Holiday 2002
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Holiday 2002 |
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Holiday Gifts to MakeAlthough the holiday season is upon us, you may not be quite finished getting those last few gifts together.Finding distinctive gifts for the dance enthusiast can be challenging. Here is a list of project ideas for holiday gifts to make and give to your dance sisters. Because many novice sewers like to make items from commercial patterns, this list includes some basic patterns that can be used as a jumping off place for further experimentation and embellishment. Homemade gifts are often more meaningful as they come from the heart and represent the time, creativity and personal expression of the craftsperson. Decorative Tote Bag. Practically everyone needs a bag to haul around to dance events, festivals, classes and workshops. Tote bags are easy to construct, even for a novice seamstress. With straight line sewing and easy to follow patterns available commercially, a simple unlined tote can take as little as an hour and a half. A lined bag, or one with custom pockets or fancy surface embellishments will take a little bit longer, but the results can be stunning. Check out patterns from either Simplicity # 9949 or #8331 or McCalls #3308 or #3136. Look for fabrics that are evocative of the Middle East. Egyptian prints, rich arabesques or even tribal textile fragments can punch up the even the most simple design. Think of the type of items you carry to class or workshops. Special pockets for water bottles, shoes, zills or props can make the bag more organized and functional. Zill bags. Zills can become tarnished or lost if not contained in their own little bag. From an exquisite little evening bag style on a shoulder sting, to a functional draw-string pouch, the zill bag is an essential and functional accessory that can be easily made from elegant scraps from past costume projects. These bags can feature decorative beading, fringe or mirrors and coins as embellishments. For the seamstress looking for a pattern that can easily convert to use as a zill bag, try Vogue patterns #7221, #7354 or #9893. Garment Bags. Some dancers like to keep their costumes hung-up and contained in individual garment bags. Why not make a custom garment bag in a breathable fabric? It will keep the costume clean, but allow air circulation. A custom garment bag can feature an assortment of pockets for accessories and dance supplies. Include an emergency kit with an assortment of safety pins, stickpins, clear nail polish, super glue and other items that might help repair a costume right before a critical performance. Both Butterick #6236 and Vogue #7011 have patterns for garment bags. Sewing Room Accessories. Butterick and Simplicity have patterns for decorative sewing accessories that can make a costumers workroom a fun and beautiful place. A sewing machine or serger cover is a functional and practical item that will keep the equipment dust and lint free. There are other items that can add flair and drama, and yet still serve a valuable function in the sewing workroom. Pin cusions, fabric covered bulletin boards and decorator ironing board covers are just a few of the items that you can make from a host of patterns. Try Simplicty #8826 or #9076 or Butterick #4521 or #4795. Gloves or sleeves. For seamstresses with more skill, a pair of custom length gloves can be a very sexy and relatively easy project. Kwick Sew has a pattern for opera length gloves #2326. These gloves can be made to any custom length favored by the dancer in question. If you are matching a particular costume, you can make gloves from some scraps by piecing them together. Alternately, you can pick a color that is central to the wardrobe of your friend and match that. When all else fails, black velvet gloves will fit into most dancers' wardrobes. If you are not up to the fussy sewing of the fingers, you can use this pattern to make fitted stretch sleeves. Simply cut the pattern off at the wrist and add a narrow row of elastic. Choker. Many complete costume ensembles come with a matching choker. Perhaps this holiday season you can make a choker that will coordinate with your friend's wardrobe. A choker can be as simple as a simple piece of ornate ribbon, or as complex as a lined and interfaced collar dripping with beads. If you are tentative about starting a project like this, why not take a look at McCalls #3273 for chokers that can easily be transformed into fabulous dance accessories. For more information on the current offerings of the commercial pattern companies, visit their websites for the most up-to-date online catalogs. Butterick - http://www.butterick.com/index.html Kwick Sew - http://www.kwiksew.com/ McCalls - http://www.mccall.com/ Simplicity - http://www.simplicity.com/ |
