Draping

I have served as draper for theatres and operas across the country, including The Paramount Theatre (Aurora, IL), The Glimmerglass Festival, as well as some draping privately and in educational settings. Please bear with me as this page is updated with more detailed photos of my work.

Cosette's Wedding Gown--The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Liz Lauren

Cosette's Wedding Gown--Les Miserables, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Liz Lauren

Cosette's Gown--Les Miserables, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Liz Lauren

Cosette Gown--Les Miserables, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Charles Osgood

Madame Thenardier's Wedding Feast Gown--Les Miserables, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Charles Osgood

Cats at The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Pattern/Cutter: Amanda N Spaanstra

Patterned and cut two sets of unitards for each cast member

McCavity Girls--Cats, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Pattern/Cutter: Amanda N Spaanstra

Jane Banks Dress--Mary Poppins, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Liz Lauren

Jane Banks Day Dress--Mary Poppins, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Liz Lauren

Lily St. Regis--Annie at the Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draped, cut and stitched by Amanda N Spaanstra

Lily St Regis detail--Annie, The Paramount Theatre, Aurora IL

Designer: Theresa Ham
Draped, cut and stitched by Amanda N Spaanstra

Dinah's Housedress--Trouble in Tahiti, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Erik Teague
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

This quilted house dress was built to be worn over a bullet bra and girdle

Empire Day Dress--Class Project

Draped and stitched for a class project by Amanda N Spaanstra

1940s Dress--Flat Patterning Class Project

Flat patterend, cut and stitched by Amanda N Spaanstra

Mrs. Crabtree--The School for Scandal, Hope College

Design: Michael Braaksma
Draper and fat pad development: Amanda N Spaanstra

Eileen's 1930s Dress--Wonderful Town, Hope College

Designer: Michelle Bombe
Draper: Amanda N Spaanstra

First Hand

I have served as a first hand in many capacities, including The Glimmerglass Festival and the University of Ilinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please bear with me as I add more detailed photos of my work.

Guenevere's Coronation Gown--Camelot, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Paul Tazewell
Draper: Cat Hennessey
Gown with removable train-tail cut and primarily hand-sewn by Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Karli Cadel

Guenevere's Coronation Gown--Camelot, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Paul Tazewell
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First hand and stitcher: Amanda N Spaanstra

Almost the entire gown was hand-sewn due to the nature of the paillettes and under netting. This was built on top of a taffeta lining, and had a detachable train.

Guenevere's Opening Gown--Camelot, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Paul Tazewell
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First Hand: Amanda N Spaanstra

Two layers of metallic net and mesh flat-lined together, with subtle pattern-matching across the body

Photo by Karli Cadel

Guenevere's Gown--Camelot, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Paul Tazewell
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First Hand: Amanda N Spaanstra

This gown consisted of a layer of sequined sparkle net flatlined to a loose crocheted net.

Miss Mullin's Bustle Dress--Carousel, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Jessica Jahn
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First Hand: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Karli Cadel

Miss Mullin's Bustle Dress #2--Carousel, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Jessica Jahn
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First Hand and Stitcher: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Karli Cadel

Miss Mullin's Heaven Dress--Carousel, The Glimmerglass Festival

Designer: Jessica Jahn
Draper: Cat Hennessey
First Hand: Amanda N Spaanstra

Photo by Karli Cadel

Stitcher

I have served as a stitcher for many theatres and operas around the country, including The Glimmerglass Festival, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck, MI, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Hope College.