One of the most confusing parts of starting your first solo dress can be understanding the layers of fabric, stiffener, and interfacing. Here’s a visual breakdown of the materials of each piece of the dress! Bodice Top: Fashion fabric(s) of choiceBottom: Base material (cotton twill or similar) The base layer gives a light structure to …
So you’ve decided to purchase a PDF pattern. Or perhaps you’re considering it, but don’t know what they entail. Read more about our PDF patterns below, and follow along to assemble your patterns at home! Why go PDF? PDF patterns have many benefits – the largest being that you can print them off multiple times. …
Getting ready for your first feis? We’ve curated a thorough packing list – from shoes to costumes, first aid, and more! For some categories, we’ve created multiple lists to cater to different situations or types of dancers. We think you can usually pick one list from each category. Doing hair/makeup “at venue” could refer to …
This is the third post in our Sewer Feature series, which aims to highlight great sewing being done in the Irish dance community and to inspire those who may be considering sewing Irish dance costumes for the first time. We’d love to feature you too – share your own experience in the link at the …
I occasionally get questions about how to dye fabric, so I thought I’d post some info and tips for anyone looking to try. I used to work as a Costume Painter/Dyer for a large local theater, so it’s something I actually know quite a bit about! Why might you need to dye anything for a …
I hear all the time from sewers who have been enlisted by a friend or relative to build an Irish dance dress and have no idea where to start. They often feel like they don’t know what they’re getting into, and even parents who’ve spent years going to feisanna often have questions (“what’s going on …
This is the second post in our Sewer Feature series, which aims to highlight great sewing being done in the Irish dance community and to inspire those who may be considering sewing Irish dance costumes for the first time. Watch our blog and social media for new interviews dropping periodically, and share your own experience …
Looking to alter a solo dress for the first time? Thinking of buying a used dress? Check out these tips from Earnest Threads dressmaker Mattie Ernst. 1. Never assume that there’s let-out. Unfortunately not all dressmakers build with alterations in mind. Many new dresses have little-to-no extra seam allowance. If the dress is fully lined, …
We’re excited to be starting a Sewer Feature to highlight great sewing being done in the Irish dance community and to inspire those who may be considering sewing Irish dance costumes for the first time. Watch our blog and social media for new interviews dropping periodically, and share your own experience in the link at …
Hello! We’ve had some requests to make a tutorial for our tiara and headpiece embroidery files…so here you go! This method could work with free-hand embroidery too, or with any design that you digitize yourself. Supplies: – Fabric for background – anything opaque including gabardine, satin, and velvet. – Dress stiffener or extra-heavy interfacing. We …
