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.