What skating dress are you working on?

[Sessy]

Hey girls, with all the skating dresses talk we've been having lately - everybody's creative juices flowing huh? - I've been thinking, maybe it'd be cool to have like the trainig thread, except about costume making! It'd not have to be weekly of course

I just ordered a pattern (a leotard) for the costume I want to do for next year's showcompetitions (I want to do something "Underworld: Evolution" themed) and I have bought cheap blue stretch material to try it out on that before I go mess up a lot of expensive materials. :lol:
I'm going to recycle this year's show comp dress (sparkle x-treme :lol: ) for the normal programme next year if my ankle will hold up for jumps, else just test in it.

What skating dress stuff are you currently working on?

[Skittl1321]

Well i guess I'm still technically working on the Jalie halter dress that I've posted about- I need to tack the front seam together, and wear it once to make sure it doesn't fall apart.


I think I'm going to make it again, this time in red, and try to play with the back a bit- it uses so little fabric, and is super quick. I just have to wait for a store to have a sale on notions- it uses a lot of elastic.

[Clarice]

Well, I'm not exactly working on my new freestyle dress yet, but I have the fabric. The basic idea is a copy of an old GK dress - velvet strapless dress with a high-necked, long-sleeved mesh bodice overlay. It's turquoise, and I'm still brainstorming embellishment ideas. The music is Offenbach's Barcarolle, so I'm going with kind of a water or sea idea. Might mix shades in the embellishment - blues and greens, perhaps.

I also have the fabric for an artistic dress, which would be a basic camisole dress with a dance-length split skirt, burgundy with pink underneath. I already have appliques to embellish this one. I'm going for kind of a Latin flavor, so it could also be a dance dress for certain rhythms.

Both of these were supposed to have been my Adult Nationals programs for this year, but I ended up not being able to go after all, so they're on hold until next year. In the meantime I'm concentrating on Moves, dance, and figures this season. Absolutely NONE of the competitions I wanted to go to worked out with my work schedule. Bummer.

[jskater49]

Right now the most frustrating thing is a Sleeping Beauty costume for DD. This is a dress she is going to wear twice - for two performances in our spring show. She's 17 and done competing and even if she wasn't done, at 17 she doesn't want to do Sleeping Beauty for an artistic. I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on a dress she's going to wear twice.

Anyway we found a woman locally who makes dresses and she suggested she just make a pink dress with spaghetti straps that she can wear for practice and then she will make a jacket to go over it that looks like sleeping beauty.

The good thing is that this is dd's last show.

j

[Skate@Delaware]

I started a thread here: http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?t=26096

I'm needing help with my dress. I'd rather buy one so I can have time to make the other.

But I need to take my serger in for it's yearly checkup/overhaul.

jskater49, have you looked at ballet dresses? some of them are pretty and might do the trick. Here are some, by no means inclusive:
http://www.mainstreetdancewear.com/default.asp
http://www.mirella-dance.com/dance/dresses_skirts/index.html
http://www.onstagedancewear.com/

[quarkiki2]

I think I'm going to try and make a dress for our rink's competition at the end of April. I really hate to sew, so it might be a terrible flop, but the fabric is only $8.00/yard, so it won't be an expensive floop, LOL!

It will be a brown dress with raglan sleeves in brown with a copper foil pattern and a straight skirt. I also found brown or copper square sequins to add to the neckline. I don't care to glue stines, so I'll be hand beading. Because I have soooo much spare time, LOL! I figure if I get five to eight sequins on a day for two weeks, that will be enough bling for a well-endowed adult skater, LOL!

Here's the pattern, which, coincidentally, is in brown.
http://www.jalie.com/sewingpatterns/patterncovers/2104.html

I wanted a brown dress before seeing the pattern, but at leas I know it will look good in brown!

I think my dress will work well with my freeskate music -- it's sort has a smooth, jazzy feel. Mature without being too dramatic as one must have dramatic elements for cymbal crashes and such -- and I don't, LOL! I'm hoping that, since it has a steady beat, I'll get out there and think I'm ice dancing instead of skating freestyle, so I'll bend my dang knees...

[Skate@Delaware]

that's gonna be so pretty, quarkiki! I have some Jalie patterns but haven't sewn them yet...(maybe I should since I'm convalescing for 5 more weeks)...

that is a really good price on the fabric-don't you love finding such a steal like that???

[Mrs Redboots]

Is it just me, or is the board slower than me skating?

