Ballroom dance dress moral support thread

Starfish · 01-07-2012, 01:50 PM

So, I've been taking ballroom dance lessons for a year and a half, and I have the chance to dance a waltz in a showcase at the end of March. I can't justify spending the $200-600 dollars on a dress I will have to alter to fit me anyway, so I'm thinking about sewing one. I thought I'd share so if when I run into problems, I can get creative solutions from y'all

I'll try and add photo updates if I can get my camera working again.

So, for step 1, I made a duct tape dressform of myself (With a ton of help from my sister

http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyfa...Tape_Dummy.htm

Step 2 includes combining two different bodice patterns, plus design my own neckline on a test model made out of a bedsheet for the torso/lining leotard.

Anybody done this? something similar? Am I completely nuts? (

)

Radosny Matka · 01-07-2012, 02:10 PM

Never heard of a duct tape dummy before. That is so totally awesome!

Starfish · 01-07-2012, 02:27 PM

I'm all about making something for $5 that costs 100-200 in the store...and it's actually my body shape! I had to convince my sister to help, though, because it's impossible to wrap yourself and stay still enough for it to be accurate

We were supposed to do three layers, and she would only do two...and there was nothing I could do about it

Calliope · 01-07-2012, 02:28 PM

Need pics of dummy. How well did it work? It's not too squishy? How much did the duct tape cost you?

deena · 01-07-2012, 02:33 PM

Starfish · 01-07-2012, 02:39 PM

I got three rolls of duct tape, but only used one ($4.95). I stuffed it with plastic grocery bags (I'd been saving them for about a year...for another project I decided not to do

) It's pretty solid, but I stuffed it pretty full. While my sister was wrapping me, I wore a trash bag and wrapped my shoulders with saran wrap to cover the tops of my arms. My grandma donated a wire stand that now holds it up. You can make your own with a hanger and some kind of cardboard tube or plastic pipe. So, really the cost of the duct tape was all I paid. It works well...I've seen people in youtube videos wrap theirs with athletic bandage wraps so they can pin their cloth to it.

Off to see if I can get pics!

Kiara.I · 01-07-2012, 02:40 PM

You're *making* a ballroom dance dress.

Wow. Just....wow. Cool.

Starfish · 01-07-2012, 02:42 PM

Correction: Attempting to make

We'll see if I end up with a wearable finished product

Kiara.I · 01-07-2012, 02:52 PM

I *did* ballroom dance, so I've seen a lot of them, and I have some idea what you're letting yourself in for.

Are you doing the full-on competition version, or something simpler?

Starfish · 01-07-2012, 05:24 PM

Here are three pictures of my dressform (spoiled because I think they are gonna be big)

Kiara, I'm aiming for a simple version of a competition dress. I'm hoping to have a big three-layer chiffon skirt, and a stretch satin bodice. I'm sort of deciding how I'm going to embellish it as I go.

Iveyrock · 01-07-2012, 05:31 PM

PrincessAnika · 01-07-2012, 07:44 PM

i have friends who made a bunch of civil-war era dresses growing up....you can do it!!

lalani · 01-08-2012, 05:50 PM

that is so cool! can't wait to see your progress.

StumblinMama · 01-13-2012, 04:49 PM

Very cool!

PrincessAnika · 01-13-2012, 07:21 PM

so hows it going?

01-07-2012, 01:50 PM	#1
Starfish Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 517	Ballroom dance dress moral support thread So, I've been taking ballroom dance lessons for a year and a half, and I have the chance to dance a waltz in a showcase at the end of March. I can't justify spending the $200-600 dollars on a dress I will have to alter to fit me anyway, so I'm thinking about sewing one. I thought I'd share so if when I run into problems, I can get creative solutions from y'all I'll try and add photo updates if I can get my camera working again. So, for step 1, I made a duct tape dressform of myself (With a ton of help from my sister http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyfa...Tape_Dummy.htm Step 2 includes combining two different bodice patterns, plus design my own neckline on a test model made out of a bedsheet for the torso/lining leotard. Anybody done this? something similar? Am I completely nuts? () __________________ Not yet married, not yet a mother, but I have 118 kids...at school Picking up tips, some for now, some for later. I'm pretty sure I'm an ~~IsFJ~~ nope...maybe Infp --- and I'm 100% sure I'm a Type 2 Last edited by Starfish; 01-07-2012 at 01:51 PM. Reason: typo

01-07-2012, 02:10 PM	#2
Radosny Matka Moderator I am so blessed! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: somewhere between sane and crazy Posts: 26,978	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread Never heard of a duct tape dummy before. That is so totally awesome! __________________ Sara Wife to Love of my life 8/98 Momma to my precious children: N 11.5 years, P 8 years, Baby boy: due July 2013 Remembering our babies: 12/98 9/99 12/09

01-07-2012, 02:27 PM	#3
Starfish Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 517	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread I'm all about making something for $5 that costs 100-200 in the store...and it's actually my body shape! I had to convince my sister to help, though, because it's impossible to wrap yourself and stay still enough for it to be accurate We were supposed to do three layers, and she would only do two...and there was nothing I could do about it __________________ Not yet married, not yet a mother, but I have 118 kids...at school Picking up tips, some for now, some for later. I'm pretty sure I'm an ~~IsFJ~~ nope...maybe Infp --- and I'm 100% sure I'm a Type 2

