Welcome to Cat's Dance Website

Before you start designing a dress, take a look at USABDA and IDSF. These can give you guidelines for outfits. If you're planning on doing a child's outfit you need to know what each competition allows. Check out Access Dance for some U.S.A. comps. It doesn't have all competitions listed but it does give links.

Rhinestone Guys has a manual on how to make competition dresses. They tell about altering a regular pattern to make it suitable. They also sell their own patterns for making dance costumes. They also suggest you make, or get, a dress form to help you fit it properly. This was the part that I had trouble with. Until I found instructions for a Duct-Tape Double. If you have access to a dressmakers form already you don't need this information. I didn't have access to one so this was very helpful.

The Duct-Tape Double is a fairly easy way to make a dress form. Its relatively inexpensive but you will need a helper and it does take some time. It took about an hour to wrap me and another couple of hours for me to get the stand finished. The website tells you what you will need. I had two different helpers for this but it was worth it.

Most professionally made dresses have a bodysuit attached to them. You don't have to do this but if you don't you have to remember to have dance pants for your comp. What I've done is make the outside dress and the body suit separately then attach them later. This way I know that both fit me separately. This may not work for all outfits, but it worked for my first Latin dress. If you make a two piece outfit make sure you have support for the bust and again, either attached pants or plan on bringing them. I have seen some outfits where they've taken ready made dance pants and just sew them in. Wondering where to get dance pants? You can try a dance store or try a sporting goods store. I found lots of colored cheerleaders "panties", minus the ruffles at a sporting goods store. Don't forget that cheerleaders, ice skaters, and ballet dancers use these things too.

Since I made the first dress without a dress form it was a bit loose. Its comfortable, but not as flattering as it should be. Where I will try to re-fit the dress, remember it is now stoned. I have to figure out how to make it fitted without ruining the stoning pattern. (I'm lucky this one doesn't have a noticeable pattern.) If I'd had the double I probably wouldn't have so much of a problem. The other nice thing about having the double is the ability to make changes as you go. Now if I don't like something, I can change it early in the game. Having a double is worth it. I highly suggest getting one.

What kind of fabric do you use? I have two standard dresses that have been professionally made. One is out of a light-to-mid weight crepe and the other is out of mid weight double knit, I think. I've made practice skirts out of a mid weight satin. Remember that standard or smooth gowns use a lot of fabric. These do get to be heavy dresses. The knit has an advantage in that it stretches. But both move well on the floor. I've heard people say a dress is light to wear. I haven't met the dress yet, but I suppose if you use the right fabric it won't weight quite so much.

The Latin dresses are not as heavy. Most that I've seen are out of some sort of stretch fabric. I've used a stretch crushed velour type of fabric. If you get the chance, go to a comp and take a look at what they wear. Often there will be dresses for sale you can look at. Considering the time it takes to make one, you can understand the price tag. But looking is a great way to figure out what you want to make. If you're really not sure, try to buy a used dress for your initial needs. Then you'll understand what the dress is supposed to do - how its supposed to move. When you dance in one you'll understand how it feels. You don't want it too tight, and never constricting or binding. But it should move on the floor. A lot to ask of a dress.

I've seen people take a regular store bought dress and alter it for Latin. It can work but you will have some alterations to make. You still need support in the bust line and need to have it move on the floor. What seems to work the best is taking a long dress and altering the hem. I've often seen the hem become asymmetrical. This seems to work. Slitting the sides of the dress help too. The first Latin dress I wore for a comp was a store bought dress I altered. Its a simple black dress, fringed, with a halter neckline. I slit it up the front side area per my instructors suggestion. I have to wear a lot of jewelry with it.

I don't think I've ever seen a store bought dress altered to do smooth or standard. I'm sure its possible, I just haven't seen it done.

As for color, I've seen women steer towards black thinking its more flattering. You want to show up on the dance floor. If you take a look at a picture of a black dress you lose the detail of the dress. The black dresses I've seen that work usually have a lot of stoning or some detail so that you see the dress move. Never underestimate the power of color. Red is great on a dance floor. I've seen a chartreuse green used for a smooth dress and people couldn't take their eyes off the dancer. You want to be seen no matter what you're dancing.