I have a T-shirt, and I have a skirt (the skirt is new), and they are both having sparkles put on them! And when they are put together, they look very nice indeed, and when they are sparkly, they will be super for our new free dance.

[looplover]

You guys are totally inspiring me.

So what is a good sewing machine for a rank beginner who is determined to make her own dresses...

...once she learns to sew? :halo:

I wonder what'll come first, the lutz jump or my ability to make a skating dress.

I can't afford a serger.

Thanks!

[Skittl1321]

You guys are totally inspiring me.

So what is a good sewing machine for a rank beginner who is determined to make her own dresses...

...once she learns to sew? :halo:

I wonder what'll come first, the lutz jump or my ability to make a skating dress.

I can't afford a serger.

Thanks!

Most serious sewers will tell you the machines at walmart are terrible, but I had a Brother for over 15 years and it was great for occasional sewing, and put up with a child learning on it!. Make sure the machine you get has a zig zag stitch- as without a serger you'll need one. You could also check sears- the Kennmore's are pretty good. I just got the Kenmore 16221 and it's been fantastic- sewed heavy fleece blankets with lots of layers, and sews delicate fabrics. Just make sure to use the right needle for the fabric. If you have a sewing machine dealer, check them out- they can give customer service the general stores won't be able to match.

[Skate@Delaware]

Yes, but the Brother machine you bought 15 years ago was much better quality than the ones today...if you can, go to an independent store and buy a machine. You can pick up a used machine with a warranty. Or you can get a new one that's guaranteed AND if you have problems you are much likelier to get service there than at Walmart. Walmart will tell you "tough luck" and good-bye.

To sew stretchy stuff, you will need a zig-zag machine, universal needles, and tons of patience!

An independent store might also have lessons.

I just had a funny thought---we should have a "skate-n-sew" meet-up for the area!!!

[mikawendy]

Here's my current work in progress: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12584501@N03/2317192565/

I made the pattern based on a leotard that I like and a skirt on a different dress that I like, but I modified both to the shape and measurement that I wanted. I drew out my pattern on thick brown paper, added 1/4" seam allowance, and cut the pattern out along that line.

The hardest thing was figuring out where to place the skirt inset line. I tried on the skirt before sewing it and it hung SO nice and flat, and I marked where that was, but once sewn, itwasn't quite as great. I need to modify the skirt pattern a little.

I sewed the skirt onto the bodice instead of having bodice top, skirt, and briefs sewn together. These two different methods were discussed in this thread (http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?t=25900[) (scroll down to post #10 by Clarice).

I used a four-way stretch lycra from Jo-Anns. It's nice, not too shiny but a little on the thin side, so next time, I'm going to make the shelf lining with two layers (for a total of three layers on the top front part of the bodice).

For the dress that I made before, I used 3/8" swimwear elastic like the pattern called for, but I didn't like how thick and binding that was, so I used 1/4" swimwear elastic instead. (Don't do this if you're worried about the briefs riding up--I did it because the briefs on mine were already generous, so I didn't have to worry about them riding up.)

[jskater49]

jskater49, have you looked at ballet dresses? some of them are pretty and might do the trick. Here are some, by no means inclusive:
http://www.mainstreetdancewear.com/default.asp
http://www.mirella-dance.com/dance/dresses_skirts/index.html
http://www.onstagedancewear.com/

Thanks. The problem is finding the right color and then trying find fabric to match the jacket to the color of the dress. But that mainstreet site has some very reasonable skate dresses!

j

[Sessy]

Mika, that's very impressive!!! My leotard conversion attempts werent nearly as pretty.


I've got one of those ancient Merritt sewing machines. It's cast iron, great stuff cuz it stays on the table! Modern plastic ones bounce around.


Say I was wondering, did anybody ever do a skirt out of seethrough NON-stretch material? How does that work if the bodice and panties are stretch? Do you stretch out as you sew the skirt in? How much do you stretch out? How do you modify a pattern made for a stretch material skirt into one that will work with a non-stretch material skirt?

