DanceSport Ballgowns Manual

Glasswren

Glasswren

New Member
Has anyone here purchased the Construction Manual from http://www.dancesportballgowns.com/ ? If you have it, has it been useful to you?

I am quite curious about it and would love to buy it, if only I could find out how much the postage to Finland would be. It is a bit expensive to call from here, especially on a cell phone.
 
Laura has mentioned that company (believe along with the name Lidna Chu as owner) in previous posts as someone reasonably local she knew about. She may have some input on this book.
 
I did just now. I hope for the best.

My problem is that if it is too high and the combined cost exceeds 50€, there would be customs fees and things added. Those would be rather significant when dealing with a fairly cheap item otherwise.
 
It's just a CD with a big PDF file on it, shouldn't cost much to ship it at all.

And the author is Linda Feldstead, not Linda Chu.
 
Course, back to the real question, have you used it and did you find it useful laura? Or do you still suggest that other book (slips my mind here now) think it was on swimweear or something.
 
I've bought it several years ago... It had a lot of general comments and you would have to make an effort to extract practical information. I would not call it a Manual. Unless it has been changed recently, I would not recommend it - if you are looking for step by step instructions. Laura's site was much more useful for me.
 
I have used it. And am still using it. I've made all the costumes the manual/DVD/patterns allow and it is really great at how to do alot of the decorations that have always puzzled me. The manual is a good tool with great insight. However, if you don't have a background in sewing you may become a little lost. I've made several for other friends as well, from this vendor manual/patterns - some with the body suits, some without, and I've been able to alter the patterns easily - to get the custom look I want either for myself or my friends. I'd recommend it. You just really have to know your fabric and have a sense of what you want.
 
It looks they sell different book now :), I've noticed that Laura mentioned different author in her previous post. I've bought mine on Ebay, it was not CD back then but the binder with ~ 70 pages printed on regular printer, author - Phillip Brandt.
 
I got a reply and since the combined cost was 41.30€, I ordered it this morning. I'll just ride my bike to work another month to make up the cost. :cheers:

In the meanwhile, I have a Latin outfit to make by Thursday. Going to try something new to me and hope it works. It'll be more practice wear type to avoid people complaining. (If it doesn't work, we do have the one I made for Christmas.)
 
Final Report

So, now it is time to update this thread, having perused the document.

It is a neat package of information in 34 pages. Most of the information could be gathered from various sources, but there were a few things that not just anyone knows. For example though the document doesn't specifically speak of hair decorations, after reading this, I am 99.9% convinced that the mystery rubbery stuff behind them is liquid latex. (There's a thread about that somewhere.)

There were several little things in the manual that will make it easier for me to work with my project. It was also neat to see that I had puzzled out some things right. In the sewing section there wasn't really anything earth shaking, but if I had not sewn a gown before, I would probably think otherwise. As it is, I love the way that instead of just saying 'do this' they often explain why.

The part that most captured my imagination and offered me most new ideas is the decorations and accessories. I can barely wait to get to try them.

All in all, the text was easy to follow and the pictures quite nice. There is one section, I am failing to make heads or tails of still. If anyone who has this would be kind enough to explain very plainly the godet insertion to the star shaped gown, please, send me a private message.

In conclusion, while it was not very cheap, I do find it worth my money. Those wanting to sew their first real ballgown would likely benefit a lot from it.
 
Hi Glasswren, would love to hear more about how you deduced the liquid latex as the rubbery backing. I'm afraid I am the culprit behind the old thread on it and my guess was also liquid latex. Am wondering if they suggest a certain type? I am assuming they must have mentioned it for appliques on a ballgown?
 
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