Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 11, 2006 12:19am | #1

   What kind of dancing do you do? Is there a particular style associated with it, or are there specific qualities you need in your dancing clothes?

2. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 16, 2006 12:41am | #2

   Ballroom dancing is so wonderful; lucky you! Unless you are competing, you probably have a lot of options in outfits. While dancing, I always want to have freedom of movement but feel beautiful at the same time.

   For a mature, pear-shaped dancer, I would consider flowing separates with interesting details (sweetheart or wide v-necks, cowls, ruffles, drapes) up around the shoulder and skirts that are yoked or smooth around the waist & hips but flare out toward the hem. I'm thinking that simple shapes but very elegant, drapey fabrics are key.

   Many of the "silky" fabrics made of polyester and marketed for prom or bridal collections are surprisingly easy to sew and would fit the bill for dancing. The patterns for evening wear nowadays include many, many different options for separates, which, when made in the same fabric, look like a dress but are far easier to fit.

   Maybe you should look around at the next dance for women whose shape is like yours and who look wonderful in what they are wearing, then look for patterns and fabrics like those.

1. 
   wynnie | Mar 17, 2006 08:20am | #4

   HI Teaf5

    thank you for your views towards an outfit I had thought of a circular skirt with a matching top I though a round skirt would flow beautiful. I had some georgett fabric  got at a sale but i cut the skirt wrong so you can imaga how i felt anyhow i will use that bit of fabric for something else too small now for a skirt I found the fabric moved easily and not really being in the mood for sewing didn't help Have you got tips on cutting georgette fabric i would appreicate your advise. I will not be home next week I am going to Melbourne for the Commwealth games as a volunteer for first aid only hope nothing major happens I will be prepared for any injuries. Thanks once again for making contact and sharing informationCheers Wynnie

1. 
   Teaf5 | Mar 18, 2006 01:03am | #6

   For cutting georgette, I lay my cardboard cutting mat onto a clean wood floor so that the whole length is completely supported and won't drag or drape unevenly. I use cello tape to secure one selvege to the mat, then gently lift and "float" the other half on top of it, using my hands to lightly sweep the fabric into a flat, doubled length. Since I use French seams, I cut the pieces with the right sides facing out.I use very fine straight pins to pin the fabric (in the seam allowance) and pattern and use clear tape or masking tape for markings rather than chalk or snips, as georgette frays so easily, and markings show through so easily. I remove the pins but leave the patterns with the fabric of each piece, folding them gently so that they stay together until I need them, and keeping them in a stack that I try not to handle very much.Use a very fine, brand-new needle in your sewing machine and do test stitches on scraps to adjust tension, thread, and stitch length. You may want to use tissue paper underneath to gift some support and reduce slippage. Make sure there are no rough edges on your sewing case or table to catch and snag the fabric, and try to support the fabric as possible while pinning and sewing it. A French seam is made by sewing a 1/8 or 1/4 inch seam with wrong sides together, turning and pressing those seams, and then enclosing the allowance in the normal seam you make while stitching it with right sides together. It means you have to sew each seam twice, but you then don't have to worry about finishing the edges separately, so it ends up being efficient and pretty on sheers. Of course, you want to do the fitting before you do the second half of each seam, as otherwise, you'll need to rip out twice as much-- and you don't want to be ripping out seams on georgette anyway! For that reason, I use a pattern I've used before or make a muslim out of some other fabric so that I don't have to alter the georgette during construction. Hope that helps...

1. 
   wynnie | Mar 19, 2006 09:10am | #8

   Hi Teaf5

   Thank you so much for your very good information

   bye for now wynnie

3. 
   mem | Mar 16, 2006 08:20am | #3

   Hello wynnie , I am a fellow Aussie however NEVER ask me to ballroom dance !  I would consider a top and skirt made in the same fabric so as to elongate you a bit and maybe with a contrasting bright colour around your face as that would compliment your fairness more than a dark colour.I would look at a long line top and a skirt which has an elastic waist(easy to do and comfortable to move in) and is narrow over the hips and then flairs out in the bottom third . Maybe a skirt with a few godets or cut with a flair at the bottom of several panels . I would consider using a light floaty fabric or perhaps a knit. Perhaps the top could have a waterfall ruffle around a V neck and the skirt could have the same fabric as an underskirt. I am thinking georgette for that sort of design . I think you need to keep it simple with all the one colour top to bottom with some contrast to flatter your face

1. 
   wynnie | Mar 17, 2006 08:36am | #5

   HI mem

   you say you are also an Aussie where about in this land do you reside.

   It was great to get your e-mail I do ballroom dancing and enjoy it very much i gave it away for many years and its only in the last 6 to 8 months that i've returned to it and i want to dress in nice clothes as it will make me feel special. I f you have a good partner you floats around and it feels great. My partner is a learner and doing well hope i don't bore you i do appreicate your advise on a outfit i'm not a real good sewer so i need simple patterns a bit like dancing just getting back into it.

   Catch you later cheers Wynnie

1. 
   mygaley | Mar 18, 2006 02:42am | #7

   Dear Wynnie--I just wanted to encourage you in your sewing dance clothes. I love to sew bridal, prom and other formal clothes. You have seen, I'm sure, all the scarves, shawls and other cover-ups. Your piece of georgette might be good for that, especially if it's the kind that's sort of sheer. Don't give up. Galey

1. 
   wynnie | Mar 19, 2006 09:14am | #9

   Hi mygaley

   thanks for your encourgament with my sewing

   cheers Wynnie