[BuggieMom]

I have done a few dresses with chiffon or georgette skirts. I haven't run into a problem yet with stretch, as long as the skirt inset seam isn't going straight across the body. Most skating skirts start at around hip height and dip down in the front and back center, then back to hip height. That dip seams to allow the skirt to stretch better than if it were straight across. Bias doesn't seem to do a lot in this area, but it does help some. Does that make any sense?
Some will cut the skirt a bit wider and gather it into the waist seam. I've never tried that since I thought it would not look good. I also HATE HATE HATE trying to hem chiffon! :evil: It creeps and slides and refuses to stay put under my serger foot, no matter what ingenious methods I use to keep it there, and I have tried them all. It is a nasty material that I avoid like the plague! I CAN get it hemmed, my dd has a dress with a chiffon skirt that I did, but I always look at the skirt (which is one of my better attempts) and think it could look better.
I have better luck with Georgette. But if I want the sheer look, I just find a nice glistenette, mesh, knit chiffon or sheer lycra.

[Skate@Delaware]

I also HATE HATE HATE trying to hem chiffon! :evil:
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I try finding stuff that matches in mesh or stretch glistenette....but I'd rather poke out my own eye than work with chiffon or even georgette (altho georgette is less evil)

[Sessy]

What's the difference between georgette and chiffon? (non-native speaker here). Google doesn't help since the pictures of georgette look identical to chiffon.
BTW mom told me you're not supposed to use the serger on chiffon, but rather do a tight zigzag on it...

[Canskater]

I agree that chiffon is more difficult to work with than georgette. I absolutely hate the way the serger does rolled hems on chiffon. I bought a rolled hem foot for my sewing machine and that does a much better job.

Here is an example of one of my dresses ... a modified Jalie .... does not use the brief pattern, nor the skirt ... just the upper bodice. My niece had many compliments on this dress.

http://york.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-clothing-Girls-Ladies-Skating-Dress-W0QQAdIdZ40802218

[Clarice]

What's the difference between georgette and chiffon? (non-native speaker here). Google doesn't help since the pictures of georgette look identical to chiffon.
BTW mom told me you're not supposed to use the serger on chiffon, but rather do a tight zigzag on it...

Chiffon is a lighter weight fabric - georgette has more body to it. I always do a hand-rolled hem on both these fabrics. I don't have a serger anyway, and my attempts at machine rolled hems have been heinous.

[Skittl1321]

Thanks. The problem is finding the right color and then trying find fabric to match the jacket to the color of the dress. But that mainstreet site has some very reasonable skate dresses!

j

I love the mainstreet skatewear!

Are you trying to be disney's sleeping beauty (it was sleeping beauty right? I didn't check up thread) or Tchaikovsky's? If it's Tchaikovsky's you have MUCH more leway in what you can wear- and really any elegant dress will do. Different versions of the ballet have incredibly different costumes.


Today was my dresses first tryout. The good news- it didn't fall apart, and I think it looks pretty good on me. The bad news- it's going to be cold.

The raw edge rolls really badly, but I'm worried that a hem won't prevent it from rolling either. I discovered if I straighten it right before skating, I have about 5 minutes before it rolls badly again. with a 1:30 program, that's good enough, I guess.

[Sessy]

Except this means you need to be fussing with your dress right before your programme. :??
Can you maybe wear one of those flesh-colored bodies under it to help with the cold?

Looplover, definitely check out your specialised sewing machine dealer, they often have second-hand machines and they know what a beginner needs in a sewing machine (and that you'll think of them first when you decide to upgrade to something more expensive!)

[jskater49]

I love the mainstreet skatewear!

Are you trying to be disney's sleeping beauty (it was sleeping beauty right? I didn't check up thread) or Tchaikovsky's? If it's Tchaikovsky's you have MUCH more leway in what you can wear- and really any elegant dress will do. Different versions of the ballet have incredibly different costumes.


.

She has to be Disney's Sleeping Beauty. We're doing a really cute Ice Theatre about a family going to Disneyland and they meet up with the characters. We have this cool group number where the skaters wear black and reflective tape in black light and they are the space mountain ride. And we got hockey players to be the Pirates of the Carabean.

j

[Skittl1321]

She has to be Disney's Sleeping Beauty. We're doing a really cute Ice Theatre about a family going to Disneyland and they meet up with the characters. We have this cool group number where the skaters wear black and reflective tape in black light and they are the space mountain ride. And we got hockey players to be the Pirates of the Carabean.

j

Oh my goodness that sounds fantastic! What a great show.

