Ballroom & Latin Costume Patterns

[dancingirldancing]

Hi,

I am trying to compile all the ballroom dancing patterns that are available.

Hope this is useful for those great in sewing !

- Burda 7879
- Simplicity 5147 (floats), 4312, 3912, 4744
- McCalls 5136

Also, I found this one from gownmaker at Ebay. I am really interested. Have anyone tried his/her pattern yet ?
stores.ebay.com/DanceSport-Ballgowns-Sewing_W0QQfsubZ2QQtZkm

Plus anyone have handy tips about working with stretch fabrics ?

Can you use normal sewing machine or do you need special ones ?

Thanks !!!

[Chris Stratton]

Get the kwik sew swim and actionwear book.

When the machine choice question came up in the past, I think Luara uses a conventional machine and then finishes the seams with a serger, while Joe and I prefer to do as much assembly as we can on the serger. I've not had a lot of luck sewing stretch knits with the conventional machine, even though mine is quite similar to Laura's... the serger just loves them, but the consequences of mistakes are more severe and perpendiculars and sharp angles are difficult.

[Laura]

It all depends on what I'm in the mood for and where my machine is. I think on the last dress I did, I did everything on the regular machine except for rolling the edges of the chiffon floats.

[etp777]

We use both regular machine (two different Berninas) and server (Eclipse) for costumes here.

[Joe]

Actually, I do most of my work with the standard machine, and only when all the seams are final do I serge. After all, it's incredibly difficult to make alterations and adjustments on a serged seam. :)

[hamstersphere]

Maybe start with some practise wear ... that way you're still getting the experience on something you can use, but without such a price investment on the sort of fabrics you'll need for a full-on gown.

FWIW, as I get to be a better sew-er I find myself using the serger less and less ... though it has been a real comfort in getting started :)