Any irish dance dress makers out there?

[sovereignqueen]

I know this is a shot in the dark, but is anyone here by chance make irish dance solo dresses? I recently returnted to ID and whereas my costume was state of the art 5 years ago, its now considered "old fashioned" I'm going to need a new one, but gee, most of the costumes out there are ugly (and expensive)! I'm 26 -- "ancient" in the ID world and I don't want to look like a sparkly apliqued neon lampshade, but I still want to be competitive dresswise. I also don't have the $$ to spend that the "trendy" dress makers want (and then have my dress made with the wrong measurments so it doesn't fit and have it delivered late.) I do have some ideas, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm just trying to find Champion Level dress that doesn't look like a fabric store threw up, but doesn't look like a begininer got into the wrong line (and that my teacher would approve ) Also, if I'm going to spend a small fortune, I'd much rather give it to a mom here
Thanks!

[dvons]

It is something I've never done but have always wanted to do but I won't offer to be your guinea pig. My DD is 4 and is obsessed with my Riverdance and other Irish dancing DVDs so I probalby will be making some soon. Any good links to start with?

Deb

[she]

I don't make them, but looked into it a couple of years ago (I'm an apparel designer). Those things are hideous, aren't they? I love the artwork and applique, but the 'disco dots' and sequins are a total turn off, and is it asking for much to have a little colour theory applied? Every bright, garish colour on the colour wheel together on one dress is not appealing. Textile vomit, indeed!

It might be a good idea to have an (graphic?) artist design the dress (colours and designs used) and then have a less trendy ID dressmaker do the sewing. I don't know if that would save any money, but the dress would be much nicer (and appropriate for your age and level of dancing). Good Luck!

[sovereignqueen]

I'd love to have one that's a competition legal version of this
http://www.lindsayfleming.com/sabina.htm
(covered colarbone, dance length skirt)
with a cape like this
http://www.lindsayfleming.com/staffa.htm
(short enough for dancing of course)
it was be so opporite of what everyone else has too



as for dvds, I'd recomend the Olive Hurley ones for beginners

[she]

very very pretty

but don't solo dresses 'need' to be lampshades for competition? That was the impression I had.

[sovereignqueen]

The only costume regulations for girls are that its supposed to be "traditional", cover the colar bone, and be no more than 4 inches above the knee (so not follorwed).
You see adult dancers in costumes like this sometimes, and once in awhile a teen beginner, but teachers/parents/dancers seem to think they need a neon lampshade. I think I'm getting a little old for that
I'd love to show up to a major comp wearing something like this -- I think alot of people are tired of the over the top, $$$ look, but no one seems willing to simplify, instead they one up. If someone strated wearing stuff like this (and winning) it would do wonders for a return to something a little more traditional.
I guess I'll have to start winning (once I start compeating again) so I can try it

[she]

OOOOooooo, good plan! Go for it!