Rare vintage McCalls Tutu patterns #7990 and #7991

Paper tutu

I am soooo exited that I just had to share this with you.

Fairy costume

When it comes to tutu making patterns, you may be surprised to learn that there are not that many available out there. Sure you can find a whole bunch of kiddy costume ballerina or fairy patterns very easily.

But the real stuff? You know, the real ballet tutu that you can actually dance in? Let alone use it in competitions?

Wohow no, hell of a lot more difficult to get your hands on, even in these days of internet's easy access to information.

Sewing tulle and net

One would think that it can not be that difficult to make a tutu.

Well, that is true enough for the commercial models you can buy for about 40 dollers, and most probably made in China or Taiwan or something like that.

However, they usually come with only  3 or 4 layers of net at best and just some fluffy sadly hanging tulle at the worst.

Someone looking for a professionally made hooped tutu to be used for a competition, a performance or an audition will not find a 10 layer hooped tutu for that price, hence the fact that many dedicated dance moms are looking for patterns to make the wrestling with those meters of net a little easier.

     

Frills

Dollar dress

Like so many people, I have been searching the web for some specific patterns for quite a while a guess what? Yes!!! I finally was able to secure 2 vinatge patterns from McCall's and Simplicity. People seem to be dying to get hold of them without having to spend a small fortune.

A couple of themn the McCalls', usually sell for over a 100 dollars (or euros, have your pick), which really is more than I am willing to give for it. I have seen some go for over 250 dollars! Completely crazy. You may as well create a tutu with your dollar bills, now that would be original!                                         

But last week, I found some for sale on eBay at an almost ridiculously low price and almost no bidders for them! I could not believe my luck. I must have double checked the items at least twenty times, and yes, they seemed to be the real thing. So I obviously stayed very quit about it (hey, what did you expect?) , took my chances and yippie, I won the bid.

Amongst the community of many tutu makers the question of patterns is always up for discussion and the most coveted and searched for tutu patterns as being the most traditional are the McCall's # 7990 and #7991. As said above, there are few available tutu patterns within the retail sector, but apparently none compare to these McCall's pattern's.

I guess one of the reasons that these McCall's # 7990 and # 7991 are so sought-after, is that the patterns were 'ABT approved.' They are since long out of print and probably slightly outdated in terms of measurements as they were published in 1982, but what the heck! Everybody wants them anyway. I guess the whole point of the McCalls patterns is that as one of the big 4 it was 'more well known' as a pattern company and more accessible for mothers under pressure to produce a traditional costume that could match any expensively produced tutu on parade.



                     

7990 Misses Ballet Costume/tutu ABT   

  

7991 Girls Ballet Costumes/tutu ABT

 

However, McCalls chose to discontinue them and and it seems they will not be reprinted, despite the many requests they receive for it. It is whispered that there would be some kind of dispute regarding the rights between them and ABT? If only they would see the light to stop the exploitation of these patterns. Oh, and for those that would be tempted, copying these patterns for redistribution is a serious breach of copyright...

Either way, I got hold of one of the coveted #7990 for a bargain price. I also bought a Simplicity #6204. This one seems to be less in demand, but looks quite good to me. I'll let you know if all the fuss around these patterns is really worth it, after working out the conversion of all these inches and yards to centimeters and meters. And if so, maybe I'll chase after the McCalls #7991 as well.

As my old loyal sewing machine passed away some weeks ago, I am waiting for Santa to bring me a new one to try them out, a Janome with a special ruffler and pleating feet, yippie.

Anyone already tried any of these and would be willing to share their feedback?

Happy sewing!



But what is a tutu anyway?

So, I keep on talking and babbling about tutus. But what is a tutu anyway?

I know, I know, I can hear you say it, "Have you gone, turlututu? Don't be ridiculous, you know what a tutu is". Well, I may do so - or at least have my little idea about it - but there actually seems to be quit some confusion with some of the budding ballerinas and their parents.

Now that September is here, classes have started again and so whole loads of exited little girls are lining up impatiently to actually start taking real ballet lessons. And of course, in those school where a uniform is not required, one can assist to a free live fashion show.

As any loving and respecting parent, you seriously can not put your girl on ballet without a tutu, right? Because mummy all of the other girls have one. And so it happens that a lot of different styles and colors - alright, mostly pink - sparkling or not, pass the revue, Hello Kitty's and princesses included, all screaming for their part of the attention.

             

However,