Irish Dance Corset

Remember the prototype corset?  I made it as a sample for a teacher to see how it would look added to their existing team costumes.  It was well liked, but they decided not to go for it.  I enjoyed making it, so it was a good project for all concerned.  One of the parents at the school decided to have one made for her daughter to wear when she feis’s.  I think this is such a good option.  It will be made as a solo add on to her team costume.  So she will have something individual, but will not have to spend a ton of money on a solo dress.  I started it this week, and I’m going to try and have it done by next weekend for her school feis.  Here are some photos of how it is going so far.

Here it the center panel laid out as an example.  The rest of the fabric is crushed pink velvet, but we decided to have the center panel designed just for her.  I thought the sparkle/glitter fabric would look sharp with her black leotard.  This is a lycra/spandex combo fabric.  Had thought of trying a velvet glitter but when I saw this I knew it was just right.

I used the ribbon layout to mark where I wanted to embroider the satin stitching.  I used the bottom lines as guides for the sewing.  The overs did shift the fabric so I had to be careful of that.  I put it up on the dressform and the crosses look fine.  On top I  used a lightweight tearaway.  On the bottom I used a medium wt. tearaway.  The fabric is interfaced with 100% cotton fusible.  Of course there were a million fuzzies when I took that tearaway off!  How did I forget my waxed paper lesson!!

I’ve taken off the tearaway and trimmed the wisps.

I think this will be the layout of the crystals.  There is a 5/8 seam allowance so the edges won’t be seen as they are here.  It will have a top and bottom border of crystals across the whole front of the corset.  That should give it plenty of sparkle and make this dancer feel very special!  That will have to wait till all the sewing is finished.  It will be lined with a solid black fabric, and close with a zipper.  That will facilitate getting it on and off quicker so she can keep cool, and keep it clean and neat.  I am considering making a flap that will velcro over the zipper to hide it completely.  Still thinking if that will add practicality to it, or just another thing to fuss with.   More photos as I progress.