Occasionally clients will give me pictures of costumes they like or admire. I won’t copy someone else’s work but I’m happy to evoke its spirit. I was sent this picture to inspire a classical tutu design to match the choreography to Strauss’s Spring Waltz.
inspiration
I set to work pulling together fabrics that would work.
Rose velvet and embroidered roses
I decided on a second layer in ballet pink to soften the skirt a little.
coloured second layer
The tutu design needed a nice romantic touch so a small scalloped plate edged with gold lace was the perfect accompaniment.
8-petal plate
The central hole is smaller than the hip outline and also not perfectly circular. If you could take a cross-section through the dancer she would have a slightly flattened oval shape. This means the plate is symmetrical around 2 axes only … just in case you’re interested.
venise lace trim on plate
The gold trim makes a nice delineation between the velvet and the lace overskirt. You’ll recognise the embroidered lace from my neon and navy tutu just placed here before final sewing.
the lovely Chloe
