UNITARDS : $100-$200
FUR : $15-$35
With any unitard commission, the cost of the unitard itself is not included in the commission price. Unitards can be found online and in specialty stores in the range of $40. I am willing to order a unitard on your behalf, though you always have the option of sending a new or used suit to me if you have all ready purchased one. (This option may be preferable if you are unsure of what size unitard you need, since you can try it on).
The main determinant of the commission price for painting is the complexity of the requested design. For instance, a design with many layers of varying colours will cost more than a design with a few monochrome markings. If any design requires an unusually small or large amount of work, the price will be negotiated privately.
When being painted, the unitards are stretched flat and pinned to a corkboard with plastic in between the fabric to prevent the paint from bleeding through. This does not damage the unitards in any way, and allows for increased ease in applying the paint.
Unitards are painted with a combination of Jacquard Textile Inks and Jacquard Dye-na-flow, mixed with Versatex Liquid Fixative. A combination of foam brushes, paint brushes, sponges, and metal-tipped application bottles may be used to apply the paints.
Any "fur" on the unitards is made from assorted sheer fabrics and yarns, and is sewn on by machine. The commission price is fluidly based on how extensive the furred area is.
The unitard WILL be worn before shipping exclusively for portfolio photographs, though you are welcome to request otherwise if this makes you uncomfortable.
Though to date I have only painted CATS-style unitards with few deviations, I am more than willing to try new things, so if your request is out of my usual genre, please go ahead and ask, and I'll see if I can help you - more than likely I will be willing to try.
To commission a piece, please email me with as much information as you can about what you're looking for (style, colors, measurements, character, etc). Pictures are a great help when illustrating the look you want, and help to ensure customer satisfaction, so please send them!
GLOVES : $10-$20
ALTERATIONS : $10
FUR : $10
Gloves are painted with the same materials and method as full unitards. As with a unitard commission, the price of the gloves themselves is not included in the commission price. If you have a pair of your own that you'd like to use, you're welcome to send them. Otherwise, I have no problem buying them for you (adds $18 to the total commission price).
Regular painted gloves will return to you with the fingers cropped and sealed with fabric sealer unless otherwise specified. You have the option of requesting alterations to your gloves. This entails removing the fingers completely, hemming the open hand and cropped thump, and attaching loops to separate your fingers. This style is similar to that seen on gloves from the Broadway production.
You are welcome to request that fur be added to your glove for an added fee ($10).
To commission a piece, please email me with as much information as you can about what you're looking for (style, colors, measurements, character, etc). Pictures are a great help when illustrating the look you want, and help to ensure customer satisfaction, so please send them!
TOUCHUPS : $20+
The Versatex Liquid Fixative will not prevent all fading. Your unitard will dull down over time and through frequent or rough wear. This is where touchups come in handy. If you send your unitard back to me, I will happily touch it up for you, to re-brighten your colours and to darken your blacks, or to patch small rips or tears; anything you may need done.
To commission a piece, please email me with as much information as you can about what you're looking for (style, colors, measurements, character, etc). Pictures are a great help when illustrating the look you want, and help to ensure customer satisfaction, so please send them!
ALTERATIONS
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ENTRY : $20
WAIST (take in for closer fit) : $10
THUMB/FOOT STIRRUP : $5/limb
I offer several different alterations that I can make easily without measurementss or extra fabric.
The entry alteration is the most extensive. It begins with a mock-turtleneck zip-back unitard. I remove the zipper and the turtleneck, and open the seams at the tops of the shoulders. I re-hem the neck (now a crew-neck) and sew up the seam where the zipper used to be, leaving the shoulders open. I add grommet snaps to the open shoulders, allowing for shoulder closures and altered entry into the garment. All work is done by machine.
The waist can be taken in by stitching deeper along the side-seams, just above and below the middle of the torso. For those with more curves, this allows for a closer, more form-fitting silhouette.
Thumb stirrups and foot stirrups are adding by making slits along the hemmed edge of the unitard. These are re-hemmed to avoid fraying of the material.
To commission a piece, please email me with as much information as you can about what you're looking for (style, colors, measurements, character, etc). Pictures are a great help when illustrating the look you want, and help to ensure customer satisfaction, so please send them!
SUPPLY
With commissions for unitards, gloves, and shoes, the cost of the item itself is not included. I recommend that buyers consider purchasing these on their own, to ensure fit, before sending them my way, though I have no problem* with purchasing the pieces myself if you would rather.
*Please don't ask me to purchase dance shoes for you. Unitards and gloves will stretch to allow for slight variation in sizes, but shoes are harder to work with if the size is not right or if the brand does not quite fit your foot. If you need me to paint shoes for you, you must purchase them on your own. If you have issues with this policy, let me know and we can negotiate an alternate plan.
LINKS : Where to purchase unitards and dance shoes
dance4less.com
NY Dancewear
Discount Dance
TAKING MEASUREMENTS
Though there are some costumers and a few specialty stores online that will make a custom unitard (usually anywhere from $50-$100 - and these you must order on your own, as custom orders are more involved and you should handle them personally), there are several reliable online resources. The most common type of unitard used is the mock-turtleneck zipper back nylon/lycra (or shiny lycra) style.
bodywear sizing charts for bal-togs products (measurements listed in inches)
SHOES
The most oft-recommended shoes are split-sole jazz shoes, due to their comfort, flexibility, and use in the stage show. These can be found with or without laces (without laces use elastic inserts). Keep in mind that you need not restrict yourself to looking into only these styles of shoe - there are many other options if you're looking for something else. As with anything, comfort should be the deciding factor. Choose what is comfortable and affordable for you!
GLOVES
Gloves are usually one-size fits all items. Look for stretch satin opera length gloves. They can be found at many party shop or costume shop type stores (Claire's tends to carry them, for those in the US), as well as online (eBay is a good place to look).
fourwaystretch : v2.0