These kids are my happy place

My life hasn’t always gone to plan. In fact it never really has. I’m 32, single, broke and have a heart condition that stops me from living up to my full potential. One thing has been a constant in my life. Marching. Now known as DrillDance.

I coach the best group of kids and being around them and sewing for them is my happy place. The trust put in me to make their costumes has contributed to my business Lubov Dance becoming what will hopefully be a viable option as a store in the future. The trust put in me by their parents to teach them and spend time with them has led to a confidence I have never had before.

Back to the sewing.

There was never any question I could do this. After all I studied costuming, I should be able to do this. Juggling a full time job, a full time website, coaching and this list of costumes all during Covid was another matter. Everything was out of stock and I just had to create designs with a heap of colour blocking. Let’s focus on their Drill Leotard.

Make 9 new custom fitted drill leotards with blunt scissors and no fittings? Cool, I could do that in my sleep.

I did get a new pair of scissors. My trusty Fiskars were so impressive I replaced all of the ones at work as well. Perfect for Lycra and no need to spend hours getting a sore hand with heavy blunt eyesores.

The late nights were rough and this was just one out of three sets. The fumes from the glue gave me headaches. I eventually got the perfect ventilation and sorted that out. Someone remind me individually placing over 300 Swarovski crystals on each leotard is a bad idea. Who am I kidding? My love for Swarovski’s knows no reason... or budget. Even the E on the skirt was worth it. Hot tip: you can get stencils made that make things easier.

Around the end of this set my beloved sewing machine “Alice” died. She was a gift from the senior team a few years ago. The guy that services my machines had warned me that she was on the way out but I was in denial. No time to mourn or research what I wanted to get. We jumped in the car and went to Spotlight for a new one. I walked out of there poor (what’s new) but with my very reliable “Ophelia” and I was back to it within an hour.

Zips in Lycra. Why? I discovered quilting tape and what was my own personal hell is now my first option when designing. Then Covid shut down competitions and I suddenly had time. This led to me lighting their thematic dance costumes. Fun for the kids but my anxiety went through the roof. What if they missed the switch or the battery pack fell off? It was fine they coped like professionals. However, the kids all grew and I suddenly had to make extras. They were also almost all taller than me now.

The day that they were all finally in a finished leotard was amazing but also bittersweet as three of the kids weren’t there for various reasons, one being diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Those three leotards are still hanging in the sewing room wardrobe waiting for an owner along with the ones that the team grew out of. One in particular is very special and will hopefully be worn in the coming season.

I couldn’t go anywhere at competitions without being stopped about these leotards. Everyone loved them. The leotards are nothing special the kids that wear them make them special.

These leotards are my pride and joy. So are the kids that wear them. I have to remind myself that they have parents I can’t keep them, I’m just like a cool Aunty (which I am) or an older sister who will always look out for them.

There were days I regretted this design. Why would I do this to myself? Let’s not even get started on making the gloves. But in the end I loved it and the kids I made it for.

Sewing and being free to create is my happy place.