Figure Skater 3D Layered Project

 I can't believe I haven't posted this! I made it early in the Christmas season because I knew I had to get it done before my surgery. Then I put it in the drawer to hide it and didn't get it assembled right away. 

It's a free design from the incredibly talented Gjoa at Special Heart Studio. She is so generous with her talent! If you haven't subscribed to her website to access her free designs, DO IT NOW. https://specialheartstudio.com/ 

Isn't she gorgeous? Megan's dress this year (and last) is red, but I didn't want to do the skater in red. So I chose a dark red for one of the inner layers. 

There's a total of 6 layers. It's not too time consuming to make but has high impact!

For the silver layer, I used the silver "vinyl film" from Dollarama and stuck it to white cardstock, then cut it out. Such an easy and cheap way to get fabulous options other than plain cardstock. 

I was worried the skater wouldn't stand out with the top ring being black as well. Not an issue though.

Two tips for this (and any layered projects). One--be mindful of how you set the layers down after taking them off the mat. Even make a sticky note, indicating if you've put them right side up. I had to do some turning and flipping to make sure I had the layers correct.

Second tip applies to any layered project. Parchment paper! I learned about using it for layering vinyl and thought "will it work for paper?" Yes, it does! I expose the adhesive on a small section of foam dots, put the parchment paper under the layer, and secure those few dots. Then I lift up the layer and peel the backing off a few more dots. Using the parchment paper means I don't have to worry if one gets stuck because I took the backing off. It's an extra piece of security. I also stand directly over the project to get the best view. And slow down! The first project I made, I went too fast. I wasn't rushing, but I just didn't realize how slow I should go. 

I'm hoping Gjoa will make a male version. I could probably alter the file....but it's her design and I don't want to muck about with it. 

Pretty Much Done

I wrote earlier about the process of making the skating skirt for Megan. Not the quick sew it could have been, and this dress is similar....though partially for different reasons.

The whole first part of that post, about buying and printing the patterns holds true for this one too (This is Jalie 2684 Mock Neck Dress), so I won't discuss those issues again.

I also wrote in that last post about the fabric offer I received from https://fabric-online.com/.  Megan decided on a red velvet! So exciting! It came and we petted it! I realized though that there was no vertical stretch. Oh no! Will it still work? How?

I consulted with other costume sewists in a great Facebook group called "Spandex Doesn't Scare Me". It was suggested to use the velvet "sideways", with the stretch going vertical instead of horizontal. Another suggestion was to add a bit of extra length. That's what I went with. I also figured the stretch mesh on the upper chest would give some stretch, and I decided to make the panties with some cotton-lycra. After going through my stash, I actually decided on a slinky knit. I figured it would help ensure the skirt doesn't stick to it. I also wanted to make a shelf bra.

It all went together pretty well. At the sides of the beige mesh, I used clear elastic. By now, everything was shut down and I couldn't just browse the fabric store for options but I really thought the clear elastic would be a good option. I think it worked okay. However, once it all got put together, I had her try it on before stitching the back of the collar down. The beige mesh (which was wonderfully donated by the woman who owns the sewing studio that does the classes I've attended! I had put out a plea in her local sewing group on FB because the stores were closed, and I really didn't want to order 1/2 meter of mesh online!) section was not laying right. It seemed to be too long. So I had to re-work it. I'm not 100% sure it's "perfect" but Megan is happy.

The chiffon! I tried to be extra careful when I cut it. When I went to sew it together, I could see the pieces didn't match! One edge of both the front and back of one of the colours was too long. I carefully trimmed them, deciding one layer would be slightly longer than the other. You know, for that little extra bit of uniqueness! I sewed it on and let the dress hang for awhile before hemming. It didn't grow anymore, so I must be getting better.

Megan decided she did want back straps after all. I kind of forgot that. I went to gather the materials to make the straps and this sequined stretchy trim fell off the bookshelf! No way. Fate.

I'll get into more details later, I just wanted to get this up because it is basically done. We are waiting for some crystals to arrive because she really wants to "stone" it. I like it as is. Her music is from Sweet Charity, and in this scene, the dancers are in all black. The lead dancer in wearing a square straped halter and  I wanted to add straps to mimic that, but she said no. The dresses in the scene are not blingy at all, but she figures no one will know where the music is from anyway.

We got the news late last week that figure skating can start up again, May 19 (but not hockey or lacrosse!). However, the town facility where she practices is closed till May 31, so we still have to wait. We don't know if the facility will open on June 1; the town has cancelled everything through June, and July 1 (Canada Day) festivities.

Frugal Roxie

Megan's program for this year's competitions was "Roxie" from Chicago. We kept an eye out for a new dress, but we couldn't find anything. In the meantime, we decided to alter her current dress. We went to the fabric store to find some trim to make the skirt more swishy and longer. I liked a sequined fringe trim, but Megan didn't. We found this fabric with columns of sequins. I didn't think it was blingy enough, but Megan liked it. We also picked up some sequined elastic trim.

The columns of sequins are sewn down with a continuous strand of clear thread.

So. As you cut the length of the fabric, you've cut that clear thread. So, all those columns need to be secured. A dab of glue. 

 Then I sliced up between the columns, sometimes singles, sometimes doubles and a few triples. I sliced up to various lenghts. Then I glued it to the sequined trim and then hand stitched that to the skirt/dress seam. We created a headpiece with a feathered headband from the dollar store, with the sequined trim over it. We really got lucky with that headband!

 When Megan took to the ice for her first competition, I went up to the top of the stands to try to get a good view to film. I heard some women say "I love her headpiece. You can just tell this is going to be a sassy piece". Yes!!

Megan had three competitions and a couple tests with this costume, but on this last test day, feathers were coming out of the headpiece (which sat on her temple, a little closer to her ear). I didn't have any glue, thread, or double stick tape!

 I never managed to get a picture of her in the dress all season! I  would have liked the skirt to be a bit fuller over her original dress, but I still thinks it all works fine. I would have liked it a bit longer, but you don't want it to get in the way!