<![CDATA[Sk8 Gr8 Designs

<![CDATA[Sk8 Gr8 Designs - Blog]]>Sun, 07 Jan 2024 22:51:28 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Watching Nationals (When Your Skater Goes to College)]]>Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:59:40 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/watching-nationals-when-your-skater-goes-to-collegeI’m taking off the designer hat for this post, and replacing with a Skater Mom hat. I find myself in an unusual situation this year; I’m watching nationals without my skater.

We’ve progressed through adjustments before when my skater, Leia, stepped back from competitive skating. Yes, as crazy as it sounds, I missed the rink life, the competitions and her coach. I did not miss the early mornings, after a snowfall, trying to get to the rink before the plows cleared the roads. We adjusted, and the skaters I work with every day became my pride and joy. I cheered for them at regionals, sectionals and nationals from afar. Designing dresses is a joy, and I am so grateful I do what I love every day.

Leia's Danse Macabre program

One tradition remained, whenever there was an international competition in the Chicago area, Leia and I attended. Stars on Ice – we were there! Nationals is our Superbowl, we had many lively chats in anticipation. During events, we were glued to Ice Network/NBC Sports Gold/NBC TV, wherever we could get the coverage. Leia is my technical expert, she could see things I couldn’t, and she offered good insight as we reviewed the scores. We all have a laptop open with the scores during nationals, right?

Does every parent on their way to drop off child at Grinnell College make them stand in a cornfield?

2020 Nationals is underway, and Leia is at Grinnell College in Iowa. We are proud of her, she is doing well, and my husband and I have adjusted to life with two young adults in college. I’ve enjoyed the new freedom in this stage of life with excitement. This week, however, is different; I’ll be watching nationals without my technical skating expert, and I’ll be missing her. A lot.

My hope is that she can find a figure skating fan within her group of friends, or at least convert them into figure skating fans. I’ll need to do the same.

]]><![CDATA[Spinning Out: New Year’s Day Mini-Binge]]>Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:22:02 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/spinning-out-new-years-day-mini-bingeMovies and TV shows that anchor themselves around the subject of competitive figure skating are a gravitational force for skaters and their families. Upon the release on Netflix’s “Spinning Out”, my former skating girl and I sat down to watch.

I figured we were in for the “Rocky” of skating; that with hard work and maybe a little luck, the skaters would triumph. There are ten episodes, and our mini-binge lasted three episodes. Anything that is more than one episode is a binge to me!

First, I failed to notice the mature TV rating. It is Netflix, and I guess I should have expected it, but I think I was so pre-wired to previous tween skating movies that I missed that rating. Skater Girl is now 18, so I’m glad I didn’t mess up missing that rating with a younger viewer.

When the mature scenes hit, I wasn’t ready. While I do watch other dark TV series, I’m prepared for them. With Spinning Out, I even had to cover my eyes. Even with the shock factor, we continued, just as the two elderly Muppets in balcony felt it was their duty to jeer, heckle, and share grumpy opinions. There need to be some facts checkers in the audience, right?

I felt that the first episode was crammed with accurate skating jargon, just to win over the skaters in the audience. It was full of expected stereotypes; some not so accurate, depending on your rink. Here’s a partial list of my eye-rolls:

Bloody toes and blisters; as Skater Girl said, “Get skates that fit”! Maybe there were just a lot of new skates being worn. I thought they were confusing ballet dancers and skaters. I’m OK with the hip bruise, though.
Rink attire at practice; again, this is not ballet. That big, wide-open ballet back with no anchoring elastic could be a problem when you fall on that jump. When, not if.
The mean Mom; later revealed to have a mental health issue. For once, could we have a Mom that’s balanced?
The Russian coach with the fur coat at practice. Competition maybe, but practice?
The single ladies’ skater, in her late teens or early twenties, doesn’t pass her senior test, yet she’s so talented that a pairs family is willing to sponsor her to skate with their son.

As the story develops, it’s really mental health stories with skating as the anchor. I do hope that viewers, if they ever have children that fall in love with skating, don’t let this mental health story be the only picture that’s painted of the skating world. There really are many supportive, healthy families with morals that are in this sport.
]]><![CDATA[Custom Figure Skating Competition Gloves]]>Thu, 21 Feb 2019 18:32:01 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/custom-skating-glovesI often get asked to make skating gloves to match dresses. Cutting and sewing gloves is time consuming, and the cost of time and materials puts custom gloves out of reach for many skaters. Skating gloves used for practice are too bulky, and don't provide enough hand articulation. One solution I’ve used this year is custom dyeing white gloves.

The gloves can be dyed to much a skin tone that ‘s not available in the on-line market, or to match a dress. If you're looking for a special color, just email me at info@sk8gr8designs.com and we can discuss your special color.

