Dance Costumes
Dance costumes play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of dancers on stage. As a costume designer, I have designed and built dance costumes for solos, duets, trios, and group competition pieces. My specialty lies in creating lyrical dance costumes that create a beautiful flow and sparkle as the dancer moves.
The process of designing and creating a dance costume is a creative journey. It starts with understanding the dance routine, the music, and the dancer’s personality. Once I have a good understanding of these elements, I start sketching designs and selecting fabrics and embellishments that will bring the costume to life.
In my experience, the key to creating a great dance costume is to strike a balance between form and function. The costume should look beautiful and complement the dancer’s movements while also allowing them to move freely and comfortably. I always keep in mind the range of motion required for the dance routine and ensure that the costume doesn’t restrict the dancer’s movement.
Over the years, I have discovered some tips and tricks that have helped me create stunning dance costumes. For example, I always use stretchy fabrics that move with the dancer’s body and create a flattering silhouette. I also incorporate embellishments such as rhinestones and sequins to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to the costume.
The Blog
If you’re interested in creating your own dance costumes, be sure to check out the posts below, where I outline some of the tips and tricks that I’ve discovered throughout my career. With a little bit of creativity and some hard work, you can create stunning costumes that will elevate your dance performances to the next level.
Throughout the years, I have learned many valuable lessons about the costuming process. Each show presents its own unique challenges, and I have developed a variety of techniques to overcome them. In my blog posts, I share my experiences and offer advice for others who may be undertaking similar projects. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
“Chicago” Corset Costumes
One of the most iconic roles in musical theatre is Chicago’s merry murderesses in the Cell Block Tango scene. For these costumes, we wanted a dark look, but with a bit of sparkle. And the costume had to allow for some pretty big dance moves. So, I started started with...
Making a Dress into a Theatre Dance Costume
Selecting Dresses for Theatre Dance CostumesWith a few alterations, some dresses lend themselves well to conversion to costumes for heavy dance theatre roles. The best dresses for dance costumes meet these criteria: Are either a loose style, or are made of fabric that...
Making a Circle Skirt Without a Pattern – Technique
When making stage costumes for dancers, a circle skirt is a good choice. Circle skirt patterns are easy to draft and the shape of the skirt makes it move nicely on stage, and especially on dancers.Select the fabric Select a knit fabric with significant stretch in at...
Aging Materials – Technique
Cover photo by monica dahiya on UnsplashSometimes costumes need a vintage appearance, which can lead to the need for aging materials. Using black tea, you can easily tint white fabric and lace costuming materials to give them a vintage appearance. To do this, make a...
Stoning Costumes – Adding the Bling
Adding rhinestones to a costume (known to dance moms everywhere as "stoning costumes") can be very easy or very difficult. For most dance costumes, and especially for "showgirl" costumes, adding stones to the costume will make for a much nicer look. The key to easy...
Dye Costume Pieces
Photo Credit: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on UnsplashThis post is to help you dye costume pieces. In the course of costuming shows, there are many occasions where I’ve found the EXACT costume piece I needed. . . except that it was the wrong color. Luckily, it’s pretty...
Costuming Tools
Cover Photo by Susan Holt Simpson on UnsplashWhen costuming, or doing any kind of sewing for that matter, I use many tools. I thought I’d share my 3 favorite costuming tools here.1. Seam RipperTo alter existing costumes, you will likely need to remove many seams. My...
The Gallery
In this gallery, you will see some of the dance costumes that I have created for various performances. Each costume is unique and has been designed to suit the dancer’s individual style and the theme of the routine.
Dance Costume Gallery
Ladies Room
Blue Lyrical
If You Hadn’t
Fuchsia Lyrical
Blah Blah Cha Cha Cha
Not from Here
Stripe MT
White Lyrical
White Long Lyrical
White Lyrical
Ring Them Bells
Black & Pink Jazz
Eggplant Modern Back
Storm Lyrical
Speaking French
White Short Lyrical
Broadway Baby
Hang with Me
Lyrical
Modern
Contemporary
Contemporary
Lyrical
