More Musings

This was a project from last summer where I created new bodices for this romantic style tutu.   I started out with a shell pink shantug and used the reverse side of it.  A lot of shine on the material tends to make the dancer look bigger than she is.  The bodices are 12 pieces, which I tailor made to each dancer, but left 1 inch seams on the side seams to allow for fitting on other dancers.  The lining is a cotton/poly blend twill to give structure.   Each piece of the bodice, when cut, has to be numbered to make sure that they are being sewn on in the right order and a serger is used to serge the top layer and lining together to act as one piece.  I like to use piping along the top and bottom to give a more finished look to the bodice, but more and more I see bodices without this level of detail.  It's these details that make a product look finished.  My favorite details are the ones you really don't see.  The steel spiral boning, used for added structure, help the bodice look like a second skin and the mesh elastic for straps, which disappear under the stage lights, so the bodice looks a strapless top.  The bodice will move with the dancer and will stay in place when the dancer is being partnered.

Website!

My website is now up!  http://www.tutusmade4u.com  Just a few tweaks to get it perfect, but the basic content is there.  So excited!

Almost Set

So I have my domain name and facebook page all set!  http://www.tutusmade4u.com

You won't see anything there yet, but will see a few things on my facebook page of the same name.  Haven't officially published it yet, as I'm not quite ready with everything, but close.

Dug up some pictures of some competition leotards I had made for when my daughter was competing.

This was a design collaboration of both my daughter and myself, and my 2nd competition leotard.  The material used was a black slinky lycra with red and silver glitter design. 

I tried to use the glitter waves in the design and have them all running down at a diagonal.  I also used red lycra to create the mandarin collar piping, sleeve cuff and the panties, for added pop.  We found these beautiful red frogs for the top and black beaded fringe for the skirt, to finish the look of the design.  Probably the most unusual thing about this competition leotard is that I made it to slip over the head and snap at the panties, more like lingerie.

My daughter used this for one season and we sold it for the following season...  probably still in the competition circuit.

 Russian Sarafans

I loved designing these dresses.  Russian Sarafan dresses are traditional folk festival wear, meant to be very colorful.  Don't think they are traditionally made in satin, though....

I wanted them to be as authentic as possible in the look, but also have them work on stage.  The artistic director wanted them to really bell out when her dancers spun around.  6 yards of material it took for them to create that bell look.  Many more yards for the flowers, which my assistant satin stitched each layer of flower to ensure they would never fall apart! 

More later. 

Taking Care of Business

I've been contemplating a made to order dancewear business for the past few months.  With the numerous dance studios in the area, I think it could work.  I recently unearthed some old leotards, and tutu bodices I had made many years ago, and the idea became stronger.

Usually when I'm at the local fabric shop, I look in the remnants section for pretty brocades, lycra, or dull satin fabrics, all fabrics that make fabulous ballet bodices.  The great thing about remnants are they are cheap!  And your typical leotard or ballet bodice will use no more than 1/2 to 3/4 of a yard.  It's a win, win situation!

Saete's Fabrics and Trims in Sacramento is a great store for stretch fabrics.  They have the biggest variety of stretch fabrics, I have ever seen.  When I made competition leotards, they were my go to source for fabrics and trimmings.

Another favorite fabric store is Hi Fashion fabrics, they have a variety of bridal satins, bengalines, brocades, and nets, great for your classical or romantic tutus and bodices.

Now, to work on my website, find my pictures of the leotards I made in the past, take picture of new projects
and get creative!

It Begins...

Now that Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet is nearing Nutcracker Season, I have started the process of organizing, inventorying and generally brushing up on what is needed to get the costumes ready for the 2010 season.  Thank goodness for my volunteers!  Without them, I wouldn't not be able to take on the daunting task of overseeing over 300 costumes! 

It took 3 days to organize and inventory our space.  It has been a learning process to learn everyone's personalities.  From heavy recyclers, not wanting to throw anything out, to the minimalists, who want to keep nothing. Compromising all around!  But now we know where everything is and the process of washing and cleaning has begun. It starts to get exciting.  Auditions are next week, my job is to measure, measure and more measuring.  Heights especially.  Can't have the Party Girls too tall or too short for the dresses...

Next on the list is to pin down the Artistic Director as what new costumes are to be made, changes and who our Clara and SugarPlum will be.

All exciting stuff...