Sprucing up my Standard gown - sewing questions!

[SwingingAlong]

step 1: test dye a piece to see if it actually will take the dye!

I have heard that the rit dye us very good, but I'm sure there are some fabrics that won't dye, no matter what.

 

[datitmarsh]

I have used the spray fabric paint to change colour of satin shoes and it was easy. I wouldn't use it on fabric though. I use the rit dye which turns out well. For synthetic fabrics that won't take the rit dye I use the rit dye-more.

 

[SwingingAlong]

now I want to try the Rit Dye More..... and I am wondering if cutting out the godet fabric and hanging by the points and weighting/sinking the skirt edges into the dye bath would work.... then if the fabric doesn't work the whole dress wouldn't be a write off.... something fun to think about! (of course, only if the shade gets darker toward the bottom)

 

[flying_backwards]

Oh that is a good point I did not think of. I want the skirt darker toward the waist, lighter at the hem. So I will need to dip it upside down, the big (and thus heavier) part higher.

Yes I know I *should* test it first! I am so impatient. The type of fabric is listed as one that will dye with regular Rit. Anyway, I got the wrong color so now have to wait for the new color to arrive, by which time I'll be back at work. Good thing there is no deadline. This is the first costume I've sewn without a comp or showcase coming up.

I might just sew it in plain white just to test out my design. The fabric was relatively cheap. And I could use plain white as an underskirt for a future project. I just realized since the hem end would not be dipped into the dye, it will not ruin the fishing line. Awkward, but possible, to assemble and hem before dying. (Did I mention I'm impatient?!)

 

[RiseNFall]

I have no idea how dye is packaged, but if you have some of the right type could you test how the fabric dyes? That would give you a head start for when you have the correct color.

 

[flying_backwards]

The dye is a bottle but I planned to return it, saving $5 by risking project failure, what my mom would call a "false economy". Thanks @RiseNFall for saving me from myself.

Meanwhile my tension adjustment on my classic 1968 Kenmore sewing machine seems to have broken. No worries, one of the guys I help with his dancing is a retired sewing machine repairman happy to come to the rescue on xmas eve. Yeah for friends!

 

[SwingingAlong]

The dye is a bottle ...

So did you dye it yet? Busting know how it worked out!

 

[flying_backwards]

Thanks for asking @SwingingAlong but no progress here. At the time that project felt so important, how I most wanted to spend my precious days off work. But things changed. Now that I actually have a partner to compete with, I no longer have no time to sew skirts. Not that I'm complaining!

I admit I'm curious how it would have worked out too.

 

[Retrocat1942]

Hello all! Hope everyone’s still happily dancing and sewing! I’m still (6 months on) making my standard dress and I’m finally up to the hem!! Hurraaah! I’m usually one to start and never finish a project so I’m chuffed that I’m still hanging on. Anyways.. I just have a quick question...
I’ve made the classic mistake of cutting the skirts too short. So I was wondering what the generally accepted length of standard dress was? Like how many cm or inches SHOULD it be off the floor WOS?
I had wanted to avoid attaching crinoline to the outer skirt as I prefer the top layer to be lovely and floaty but if it means that I won’t look like I’ve “outgrown” my dress I would happy add inches with crinoline on the outer layer. Another issue is that the fabric is in Red/sunglow ombré and the sunglow colour is at the bottom but there is no crinoline to match this colour so it would have to be red......
Thanks in advance

 

[flying_backwards]

That reminds me, I've been wondering if anyone has had success dying crinoline because it seems like it could not tolerate the hot water dye.

About the length, I would watch some YouTube, see what ladies are wearing in your type of event. I've seen some really short skirts in WDSF videos. Not in senior events, but the WDSF pro ladies seem to go mid-calf now. Looks short to me. But that's a whole lot less drapery to haul across the floor.

And then, not seriously, but just for fun,.... feathers! So sad I missed the era of feathers.

 

[FancyFeet]

Anything from the bottom to the top of the ankle is "traditional". For me that means 8-12cm WOS, but everyone's different. Tea-length or mid-calf is around lately too, usually in a less full or tulle skirt. I find that it generally suits younger dancers, or adults with exceedingly good footwork (and legs).

On design - the top layer can be shorter, I have a dress like that so that the underskirts "peek" out (they're a different colour than the top layer). On horsehair colours - try Hats by Leko or another millinery supplier. In my experience, their colour selection is much better than dress fabric places, and while there's usually a minimum order, 2 rolls of horsehair get you there (which is enough for 2 4-layer dresses).

 

[datitmarsh]

After taking international standard for a year, I recently started dancing smooth. I'm looking at fabrics and thinking of designs etc. and i was wondering what the basic differences are in dress between the two styles. Is it just fewer underskirts and no floats?

 

[Retrocat1942]

Hi Datitmarsh!
I don’t dance smooth so I am by no means qualified to answer your question but my general understanding is that the skirts on smooth dresses tend to be designed to have super swirl factor when in (?) open holds? Therefore tend to have less layers, be of a heavier fabric and have splits etc really allowing the beauty of the fabric to be maximised!

 

[flying_backwards]

differences are in dress between the two styles.

Yes I think that is the biggest difference, no (or less) underskirt and no floats. I only do standard, but when I think of standard gown design part of my consideration is to distinguish it from a smooth gown. So have viewed photos to clarify for myself the difference in style.

Print fabric is more commonly used in smooth gowns than standard. Occasionally I've seen a slitted skirt in smooth, never in standard. And sometimes the gentleman wears a tie and pocket square to match the lady's gown color. So set aside some remnants.

 

[datitmarsh]

Yes I think that is the biggest difference, no (or less) underskirt and no floats. I only do standard, but when I think of standard gown design part of my consideration is to distinguish it from a smooth gown. So have viewed photos to clarify for myself the difference in style.

Print fabric is more commonly used in smooth gowns than standard. Occasionally I've seen a slitted skirt in smooth, never in standard. And sometimes the gentleman wears a tie and pocket square to match the lady's gown color. So set aside some remnants.

Right. I thought it was something like that. Good idea to save some remnants too. Thanks