May 9, 2019
We are thrilled to announce the release of our full suite of Ballet Performance patterns newly redesigned for 16 inch A Girl for All Time® dolls and 14 1/2 inch WellieWishers® and similar dolls, as well as 18 inch American Girl® dolls.
Buy Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet or Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina in all three sizes for the price of two or buy the Ballet Performance Bundle, which includes both patterns in all three sizes, for an even greater discount!
And for our friends who already own these patterns for 18 inch dolls, get both smaller sizes for the price of only ONE pattern, FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.
Through May 23, 2019 we are offering an extra special deal on the two smaller sizes of each pattern, bundling them together for the price of only one pattern, to keep the three-pattern bundle the same price, even if you already own the 18 inch doll size.
Already know which patterns you want?
CLICK HERE to go directly to the pattern links below.
Or read on, to find out more about these beautiful patterns...
Our Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet features a seamed, pointed front BODICE with a wide scoop neckline set off with self-piping, and a perfectly frothy ROMANTIC TUTU with attached PANTY and BASQUE.
The bodice, with its elegant curved front seams, flattering neckline and low back, replicates the fitted bodices worn by ballerinas in actual performances.
The bodice pattern includes construction techniques like self-piped edges, and recommendations for flatlining delicate fabrics. We have also added a neat bag lining to keep everything as lovely on the inside as on the outside.
Our Romantic tutu is made exactly like the real thing, from gradated lengths of tulle, gathered and stitched in rows to a hidden basque a wide, fitted band from waistline to hip. The basque fits smoothly under the bodice, and is itself attached to a tailored panty with elastic leg openings.
This authentic tutu construction creates a perfect bell shape slender at the waist, then swelling into a full and floaty skirt.
Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet includes cutting directions for two traditional tutu lengths: the mid-calf length favored for early-to-mid 19th century Romantic era ballets like La Sylphide, Giselle and Coppélia, and the shorter, below-knee length preferred for late 19th and early 20th century Classical era ballets like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.
Our remarkable Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina features an essential part of any principal dancer's wardrobe the unmistakable CLASSICAL or "PANCAKE" TUTU.
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This unique tutu was developed in the late 19th century to show off the elegant leg extensions and fast footwork made possible by the parallel development of the pointe shoe. The Classical tutu's position on the hips instead of the waist emphasizes a long, sleek body line and allows the dramatic lifts and balances favored by the era's choreographers for prima ballerinas and their male partners.
Our Classical tutu is made exactly like the real thing, with alternating channels of tightly gathered tulle stitched to a perfectly-patterned PANTY in gradated lengths, from the wide "pancake" top to the dainty shirred ruffles close to the elastic leg openings. A neat, self-piped BASQUE a fitted band from waistline to hip fills the space between the tutu and the bodice for a seamless, yet flexible look.
If you have both dolls and dancers in your life, and have dreamed of making a full size Classical tutu, this pattern is a great place to start!
A professional tutu maker will spend eighty hours or more on such a tutu a daunting task for anyone to consider. But you can complete our doll-scale tutu in a tiny fraction of that time, while learning the same skills and following the same steps you'll need for the real thing.
Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina pairs this amazing tutu with a STRAPLESS BODICE that features a faux-plunging neckline with a front inset, skin-tone or clear elastic straps and a dramatic low back perfectly replicating a style popular with real life prima ballerinas.
We'll even show you how to add faux-lacing or other decorations into that front inset for a range of different character looks.
As an added bonus, both Pattern 1072 and Pattern 1073 include a tutorial for turning knee-high trouser socks into doll-size DANCE TIGHTS, along with information on the optional decorative techniques that we show in our pictures.
Love the romance of Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet and the drama of Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina? Get both and save money. When you purchase our Ballet Performance Bundle, which includes both patterns, you'll have ultimate mix-and-match flexibility and an almost 25% discount on the individual purchase price.
Not only do these patterns look great together, the pieces themselves are interchangeable. Here's our Sugar Plum Fairy, wearing a dainty Corps de Ballet bodice with her Prima Ballerina tutu.
With the Ballet Performance Bundle, you can dress an entire ballet company, from the corps to the principals or mix and match the pieces to create your own repertory, recital or competition costume.
Links, links, links — we've collected them all here for your Etsy shopping convenience!
Here are the links for the three-size pattern bundles:
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for the Ballet Performance Bundle — including BOTH Pattern 1072 and Pattern 1073 — for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
Here are the links for the LIMITED TIME ONLY, TWO-FOR-THE-PRICE-OF-ONE 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch size bundles. Remember: this offer will only be available through May 23, 2019:
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet for 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina for 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for the Ballet Performance Bundle — including BOTH Pattern 1072 and Pattern 1073 — for 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
Here are the original 18 inch, American Girl-size patterns:
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1072: Corps de Ballet for 18 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1073: Prima Ballerina for 18 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for the Ballet Performance Bundle — including BOTH Pattern 1072 and Pattern 1073 — for 18 Inch Dolls
While you're shopping, why not complete your little dancer's wardrobe with our perfectly sized leotards and unitards, ultra-realistic (and easy to sew) ballet slippers, and workout-casual t-shirts? All of these patterns are available in 18 inch, 16 inch and 14 1/2 inch pattern sizes!
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1075: Ballet Slippers for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1051: Ballet Basics Leotard, Unitard and One-piece Swimsuit for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
CLICK HERE for Pattern 1001: Unisex T-shirts for 18 Inch, 16 Inch and 14 1/2 Inch Dolls
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See you next time!