On Stage

Opportunity has come knocking once again.  That means there are a few different projects I get a chance to work on.

The Hudson Village Players are putting on a Spring production and I have been selected as costume mistress.  Most of the costumes will come out of the closet of my favourite supplier,Karen, but a few special items are required. In HVP style of course these fun little items are to design and make "quick release" pyjama bottoms with matching undies and of course two bustiers with animated bosoms and a school girl look.  To help is my good friend Valerie to make sure all the innuendos are not missed.  Should be fun!

The Hudson Village Players have been practicing so much for their upcoming production No Sex Please, We're British, it is only fair that their costumes be ready for the St. Patty's day parade in Hudson.  Many have come fit and chosen pieces.  Its the home stretch for this week and they are looking good!

Ms. Kerwin requested a custom look to complement her choreography of a lyrical number to be debuted recital night.

 Fittings for the 5 Hudson Dance girls.  DONE!  The practice dance looked awesome.  Now on the alterations and the dresses are all theirs!

On Fire or fizzled out?

The second of my four element tutus is, let's just say..on fire! 

As I have finished the skirt after a few modifications, it's on to the bodice.  

Originally trying an ombré effect from black to white,  I produced, instead something that looked dirty.  Next I died it to a full grey, but something still isn't right.  

Now it's time to take a step back and stick with the basics.  

            So back to basic black it is.

This tutu is definitely for show.  I love the texture of the skirt, but it is way to poofy to dance with.

The idea here was to emulate the movement of flames.  Inspired by the following picture, you can see the fire in a dance.

Captivated by this my first instinct was to emulate through layering of organza in order to provide a transparency and a blending orange, reds and yellows.  The plate was set on a plain black tule traditional built pancake skirt.  I think my colours were a good blend, but the depth and scale of the application is not giving me what I had hoped.

Unfortunately the plate ended up looking like a pile of leaves.  As a result the dress didn't make the keep it list and I will try again in the future to concur the movement of fire that will encapsulate the viewer as the dancer moves.

Just a little lace

Week Three...

Sometimes you just need to add a little lace.

This past week is the beginning of competition season for dancers.   That means Caroline is busy, busy picking out pieces and assigning alterations to fit the dancers and their choreography.
I have been assigned an all to familiar dress which brings me to reminisce back to last year when myself, Valerie and Kristine (fellow seamstresses extraordinaire) originally were approached for a number called The 5 Tutus.

Often we look at older, worn in tutus and see how we can alter then to fit our current needs.  You see  to make a well constructed tutu many hours and meters of tulle are put into it, so it at least deserves another look at before it is finished its usefulness.

The tutus in question certainly had been well worn and were somewhat out of date.  It was easy to tell that no one was in love these dresses, but we decided to give them a chance anyways. As we carefully removed the pieces that were torn or did not fit the vision of our director we uncovered (thanks to our guardian sewing angle Marie)  that the skirts were in decent condition and the bodices were made from beautiful fabric that was very well constructed.   We had a very good base to work with.


The three of us worked together removing all the parts carefully that no longer worked for the number in question.  At the same time we researched other peoples dresses, some tutus, some just spanish dresses, to pick and choose the element we wanted to emulate in our dresses.  Together we came up with four different designs representing a new tutu which was shared with the choreographers. 
And voila, a final design was selected to work towards.

The skirts were in relatively good shape and only two out five needed Kristine's touch in adding additional layers of tulle.  Quickly they became refreshed and full of life.

The bodices would require more time.  

After fitting the bodices to each of the five girls, a black lace was selected.  Many pieces of lace flowers and leaves were selected, cut and sewn to the basque and bust areas.                                                                                                                                                                         

As layer after layer of lace was applied by hand the look and feel of the bodice was transformed into something beautiful.  When enough lace had been sewn on, I knew it was time to add some small trim then sew the bodice and skirt parts together.



The results?

I was proud of the work we all did.  The time and effort was most worth it.  The girls left to their competitions with pride and confidence, each time returning with awards and praise of their costumes.

3 of "the 5 Tutus" competition number, Ballet Ouest.
Choreography by Claude Caron.

This year the dress will be used again, but for another number.  Again the dress will be modified to fit the choreography and vision of the dance.  This time, however, only a few pieces (flowers) are to be added in order to continue its use.  As time goes by I am sure that parts of the dresses will be added and subtracted each time making the dress work for the moment,  and that is just fine.  

Go with the Flow

Week Two

Capturing motion out of inanimate materials is a challenge.  Wanting to depict the movement of water I didn't want to just draw a picture of waves.  To me movement in this piece was to move colour from the deep dark depth of the ocean up to the peaks of a white cap.  This would enable to allow the dancer to bring the piece to life.

Water Tutu we made for my youngest. It features a lot of hand dyed tule and lace to ombré
a dark depth up to white caps.  All appliqué of lace is hand sewn. The inspiration of a white cap wave hits the outskirts of the plate and rolls upwards to onside of the sweetheart neck. 

Bodice fabric is a cotton with textured imprinted circles which to me represented bubbles rising from the bottom of the sea floor.

I think she loves it!

Water Tutu
photographed by Robert Steiner
steinerphoto@gmail.com

As promised the water tutu, the first in my 4 elements series.

Fire tutu.  Skirt is well on its way.

Coming soon......