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Subject: Show Costumes / Riverdance


Author:
Anonymous
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Date Posted: 13:53:57 10/11/01 Thu


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[> Subject: Where to buy one


Author:
Anonymous
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Date Posted: 14:05:15 10/11/01 Thu

Anyone know where I could get a dress that is a "Jean Butler style" like she wore in Riverdance?

-Try Reel Irish Designs. They are out of Texas. And the owner is great. She made my solo dress and I just love it.
You can email her at reeldancer42@hotmail.com

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[> Subject: Show Pattern


Author:
Anonymous
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Date Posted: 13:08:34 03/14/02 Thu

Anyone know where I can get a pattern of a show dress in girls sizes? Any ideas other ideas??

Replies:

-Just buy a dress pattern that they call a princess line. The front piece is cut on the fold and the side pieces are coming from the sleeve at the bust line on down to the bottom of the dress. There are many patterns if you look that you can change around to what you want.

-Check the KWIKSEW pattern book. I made a Jean Butler-style white dress for my daughter using one of their patterns.

-The most important things to look for in a pattern would be the general shape of the dress. Princess seams are essential -- look through the pattern catalogues to see the choices. The patterns also list the finished width, the wider the fuller. Place a tape measure circle around your daughter's legs to get an idea of the fullness. Remember that if you shorten the dress a lot, it will be narrower than the pattern states. Once you find a pattern with the correct overall shape, you can change the sleeves and neckline to suit your preferences.

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[> Subject: Non-competitive School Dresses Ideas


Author:
Anonymous
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Date Posted: 13:11:11 03/14/02 Thu

I am in need of ideas for school dresses. Two of the students are in a wheel chair. So I was thinking an A-line style dress would be easier for them. Would it look to old for the rest of the children- ages 9 on up? This is a non competitive group. What colors?

Replies:
-Our dancing school uses the A-line type, you can see some of them here. We like them a lot, they are light, easy to care for, and contempory.
http://www.geocities.com/joann_knot/knot_site/knot_home.html
-My opinion is that A-line dresses are preferable for younger dancers as two-piece outfits (skirts and blouses/vests, etc.) tend to come undone on so many of them. However, a modified A-line (one that flares so it is nice and wide at the hem) will be better. A school near us has an A-line type dress that is too narrow at the hem, and rides up or seems to bind when the dancers kick. The wider skirt also looks more graceful, from my point of view. A narrower dress will also tend to ride up on the girls in wheelchairs. One thing that will make this look seem graceful, is if you use a more stretchy fabric rather than cotton. One of my favorite looks is from some school in the states that has an A-line type beginner dress with a shawl that hangs down from both shoulders - a sort of loop from shoulder to shoulder in back. Very pretty and graceful and not in the dancers' way. (Having watched their dancers, though, I do feel the skirt is too narrow - when the kids kick you see more than you want to of their undies.)

-My opinion is that this sort of dress will only look too "old" if it is too short. One caveat, if you have any dancers who are heavy, the A-line is far less flattering than a dress with a waist. In fact, if you aren't careful the dancers can end up looking like stuffed sausages - and I speak as a mom with a heavier child. If someone suggested she have to wear one of these styles I'd probably cry.

--...And If your child is heavy this style can look nice if it fits properly. A princess line dress or jumper with a full skirt is flattering on most children, provided it is not too tight and the waistline shaping falls in the right place. Too often people look at only the circumference measurements, ignore the back waist length measurement, and end up with the waistline shaping at high hip level.This is especially common with a heavier child (I have 2) who may need a size 14 around but only a 10 for length. Make sure of the fit and you'll be OK. By checking the finished skirt width on any pattern you are considering you will be able to get the fullness you need. In regards to fitting children who use wheelchairs, you will need to fit the dress to the child while she is seated in her chair for graceful coverage and comfort. The dress might look different on a hanger, but will fit the child when seated.

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[> Subject: More Show Costumes


Author:
Anonymous
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Date Posted: 13:12:42 03/14/02 Thu

I will be dancing my "senior solo" performing with my high school orchestra, and am working on my costume. Do any of you know of a simple pattern for a riverdance-esque dress. I have a few months to go, but would like to make the dress now, whilst I've still got time.

Replies:
-I'd suggest using an A-line dress pattern. We made "Riverdance" dresses just like that for a few girls last year. And kickpleats, well, you modify the pattern a bit and make your own. Good Luck!

-I've made over 30 Riverdance style dresses using a Burda pattern. It has a princess line from sleeve to hem and no waist line. It looks great if you have an average to slim figure. When I originally bought the pattern, it was Burda #3696. I'm not sure if it is still available, but I found another one this year, Burda #3274. It also works, the only adjustment I made was to make the neck a bit higher. You can see some finished dresses made from this pattern on my web site. http://www.geocities.com/joann_knot/knot_site/knot_home.html

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