Ballroom Dress

In less than two weeks, I'll be going up to Utah to compete in BYU's summer Dancesport competition. I decided to make my own costumes so I wouldn't have to keep renting them when I compete. Well, my latin dress is easy because I'm just altering an old jazz costume of mine by adding some ruffles to the bottom and adding more rhinestones. Here's a pic:

But my standard gown, ugh, that has been a mess!

A couple of weeks ago, I found the perfect fabric for the bodice of the gown on clearance so I snatched it up. Then I bought matching rhinestones on eBay, which was a savings. But I hadn't been able to find any fabric for the skirt though. Also, I didn't have a seemstress. My mom can sew, but this is a huge (expensive) task and I didn't want to take a chance on it. Plus, she doesn't have the time. I got a couple of references from my old dance teacher for ladies who have made costumes for her, but I could never get ahold of one of them and the other informed me that she doesn't work with georgettes or chiffons--which is exactly what my skirt needs to be made out of. EEK!!! As of yesterday I had no idea what I was going to do. It didn't look like I would have a dress for this competition. I'll I had was fabric for the bodice and some rhinestones. Sparklies...isn't that the most important part of a dance costume? Then who needs the dress? oh wait, I DO!

Then late yesterday afternoon a thought came to me to ask the ladies at Joann's fabrics. They gave me the card of this professional seamstress but told me she would most likely be too busy to do my dress in time. Well, I called her and then emailed her a picture of the dress and guess what! She said she'd do it and I needed to bring her the fabric the next day (being today). YES!

No! I still needed to find the fabric! I went to 6 fabric stores trying to find the right chiffon and lining. I finally found it and boy! what a relief it was to finally get it all. It was kind of expensive but thankfully I got both pieces of fabric for 40% off so it wasn't too bad. I took all of the fabric over to the seamstress's house and after a very thorough fitting session, I left knowing that my dress was in good hands and that in just over a week I will have a beautiful, absolutely breath-taking ballroom gown =)

Well, hopefully!

**I'll put pictures up when both dresses are finished.