Costume Emergency? How to Prepare!

Satin Stitches | Jan 27, 2009 | there are 0 comments

Prepare, Respond, Recover and DANCE!

What could go wrong with your competition dance costumes? Hopefully you have not had too many things go wrong. Problems that happen right before you are about to perform could be considered a COSTUME EMERGENCY!

Avoid potential problems by BEING PREPARED.

Plan ahead to avoid problems. Know what potentially could go wrong with your costumes. There are many things that can go wrong when your young dancers are entrusted to keep their competition costumes during the year. Even their parents could be somewhat careless and could cause problems.

Besides the possibility of costumes becoming too short or too tight, because of dancers growth spurts, many things can happen with poor care. Dance trunks can go missing, Buttons and buckles can come off and get lost. Zippers can break and seams can split.

If any of these things would happen, how prepared are you?

If you are in charge of a group, always carry an extra pair of tights or two, to replace a missing pair. If you have them available, have an extra pair of dance briefs or any hair ornaments or other accessory items. Always buy or make an extra accessory or two, unknown to your dancers, so they remain diligent about not losing these items. But if or WHEN they do, you can save the day!

Straps can pop off, zippers can split, tulle can easily rip. Seams can split, and parts can rip off or become dislodged. If rhinestones are not properly adhered, they can come off.

If laundering happens, fabrics and trims can disintegrate because of improper washing. If excess heat is used, fabrics or trims can melt. Dry-cleaning can cause melting. If costumes are not taken care of, and someone decides to iron a costume because it was all balled up in the bottom of a garment bag, parts of the costume can become melted or scorched, if you are not careful.

If costumes have NOT been laundered, there may be all sorts of dirty spots. Underarm perspiration marks, monthly leaking stains, toilet training or urine accidents, can also mysteriously appear. Or maybe the costumes just plain stink! Take care to spot clean or freshen costumes right AFTER performances, do not leave this task until right before you need them, as you may forget.

Hopefully, you have planned ahead, and have purchased costumes that will fit your dancers throughout the entire competitive season. If not, have a plan for altering the costumes so they can fit well enough to make due for the year. A talented sewing professional or handy booster parent should be enlisted.

It is best NOT to leave the laundering up to the dancers, or even for the parents. If one reliable person is in charge, you have a much better chance of avoiding problems. Please refer to my blogs that specifically discuss costume care and laundering. If you must allow others to launder costumes, offer helpful laundering tips to those who will be doing this. Write these instructions down, do not just rely on verbal instructions. You should know that verbal instructions are much easier to misinterpret than those that are written.

Pack these items in your dance bag:
2-way sticky tape such as Hollywood Fashion Tape to hold costumes in place.
Water soluble spirit gum-it brushes on, or a product such as Firm Grip-a spray adhesive that keeps swimsuit bottoms in place, used by pageant queens.
Underarm disposable pads such as Behind the Seams by Hollywood Fashion Tape to stop perspiration from soaking into costumes.
Panty liners for stopping all types of leakage, and feminine pads and tampons.
Extra elastic straps in case straps break.
Nipple covers or stick-on bras to cover embarrassing perkiness.
Thread of various colors, sewing needles, safety pins, scissors, and a seam ripper for costume repairs.
Magic markers to color in elastic or holes in costumes and such.
Nail polish can be used to stop a run in tights.
Clear and nude colored elastic to hold parts of costumes together.
Duct tape-a fix for shoes and costumes. In a pinch, it can substitute for a bra.
Ace bandages for stopping bustline bounce.
Rhinestones and glue. I recommend Instant Crazy Glue or Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel,as they dry quickly.
Extra panties to use in case of accidents, or to use in place of missing dance trunks.

Yes, this is a lot of stuff, but it is better to be prepared for the worst, than to wish you had remembered to pack that special something that could have saved the day, for your dancers!

If you can think of anything else, that I have missed, please post a comment. Thanks!