How to Make Your Own Baldrics
Baldrics or Baldricks, were originally a belt slung diagonally across the chest to hold a sword or a tankard often richly decorated. Rooster Baldrics no longer hold swords but are also decorated with the badges of the sides and Festivals where we have daced.
List of services
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1 - MesaureList Item 4
Measure the baldrick material on the person required. Run a band over one shoulder onto the opposite hip so that it lines up with the HIP BONE and allow about 4-6 inches overlap on each end.
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2 - Cut
Measure twice Cut once! Cut one band and then cut another one exactly the same length to match.
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3 - Body Position
Take the first band and lay it onto the dancer so that the RED is nearest their face. Pin it so that is sits comfortably on the hip bone. Make sure also that it sits centrally on the collar bone. If it is too close to the shoulder it will fall off when dancing. If too close to the neck it will not look right and be uncomfortable.
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4 - Check & Repeat
Repeat with the other band making sure that the RED is closest to the face again. Sometimes this is best done on an ironing board laid over the one done in step 3. You can then make sure it matches exactly AND is a mirror image.
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5 - Pin and Prepare
Lay both bands on the dancer with the red closest to the face and pin in the position that feels comfortable and is as symmetrical as possible. The crossover should come centrally on the chest. Pin in place. The side crossover should come roughly where a pocket would be on the hip, and go from front to back.
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6 - Front & Back
Take it off the dancer and lay on a table or ironing board to make sure it is symmetrical in all directions, i.e. it will lie flat in a perfect cross and there is no front or back.
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7 Final Fitting
Tack the bands into place and get the dancer to dance while wearing them! If possible try it out on a gig BEFORE finally stitching up on the machine.
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Thanks
To Rooster Moira Dyson for all the advice and instructions
