Tuesday, March 17, 2009

What I Learned this week - Dance Costumes

This week was a quiet one, thank goodness! While there is always chaos, there was a little less running this week. It made for quiet nights, and a couple good nights sleep (even after a rough one).

This week I learned an important lesson when it comes to dance costumes.

Boo has a VERY long torso, very long. Her shirts are always a size bigger than her bottoms, purely for length. This can make finding leotards and swim suits that fit a challenge. We end up doing two piece swim suits for the most part (even though we lucked out this past summer, I heart Target).

At the beginning of this dance year, I decided not to get Boo a leotard, it was to hard. She didn't have to have one, most girls her age don't wear them anymore anyway. Plus, when we got one that fit her length-wise, it didn't fit her actual body, and wouldn't last long.

In November the class was measured for costumes. They are uber cute this year, fringe and fun patterns. Each year we have had to do some sort of alteration to Boo costume, add to the straps, add the bottom area or add to the neck area just so it wouldn't be to tight. And, each year I ordered her costume big.

In the three months it took for the costumes to come, she would grow. And they wouldn't fit. Or they wouldn't fit by recital time.

Not fun.

This year I had them order her costumes two inches bigger than she measured. One costume is a one piece, one is a two piece.

Did I take that into account.

Of course not.

Her tap is a one piece and it fits a little big (but you can't tell at all), but perfect in most areas. We have to add to the leg holes a little, poor thing had lines after wearing it for 10 minutes.

Her jazz costume...crap.

Her jazz costume is a two piece. Boy shorts and long shirt/mini dress type thing. Only Boo's looks like a full dress.

A little big.

A lot big.

I will be cutting, pinning and fixing this costume just a bit (a lot).

Note to self, if Boo's costume next year is a two piece, let them order the size she measures.

Thank goodness for my new sewing machine.

For more What I learned this Week posts head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

9 comments:

Wendy said...

On the upside - you know how to sew! (Wish I did!) I'm sure she was adorable!!!

Anonymous said...

hehe good lesson to learn. Like Wendy said atleast you know how to sew. I would have to get my Mom to fix it up for me :-P

Tassi said...

Good lesson. I am impressed at your creativity!

I want a new sewing machine soooo bad. I forever have little projects that need attention and mine is an old Singer from my mom.

Have a great St. Patrick's Day!

Heather - Hopelessly Flawed said...

I have the same long torso issue, as does my oldest daughter. I always have to order her dance costumes large, and since she's so petite they always look at me skeptically. We've never had a 2 piece costume though. (which would be easier really)

At least you can sew! I'm sure they are expensive to alter. I know I charge more for alterations than creating from scratch, because they are a lot harder!

Kristin said...

I'm stuck on the fact that you're not freaking out, because YOU KNOW HOW TO SEW. A lost art I've always wished I knew how to do!

Unknown said...

Oh my sewing skills would not be up to the task at all - glad yours were!

Happy St Patrick's Day from N Ireland.

jen@odbt said...

So glad you can sew. I'd be freaking out. I'm sure her costumes are going to look great.

Alison said...

It sounds like you and your sewing machine will be up for the challenge. I'd be useless!

Musings of a Housewife said...

Ugh! What a pain. I don't envy you that. My son is built that way but so far it hasn't been a problem except I buy his pants a size smaller than his tops.