costumes

And so (sew?) it begins…

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Monday brought the opening to my 2026-27 season. I will update this space as my calendar fills but it is always a good idea to email to ask if their space. Sometimes I finish a project earlier and other times a dancer moves their deadline deeper into the year so other projects can be added as time permits. Please keep in mind I am off December 15 thru January 15.

As of now May, June and December are full. There are 2 spaces left for September and November. Those months will also find me in Orange County (Sept) and Scottsdale (Nov). There are limited spaces available for August and October.

How to get into the calendar? There are 3 choices.

  1. Come to my studio to pick up a custom fit and designed costume. These studios pick ups often allow you to jump the queue.

2. Engage me to hand deliver and customize the fit in your city – like those that have hired me for Sept and Nov.

3. Order ready to wear sized off my website and it is mailed. This design is custom but it is made using dozens of sizes I have prepared. This means it may need some straps sewn or hooks and bars moved to customize the fit once it has arrived.

Ready to wear is a great option as I can mail costumes as early as July for, example, a September competition. No stress over if the costume will arrive on time and allows the dancer to practice in it too!

This year is a little different as I am not waiting for the large competitions to announce their dates. Unfortunately I am unable to wait for those as they are often very late announcing which makes us even later to deliver the level of costume that is equated with my work. It also prepares people to be organized for 2027 where I am taking much of September off as I hike thru Scotland (yes again!).

So, no, not trying to rush people to make decisions or choose variations without thinking well ahead but needing parents, dancers and teachers to be sensitive to the time taken to create these sought after pieces.

Summer blooms…

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Slowly moving into May and the Westcoast is still the Wet-coast. I’m needing summer desperately and soft, floofy and bright tutus are placating this need. This sweet confection of barely there yellow lace and lemon silk heads to Perth in the next few days, along with a smokey persimmon using my favourite Italian net, soft English tulle and floral silk that has traveled with me during an adventure to find its rightful owner.

Teaching is now almost at a close with two more group classes. I have so enjoyed sharing my methodology with other students these past few months and so look forward to continue doing with a new to tutu maker and delving even deeper with returning students too. Those returning students are diving into pattern drafting which is one of my very favourite things to do!

These last few weeks, my email has been constant with requests for next season – made even busier with a dancer wearing my costume gracing the program cover of the 25th edition of Youth America Grand Prix finals yet again. Of course there is only so much of me to go around so if you are interested in a costume and have made it this far, this is what 2024-25 looks like.

Calendar opens July 1 (or when yagp announces semi final dates)

8 spots for Socal delivery proposed Sept 8-22. Variations due by July 15.

8 spots for Scottsdale delivery proposed for Nov 8-21. Variations due by Sept 15.

2 spots for those travelling to my studio on the Island proposed Dec 17-20. Variations due by Nov 17.

4 spots for Socal 2025 proposed Jan 22- Feb 1. Variations due by Dec 1.

Do remember each costume comes with a partial flight/travel fee costs as well as 1 hotel night charge. So 4 costumes for one family? That means all of these fees X 4. If you are on a tight budget, it may be smart to purchase a ready to wear from my list and hire up your local shopping mall repair person to add the hooks and bars as these are a simple request.

No custom sized mail out costumes unless we have worked together in the past and is subject to my availability. You may request custom designed costumes but these costumes are made to the sizing you choose from a list I provide. There are no fittings and final sale but you do have a change to choose fabrics, nets, skirt lengths, lace and other pretties ❤

It will be a wonderful season ahead as I’ve collected beautiful fabrics based off Bridgerton (some from the same sources the show used), smokey net shades from Italy and the loveliest of laces I’ve taken months to curate. I can’t wait to get to work!