Costume Mistress's Information
Our Costume Mistress is Diane Poole.
Diane not only designs and constructs our school costumes, she has also been an active and competing Irish dancer for over 16 years! So she understands not only the fads and fashions, but also what makes a costume reasonable and comfortable to dance in (Not to mention making alterations and appropriate sizing)!
This page will include costume updates, cleaning instructions, and dates/timelines regarding costuming. Check back frequently for updated information!
*** Please talk to Miss Diane before attempting to launder your school costumes! There are specific instructions for laundering to ensure the longevity of the costumes! ***
Please note that at least one month notice is required when your dancer is ready for a school costume. This ensures that Diane has time to take measurements, make alterations on an existing costume, or build a new costume to fit your dancer. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
For more information or to answer your questions, please contact Diane at [email protected] or talk with her before or after regular class times.
This page will include costume updates, cleaning instructions, and dates/timelines regarding costuming. Check back frequently for updated information!
*** Please talk to Miss Diane before attempting to launder your school costumes! There are specific instructions for laundering to ensure the longevity of the costumes! ***
Please note that at least one month notice is required when your dancer is ready for a school costume. This ensures that Diane has time to take measurements, make alterations on an existing costume, or build a new costume to fit your dancer. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
For more information or to answer your questions, please contact Diane at [email protected] or talk with her before or after regular class times.
Things to think about when shopping for a Used Solo Dress:
The first thing you need to do when you have found a used solo dress you are interested in is to bring it in or email a picture to Miss Mickie and Miss Diane. They need to take a look at it and make sure it is appropriate to the age and dance level of the dancer, as well as colors and shape that will flatter the dancer. Then it is time try it on and check the fit. If you are unable to do this due to the location of the dress, be sure you have an agreement to be able to send it back if necessary before money is due. If going by posted measurements, double check the units being used. Dresses outside the US are typically measured in cm. Most importantly, take a closer look at the following items to ensure a good buy on your part:
1. Sleeve length - in these newer styled dresses, if the sleeves are short, a lot of times there is no extra fabric in the seam allowance to lengthen them, and you'll end up removing the cuff, adding fabric, replacing the cuff, and that is a lot of work (and money to a seamstress). Shortening sleeves is an easier process.
2. Check seam allowances (amount of extra material left over in the seam) in side seams and where the skirt attaches to the bodice. Extra fabric here means it can be altered as the dancer grows.
3. Check the satin stitching - be sure there are not too many loose thread ends hanging out and that the stitching is holding intact (not coming loose). Frayed ends around stitching can and should be taken care of (glued down) with fray-check, but it is time consuming if there are a lot of them.
4. Check for missing crystals/stones - these will need to be replaced by you to balance the look of the dress, after buying the proper size and color to ensure they match, and re-glued down.
5. Does the dress come with matching bloomers and a head piece? (this could affect the price you offer to pay, as you will have to come up with your own if not included)
If in doubt, be sure to get Miss Diane's professional opinion before you buy!