Gold and cream tutu

Just finished this one for an eleven year old dancer. As the lace is very pale gold I was concerned it would all blend together on stage, so I have put gold sequin dot material under the lace to deepen the colour slightly and to sparkle through the lace under stage lights. I also added some more bronzy gold sequins to the edge of the lace underskirt and to the lace pieces appliqued onto the overskirt and the bodice.

/> Here is a closer view of the bodice decoration, lace pieces cut from the underskirt material then decorated with swarovski crystals and sequins.

More pictures

I have just added a new national photo to the gallery. I cannot claim any credit for the design as I was asked to copy an existing costume that was the wrong size, fun to make though and the most intricate national I have done so far. Luckily for me i didn't have to make the hat!!

Here is another tutu I have recently finished, looking forward to seeing it on stage as it will really stand out from the more usual pastels.

Costumes for May

I have been too busy lately to post here, but have time today to put up a few more photos.


Penny loved some lace I used on another tutu, but when I went to get more it was all gone. Luckily for me someone on the Sewing Forum had posted about an american supplier going out of business. Unable to resist I had a look and found this lovely embroidered organza at a bargain price. I have added about 2 gross of Swarovski diamantes to the skirt and bodice.


I love strong clear colours like this royal blue and was delighted when Anita chose it. I recently found a new (to me anyway) shop in Melbourne selling gorgeous sequin trim (Stagesassi in Plenty Road Kingsbury) and this is where the sequin motifs on the bodice and petals came from. I added some silver motifs with sequin and diamantes to tie in with the silver braid on the skirt.


Here is a close up of the bodice.


This tutu is for 7 year old Alivia,a very pretty, girly tutu in mauves and pinks. I dyed the overskirt and scalloped laces mauve as mauve is a hard colour to get for some reason.

I have another tutu finished that I will post as soon as I take a good photo.

Another tutu blog

A friend of mine in Perth who makes beautiful tutus has just started up a blog, I have put the link with the others in the list of links but will write it here too
http://www.sewdanceaust.blogspot.com/

Tutus made in April

I have been fairly busy and still have lots of orders for the next lot of comps in July. This tutu was made totally by email for Amelia who lives in northern NSW. Amelia and her mum chose the colour, decoration and design. Amelia is 9 and I think it is a perfect tutu for a young girl, the top layer of glitter net just gives it enough glitz without overpowering it.


These two tutus are for older girls to wear in ballet championships, so are a lot fancier. I have had this shot crushed taffeta in my stash for ages, waiting for someone who wanted a more unusual coloured tutu. I think it looks perfect with the deep purple velvet and greeny yellow oil slick sequins on this tutu.


I used lots of different colours of net, even adding a greeny yellow layer to pick up the colour of the sequins.


Here is a close up of the bodice decoration


and the headpiece I made to go with it


This one is in my favourite colours of red and purple


Here is a close up of the low back the teacher wanted. I like these backs especially with the drape type sleeves as they don't hang so low.


I dyed the lace to go on the overskirt as purple lace is hard to come by. Unfortunately as it is embroidered onto organza it made the bits in between the emnroidered parts really dull and the red velvet didn't show through. I ended up painting all the in between bits red, plus adding LOTS of sequins.


Here is the headpiece for this tutu.