My client wanted a Waltz Tap costume with an Irish green theme that would pop on stage, so we chose a lycra mystique for a bit of shine, heavy gold embellishment and a serious encrusting of rhinestones. This is the concept design I worked up.

My client wanted the deep V on the front and nude mesh down into the sleeves. There are lots of costumes with nude mesh across the shoulders but I wanted to make it a little different so I made a completely nude back and brought the nude mesh around the back of the arms as well.

Stretch fabrics are very forgiving and you are really only limited by your imagination. I wanted some nice curves in the cutaway sections so played around until I achieved something I liked.

I played around with the trim to see how it worked with the shapes I had created. The trim was fairly rigid so I wanted to be sure it would fit before I sewed it all together.

Then it was time to bling.

For some extra sparkle we used holographic nude mesh.

Waltz tap costumes often have long skirts. I like to use stretch mesh for skirts because it has a great drape, doesn’t need hemming and dyes beautifully.

and then it was time to bling up the bodice. I used a mixture of crystal and acrylic rhinestones in different colours and sizes to give some interest.

The effect was really quite lovely and I was very happy with the finished design.

 

 

 

 

and of course there’s a little head-dress to match!