Basque and Waistband

The basques is the means of how we attach the skirt to the Bodice.  It gives support to the skirt and comfort for the dancers as the net is not sitting next to skin.

Equipment needed:
Grosgrain ribbon (double length of mannequin waist)
Cotton Drill for basque base.  Pattern drafted from handout. 
Elastic
Bias binding.
Cotton tape for hanging ties.

Following the hand out that was given firstly i started by drafting out pattern.  Nothing to technical when doing this.  As it isn't a plate tutu we are making the basque isn't as wide.  Therefore as we drafted with darts is was established that the darts would be cut off at the ends creating 2 extra seams.  Therefore we adjusted it, we folded the darts as they would be sew and stuck it down with tape.  So problem eliminated.  I then cut it out including seam allowances with extra at the back.  This extra would be used if this was going to a fitting, mine is not so that extra will be cut off when making the placket and finishing the seams.

Its a very simple method and quite quick to put together once you have the formula right in your head for the waistband.

Pictures

My other pictures of my basque will be with the skirt construction.

there were a few tips that were given to use which i will take forward with me into other areas like ways to reduce bulk so that it is comfy for the dancer and making sure to stitch the shirt lines onto the basque before so that when it comes to sewing your skirt of you can follow a straight line.  Things like this i may not have thought about were so helpful and useful and made the whole construction process easier.

i found this process once started quite easy, i think it pays to take your time and not rush through even if its simple.  I think mine looks really neat because of this.  i did change where i put my hanging loops as they were meant to go on the side seams which happens to come exactly wear the elastic on the waistband is so i moved them slightly back so they can be securely stitched down as over the elastic the waistband is stitched with zigzag stitch for stretch.