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 Waltz of the Flowers

“The Waltz of the Flowers” is a song written by Tchaikovsky for the second act of the ballet.  The song starts slowly and leads into a big ending. 

What I really enjoyed about designing the flower ornaments is that there are a lot of variations that can be done with this pattern.  Wool felt has a lot of colors, whether you prefer pastel or jewel tones.  The bodice and skirts can be embroidered at whichever skill level you are.  

 I had a lot of fun painting the different heads for these dancers.  From simple to more elaborate, this is a patterns that can be tailored to any special ballerina in your life.

The Nutcracker Suite

The Nutcracker Suite

After watching a live performance of the Nutcracker Suite, I HAD to try to recreate the magic story on my own tree. Based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King", Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is an immensely popular ballet, often performed around Christmas.   The"Russian dance", is one of the most recognizable pieces in the ballet, along with the "Waltz of the Flowers" and the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". 

Our story begins at the Stahlbaum house with Clara, her brother Fritz and their parents finishing the preparations for their annual Christmas party.  There are beautiful decorations and lights, a large tree, and of course, gifts.

Well, I started with the Nutcracker himself. 

I wanted to show movement and the grace inherent in ballet.  The most challenging part of making him was to decide whether to portray him as a nutcracker, or a ballet dancer.  The gold sequins make him sparkly, with light glinting off the frogging of his military coat. Some nice thick gold colored floss can also be used, with a bullion stitch.