]]><![CDATA[Dipped Dyed Figure Skating Dresses, Custom Colors, and Pantone Color of the Year 2019]]>Sun, 23 Dec 2018 00:41:06 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/dipped-dyed-figure-skating-dresses-custom-colors-and-pantone-color-of-the-year-2019Dipped dyed figure skating dresses are always beautiful on the ice, and I especially love custom colors that are dipped dyed. The program music evokes emotions, and often when listening to the music, certain colors come to mind. This is not an exact science, more of an art form. When designing a custom figure skating dress, clients provide coach or choreographer direction.

This custom dyed dress was made in August 2018, the skater and I focused on a unique color that complemented the program music. After pouring over the color options we settled on this dye:

While there are trends in figure skating fashion, the program dictates the majority of the design elements. I'm always interested in color, and Pantone recently released its color of the year, Living Coral.

An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge

Living Coral was not only found in a custom dip dyed figure skating dress, but had also made its way into my living room with accent pillows and lamps. I'm looking forward to 2019 with optimism.

]]><![CDATA[How long does it take to create a figure skating dress?]]>Tue, 27 Nov 2018 18:35:06 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-create-a-figure-skating-dress

The standard answer, six to 8 weeks, quickly builds to 12+ weeks around the end of December/beginning of January. But why is it so hard to nail down exact dates? I’ll attempt to take the mystery out of the process.

Repeat customers, and customers designing a custom skating dress late in the season and then experience a long wait know the secret – put the 50% deposit down in November-December. Sk8 Gr8 Designs never closes the production queue for dresses, the list grows longer, and we forecast deliveries accordingly.

The early deposits sometimes come before program music is selected. As the program music is selected, a design session is scheduled, and the process of measuring, pattern drafting, cutting, sewing begins. We coordinate the shipping of the figure skating dress for a fitting, and schedule time to discuss any changes. The figure skating dress come back, final sewing and alterations are completed, Swarovski rhinestone beadwork is completed, and the dress is shipped.

Budget estimates are provided when a deposit is placed. This is a good indication of the complexity of the dress, but the details aren’t solidified until the design session is completed. That’s where dates get fine-tuned week to week – sometimes a dress that is projected to have 1 day of beading grows to 2+ days of beading. I can think of only 1 instance where beading was reduced.

Early January orders come in fast and furious, I call this “The Wave”. It’s always better to get the deposit in before “The Wave” hits, as dates can change quickly within a week’s time. Yes, that means thinking about the dress during the holidays…….and I get it, holidays put the time crunch on even the most organized skate parent.

I do stick to the production queue order as we work each week, it is the only way to keep the process fair. Receiving measurements on a timely basis, as well as returning the dress from the fitting impact dates as well.

For those that are new to custom dresses, I’ve created a deposit/delivery timeline to assist with planning. The music selection and the design session have a big impact on the delivery date. It’s a starting point, the only way to know the most current forecast is to email info@sk8gr8designs.com or call 847-858-8156.

Deposit Nov, Delivery Jan
Deposit Dec, Delivery Feb/March
Deposit Jan, Delivery April/May

]]><![CDATA[Summer skating]]>Sun, 22 Jul 2018 15:33:22 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/summer-skatingDesigning custom skating dresses in the summer typically raises two conversations that I don’t have during the winter. Choosing the correct color of mesh and considering summer tan lines are discussed during the summer design sessions.

Mesh secures the dress and maintains style lines. Open backs are gorgeous, but some shapes, such as a "hard" V back require mesh in order to hold the shape. Initially clients let me know if they don’t like to use mesh, and in those cases a rounder, softer shape is used, more of a U or “soft” V.

The black dress below is a "soft" V, while the jungle themed dress is a "hard" V with mesh.

Open backs with no mesh will display those summer tan lines. Skaters spend lots of time in the summer training in rinks, but I’ve seen the Instagram posts, and the skaters are indeed getting to pools and beaches. If you’re a skater that likes to tan, a layer of mesh in the back can even out the tone. Some skaters/coaches prefer the mesh to be placed high on the back, which requires a shoulder entry.

When determining the best tone mesh to use, summer tans may influence the decision. When do you want the mesh to have the best match, during the summer months because the skater doesn’t compete during the school year, or in January because the skater is aiming for nationals? Go with a lighter tone if you want the dress to look it's best in Oct - April, and a darker tone in summer months.

There are times when the stock mesh fabrics aren’t the best option for the skin tone. Custom dyeing to the rescue! Custom dyeing allows dye colors to be mixed in an infinite number of combinations, so it’s possible to get a good color match.

Let me know if you have any questions about mesh, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

]]><![CDATA[New year, new programs...Where to find figure skating Music?]]>Sun, 31 Dec 2017 18:01:29 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/new-year-new-programswhere-to-find-figure-skating-music

It's been a Gr8 year here at Sk8 Gr8 Designs, thank you for sharing your dreams, photos, and programs.

