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Using any bodice pattern requires extensive modifications for your dancer and the pattern can be expensive.

Why NOT make your own bodice pattern --- without the modification. (How to Make a Duct Tape Bodice)

One roll of duct tape costs roughly $4.00 and will make one Duct Tape Bodice Pattern!

With duct tape - pattern fit will be precise.

Below you will find a duct tape pattern for a basque attached and for a detached basque.

You will also find pattern pieces scanned in from a PDF that you can print and expand to create your own pattern or you can study them for creating your own Duct Tape Bodice pattern.

Here is a completed Duct Tape Bodice Pattern ready for cutting.

A purchased pattern will require extensive fitting and modification a Duct Tape Bodice will provide a perfect fit and it takes less than 30 minutes to make one.

Tip from the Master - Paul Drake

When making your bodice pattern Paula Drake suggests this:

I have altered most comercial patterns because with  dance bodice you only should have between 0 to 1/2" wearing ease.    Most comercial patterns  have more then that.......and the tutu can get too big while they are dancing because the heat and sweat from the dancer can make the costume bigger.

Removing and Cutting Center and Side Seams

Making your cut to remove the bodice down the center back is the most forgiving location.

• Cut the Duct Tape Bodice from the center back to remove.
• Once removed cut the center front seam on the line your drew on while on your dancer or the mannequin.
• Once removed cut the two side seams on line drawn while on your dancer or the mannequin.

Now study the pattern pieces below.

These cuts are for a bodice without an attached basque.  You will see the bottom cut is straight across, consistent with the Duct Tape Bodice.

Here is a Paula Drake of Tutus Divine bodice with attached basque.

The bodice is corded (see cording instructions here) and the basque is attached to the bodice.

In creating this pattern you cut the basque layer before you cut the side and individual pieces.

The bottom piece, the horizontal piece is the basque piece which was cut before the individual bodice pieces (the vertical pieces.)

Assemble the upper portion of the bodice, add cord and then attach the lower portion.

• This is not a no sew project. This is complex and multilayered.
• I use boning, fabric and nude inserts. The fabrics used will be the exterior, lining and in some places and on some piece interfacing if necessary.
• Coutil cloth is what I typically use next to dancer's skin. (See link for coutil cloth under Resources.)
• If the fabric has no 'give' I may insert elastic between the boned pieces to give dancer security and comfort.
• If the fabric has no 'give' or if interfacing will be used there is no point in cutting on the bias.
• If the fabric is stretch there is no point in cutting on the bias. The stretch is already there.
• The purpose of cutting on the bias is to exploit the natural expansion a fabric has with a bias cut.

In cutting the center front piece cut it with the decolletege piece in the fabric.

Remove the piece and use that for the pattern for the nude insert.

Center Front Bodice (above) for full page which you can place on copy machine and expand as needed.  Legal size paper is required for perfect pattern image.

If you do not have legal size paper and printer you will have to blow this up a bit in as much as standard paper is 8.5 by 11 inches.  Or you may divide it into two pieces.

As you can see the length of the center front piece is 16.5 inches.

Center Front Bodice - Full Page Image.

Side Front Bodice - above.  Link to 8.5 by 11 image here.

Link to Full size image here.

Piece Number Four - Back Side toward Waist Above

Link to Full Size Image

Piece Number Five Above - Center Back.

Center Back Full Size Image Link Here

Piece Number Six Absolute Center Back

Full Size Image Link Here

One Piece Basque

It is best to fit the dancer with the decolletege piece in tact.

One Piece Basque Pattern