Well, this is just one of the reasons I've not been around much over the last few weeks... Tango ballroom. We wanted it to be very different to what everyone else was wearing and reflect the S American origins (think of embroidered Gaucho jackets. Having seen last year how strong and dramatic black dresses looked on the floor of the Empress Ballroom we knew this would stand out.
I should also mention that this is the first dress I've drafted from start to finish using the Julie Cole book on patternmaking for knit fabrics so it was a big learning experience all around. Lots of tweaks still needed, for example, I raised the underarms for greater movement but it's given her a wrinkle when her arms are down (fine in hold) and the shoulder seam needs to be shortened. The cuffs need changing - they have thumb holes and the double section should only cover the fingers/knuckles, I'll alter that shortly.
I think we achieved the look in general but it backfired somewhat as the Empress Ballroom had a problem with a repair to the ornate plaster ceiling and we were moved to a small dark & gloomy floor where the dress just looked dark without the drama on a comparatively poorly lit floor.
Lots more stoning going on it before she wears it again.