While Nationals is unfolding, most skaters have started to look ahead to the 2018-2019 skating season. Every coach is different in their approach to music, some have suggestions for the skater, or suggest the mood of the program. If you're looking for new music, an internet search on "figure skating music" serves up a few good articles, and even a Wikipedia listing for music used 2012-2013, and a few "top X" lists. You've listened to movie scores, and admired other skater's programs, yet you're still digging for music.

Here's a tip - another website when digging for music inspiration is the ISU Figure Skating Biographies. It's a slow process, but when you're out of ideas, it can be a good source of inspiration. Select Ladies, Men, Pairs and Ice Dance, and you'll find a list of skaters sorted by country. The list is HUGE. Here's a potion of the list for Canada.

Select a skater, in my example, I selected Alaine Chartrand. You'll see biography information, including the latest program music for the short and long program. Included on the list are skaters that are no longer competing, along with Jr. Grand Prix skaters, so the program musics spans years and levels.

Enter the music title into another search to listen, or watch the program on YouTube. It's easy to get lost in the lists, but isn't that part of the fun? Good Luck, I hope you find great program music!

]]><![CDATA[Competition musings]]>Mon, 06 Nov 2017 18:47:19 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/competition-musingsI was leaving the rink the other day, when I bumped into the parent of a young skater. It was their first USFSA Regionals experience, and they were still processing the experience.

It was a non qualifying level, and the results left the parent and coach confused. The parent wondered if it made sense to wait until the skater was in IJS level before they competed again, so they could look at the numbers and understand placement better.

As a designer, most of the time I just stick to the topic of dresses. On occasion, I do step back into the role of Skater Mom. My advice? Younger skaters are just learning how to compete, how to maintain graciousness and composure no matter the outcome, and learning how to connect practice habits with competition. I felt it was important to stick with competition, and to create the life lessons around all he various outcomes.

As a parent, I felt there was so much value in the competition beyond placement. Learning that sometimes life doesn't make sense, and there are things beyond your control, it's all part of sport participation. I tried to take the lessons learned from competition and give them broader, life lesson meanings. Figure skating has given my skater broader perspective, resilience and work ethic that I know continue to benefit long after the skating lessons have ceased.

I love to watch videos from clients. Here's a video clip from a fall competition, I always get such a thrill watching the skaters.

]]><![CDATA[SILK SKIRTS on figure skating dresses]]>Thu, 07 Sep 2017 21:10:50 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/silk-skirts-on-figure-skating-dressesSilk skirts float on the ice.

Color matching between the lycra and silk isn't as easy as you might think. There's no simple formula, and it just takes time and patience.

There are a 2-3 colors where I can purchase silk to match the lycra and it's a decent color match. That's a bonus when that happens, because it helps keep the time, and therefore price, down. This Romeo and Juliet dress is a great example of a "stock" silk matching up with a "stock" lycra.

In most cases, the silk needs to be custom dyed to match the lycra. Just as the silks often don't match the lycra, the dyes aren't exact matches either. Dyes need to be mixed to create just the right color, sometimes combing 3-4 dyes.

Dresses are one-of-kind, and dyeing is done in small batches. The trickiest part of color matching is combing the dyes as a good starting point, and then correcting during the dyes process (over near boiling water)

Here's the starting point for deep coral - 4 colors. I then run a series of tests as I get close to the hue. Once the color is close, I often have to correct for the saturation of the color. I know that when the color matches while the fabric is wet, once the fabric dries it will be too light. I also have to be careful that the color isn't made too deep/dark.

The trial and error continue, until the color combinations are just right. It's so exciting to get the match! I very much enjoy the process, and its so rewarding when the right color is created.

It's a detail that never escapes me when I watch figure skating, a great match between the silk and the lycra. Here's the deep coral dress completed, with its precious silk skirt.

]]><![CDATA[RHINESTONE Thoughts]]>Sat, 05 Aug 2017 00:31:25 GMThttp://sk8gr8designs.com/blog/rhinestone-thoughtsToday I was working on a new design, and when my thumb and indexed finger touched, and I realized (although it had been there a long time) that my index finger on my left hand is pretty calloused. The result of all that rewarding rhinestoning, which is definitely one of my favorite parts of creating a custom dress.

I prefer to use Swarovski Hotfix stones. I heat them up, the adhesive softens, and I attached them to the dresses, one at a time. It's labor intensive, and the one of a kind results are worth it. I love the clean look the hotfix stone provide, there's never any glue overflow. I do add a little extra adhesive for large stones on mesh.

Below is a close up of a "Paint It Black" figure skating dress that made its debut at Skate Detroit. The large stones are not hotfix, and were attached using an adhesive.

There are many adhesives that work. Taking health and fumes into consideration, I appreciate E6000 Fabri Fuse. Another item I love is the blue finger protectors for pressing the hot stones into the fabric, along with a good pair of curved tweezers.

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