Tuesday, March 15, 2011

FO: For A Special Ballet Girl

One of Mr A's very dear wee friends is turning 4 this week.  This is a friend of ours from our antenatal class so we have known them since before the kidlets were born and they have become fabulous friends over the last few years.  I always like to make gifts (or at least a part of a gift) where possible, i.e where time and inspiration allows, and have had a lot of fun with this one.
This wee friend of Mr A's is absolutely mad on all things ballet at the moment so I thought it only proper that she should have her very own 'ballet outfit' to play in.
So.....
On my last visit home I rummaged through Mum's stash and hit the jackpot.  I found an old abandoned cut out leotard that would probably have fit me (shudder to even think of that these days) and some nice floaty silky material that matched it.  I also snaffled Mum's trusty retro KnitWit leotard and footless tights pattern, this is an awesome wee base pattern for any kind of leotard and she may not ever get it back ;-)

First job was to 'upcycle' the leotard.  I drafted the pattern to a size 2 with extra length since the recipient is a tiny wee thing, and cut it out from the old leotard.....

and voila!

And of course every wee ballerina needs a floaty skirt for over their leotard so.....

The skirt is a simple circular skirt with a slight gathering at the waist on a waistband with velcro.  I asked Mum for a skirt pattern and laughed at me and said "You just make them, you know how to do it!"  Very helpful indeed but I did kind of know and I'm happy with how it turned out.  I did actually take pictures as I did the skirt so if I get the time and inclination (or if anyone wants it) I can post a 'how to' tutorial for it.

3 comments:

  1. I love it! And, "Yes, please" to a tutorial :)

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  2. Awww so cute Alison!.. It reminds me of all the leotards & tutus my dear Mum used to make for my sister for the 9 years of ballet she did. Aiden's little friend will love her new ballet outfit I'm sure!

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  3. Thanks Fiona and Renee, I will try and get the tutorial up sometime soon.

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