I have often wondered what influences every years Tutu colour choices–obviously the Classical Ballets are still traditional, but what about for Festivals and Competitions?
Fashion brings in new colour palettes throughout the year and shops tend to follow and stock colours as seen on the runways each season.
The Climate has an effect as well on colours—hot climates tend to favour stronger and brighter colours.
Working on the plate of a very bold Portuguese Ballet Tutu.
I recently designed a Spanish style Tutu in collaboration with the client which was being danced in a very hot Country overseas.
Deep Oranges, Golds and Blacks and embellishments were very dramatic and worked well with the passion of the music.
Different countries have their own traditions and influences but many stay with the Traditional Ivory or White.
It is fascinating to me when I am asked to design a Competition Tutu in the ‘latest’ colour trends as the season is busy passing and new colours are appearing before I can even begin or discuss the Tutu.
Seasonal colour does play a part but there are still basic guidelines to remember when planning.
— Suitability of colour for age group, choice of music, style of Tutu, Competition or Festival or Traditional role, Choreography, Level of the dancer, Budget etc
It is never as simple as what colour you feel like having that year.
Discuss what ideas you have with the Dance teacher and with the Student-all should be happy with the final choice.
Pink nets before tacking. Italian 40 Denier, English 50 gsm, English 27 gsm.
I am often asked about what type and weight of Net is best used in Tutus so I thought I would give a brief post on Net.
Everyone does things differently and has different opinions but this is just based on my experience.
I am discussing English nets in the UK and also Italian net. There are some good nets elsewhere in the world but I will talk about the UK.
What might have been good enough 20 years ago is not the same now and likewise as Textiles evolve so the products change.
Some for the better but some worse as stricter regulations are enforced in the Textile Industry so they are constantly trying to find ways to improve their products without sacrificing quality, but of course now having to use safer products to achieve the same results if not better.
I will be talking about Pancake Tutus and the slightly softer ‘English’ Tutu in this section.
STEAMING NET–
Anyone with allergy’s knows using the older net produced rashes etc from handling the harsh chemicals used in finishing the net.
Silk white and Pale pink net in Italian and English 27 gsm net in a Skirt (after tacking)
I was certainly never told back then about the dangers of steaming the net and breathing in the chemical residues.
Some finishes applied are important like the Flame Retardant applied to stop the net burning when exposed to open heat sources.
With new laws in place in the UK that disallow harsh chemicals to be used in finishing the net, some of those hazards are no longer a problem. But you are left with net which is not as stiff and changes more with applying heat like steaming.
You need to learn to adapt to this by changing methods and not OVER steaming the net.
When you steam the net you are applying heat which is removing some of the stiffening properties that coats it. Over steaming removes too much and leaves the net softer.
Before Tacking–English 27 gsm net in Briar Rose, Sealing wax and Italian net in Pale Pink.
When you leave a Tutu in a damp environment it causes the net to soften as well so that is important when storing a Tutu.
By using different qualities of net in a Tutu skirt and by learning about how gathering and pleating can enhance the stiffness and which layers are more supportive and require a much Stiffer net –so this will help you in building a better Tutu skirt.
Professional Tutus are roughly handled and are used much more than Tutus for a festival or solo performance.
After Tacking–Silk white English net 27 gsm, Pale Lemon Italian 40 Denier, Silk white English 50 gsm, Silk white Italian 60 Denier
You need to think about what the requirements of the Tutu are and also whether for a Child or Adult, Amateur or Professional.
Once you have established that then you need to know how different nets behave before deciding which net to use.
Very few shops sell good enough Net to use in Tutus. That is where the weight of the net becomes important as you can arm yourself with this information and so be better educated when it comes to choosing nets to use. Stiff net is around 27 gsm which should be the lightest net you think of using.
Dress net which is found in local shops is usually around 15 – 18 gsm It does not have the same properties as the Stiff 27 gsm or 50 gsm net and will never be any stiffer even by pleating and adding a hoop.
I think for fun costumes and dress up tutus that is fine but I am talking specifically about Proper Ballet Tutus in this post.
Super Stiff net at 50 gsm is as the weight implies-a heavier net than the Stiff 27 gsm net. This is a better net for supporting the lighter layers. It can be awkward to use and scratchy so some Tutu makers won’t use it for when partnering is required as it can cut the males arms and face when he lifts his partner.
This net is the Nylon Hexagonal net which behaves better than the polyester diamond shape net.
Italian Net is made out of Polypropelene which is more resistant and lighter. The 40 – 60 Denier weight is the standard for Tutus.
Again you should change the method when using Italian net. As its lighter it needs more fullness so more widths are used. Double hand pleating a double layer adds stiffness.
A supportive layer could be used of the Super stiff net if needed. There are different ways and methods and by experimenting and learning you will find your preference.
Italian net is best left without steaming or using very little.
But only by experimenting can you learn what suits you better.
Lovely bright coloured lace trims bring in the Spring and Summer feel.
Corded and Beaded scalloped trims and plain delicate pinks and lilacs are some of the new lace trims in stock.
Blended with the same colour net for a more textured feel or on a contrasting colour for more effect.
More Beautiful Trims from a top Japanese manufacturer. These are very different and Unusual trims but extremely good quality. The metallic thread and the embroidery is very fine….
Different methods and ideas to make the arduous task of gathering metres and metres of net easier. Fishing line can help reduce frustration with double rows of thread…
Doing a pattern alteration on a Tutu Bodice requires understanding of where and how to alter on the body. Its not a simple case of taking it in…
Absolutely love these new Appliques I have just received. They are from the same manufacturer as the Metallic Trims I posted an article about on the 20th November….
Valorose Tutus and Textiles