose
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Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:37am

thanks for the link, I'll check it out. -d

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Mr. Lowell
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Posted: 8/27/07 at 2:04pm

When does your "King and I" go up?

We are opening on November 8, 2007.

By the way, I found some outstanding backdrops that I am going to rent. A set of 8 drops and borders that are very colorful and well done.

Here is a link to photos of them on our "King and I" Production Blog:

http://gdsking.blogspot.com

-Dana

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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drose
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Posted: 8/28/07 at 1:30am

We go up august 2008. But we seriously underestimated our costume budget for our last production, mainly due to lack of pattern knowledge...who knew it took so many yards of fabric to make a ballgown!? So now we are researching a little deeper into sari fabric and thai patterns. But those envelope pants that resemble backwards diapers (no offense to anyone intended) are still a mystery. They look simple, but experiments show that accidental exposure is far too easy, and how do they stay up? Crazy. Best wishes on your production and thanks for the link, I'll check it out! -d.

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Joan54
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Posted: 8/28/07 at 8:20am

Good luck with the backwards diaper pants......I wish I had a successful solution for them. Sometimes when I am stuck on a costume design I just try to imagine how it was done for the real clothes. To begin with most of the "wrapping" type clothes: togas, loincloths, breechcloths and some capes were just one piece of fabric.....and usually narrow fabric (small home looms). I think knots and strings and pins were used a lot more than the old art work shows us. Get a long piece of silk or soft cotton and try to wrap it around you in a logical and comfortable way. Remember that the King probably had lots of slaves dressing him so get a friend to help. Do this in front of a mirror and have a good laugh.

Then get the actor to give you a pair of his shorts that fit him well...and as tightly as possible. Cut the shorts shorter and make sure that all of his private areas are well covered. Now sew the costume pants to the shorts.....at least you'll know that he is covered up and that the costume won't fall down.

"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"

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Gaafa
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Posted: 8/28/07 at 10:49am

This is far too technical for me, but if I could chuck in my 'arf a tanners worth.
When I was in the jungles of Malaysia, we wore a Pario most of the time. Which is similar to a sarong less the top half.
It just wrapped around & the end of the cloth, stuffed down the back at the waist.
A lot of the womem wore the same, except they pulled the cloth back thru thier legs & pushed down under the cloth going across thier waist.
I don't know if that helps? Ouch

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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drose
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Posted: 8/28/07 at 8:33pm

Every little bit helps! Thanks so much to all of you for your ideas, I appreciate that you all continue to take the time to pass along your experience and expertise. If I come up with a distinct solution, I'll post it. Until then, every little bit helps. Thanks. - d

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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Author	Message
drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Topic: The King and I Posted: 8/23/07 at 7:12pm
	How is it so impossible to find a pattern for the Siamese envelope pants the the king wears in almost every concievable version of the King and I? If anyone knows where to find the pattern, or how to make and tie them, I would love to hear from you! I'm certain I can create my own pattern, but I'd love to know if a "real" pattern exists somewhere. Thanks! -d.

	IP Logged

biggertigger Celebrity Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188	Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:28pm
	Here is a book about costume design. http://www.theatrehouse.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=THH&Product_Code=9206&Category_Code= I'll try to find others.
	The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:52pm
	I found this link. http://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/2004_02.html Scroll down a bit and they give full instructions on how to make two kinds of traditional Thai pants with illustrations. Linda This is an example:
	IP Logged

Linda S Celebrity Joined: 4/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 312	Posted: 8/24/07 at 2:57pm
	I also found this link. It has a variety of middle eastern patterns. I also believe that men's and women's pant styles are similiar. http://www.artemisimports.com/patterns/ Linda
	IP Logged

drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 8/25/07 at 1:37am
	thanks for the link, I'll check it out. -d
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Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 8/27/07 at 2:04pm
	When does your "King and I" go up? We are opening on November 8, 2007. By the way, I found some outstanding backdrops that I am going to rent. A set of 8 drops and borders that are very colorful and well done. Here is a link to photos of them on our "King and I" Production Blog: http://gdsking.blogspot.com -Dana
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
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drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 8/28/07 at 1:30am
	We go up august 2008. But we seriously underestimated our costume budget for our last production, mainly due to lack of pattern knowledge...who knew it took so many yards of fabric to make a ballgown!? So now we are researching a little deeper into sari fabric and thai patterns. But those envelope pants that resemble backwards diapers (no offense to anyone intended) are still a mystery. They look simple, but experiments show that accidental exposure is far too easy, and how do they stay up? Crazy. Best wishes on your production and thanks for the link, I'll check it out! -d.
	IP Logged

Joan54 Celebrity Joined: 10/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Posted: 8/28/07 at 8:20am
	Good luck with the backwards diaper pants......I wish I had a successful solution for them. Sometimes when I am stuck on a costume design I just try to imagine how it was done for the real clothes. To begin with most of the "wrapping" type clothes: togas, loincloths, breechcloths and some capes were just one piece of fabric.....and usually narrow fabric (small home looms). I think knots and strings and pins were used a lot more than the old art work shows us. Get a long piece of silk or soft cotton and try to wrap it around you in a logical and comfortable way. Remember that the King probably had lots of slaves dressing him so get a friend to help. Do this in front of a mirror and have a good laugh. Then get the actor to give you a pair of his shorts that fit him well...and as tightly as possible. Cut the shorts shorter and make sure that all of his private areas are well covered. Now sew the costume pants to the shorts.....at least you'll know that he is covered up and that the costume won't fall down.
	"behind a thin wall of logic panic is waiting to stampede"
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 8/28/07 at 10:49am
	This is far too technical for me, but if I could chuck in my 'arf a tanners worth. When I was in the jungles of Malaysia, we wore a Pario most of the time. Which is similar to a sarong less the top half. It just wrapped around & the end of the cloth, stuffed down the back at the waist. A lot of the womem wore the same, except they pulled the cloth back thru thier legs & pushed down under the cloth going across thier waist. I don't know if that helps?
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

drose Celebrity Joined: 8/23/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 162	Posted: 8/28/07 at 8:33pm
	Every little bit helps! Thanks so much to all of you for your ideas, I appreciate that you all continue to take the time to pass along your experience and expertise. If I come up with a distinct solution, I'll post it. Until then, every little bit helps. Thanks. - d
	IP Logged

Topic: The King and I( Topic Closed)
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