a fascinating, and apparently quite exhaustive site about all kinds of costuming:<P>"The Costume Page", at<BR> <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/nebula5/costume.html" TARGET=_blank>http://members.aol.com/nebula5/costume.html</A> <P>recommended!

That should keep me busy for a lifetime or two. <P>Note that the site is recommended by no less than 3 science fiction sites. No doubt for those who want to know what the fashion conscious Klingon is wearing these days.

here's MORE, stuart!<BR> <A HREF="http://www.best.com/~lavolta/index.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.best.com/~lavolta/index.htm</A> <P>it's a very attractively presented site, by two teachers of 'historic and folk' dance forms, frances grimble and allan terry. <P>they also seem to be experts on the appropriate costuming: see the list of their own books, by lavolta press in san francisco:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.best.com/~lavolta/index.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.best.com/~lavolta/index.htm</A> <P>

this company in charlotte, north carolina make tutus and also they give seminars on how to make tutus. they are at <A HREF="http://www.tutu.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.tutu.com/</A>

It's all tutu much. Sorry, but it is Friday afternoon here.

Stuart!!!!

here is another tutu maker with thumbnail photographs. they are at <A HREF="http://www.balletwear.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.balletwear.com/</A>

a great list of costume links: <A HREF="http://www.etecnyc.net/ircool/costumes.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.etecnyc.net/ircool/costumes.html</A> <P> <P>and Milieux: The Costume Site particularly for historical, science fiction and fantasy costuming: looks good! <A HREF="http://milieux.com/costume/" TARGET=_blank>http://milieux.com/costume/</A> <P>includes lots of images (although many are empty pages/sites that moved/whatever), list of museums relevant for costume, and information about arms and armour. <P>MOST particularly recommended: click on the Costume SOURCE button on the left - and you will be AMAZED! if you can't find what you want here, as regards costume supplies, books, accessories, materials, patterns, chainmail, arms and armour, videos, even 'Macintosh software for the theatre', then you're NOT trying hard enough - or you're one KINKY fella... <p>[This message has been edited by grace (edited June 04, 2000).]

<BR>just an odd query: i like the way this skirt appears to hang. being a drawing, of course, the crucial words MAY be 'appears to'(!).<P>however, i assume it's just cut as a full circle, out of the one piece of fabric (like a character skirt) and then, the up-and-down hemline?...well, that's a mystery to me...any knowledgeable (not overly-technical) responses on this?

That nifty drawing looks a lot like the short, sheer skirt I have from a ballet teacher. Like the ones some people wear in class. I could probably inspect it more carefully or measure this or that for you, if you like, but this one does have the uneven hemline like your drawing.

you're on the right track, prisanh. my ballet students have these skirts, made by a parent, but HOW to get them just 'perfect' is really what i'm on about!!! <P>i know we have one or two professional costumiers here, so i'm hoping i might get the odd trade secret/hint from a professional, possibly about exactly what sheer fabric hangs best - there are so many new syntheitic fabrics, these days...<P>i wonder if there's some sort of set formula for how to work out the hemline, also...

Some of these skirts are cut on a circle pattern....others are more a circle cut on the bias. It is difficult to tell how a skirt would hang and flare like the photo.<BR>You could finish the bottom with more than just one tight serger or ziz zag and it would stand out more...ie: be more stiff, therefore give the impression of the flare.<BR>I would think this skirt is a circle based on a bais cut.<BR>Just because of the way it flares.<P>Also, if you pull the hem just a little bit, it will give a more "lettuce" look and will help to give the flare appearance.<P>As to how to determine length or proportions.<BR>just measure the person from waist to where ever you want skirt to end.<P>Children's range in length from 6-9"<BR>Adult short skirts are usually 12" in back to 9 or so in front.<BR>Again depends on how you want it to hang.<P>Best bet:<BR>Get a skirt you like the look of....<BR>Then carefully examine the way it is cut...<BR>where is the straight grain of fabric.<BR>How to lay out the skirt to make a pattern.<BR>Also......the fabric you choose will determine how the skirt will look.<BR>There are many fabrics:<BR>Lycra....chiffon.(which can mean anything from tricot, to double gorgette.) <BR>to jerseys.....etc etx.<BR>Check the weight of the fabric also,<BR>If the skirt you like is a soft chiffon, it might not work if you use the correct pattern but chose a stiffer chiffon.<BR>Or change it to a tricot...esp. a satin tricot, and not a sheer.<BR>Lots of different problems.<BR><P>------------------<BR>bek<BR>

medieval and renaissance stuff - a page of links:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/theatre/emd/linksp2.htm#COST" TARGET=_blank>http://www.leeds.ac.uk/theatre/emd/linksp2.htm#COST</A>

dance 'apparel' links, from about.com:<BR> <A HREF="http://balletdance.about.com/musicperform/balletdance/msub5.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://balletdance.about.com/musicperform/balletdance/msub5.htm</A>

I've found in a french dance magazine how to make this kind of skirt, with pictures and explanations, but I suppose it won't help you if you can't read french ! But if you want, I can scan it (i won't tranlate it, too hard!) <P>see u<P>