Comments for Dress For Flamenco

Comment on Tips for Castanets by Marisa

Marisa — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:06:11 +0000

Hi Stephen
The debate about what’s “pure” and not will probably rage forever. The truth is, nobody knows what flamenco dancing was like in its “original” form, because there’s no written records of it anywhere until the 19th century. Castanets must have come from somewhere!

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Marisa

Marisa — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:41:32 +0000

That sounds like a great tip, Juanita. I watched the videos – that white dress is fabulous! I’ve posted one of them on this post so readers can see what you’re talking about.

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Juanita

Juanita — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:11:08 +0000

Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply but I’ve had a very busy flamenco season and now i can relax. To see an excellent example of a dance in which the male dancers utilizes the dress of his partner, go to youtube and watch the Timo Nunez and Pamela Lourant performances from Santa Barbara california (red dress and white dress videos). A beautiful, tall couple to watch.
Since sewing the cancan to the dress is so difficult (you cannot ‘catch’ the top ruffles when you are stiching the cancan) and takes so much time, a friend made one by first sewing the cancan to the cola lining and then attaching it TO the skirt. Then of course you need to stitch it together all over so it doesn’t ‘balloon’. Can’t say how it worked though because i didn’t get to see the finished product.

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Marisa

Marisa — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:22:37 +0000

Thanks Juanita for such an informative comment! I’ve learned two new things – one, I’ve never seen a dance where the male partner uses the cola, it sounds interesting. Second, I’d never heard of the “cancan” and didn’t know you could order it from Spain. I’ve always struggled to find a good solution for stiffening the cola and tried all kinds of alternatives – now I know I needed the “cancan” all along!

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Juanita

Juanita — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:12:47 +0000

I’ve been making flamenco costumes for many years and the bata de cola has to be custom made for the dancer in order to work properly, since it IS a dress that is for a specific dance. The guideline you gave (waist to height measurement) is a good guideline, however some dances (as with a male partner) require a very long cola since he will often use the cola as well in the performaqnce. The fabric/shape/weight have to be correct or the cola, when kicked, will flip over–big error. Not mentioned is the ‘cancan’, usually ordered from Spain, which is cut into approx 4-5″ strips, ruffled, and sewn to the underside of the skirt. The skirt lining and ‘cancan’ colors should match or you get a wierd look when the cola is lifted in the air during the dance. There is much time, effort and knowledge in constructing a bata de cola (hence the huge price tags for even a USED dress/skirt which would still need to be altered). You’re correct: it ISN’T for the faint of heart but when you see the finished product on stage and it does what it’s supposed to do, it’s great.

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Marisa

Marisa — Mon, 02 May 2011 01:51:33 +0000

Thanks for the response, Lori. You’ve made me realize I didn’t make that clear enough in my description – I’ll see if I can reword it.

Yes, you do need to add more length at the front and sides and add more ruffles to the train. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any pattern in existence which already has those features.

Comment on Bata de Cola Pattern by Lori

Lori — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:40:40 +0000

I used this pattern to make the bata de cola skirt. It is an attractive style, but does not move properly. I added 3 feet to the train, and it needs to be lengthened in the front in order for the foot to have enough skirt to catch to kick & manouver the train properly.

Comment on How to choose fabric for a flamenco dress by Marisa

Marisa — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:48:18 +0000

Nevv, my professionally-made flamenco dress had a cotton lining but it wasn’t sewn into the seams – it did shrink a bit but because it was only attached at the shoulders, it didn’t really matter. I hated it, though, and cut it out! The dress was actually more comfortable without it.

Comment on How to choose fabric for a flamenco dress by Nevv

Nevv — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:17:27 +0000

Oh yes, use the same type of material for lining as your skirt/dress/top. My very first flamenco skirt that I made, my main fabric was poly and I used a cotton lining, and being a total newbie, I didn’t prewash/shrink the fabric so as the cotton shrunk it puckered the sides of the poly skirt where the lining was (I only line the waist to the mid/upper thigh). That was 3yrs ago and now I’m a tiny bit more sewing savvy. For non-flamenco projects I’ve used a poly/cotton blend, prewashed/shrunk this time, with success, I think I’ll try that for skirts/dresses.

Comment on Flamenco Patterns for Skirt by Nevv

Nevv — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:10:40 +0000

Thank you for this fun article, but especially Pam for those tips! I make my own skirts because I can’t afford it otherwise. I don’t have a serger so have alway had to use stretch lycra-ish or material that doesn’t fray when cut to make my skirts. But I’ve bought yards upon yards of gorgeous fabric from double gorgette to lightlight poly and I think it’s time to tackle them! I usually just line my skirts from waist to mid thigh on the few poly skirts I’ve made. My super stretchy ones don’t get a lining. I tried using a rolled hem foot attachment for my machine but it’s not so great on very curved pieces. I think I’ll use bias, although the fear of buying/making 20yds always put me off.

I never would have thought of using taffeta or organza on a ruffle, I wish I could see how yours came out! Did it add much weight? I’m determined to make a ruffled skirt now, lol.