Around the World: Poland Krakowiak Dancer

I'm taking a little break from the Nutcracker Suite, and am starting a trip around the world.  This lady is from Poland, and is based on a Krakowiak dancer.  My dear neighbor Phyllis introduced me to the idea, and since then I've discovered the dresses come in a myriad of colors and details.  More to come in the future!  

The costumes tend to have some features in common:  white, wide blouses, a tight vest, and full skirt with an apron.  Flowers in the hair are frequently seen, with intricate embroidery throughout the costume.   For her skirt I embroidered "lazy daisy", or chain stitch for the flowers with a French knot in the middle.  The hem is a blanket stitch.  The vest also features the lazy daisy flowers and cross stitch.  

I gave this lady a strip of pretty lace for her apron, but I've made another with a larger apron:

When you are stitching the vest, tie a double knot a quarter inch from the end, then go in at the top.  The  quarter inch sticking out at the top is meant to represent the laces used for the bodice.  Stitch one half of the cross stitch from top to bottom, then come back up stitching the second half of the stitch.  Your final stitch can come up the top.  Double knot, then trim both threads to the same length. 

The Russian Dancer

Dances from different countries representing various sweets are performed for Clara's entertainment. The Russian dance represents tea cakes. 

It is one of the most recognizable pieces in the Nutcracker ballet. I've been to performances where audience members have clapped along to the music.  It's based on a traditional Russian and Ukrainian folk dance called a trepak (tropak/tripak).  

It's an entertaining, energetic, fast paced dance with Cossak orgins.  Loose, billowy trousers and blouses hint at horseback riding and is typically performed by men and features prisiadka (kicking the legs from a squatting position).  

This guy has a moustache and spiky hair peeking out from beneath his hat, and the shirt is embroidered with a combination of cross stitch, bullion stitch, back stitch, and French knots.  This type of elaborate embroidery is common in Eurasian folk costumes.  Red pants are also a variation that look good on this particular ornament.  His body is two colored, and stitched together at the waist.

Don't worry about your stitches - the blouse will cover it.  Most of my ornament patterns call for short stemmed 6 inch chenille stems, but for this one a regular pipe cleaner from the store will work just fine.  The legs are pretty long, and you can trim any "fuzz" that escapes beyond the felt, if needed.