The Tutus with Aroha Process
Not sure where to start?
Here is how I ensure that you get the costume you want with a great fit.
It all begins with an idea…
Making Initial Contact
Perhaps you already have an idea, or you know that you need a costume. Getting in touch earlier is always best to avoid disappointment. Booking a place in the month you prefer can be done up to 6 months ahead. You don’t need to know all the details yet, but making that initial contact means you know you will be ready for the stage in time. Your name is added to my orders sheet in the month available as an inquiry.
Orders from January 2025
2025 is bringing some changes to TWA regarding the types of orders being taken each month. While all costume types will still be made, the availability of certain costumes will be restricted to allow for more tutus. Each month, a number of slots will be reserved for Group 1 - tutus, variation costumes, and ballet-related costumes (my biggest passion). There will be a limited number of slots in Group 2 (up to 3-4) available each month for all other types of costumes. A definition of costume types and which group they are in is below:
Group 1 - Tutus, Ballet Variations, Barefoot, Demi Character, National Character
Group 2 - Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Waltz, Slow, all other Tap
What does this mean for you?
Bookings will be made as usual—contact to ask for an available slot and provide details of the type of dance you need costuming for. If you need a costume in Group 2, book quickly and in advance.
Discuss with your teacher(s) what next year might look like in terms of new dances (and therefore costumes) well ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
In 2025, tutu/ballet bookings will only be changed to another type of costume if it cannot be filled with another tutu. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
But what happens next?
If you would like more information before making contact download one of the brochures below
2-3 months ahead of your booked in place I will make contact again or you are free to book a meeting below. This is to set up a design meeting either in person or online, where we can share ideas from your dancer, teacher, and yourself. We work together as a team to make sure everybody’s voices are heard and that all ideas have been considered. Why so early? Shipping of fabrics and trims can be slow to New Zealand. Starting now means a better chance of getting your dream.
Book a Meeting
Once all your ideas are gathered I take these away and create a design for you fully detailed with notes, fabric choices, and stone levels for you to choose from. Time is taken here to consider the patterns used, styles, choreography, music, financial implications of designs, and more, to ensure that your costume meets your needs. It is then costed to give you a best approximation of materials and labour required. Changes can be made at this time in consultation with all parties.
Work on a Design
Measure up Time
Before the initial sewing begins a pattern is created for your dancer. Most frequently the costume is made from multiple patterns, or a single pattern altered to the measurements of your dancer. Once this is complete fabric is cut and tacked together for a fitting. This ensures that final adjustments can be made when the costume is on the correct body, rather than one of my friendly mannequins. If you are having a costume made remotely this will be discussed and any fittings that maybe required for your costume can be done via video call, with full support.
Communication is the corner stone of a great costume, but for this to be effective all parties need to have equal voices.
The family must know that the costume is going to meet all their needs, especially the financial ones. It must fit your budget, and be great value for money.
The teacher must feel confident that the costume meets the needs of the choreography and music, and that it fits the vision that they have for the dance and dancer.
I (TWA) must be able to understand your ideas, form them into sewing terms, and use them to create something special and a little unique for your team (dancer, family and teacher)
But most importantly, the dancer must love their costume. They should want to keep it on forever, and stand tall and proud when they step onto that stage, ready to give their dance their all.
This is the diamond of communication
Communication
It’s getting closer and the time has come to measure the dancer at the beginning of the month the costume will be made. Where ever possible this is done in person, but can also be done via video call in a thorough step by step process to ensure you are confident taking the measurements correctly. A full variety of measurements are taken to ensure that I know exactly how to create and modify patterns to fit your dancer perfectly, while allowing as many safe guards for growing room as possible.
Initial Sewing
I try to allow for growth as much as possible if this is appropriate. Tacked pieces are placed together on your dancer to ensure the best fit for comfort and ease of choreography. Placement of skirts and items placed between waist and hip are marked now to ensure the most flattering fit. More fittings are usually required and are based on the design and complexity of your costume.
Fitting
Final Sewing and Embellishing
Once the fit is finalised the costume is sewn together properly and decoration begins. This is often in the form of laces and rhinestones, and this is where the magic happens! Stunning colours are enhanced with specially chosen shapes and colour mixes to ensure your dancer feels their best, loves their costume, and wants to dance to their ultimate potential.