How to Buy a Used or Ready-Made Latin Dance Dress (Tips apply to Ballgowns & skate dresses!)
Channel: Sew Like A Pro
Date: 2018-06-06

Are you in the market to buy a used or off-the-rack Dancesport, Country or Skate dress? Consider these things: 
https://seamssensational.com/buy-latin-dance-dress/

P.S. Ballroom dancers, don't miss this video. All the fitting tips I suggest here work for ballgowns too!


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Get the best fitting dress for your money.
Things to consider when buying a used or off-the-rack competition Dancesport, Country or Skate dress.

#1 How well does the dress fit?  Will it need a little or a lot of alterations?
Is the dress too tight or too loose? Are the sleeves and the skirt the right length? Do you need to exchange the bra cups for a better look?

All this and many more possible alterations can impact how much work is needed to make the costume suitable for your body shape and size.

NOTE: I suggest you take photos of yourself in the dress -  front, back and each side - to get a true view of how it looks on you.

#2  Can you do some or all of the alterations yourself?  Will you need to hire someone to do the work?
If you are a seamstress and can do all the alterations yourself, estimate how much time it will take. Add three hours to your estimate. I'm not kidding.

Estimate how much money it will cost to do the alterations and add at least 15% to the total.

Then ask yourself:  "Is the overall dress - both in fit and style - worth the time and money when compared to the asking price?"  In other words, is the dress a good bargain or is it something you like enough to put time and money into it?

Check out this blog in which I demonstrate altering a ballgown when the owner lost weight.



If you do not know how to sew and need to hire someone to do the alterations, be sure to get a written estimate. Having a ballpark price of $200 or several hours is perfectly acceptable.

If you need to save money, ask the dressmaker if you can peel off any rhinestones that need to be removed for the work to be done.

Once you have an idea of how much the alterations will cost, you will then be able to decide if you like the design enough and if the asking price is low enough to make the dress worth investing more money into alterations.         

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Hi, I'm Teresa Sigmon creator of the world-class, online course, Sew Like A Pro™, that teaches YOU how to make professional quality Dancesport, Country and Skate dresses. 

Each training series teaches you everything you need to know: 
1) how to take proper measurements 
2) how to make a pattern
3) how to design dresses for your body shape and size
4) how to calculate all fabrics
5) how to fit a competition Dancesport, Country or skate dress
6) how to finish all stitching
7) how to rhinestone


Get the professional tools and tips only at Sew Like A Pro™. 
Start sewing today create a more beautiful YOU.

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