My daughter's girlscout group has picked Spain for their country for a meeting in Feb. I was voulenteered by my wife to sew a traditional spanish dress. I have no idea where to start. I have seen pictures of them and they appear to be a multi-layered form following dress. I have been looking for a pattern that I can make one from, but no luck. My daughter is a size 8 and I need one to fit her. Thanks in advanced for all help.
Deear Edward,
Find a fitting pattern from one of the pattern companies--they all have them. The Spanish dress has layers of ruffles from the bottom of the thigh. The sleeves are layers of ruffles on a flutter sleeve. To make this pattern, take a copy of the fitting pattern sleeve, and cut it about three inches below the underarm. Then slash in about eight places from the lower edge to the top edge, but not all the way through the seam allowance in the sleeve cap. Then spread the pieces (don't sneeze) and trace the result. The sleeve will still fit in the armhole, because it has not been changed--you've just spread the lower edges. Use lightweight fabric for the ruffles, and bind the edges with colorful binding--not storebought seam binding--it's too stiff. Use bias cut pieces from your stash or buy lining fabric and cut your own bias.
Good luck Please post a pic after you make the dress so we can see.
Teri
Your description brings to mind the flamenco dress which is made for dancing and traditional to Andalucia - think Carmen.
There are other, less racy, traditional dresses too see the last few photos of this album:
The dress you describe is a flamenco dancer's dress and is specific to the gypsie-inspired flamenco music.
There is more than one type of Spanish dress. I took these pictures in Segovia in January 2007. The girls were from local villages and they came in costume to perform traditional dances in the town square outside the cathedral in honor of a newly married couple.
The full albums from the trip which also include several shots of the flamenco dance costumes may be seen at:
That sounds more like a Flamenco dance dress than a traditional costume. Flamenco is the southern, Andalician tradition. Never make the error that these costumes are universal in Spain!
Take a look at these before making too many plans...
Bad, me, following up on my own post...
I just uploaded some very brief video clips showing the dancers in motion. The first starts off with a lovely shot of the pavement, taken while I was trying to figure out what I was doing.
Beverly
Each girls' costume was obviously custom made, with variations in trim and design. Their black velvet jackets had v-necks, with petalled hems, and gussets under the arms for freedom of movement. These were worn over white cotton blouses. The skirts were red velvet trimmed with black lace in a variety of patterns. The girls wore white crocheted lace stockings and flat-soled mary-jane style dancing shoes. They wore their hair braided in a variety of elaborate styles.
It was a COLD day - maybe 30 degrees - but when it was time to perform they stripped off their jackets and shawls and danced like champions as their families beamed.
Dear Edward,
I agree that there are many costumes or ethnic dress in Spain, but I'll bet that the Flamenco dress is the one the scouts are dreaming of wearing. How about if you first ask them, then offer a lesson on the various garments worn across the country. It would be a very educational lesson, and they can have their fun, too. Or you might talk to the scout leader, and see if she can talk the girls into wearing different costumes, instead of all the same.
Teri
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.