I need a skating dress. I've always sewn my own dresses/skirts, but my sewing machine is in storage and I don't have the time.

Problem is, I wear a size 18 now and even the Ice House in Hackensack doesn't have anything in stock large enough.



Here's what I'm looking for:

Long sleeves

High neckline

Not-too-low back neckline

Long skirt (like a dance-length, doesn't have to be asymmetrical.)

A simple practice dress would be fine, preferably in stretch velvet.

Any suggestions on brands or places?

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Have you tried eBay? I bought some skating dresses/leotards there at fair prices and later decorated them myself. You can search some larger velvet leotards and attach skirt (new or old from your dress). I do sew for my little skating friends (1, 2) but never try to make adult size dress. Or, I would love to help.

Capezio Dance Factory Outlet in NJ (phone 973-633-7001) also has some skating dresses. But, I haven't been there for a while. You may try to see if they have something for you.

Hi,
Can you get a leotard you like? We can paint it and fabric for the skirt.
What's your music?
How about this one?
http://www.riversedgedancewear.com/velboddandre.html

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

You're so sweet: "we can paint it!" LOL It's for a test session, MITF and Freestyle. Pre-Prel = No music.

I checked eBay first, but the sizing is all over the place and there isn't a lot in the larger sizes.

The leotard idea is good. I'll look into it, but I was hoping to just get a simple all-in-one.

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Thanks!
I like to get the bloch leotards in white - they're comfy and take dye or paint well. I've also found a dress I like and called these folks to see if they have it on discount.
Good luck!
http://members.tripod.com/DownEast_GKOutlet/

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Do you absolutely have to wear a dress? What I wore to my last Moves test, and sometimes wear to recreational competitions, was a plain black velvet wrap skirt, which I made myself - because it's wrap, you just need a couple of safety-pins to fasten the waistband, topped with a black-and-gold sparkly sweater than I've owned for years, worn over a black polo-neck long-sleeve top. With a sparkly necklace and earrings, just because.

This has the huge advantage of being warm when you're hanging around at a recreational competition or at a test!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Rivers Edge dancewear has a small selection of plus-sized dancewear and skatewear.

http://www.riversedgedancewear.com/womplussizda.html

You could always get a leotard and wrap skirt.

If you want to make a trip to Delaware, I can put you in touch with my dressmaker. She's fabulous, very quick and reasonably priced.

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August 22, back on the ice!

I know these aren't skating dresses, but here are some local and not-so-local places that you can try that have dance dresses.

Center Stage Dance Supply in Wanaque http://www.centerstagedancesupplies.com/ might have some thing-- the website lists what they have and you can call and see if they have your size in stock.

If you're willing to go into NYC or order from their website, Danskin makes some very comfortable dance dresses in a microfiber stretch (oops, just checked, and their only dress is a ballroom wrap dress. But they have some nice pull-on dance skirts)

Have you tried Discount Dance Supply? www.discdance.com Always my first resort.

And if you're willing to make an afternoon of it in NYC, you can try the "Circuit" from a bit below times square all the way up to Lincoln Center:
Capezio, Sansha, Capezio (there are 2 stores in such a small area!), Bloch, Danskin, and a few privately owned stores. There was even one near Lincoln center that makes custom leotards (I'll try to find out the name for you!) and could probably add a skirt. Ask at any one of those stores and they could probably point you in the direction of someone who will have what you need (we are, thankfully, near one of the greatest cities for dance in the world!)

I'll probably be at Bloch NYC on Friday to get shoes, so if you want me to ask then, I can.

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When asked what his "secret" to success was, Wayne Gretsky said: "Skate to where the puck is going and not to where it has been."
Is the figure skating version of this: Skate as if you're doing an axel and not just learning how to hop?

http://www.freidab.com - any of their dresses can be made with a dance skirt and they have larger sizes. No way you can find a friend with a serger to borrow? I also sew my own skating dresses/plus some for others. (Pirate Dress Lace Dress
What patterns do you use?

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Working on:
NOVICE! MIF
Juvenile FS
Bronze Dances

I like to get regular dresses -- shorter or baby doll -- and wear them with dance trunks or briefs. I am not a big fan of skating dresses as the brief is attached and I always have to pee, esp. when I get nervous. Try Nordstrom.com or something like that. I saw a cute ABS velvet dress for around $108. My test dress last year was an old Banana Republic velvet jumper over a turtleneck. I don't do sequins or sparkles. Well at least not before 5:00 pm and not for testing. I actually saw a really cute outfit on Capezio.com that I might buy -- a dancesport skirt and long sleeve shirt. They came in xl. http://www.capeziostore.com/Ballroom...port-c435.html

I know a size 18 or possibly even 20 skater who loves the RiversEdge dresses.
You no longer have to wear a dress to test. I think leggings and a turtleneck should do fine.

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I know I don't HAVE to wear a dress for the test; I'm just being vain.
(Plus, I wanted to reward myself - I'm down 35 pounds now!)

I haven't seen any women taking tests without a skirt, so I figured "go with the flow."

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Class In is the place in NYC that does custom leos for about $35 http://www.classindanceshoponline.com/index.htm. They're on 72nd street.

They have an e-mail address, so you can ask if they would be able to make a leo with an attached skirt.

Otherwise, they have tons of leotard styles to choose from, and do crushed velvet, so at least you could get the leo in the style you want and wear a skirt over top....

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When asked what his "secret" to success was, Wayne Gretsky said: "Skate to where the puck is going and not to where it has been."
Is the figure skating version of this: Skate as if you're doing an axel and not just learning how to hop?

I had this same problem several months ago (I wear about the same size). I ordered a dress that should have fit (according to measurements), but ended up being too tight across the hips. So, I ended up going with a mock turtleneck leotard with a flat front velvet skirt for testing. It was very comfortable and was actually flattering. I kept the dress though...I've lost about 7 pounds since last fall (12 lbs total since summer), and, if it doesn't yet fit, it should soon!

Congrats on your weight loss I hope you can find a dress. I had a very difficult time finding one that I liked in any size over a large. Someone else suggested River's Edge - they have a good selection in various sizes. That is where I got my dress that didn't quite fit - http://www.riversedgedancewear.com/mocnecskatdr.html
It looks like most of the simpler Bal Togs dresses come in larger adult sizes.

A skater on our synchro team (NYC) sews. The dresses and outfits she made for the team look good and fit very well. Let me know if you want her email.

Be aware that Baltogs velvet sizes run very small.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Have you heard of Flowerdaze? (yes it is my own site, I'm not trying to self-promote, just trying to help you out). I carry a wide range of sizes - lots of stuff for adults (through size 3X)- I don't have a ton of stuff on there yet, but I can also do custom work if you don't see anything you like.