Even when it comes to ballet companies that require all their ballerinas to be about the same size, that size isn’t the same between companies. And really, it only actually matters for pieces such as the “cygnet” pas de quatre from “Swan Lake”, where the ideal is to have four dancers who are as similar to each other in size and proportions as possible.
Your hem would have turned easier if after ironing it you trimmed it to about 1/4”or even 1/8”. The less fabric you are squeezing into a curve the easier it is to create the hem. Regarding your struggle to get your machine working. Besides holding the threads were you using a silk needle? Many people do not swap their sewing machine needles to the correct one. Also, almost always swap to a brand new needle. I have one friend who sees professionally and every project gets a new needle. She tells me the cost of the needle is easily covered by the time saved. What a lovely gift. And your friend has this video as well. What a treasure.
This is such a great video! I've been trying to find a good guide to making this style of ballet skirt, and this was perfect and so helpful! Thank you so much!
She will be so thrilled with your gift! As you said that you have a hard time cutting straight lines I thought I would suggest that you try using low-tack masking tape for those times when you really want a sharp, straight line. Tip: You can use the tape strips over and over if you are cutting bias strips. My sewing machine (George) refuses to sew silk unless I change the needle to a 70/10. Yep - Mr. Finicky. Reminds me every time I forget. Thank you for sharing your gift-making! It is lovely!
you will have to use about a 10 needle with the silk thread (cannot use auto threader with small needles); you may have to adjust bobbin tension (screw on side of bobbin racer - expose free-arm, pull off bobbin lid and gray top to expose bobbin and racer) if your machine manual does not have how to do this (it should) then web-search how to adjust tension and what it should act like); be sure to clean out all fuzzies while down there. now try again. i bet you will have a better experience. you might like to try a zigzag stitch with an overcast foot to get a lettuce leaf edge. of course sometimes i like to sew 2 rows of a tight straight stitch (be sure to hold fabric taut in back and front so it has tension and does not end up being funky and wavy - let machine pull it through) about 1 inch above the edge and then pick out threads so it almost has a feathered edge. don’t worry about having the ribbon cut from the bias. you are not having to curve it viciously so just cut on the straight of grain and it will not have all the wobblies, will lie flat, and still tie beautifully. I hope this helps. i have been in our position before.
“Ballet dancers come in all shapes and sizes” yes! Me trying to learn how to make a skirt for my 18 month old daughter that wears 3-6 month clothes and smallest I can find is a 2T 🤦🏿♀️😂
late to the party....but if possible, could you consider adding links to the resources you name- for the pattern, dyeing information? especially if those folks would like to be mentioned...
That came out beautifully! Yay to ballet dancers that aren’t all the same size!
Even when it comes to ballet companies that require all their ballerinas to be about the same size, that size isn’t the same between companies. And really, it only actually matters for pieces such as the “cygnet” pas de quatre from “Swan Lake”, where the ideal is to have four dancers who are as similar to each other in size and proportions as possible.
Your hem would have turned easier if after ironing it you trimmed it to about 1/4”or even 1/8”. The less fabric you are squeezing into a curve the easier it is to create the hem.
Regarding your struggle to get your machine working. Besides holding the threads were you using a silk needle? Many people do not swap their sewing machine needles to the correct one. Also, almost always swap to a brand new needle. I have one friend who sees professionally and every project gets a new needle. She tells me the cost of the needle is easily covered by the time saved.
What a lovely gift. And your friend has this video as well. What a treasure.
That sounds like exactly the sort of clever thing that would never have occurred to me. Thank you so much!
This is such a great video! I've been trying to find a good guide to making this style of ballet skirt, and this was perfect and so helpful! Thank you so much!
She will be so thrilled with your gift! As you said that you have a hard time cutting straight lines I thought I would suggest that you try using low-tack masking tape for those times when you really want a sharp, straight line. Tip: You can use the tape strips over and over if you are cutting bias strips. My sewing machine (George) refuses to sew silk unless I change the needle to a 70/10. Yep - Mr. Finicky. Reminds me every time I forget. Thank you for sharing your gift-making! It is lovely!
This is a really lovely and helpful video thank you!
You are a beautiful friend.💗
you will have to use about a 10 needle with the silk thread (cannot use auto threader with small needles); you may have to adjust bobbin tension (screw on side of bobbin racer - expose free-arm, pull off bobbin lid and gray top to expose bobbin and racer) if your machine manual does not have how to do this (it should) then web-search how to adjust tension and what it should act like); be sure to clean out all fuzzies while down there. now try again. i bet you will have a better experience. you might like to try a zigzag stitch with an overcast foot to get a lettuce leaf edge. of course sometimes i like to sew 2 rows of a tight straight stitch (be sure to hold fabric taut in back and front so it has tension and does not end up being funky and wavy - let machine pull it through) about 1 inch above the edge and then pick out threads so it almost has a feathered edge.
don’t worry about having the ribbon cut from the bias. you are not having to curve it viciously so just cut on the straight of grain and it will not have all the wobblies, will lie flat, and still tie beautifully.
I hope this helps. i have been in our position before.
Loved this!
the skirt is lovely!
“Ballet dancers come in all shapes and sizes” yes! Me trying to learn how to make a skirt for my 18 month old daughter that wears 3-6 month clothes and smallest I can find is a 2T 🤦🏿♀️😂
late to the party....but if possible, could you consider adding links to the resources you name- for the pattern, dyeing information?
especially if those folks would like to be mentioned...
can you use starch on silk to help it maintain your creases?