Sprucing up my Standard gown - sewing questions!

[Lioness]

@legato I currently have asymmetrical floats...one is a two-point attach and one is a three. I don't have any photos though...I'll try to get some from this comp!

I'm starting to try to sell my first standard dress...problem is that when I revamped the skirt, I accidentally made it way too short. Do you guys reckon it'd be better to drop the $$$ on material for a new overskirt, or to try to lengthen it in some way? What do you think about these hem ruffles? I could try to market it to really short women, but I think I'd have a much better chance of selling it if it was longer.



Or, alternatively, this weird band thing.



Full dress:

 

[3wishes]

I can only attest to my floats of various standard dresses. It may not be a "design" function per say, but my floats were indeed different on the left vs the right side, although they looked to be the exact same size, cut, drape, etc.,etc., in viewing.

 

[FancyFeet]

I have a dress with double floats (front and back) that are cut perfectly symmetically on both sides. When I got the dress (I bought it used), they only attached at back and wrist... but I didn't like the way that looked, so added an additional attachment point just below the elbow.

 

[raindance]

Lioness, I actually like that length on that dress. It isn't for everyone, but shorter hems are a current option. (And this one doesn't look silly like some of the short poofy ones, just my opinion.)

I would try to sell it as is before altering it. you can always after it later if it doesn't sell.

 

[SwingingAlong]

Lioness, I actually like that length on that dress. It isn't for everyone, but shorter hems are a current option.

I like it too, would be especially nice on someone competing youth age groups. Another option for lengthening (if it doesn't sell as is) has the hem got crinoline on it? Adding a 3" strip on the underneath skirt and leaving the top layer as is, could be a possible option.

 

[Sania]

@legato I currently have asymmetrical floats...one is a two-point attach and one is a three. I don't have any photos though...I'll try to get some from this comp!

I'm starting to try to sell my first standard dress...problem is that when I revamped the skirt, I accidentally made it way too short. Do you guys reckon it'd be better to drop the $$$ on material for a new overskirt, or to try to lengthen it in some way? What do you think about these hem ruffles? I could try to market it to really short women, but I think I'd have a much better chance of selling it if it was longer.

View attachment 3097 View attachment 3098

Or, alternatively, this weird band thing.

View attachment 3099

Full dress:

View attachment 3100

I think either the ruffles and the band insert (maybe in black lace?) would work - or what about 6" deep crinoline (probably also in black)?

 

[Miss Silly]

Lioness, I'm of the same opinion as the others where I would be inclined to leave the length as is. It is a trend right now (not everyone loves it, but I do! ;-P) and also you never know if someone shorter wants to buy it (where it would end up a more 'normal' length on them).

 

[j_alexandra]

Thank god it's a trend, b/c even though it's not the most flattering length on me, it's the length I need, in order to not have my skirt puddle on the floor when I lower, and either Teach or me step on it. Or both. (Ask me how I know.) Never thought the day would come that I'd be grateful to Edyta for her style choices setting ballroom fashion, but there it is.

TEach's comment: "OK, it's short. When we're standing around, plie."

Hey, I have a long torso and very short legs. I can not ever wear ankle-length for Standard.

 

[Sania]

What are your thoughts on the necessity of washing stretch dance fabrics prior to cutting them out (shrinkage, etc.)?

I wash my costumes in the bathtub and air dry them but I have no way to air dry the recently acquired 6 yards of 60" fabric

Should I wash it in the washer on cold and tumble dry low, or skip the whole process

The fabric is black swimsuit lining, which has a lovely drape and is lightweight

Hoping to cut out tonight!

 

[SwingingAlong]

I was under the impression that washing was only needed for fabrics that could shrink like cotton, or that had a high amount of size added and were therefore stiff. As with many things in life, I could well be wrong in my assumptions - look forward to seeing what others think!
The fabric sounds lovely, what part will it become?

 

[FancyFeet]

I never preshrink my Lycra, and have never had a problem.

 

[Sania]

Update: I went on the Joann website and found the care instructions for the exact fabric I have purchased. It said tumble dry low so for the one and only time in its career, it has been dried in the dryer

I'm glad I did, as the fabric is now much softer without all the nasty sizing they put on it in production

 

[Sania]

I was under the impression that washing was only needed for fabrics that could shrink like cotton, or that had a high amount of size added and were therefore stiff. As with many things in life, I could well be wrong in my assumptions - look forward to seeing what others think!
The fabric sounds lovely, what part will it become?

it will be the outer dress for a new Latin costume. It's like a very lightweight Lycra but much softer and more drapey. I had used it for a Latin costume once before and it turned out very well – the only issue is the color selection is extremely limited

The other huge event with this fabric is that it's very cost-effective – I paid six dollars a yard for it on sale versus 20+

 

[3wishes]

great cost savings Sania!

 

[mindputtee]

I never wash my lycra before using it. I did wash my silk, but that's because I was dyeing it and so it HAD to be washed. I don't know if I'd wash it if I wasn't dyeing it though, it was crisper and shinier before washing. I think if I made a white silk dress (cough wedding dress cough) I'd leave it as is and clean around it.