dance dress tips and ideas

[HelenaZF]

Many of us involved in dance ministry find ourselves designing and making our own garments. I thought it would be interesting and possibly helpful to make a topic where we could list things we've learned, shortcuts and tips...and maybe even design ideas. So here are a couple of mine....





You know how difficult it is to get an even hem on a volumnous dance skirt? I learned this tip from Kim Beveridge, a dance leader and exquisite seamstress from Ohio. Once your have made your dress, pin it to a hanger so that the shoulder seams are aligned at the top. Then hang the dress in front of a door, place a yardstick against the fabric and just cut the bottom off until it is straight. You'll get a beautifully straight hem every time. I can't tell you how much aggravation this has saved me!



Many teams use a circle skirt, but I find that a single circle skirt will just fly up and become the rings of Saturn around your waist. A double circle is much better for modesty, and can also be lifted and used as "wings" in choreographies.



A triple circle skirt gives a wonderful "corkscrew" effect when twirling...but be careful to use only the lightest weight fabrics or you'll wear your dancers out from the weight of them.



OK...your turn.