[Skate@Delaware]

Can you maybe wear one of those flesh-colored bodies under it to help with the cold?
I saw a lot of young girls wearing them at my last competition. You can get them at the dance supply stores and for us older girlss that wear bras, it would eliminate the worry about straps showing! Not sure if they come in different skin tones tho

[Skittl1321]

I saw a lot of young girls wearing them at my last competition. You can get them at the dance supply stores and for us older girlss that wear bras, it would eliminate the worry about straps showing! Not sure if they come in different skin tones tho

All the ones I've seen (body tights) have straps though- so you just see those straps instead. For a non-halter dress though I think they are fantastic. They eliminate the ring around the waist I get with tights.

[Skate@Delaware]

All the ones I've seen (body tights) have straps though- so you just see those straps instead. For a non-halter dress though I think they are fantastic. They eliminate the ring around the waist I get with tights.
you need one like this:
http://www.onstagedancewear.com/PD-3745.aspx
they also have one that is a flesh-colored unitard.

[Skittl1321]

you need one like this:
http://www.onstagedancewear.com/PD-3745.aspx
they also have one that is a flesh-colored unitard.

I see- I thought you were talking about this sort of thing: http://www.discountdance.com/spframe_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/style_N8150.html&camp=Froogle_N8150&ovchn=FRO&ovcpn=Spring+2008&ovcrn=N8150&ovtac=CMP&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=N8150&utm_campaign=Spring+2008

Either way, I'm off the opinion that these can be seen, so I would rather deal with cold for two minutes.

A bunch of girls at regionals wore flesh colored gloves, and it drove me crazy, because their arms were slightly different colors than their hands and I was far enough away I couldn't figure out why, and was thinking it was a trick of the light, until I saw one of them up close.

[Skate@Delaware]

Skittl, that is sooo funny!!! Yes, that is what I'm talking about. I don't like my arms bare, they "wiggle" too much :roll:

what can I say?????

[Mrs Redboots]

I saw a lot of young girls wearing them at my last competition. You can get them at the dance supply stores and for us older girlss that wear bras, it would eliminate the worry about straps showing! Not sure if they come in different skin tones tho

I have one, but I still have to wear a strapless bra (well, it has clear plastic straps) underneath it. All the same, it is quite the best investment I've ever made, and I can wear cheap dance dresses over it and look pretty good! Bother, no longer have Casey's site so can't post a photo as it's not on line anywhere (that site was so useful for random photos, oh, how I miss it!).

All the ones I've seen (body tights) have straps though- so you just see those straps instead. For a non-halter dress though I think they are fantastic. They eliminate the ring around the waist I get with tights.

Mine has long sleeves, it's wonderful!

[mikawendy]

One thing to beware about with strapless bras--sometimes they can come unhooked at inopportune moments. One of the skating moms I know told me that happened to her daughter when her daughter was skating in a competition.8O

[Mrs Redboots]

One thing to beware about with strapless bras--sometimes they can come unhooked at inopportune moments. One of the skating moms I know told me that happened to her daughter when her daughter was skating in a competition.8O
The worst thing was when I'd begun losing weight, and both my dress and bra were hanging off me, which I hadn't anticipated before that particular competition, or I'd have worn something different. And during the warm-up, the strapless bra gradually descended towards my waist, so there was I, frantically tugging on it, and the judges having quiet hysterics....

Since then, if I wear a "strapless" bra - and I do - it has clear plastic straps and so what if they show!

[Skittl1321]

One thing to beware about with strapless bras--sometimes they can come unhooked at inopportune moments. One of the skating moms I know told me that happened to her daughter when her daughter was skating in a competition.8O

That's why you always pin your bra to the costume!

For this particular dress though, I have to wear a backless bra. It hooks around my waist.

[Sessy]

I find it easier to make a costume which conceals 1 of my favourite 2 bras than to wear a bra to go with a costume. They're just never comfortable.

[quarkiki2]

A bra is the biggest reason my dress has a neckling and sleeves.

The other reason is that I'm fat, LOL!

And Jessi's dress looks fantastic on her!

[looplover]

I hardly need one...but if I don't wear one, then I look pretty much like an overgrown seven year old thanks to the dresses' ability to make people look even smaller (sigh). So, every bit helps.

I like the stick on one from Victoria's secret - so far it's lasted through two competitions and four tests, and was only $35. It really sticks.

[sk8_4fun]

I'm making a dress (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=112536523&albumId=1478792) for my free dance at the moment. I'm skating to the theme music from 'The Tudors' tv series thats recently been shown on UK TV. I've gone for emerald gren and black with some elaborate gothic style stoning. The skirt is two layers of chiffon. (I'm not very good at this so if the link doesn't work you can get to it from my myspace link in my signature ;) )