Current projects: A rainbow of skirts

A rainbow of skirts and two chiffon dresses:

A few weeks ago I started on a new project, making some costumes for a dance recital for a Christian dance school. After meeting with the teacher,  talking about the themes of the recital and drawing sketches, I set to work.

Six colorful skirts and gold sashes

The little girls dance was about the nations of the World worshiping God. To represent that, we came up with the idea of colorful circle skirts, gold sashes (as each girl was to represent a nation or part of the World) and themed hair pieces.
Two teenaged girls were dancing a piece called the Beauty of ballet.  The teacher and I decided that flowing, chiffon dresses in pastels with circlets of flowers would be appropriate.

Dress design and beginnings of flower circlets

At first I was going to use a commercial pattern to make the chiffon dresses but the pattern was designed for a child, rather than a young teen. I therefore drew a new pattern, changing the bodice and making the skirt attach differently to the bodice. The bodice now is ruched both in the front and back, has a V-shaped insert and a sweet heart neckline. The dresses also have two full circle skirts, and small ruffled sleeves.
The head pieces will have pastel colored silk flowers, some dyed to match the dress colors and a little sparkle.
The is a much smaller scale project but it has been challenging and fun because I am designing for small children and teenagers.
The little skirts and sashes are done. I'll add more photos as the chiffon dresses and flower circlets come along.