fitting – Sew Like A Pro™

stretch fabric DOs DON'Ts ballroom dancing ice skating costumes

January 21, 20254Comments

Stretch Fabric DOs and DON’Ts for ballroom dancing and figure skating dresses

Choosing the right stretch fabrics for a ballroom, Country or skate dress can be nerve wracking. Fabrics can make or break your costume – and your confidence. I learned that

sew princess seams, dance skate leotard, fitting

Sewing Tools & Tips - all dress styles

January 7, 20250Comments

Sew Princess Seams To Help Sweetheart Neckline Leotard Fit Better

One of my sewing school members was working on her dance leotard with a sweetheart neckline when she ran into minor problems sewing princess seams. I want to share this Sew

snip waistband on fishnets and tights for smoother looking dance and skate costumes

Must-Know Dress Tips - all dress styles

February 6, 202419Comments

How to snip a waistband for a smoother look

We all love wearing beautiful dance and skate dresses that help us look amazing. But we also have a love-hate relationship with what goes underneath: fishnets, pantyhose, or tights. In some

Morticia Addams skating dress sketch to ice time

Sewing Tools & Tips - all dress styles

July 11, 20231Comments

Work flow: Bring your dress sketches to life.

Do you have big questions about how to bring your dress sketches to life? What are my first steps so I don't waste fabric and time? Do I cut a

Animal print Latin Dancesport dress need sewing alterations to shorten a long leotard bodice and create better bust support.

Sewing Tools & Tips - all dress styles

April 4, 20234Comments

How To Shorten A Bodice That Is Too Long

Have you ever tried on a competition skate or dance costume that was too long in the body.... and then you wondered how to fix it? Today's blog features Kerry, one

Teresa Sigmon shares three sewing alterations to change and update this Dancesport ballgown.

Alterations - all dress styles

March 7, 20230Comments

Three Steps To Change A Dancesport Gown

A decade after it was made, this Smooth Dancesport ballgown is too beautiful to retire. Plus, it is in near perfect condition so why would she sell it or leave

Sew the perfect bra cup for women's dance and skate competition dresses.

Must-Know Dress Tips - all dress styles

February 21, 20230Comments

The Perfect Bra Cup For Your Dance or Skate Dress

Most of us have a love/hate relationship with the bra cups that are sewn in our dance and skate costumes. They're too hard, too soft, too flimsy, too small, too big,

How to make a round tummy look flat (for Ballroom, Country and Ice Skating costumes)

Design Fundamentals - all dress styles

January 31, 20238Comments

How To Make A Round Tummy Look Flat

Let's talk about a round tummy! .... Are you thinking, "Do we really have to?" History of a round tummy The classic, Renaissance female tummy is round and voluptuous signifying health and

Get professional dressmaker tips for fitting and weight loss alterations, ballroom dance costume, skate dress, dancesport dress

Alterations - all dress styles

November 15, 20222Comments

Weight Loss Alterations for Women’s Ballroom Dance Costumes

Liesl, the model for the Complete Ballgown Program in the Sew Like A Pro™ online sewing school, needs several weight loss alterations to her new ballgown. Why? Liesl made a

invisible zippers, blind zipper sewing term

Sewing Tools & Tips - all dress styles

November 1, 202232Comments

Global sewing terms for dance and skate dresses

What are global sewing terms used when making women's dance and skate dresses? This fabulous question was posed during last week's WORK FLOW 3-day Masterclass event. Lene, a participant from Denmark,

Long lean lines help you look taller & thinner in your Dancesport, Country or Skate dress

Latin and Country dresses

May 17, 20222Comments

Latin Dress with Long Lean Lines

5 Key design elements for long, lean lines Steep asymmetrical neckline that begins on the shoulder. Vertical lace detailing in a bright accent color that pops against the dark dress.

3-day back neckline design challenge for women's ballroom, country and skate costumes, APR 20-22

Design Fundamentals - all dress styles

March 29, 20224Comments

Back Neckline Dress Design Challenge, 3 free days of training

Are you tired of struggling with dance and skate dresses that offer poor bust support? What about the back of your costumes? Do they look neglected or disconnected from the

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