01-07-2012, 02:28 PM	#4
Calliope Rose Garden Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10,859	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread Need pics of dummy. How well did it work? It's not too squishy? How much did the duct tape cost you? __________________ ~Grace~ Blessed mommy to The Dread Pirate R - 5.5 and BabyG homebirth'd homeboy - 2 Awaiting reunion with Ruby Elizabeth born 17w 6d - 1/28/10 Pure Romance Mother's Day Sale!! On the road to Gold Standard certification! May retail total - $900 (Goal - $1200). Consultants sponsored in 2013 - 2 (Goal - 5)

01-07-2012, 02:33 PM	#5
deena Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 10,567	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread __________________ ENTP ~~Wife of Timmy (15 years)~~ Mom to: Brandon 15 - Wolfie 12 - gluten intolerant Dimitri 8 - full of energy Saphira 4- spoiled princess. Kalel - 1- Author of Parenting Strategies

01-07-2012, 02:39 PM	#6
Starfish Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 517	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread I got three rolls of duct tape, but only used one ($4.95). I stuffed it with plastic grocery bags (I'd been saving them for about a year...for another project I decided not to do ) It's pretty solid, but I stuffed it pretty full. While my sister was wrapping me, I wore a trash bag and wrapped my shoulders with saran wrap to cover the tops of my arms. My grandma donated a wire stand that now holds it up. You can make your own with a hanger and some kind of cardboard tube or plastic pipe. So, really the cost of the duct tape was all I paid. It works well...I've seen people in youtube videos wrap theirs with athletic bandage wraps so they can pin their cloth to it. Off to see if I can get pics! __________________ Not yet married, not yet a mother, but I have 118 kids...at school Picking up tips, some for now, some for later. I'm pretty sure I'm an ~~IsFJ~~ nope...maybe Infp --- and I'm 100% sure I'm a Type 2

01-07-2012, 02:40 PM	#7
Kiara.I Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Pacific South-West. You know, north of the Pacific North-West Posts: 8,696	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread You're making a ballroom dance dress. Wow. Just....wow. Cool. __________________ eNTJ, DYT Type 3, Enn. Type 1 Sparks (6) Spitfire (4) Sprite (Sep 13, 2012)

01-07-2012, 02:42 PM	#8
Starfish Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 517	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread Correction: Attempting to make We'll see if I end up with a wearable finished product __________________ Not yet married, not yet a mother, but I have 118 kids...at school Picking up tips, some for now, some for later. I'm pretty sure I'm an ~~IsFJ~~ nope...maybe Infp --- and I'm 100% sure I'm a Type 2

01-07-2012, 02:52 PM	#9
Kiara.I Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Pacific South-West. You know, north of the Pacific North-West Posts: 8,696	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread I did ballroom dance, so I've seen a lot of them, and I have some idea what you're letting yourself in for. Are you doing the full-on competition version, or something simpler? __________________ eNTJ, DYT Type 3, Enn. Type 1 Sparks (6) Spitfire (4) Sprite (Sep 13, 2012)

01-07-2012, 05:24 PM	#10
Starfish Rose Bouquet Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 517	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread Here are three pictures of my dressform (spoiled because I think they are gonna be big) Kiara, I'm aiming for a simple version of a competition dress. I'm hoping to have a big three-layer chiffon skirt, and a stretch satin bodice. I'm sort of deciding how I'm going to embellish it as I go. __________________ Not yet married, not yet a mother, but I have 118 kids...at school Picking up tips, some for now, some for later. I'm pretty sure I'm an ~~IsFJ~~ nope...maybe Infp --- and I'm 100% sure I'm a Type 2

01-07-2012, 05:31 PM	#11
Iveyrock Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8,921	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread __________________ Amber (code name - ALEX): wife to Ray, mommy to Ian 2/17/05, Chava 3/31/07, Max and Lena 5/17/08, and Micah 1/4/09 To... living with, living with, living with - not dying from disease! - Rent "Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness." — Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett's Men at Arms)

01-07-2012, 07:44 PM	#12
PrincessAnika Rose Garden dreaming of purple butterflies & bravehearted seahorsies :) Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,764	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread i have friends who made a bunch of civil-war era dresses growing up....you can do it!! __________________ ~~anika~~ my alter ego DH 3/17/07 Angel m/c 6/12/07 @39d DD1 - K (peanut) 7/26/09 DD2 - M (monkey) 4/19/11 DS - C (squishy) 3/23/13 add me on FB just put GCM so i know... ISFj/p - depends on the day of the week. type 2. i think.

01-08-2012, 05:50 PM	#13
lalani Rose Bouquet Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 801	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread that is so cool! can't wait to see your progress.

01-13-2012, 04:49 PM	#14
StumblinMama Moderator Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Ps 13:12 NLT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Where the magnolias are blooming Posts: 14,953	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread Very cool! __________________ Cassie ISFJ or maybe ISFP, DYT Type 2 Mama of three Stumbling, but falling up "If the only way you can love me is after I have perfected my imperfections, then you don’t love me. God loved us with an everlasting love when we were all unlovable." ~T.D. Jakes

01-13-2012, 07:21 PM	#15
PrincessAnika Rose Garden dreaming of purple butterflies & bravehearted seahorsies :) Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,764	Re: Ballroom dance dress moral support thread so hows it going? __________________ ~~anika~~ my alter ego DH 3/17/07 Angel m/c 6/12/07 @39d DD1 - K (peanut) 7/26/09 DD2 - M (monkey) 4/19/11 DS - C (squishy) 3/23/13 add me on FB just put GCM so i know... ISFj/p - depends on the day of the week. type 2. i think.

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