A Beauty in Blue

Well, the dance comp has been and gone. This was both mine and my daughters first foray into the world of dance competitions and it was......interesting. It seems clear that many dance schools don't really know what 'contemporary' dance actually is and seem to think it is a gymnastic routine that they are supposed to choreograph and perform. I don't think I've ever seen so many leg mounts, splits and walkovers on a dance stage before.  Anyway, my daughter was more than happy with her results and may do more comps in the future as she views it as a chance to perform more than a chance to 'win'.

She danced beautifully, looked amazing, was full of grace when congratulating other competitors and offered encouragement to those who didn't place. Oh, and the costume worked beautifully.

I was very pleased with the photos taken by Onstage Media, they clearly are able to anticipate a dancers' moves and capture the best moments.

TuTu Time!

Time to finish this tutu. The bodice is done so it's time to finish the plate and put the whole thing together.

After adding sequins and beads along the scalloped edge of the lace I gathered it to the size of the prepared net plate and stitched it together.

I cut a basque in net and attached it to the plate. Then using the remaining scallops I hand stitched them over the basque and the gathered edge to hide the seam. 

It even looked kind of cute without the tutu.....

but I thought it might look better actually attached to the tutu. 

 My little ballerina loves it and it just sparkles and sparkles.

Can You Ever Have Too Many Sequins or Crystals?

Well, the dance comp is looming so I better get this finished.
I've now discovered the joy of hot-fix crystals, where have they been all my life! The sequins are rather over-powering so I wanted there to be a bit of a transition from the sequins to the softness of the silk chiffon. A got three different colours of Swarovski crystals to hopefully mirror the colours in the sequins. I've used Swarovski crystals before for jewellery and they are so lovely, why would you use anything else.  Along with the crystals, I got a hot-fix applicator as I knew that ironing them on just wouldn't work for this.
I'll post a finished picture once the hem is done but here's a preview of the crystals.

Time to Make a Bodice continued........

Well, it's all put together and it's time to bead!

 I beaded sections of the lace before applying to the bodice. 

 I used a mix of pewter sequins, bugle and seed beads and some hot-fix Swarovski crystals in Black Diamond.

It's quite heavy so I'll have to make sure the elastic straps are nice and strong.

Can You Ever Have Too Many Sequins?

I put the tutu bodice on the back burner today so I could get to work on a contemporary costume. No pattern for this one, it's all be done either on the body or on the dummy. I kind of like working like this, it's a lot more creative.
My daughter fell in love with this sequined fabric so we are building the costume around it. The finished costume won't have as much of this fabric as in these photos so it shouldn't overwhelm the costume. The bodice is built onto Powernet to hold everything together and the skirt is made from three layers of silk chiffon in three shades of blue.

I had to add a zip as it was just impossible to get into. 

Seems a shame to cut this off but it has to go. 

So there's a way to go yet, but I'll get there.

Time to Make a Bodice continued......

Okay so now I've finished all the sewing on the bodice and now all that's left are the final touches of beading etc.

I always make my own piping as that way I can control the width and get exactly what I want. 

I used piping in the same fabric as the bodice for the waist but on the top edge, I used plain satin. I did this because this fabric is a bit scratchy so would be very uncomfortable for the dancer. The top edge will be covered with trim anyway so you won't see it. 

Hook and eye tape on. 

All the hand stitching is now done and all it needs now is a final fitting to check the piping before finishing the neckline.