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Ballroom Showcase: Practicalities and Design Challenges

 The design frenzy has settled down. The initial excitement wanes a bit as expected. But there is still more to think about. While I'm pleased with the potential ideas, there are a few things I should consider on a more logical and practical basis. For example, what's going to be the challenge in making this dress? How expensive do I think it will be? Is my production plan the best way to make this? When it comes to accessories, what will be great for dancing and what will get in the way or become an annoyance? 

Current preferred Design
Lets start with determining potential Accessories.

Accessory Evaluation

Going off my drawing, here are the accessories I might use: 
  1. Feathered Headband
  2. Stud Earrings
  3. Long Pearl Necklaces 
  4. Ornamented Necklace
  5. Black Gloves
  6. Gold bangle bracelets
  7. White Feather Boa
  8. Ornamented Belt/Sash
  9. T-strap Mary Jane Shoes
A couple of non-negotiables include the shoes and at least one other Flapper staple such as the headband or pearls. 

For dancing in general:

Headband: would be helpful to keep my hair and sweat from my eyes. So, it is useful in that sense and stylish! We can simplify the design and just make a headband without feathers. 
Hinderance: Low
Costume Value: High

Stud Earrings: With my hair length, even curled up you're not likely to see the earrings much. It won't get in the way but it also may just be so unnoticed. 
Hinderance: Low
Costume Value: Low

Necklaces: This is such an iconic style of the time and the movement could be fun...if I were dancing alone. I don't think my partner would much appreciate getting whipped by pearls. But then again, I think if it's just the beads, and not ornamented, we'll be fine. 
Hinderance: Medium
Costume Value: Medium-High

Gloves: I think it works for the costume, but not 100% necessary. I think it works well for the character. Gloves pose no dancing risk, but will it make my upper arms look big if I have long gloves? I might have to go with short gloves. 
Hinderance: Low
Costume Value: Medium

Bracelets: Layering jewelry was the style of the time. It might just be a bit of extra faff. Perhaps bangles aren't the way to go but continue with pearls. They shouldn't get in the way, depending how they're made.
Hinderance: Low
Costume Value: Low

Feather Boa: The feather boa would be annoying. The only reason I would consider keeping it is if the choreography called for it. 
Hinderance: High
Costume Value: Medium

Belt/Sash: This feels like it's such a part of the dress, it offers some design and direction. So high value for the costume. It really comes down to whether this is something I attach temporarily or sew into the dress. It can be risky if it's not secure. 
Hinderance: Medium
Costume Value: High

Pardon my arbitrary evaluation system. This just gives me a shorthand way to "rank" my items. Things that are high value and low hinderance I'm likely to keep because that's practical. 
So, I determine that the headband, Belt, and Gloves are my absolute essentials. 
I will add necklace as a close fourth item. I think I'll nix the bracelets and I'll just find any old stud earrings I already have and use those. 

So that handles accessories. Let's look at the shopping list. 

Price is Right

How much is it!? Ignoring any deals I can get while certain stores are shutting their doors, let's see how expensive this could get. First what would I need for the dress?

Dress Supplies
  • 1 yard of black power mesh ~ $10
  • 1 red or black zipper : $5-$7
  • 2 yards of Red performance lycra :$28
  • 2 yards Elastics of Sequins -$10-15
  • Elastic for arms and leg holes - owned
  • Snaps for leotard - owned
  • 3 - 6 yards Fringe with sequins : $7 - $14
  • Swatch of gold lycra - Owned
  • 1/2 yard of gold colored fabric - owned? $5 - 15
  • Red Thread - owned
For me total: $65 - $89
(Note: These are Amazon prices which is typically NOT the best deal, but it is a ballpark range.) 

Accessory Supplies
  • Elastic of sequins - could use the ones from the dress so we'll say "owned"
  • Feathers - $5
  • Rhinestones - owned
  • Plastic Pearl Beads - owned
  • Elastic string for necklace - owned
  • Black Gloves - $5 - $8
  • Nylons - owned
  • Black Shoes - $45
  • Earrings - owned
For me total: $50 - $58 

So the total costume would be at most: $147 (according to Amazon)

Now, I don't buy fabric at Amazon, I tend to go to my favorite online shops. Which brings the power mesh down to $6 per yard and the lycra down to $21. So the price is closer to $136.

For me that's an acceptable budget.

Challenges

The pain points for this costume will be making the dress. I'm a bit unfocused lately and sewing project have been having a lot of mistakes lately. I'm not sure how to attach the belt or where to put the zipper. And whether it should be an invisible zipper or not. 

Depending on time constraints I may buy the feather headband instead of making one. 

In short: Lined zipper installation, attaching the belt, basic dress construction, installing snaps. 

I do have patterns and guides on hand to help me. But we shall see how confused I get with labeling my dress pieces. 

Dress Construction plans

The plan (currently) is to create a snap-crotch bodysuit. I will make a color blocked dress with the mesh illusion neckline. These two items will be combined. I will likely glue down the sequin ribbon designs and sew on the fringe trims. The zipper will go down the back. I'm not sure how long the zipper should be or where it should go. Maybe just through the mesh. I'll have to see. The belt will be tacked on in certain points and also include a pin.

An alternative plan is to make a lined snap-crotch bodysuit with the outer part of the bodysuit including the blocking and trim. Attaching large sew-in snaps to the leotard along the belt line. 
Create a skirt with the belt as a waistline and attaching the fringe it. Sewing snaps on the belt then the dress is a two piece. 

I prefer the overdress version because I have instructions for that style and I've done it before. 
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