Matryoshka Tutus by Pamela Martin

Fri-yay! It rained yesterday afternoon so I could sneak back inside for a bit of sewing. I’m trialing my new bodice with added straps. I used making this to teach a small group how to move that strap from the edge of the shoulder to more mid-clavicle which allows full range motion of that joint. I’m thrilled with this and am excited to get the back done and get that bronze piping added. I just used an already made chemise to see how I would like this bodice with one added (I do!) so will go ahead adding the mock lacing up the front and soft little voile stripe sleeves. I love stripes and florals and yes pattern matching

I started work on the strap version of my 19th century inspired bodice. I did have to do some alterations of strap placement and a little tweak of the back but am fairly pleased thus far. I like to pin my pattern pieces as I finish them in the form so it acts as inspiration as I continue. Roll pinning, flat lining and serging over and over can get a bit old when you are super excited to get to constructing it and adding the fun embellishments. I’m keen on the stripe voile... I will use for sleeves and centre front. So many things I want to try and just so little time - story of my life

Nice memory from 2019 from Tess’s Ig post. I am happy I also kept photo snippets of her costume build too. This is one of my favourite costumes to make. I have been wondering what variation to try my new strap bodice pattern on and this popping up on IG made that decision easier. Super excited to have a ready to wear Esmeralda available for the fall using my pattern exclusive to Matryoshka Tutu clients only. Now I know I have a fabulous burnt orange scarf around somewhere - you know in the very safe place - so safe I can’t find it What is everyone up to this week?

Sweet Kera as Giselle . I didn’t get a chance to see many of my dancers this season but so love Yagp has been great at posting them on their page. This was a lovely project creating this for Kera using a design her mum requested. While it was inspired by my Prix Giselle, they were very keen on ombré. I enjoyed using a few different type dyes and colour blues to achieve the variegated ombré. I also pushed to have a full skirt as I don’t like wishy-washy skirts that look ...like there was a tulle shortage While I won’t be offering ombré in the future, this was a nice way to finish this fad for me. Heading to more historical based work and ombré is not HA This week is a quiet one getting some leos done and finalizing a strap version of my little bodice. It’s fun to have a few minutes here and there to play between clay and garden and puppy!!!

Yay for Tututuesay! Ok actually this week is tutu-everyday! I’m super excited for work this week as I get pretty little romantics and a teeny bell tutu ready for a studio in Nanaimo. How sweet is this yellow bell for little Fin. I added little flowers from Chintz to give the lace a little more dimension and maybe a little more fun as this is her first tutu! She is definitely pixie sized (it’s a bell at 10 so that should tell you how small!!!) so she really should have ...lots of added little touches to make this extra special. The little wisteria romantic is also teeny tiny for Miss Harper. Yes that is on the neck of my dress form. Adding the final touches to her lilac bodice today for a lovely visit with her and her mamma later this week. And finally clay! My kiln is presently firing a glaze. I am so excited as I have little mini bird feeders and soap dishes with all sorts of (I hope!!!) neat glaze combinations. Plus I found these little bee underglaze decals you all to your non glazed piece then just clear coat over it so it won’t rub off! This could be the pottery equivalent to the crapplique but I don’t care! I have bees on a bird feeder and it makes me really happy! Tomorrow afternoon (when it’s cooled enough to open) can’t come fast enough! I’m obsessed with my pottery, felting and knitting little dish cloths to go with my soap dishes. Has anyone else started new hobbies or gone slightly hog wild over old ones?

