The fifth method to enhance a dance costume is to add lace appliqués to a dance top. A sports bra is used in this example. You can use this technique on other tops and you can be creative with the placement of the appliqué. One reason you might want to do this is it gives the costume a very unique and a very expensive look and it is very simple to do. Additionally, it draws the look up to your face.
Supplies:
- Top
- “V” Lace appliqué
- Matching lace trim
- Thread to match lace
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Straight pins
Directions:
- Choosing the Appliqués and Lace
The first thing you need to choose is the “V” shaped lace appliqué and then find trim to match. If you can’t find lace trim that actually matches the “V” lace appliqué, then match them as closely as possible. However, it is important that the width of the trim and the width of the ends of the appliqué are the same.
- Placing and Pinning the Lace
The first thing you want to do is make sure the top is stretched out as you pin the lace to the top. The best way to do that is to have the dancer wear the top while pinning the lace on. Again, make sure you use safety pins if the dancer is wearing the top. Usually, the lace is not stretchy so if you do not stretch the top before applying the lace, the neckline will be stiff and you will not be able to get the top on and off.
Before applying the lace, you need to find the center of the lace appliqué and the front center of the top’s neckline. Place the center of the appliqué on top of the center of the top and pin it in place. Once you have pinned the “V” appliqué around the neckline in front, then use the lace trim to finish the neckline around the neck. Tuck the ends of the “V” appliqué and the lace trim underneath each other so that it looks like one continuous piece. Then start pinning the lace around the edge of the neck stretching the top’s neckline as you go. It works best if the dancer is wearing the top when you pin the lace on the top. This helps the top stretch out correctly and the lace can be spaced out properly on the top. However, if the dancer is wearing the top, make sure you use safety pins to protect the dancer. If the dancer is not available to wear the top as you are pinning the appliqué and the lace to it, place the top on a pillow to help stretch the top and the placement of the appliqué and the lace. Make sure to pin both the top and bottom edges of the “V” lace appliqué as needed. Once the “V” lace appliqué is in place, pin the trim around the back neckline making sure that the ends of the trim match up with the ends of the “V” lace appliqué. Lastly, tuck the ends of the trim and the ends of the appliqué underneath each other so they are hidden. If done correctly, the lace appliqué and the trim will look like one continuous piece.
- Sewing Down the Appliqué and the Lace
Sew the appliqué and the lace down along the neckline making a knot on the inside every couple of stitches. This may seem like overkill to add all these knots but should the thread break, the lace will not come off. It is definitely worth the extra work. Once you have gone along the edge of the neckline, don’t forget to sew the other edge of the appliqué and the lace down, too.
