Skating Dress with Large Keyhole Back
- Wide collar with back button fastening
- Long raglan sleeves with finger loop
- A-line skirt with casings at side seams for adjustable ruching
- The sleeves can be made with "nude" fabric for a halter dress look (view B).
A great skating dress pattern for a tango or classical program.
Print at home (A4 / US Letter): 24 pages
I made size Q, lengthened the body as usual for my daughter and made the keyhole smaller because she was competing at a very cold rink. I re-calculated the elastic and I think maybe made it a little short but nobody has noticed. Initially I made the sleeves longer but it was unnecessary and I had to shorten them again. I also lined the front of the dress for extra warmth. The ruching at the skirt is very easy to do. The collar is a little fiddly but is a great design feature and looks wonderful with crystals added.
I made this pattern in 4 different sizes. Sleeves in the H, J and K were about 3-3 1/2 inches too short. I also made the P however I'm not sure if the sleeve is also as short because the little girl I made it for is a little heavy for her age so even though the sleeves were fine on her they probably wouldn't be on a older girl that measures a size P. Hope that makes sense. The girls I made the H, J and K for are all normal size little girls. I made them out of black stretch lace so ripping them apart to lengthen the sleeve wasn't really an option. Just cut the triangle off the end of the sleeve and added a decorative cuff to the bottom.
I had sewn many skating dresses back in the late 80's and early 90's. However, there was just a basic dress and the seamstress had to redraw the pattern to get what she wanted. I must say I really like the Jalie patterns. Very easy to use the multiple sizes to alter the fit for the skater. Directions make sense. And a very nice collection of styles. I am actually looking forward to making more dresses!!!!
Made this twice with wonderful results both times.
Fit was accurate, assembly was easy.
I chose this pattern because the skater wanted long sleeves and a high collar because she is always cold. The pattern worked up wonderfully - exactly as I expected after making several other Jalie patterns. I adjusted the fit and body length according to her measurements and it fit like a glove. I made the keyhole back smaller - just below the shoulder blades - because she is only 10. I recalculated the new elastic length as a percentage of the new opening length. I also lined the bodice and sleeves to add a little warmth. I made it up in holographic butterflies on a lime green background - she loves the dress.