So enjoyed creating this Gamzatti costume for Nadia and loved paring one of Gabrielle’s tiaras with it too. This was a great costume to balance the embellishments to ensure it did not overload this dancer as she is young and slender. I ended up removing much of the trims when I first began as I realized it would have visually widened her or made it so visually overwhelming, she more than likely would have gotten lost. Simple and sleek to allow the dancer to boss the costum...e - not the other way around. I have the written instructions for my crop bodice and basque prepared and will get the sewing sample done later next week (this week is Islander tutu time!). It has been delightful to receive the messages from Fb and IG as people share how pleased they are these will soon be available. It is great to have a new idea or hacks to add to your repertoire. I haven’t had a chance to do any professional development since the summer and hope to have some time in the coming months to get back to it. I also have to return to my panty/basque/bodice patterns which are partially done. Until then I am focused more on what I’m creating and how rather than getting lost in or made to feel in competition with what others are up to. I actually removed myself from many pages and groups to do just that as I was feeling anxiety and stress and knew I was falling back into that comparison/competition trap. This is not a healthy place for me so did what works best - remove it and refocus. So this week I am focused on creating pretty romantic tutus with a historical bent and the last of my leos before I hang up the coverstitch for good. I have my core ballerinas I will always make leos for but need to streamline my work plan for the coming year. Does anyone have anything new they are hoping to learn or practice this coming year?

Early morning Fri-YAY post as I freeze waiting for the ferry from Vancouver back to the Island (we locals just call it The Island - like it’s the only one???) Had a great delivery trip with Aislynn and Victoria and a quick sleeve alteration with Shanna. We, of course, followed all safety precautions and then some to ensure our health and those around us. Ok so yes to instructions on that crop bodice! Can do! I am including how to hack from your favourite 8 or 10 piece bod...ice, fitting (bust cup and dealing with that side boob gap that seems to plague many), piping, the underbust band and loads of photos. I will also include how I choose to help the basque not gap at the waist - again a hack from your own or your favourite pattern. This will all be available on Etsy more than likely toward the end of the month as I’m crazy busy for 2 weeks. Please remember this is how I alter and how I choose to make this costume base. Others may have ideas that work for them but these will be showing what works for me. I had to just figure this all out on my own as there was not instructions available that dealt with some of the issues I found nor was there a source to ask. Much of this was heh let’s try it this way and see what happens. I have to admit most of my hacks and little sewing tips were found by making a mess and fixing it. Learn from your mistakes etc etc! Ok ferry is boarding! Let the day begin!

#tututuesday begins with one of my favourite variation costumes to make. I really like Odalisque and have made a lot of them. I used to keep it safe and use darker richer shades which are probably better suited for the ballet and where/when it is situated but some people just don’t suit or like dark colours and want something a little brighter. Welcome pink, blue, coral, teal, turquoise and everything in between. I know the story, I know the history but by using other co...lours, I’m not destroying ballet as well know it - I’m creating a costume that will work better with the dancer and, at the end of the day, she is more important to me than someone who suggests I am not honouring ballet. Every time I post an Odalisque or Pas d’esclave or Nikiya/Gamzatti, I am always contacted about my bodice. Can they buy the pattern etc etc. No, you can’t buy the pattern because you already have it! What??? Yes! You do! It’s a crop of an 8-10 piece bodice. That’s all. But (there is that but again!!!) I think it’s the finishing people are more interested in. How to have this fit - really fit - and made so not too have wardrobe malfunctions. Now we’re talking! So no, I won’t have the pattern. I am, however, putting together detailed instructions on how to hack what you already have, fit and finish it to create a bodice that won’t budge. Of course this will be available on Etsy for a minimal investment which, as you all recall, portions of each sale is donated to animal rescue. Interested?

The week begins with a huge to-do list but thankfull this Gamzatti is done and ready for pick up Sat. I’m off to Van this week which will be my last trip over until next season. An Odalisque in beautiful blue and silver as well as a Flames costume created using a more period correct bodice and long skirt (because everyone wears their underwear to a revolution ) are heading over. It’s fun to travel but also a lot of work all at once. I’ve had to make the decision that Va...ncouver needs to be like other places - one trip - one dancer per day. So if you are in Van, next season will look a lot different. Please email me for more info. It’s raining and dark and what we call really BC out. Off for a nice long walk to yoga then home for the final pack up of tutus for this week’s trip. Is anyone making something fun this week? Trying anything new? When I get back from Vancouver I’m starting a new stay (corset). I’m thinking of hand sewing the whole thing !