FancyGokhos

Hello everyone. I am posting this primarily for insight because I am new to the art of fancy feather dancing. I have danced the style for a long time, but I do not own the proper regalia. As a matter of fact, I don't own any. That being said, I would like to know, based on the experience of other fancy dancers, which pieces of my regalia I should look into making first? And also, any colors combinations that should be avoided? Thanks in advance for the help!

lostsalt

Let me answer your question with a question. What is the most obvious thing about a ff dancer?
But you HAVE to have to scheme together first(colors,design,flow,etc. ).

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"Now remember, things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is." JW

FancyGokhos

The most obvious piece of the fancy feather dancer's regalia is the two bustles. I am aware of this, but the down side to this is that I'm still saving money for my set (about $200). I intend on buying a set primarily because it's my first one, but I hope that after I put it together I can make my next set without buying the kit.

That being said, while I'm saving for my bustles, I was wondering what would be the piece most worthwhile to put my time into while I wait

Also I'm looking into a color spectrum color pattern that will consist of pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Is that too much variety?

WhoMe

Uh huh!

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

danceman457

pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red id love to see a roach with all of those colors... like taste the rainbow! bwhahaha

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rodond

as ex fancy dancer i would start with your aprons ,cape then your bells ,goats beadwork then work your way to building your bustles since you have been dancing with someone else outfit start out with the small things and build the bigger parts as you get the money

crazywolf

It depends on which piece you want to work on first. Do you want to do the easy stuff first or the hard stuff or the cheap stuff or what?

I believe someone else said it first, but you have to have a plan, whats your outfit going to look like. Draw a sketch of everything and see how it works.

Yeah you want way too many colors, narrow it down to 3-4, and that is like using two for your main colors, lest say yellow and orange, and then using small highlights like pink and blue.

For me, I think I would get the roach out of the way first. That is something that you can tie up traditional with either the red or white deer tails, and it will look good on any outfit. That way if you change your mind on your colors as your working on it, well... If you have a set of bustles already done though...

Cape and aprons are not a bad idea for a first item either. If you go simple and just do applique work, then its easy to go to a fabric store and check out different colors available. Get ready to special order the satin ribbon if thats what you wish for fringe though. I think I used something along the lines of 200 yards in my outfit. I found out at the end that I could have just ordered it, but I went to every WalMart and fabric store in the county for a whole month. They would only refil 3-4 spools at a time, Only ten yards on the spool.

Goats are a little expensive, easy to do, and again, you only have one or maybe stretching two options. I made mine black to be different from everyone else, and I have yet to see another fancy dancer with black goats, and I have been fancy dancing for about 8 years.

If you want to start out cheap go to a pow wow and find a bunch of bandannas with your colors on them. You can tie those on just about anywhere, I use 8, and I have more than that. Depending on my mood, I can darken up my outfit or lighten it just by changing the bandannas.

Also, just a little word of advise. When you get ready to make your bustles, go and find someone that makes them and ask questions, lots. I didn't have that advantage, because Florida sucks and there aren't even any repsected fancy dancers living down here. I had to make a set, and make them wrong, before I learned the right way to make them, and I only had my own mistakes to learn from. Then I went out and met people and grabbed little hints and tips here and there. I am definately making another set, but I am going to be making a totally new regalia myself once I get settled in Minnesota, and I have no idea personally what part I will start on, probably my cape and aprons because I know exactly what I want for that, but I don't knowfor sure what I will do for bustles on it.

Derek

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lostsalt

Then, after you know the look you are going for (you've mapped it all out). start with the yoke , apron, sidetabs and back apron like Wolf said they are easy to do. You'll then have a base.
None of it is cheap. That is one reasons why our numbers are dwindling. Hackles are very expensive now, you'll need plenty,bustles both back and arm. Goats as mentioned above can be hard to find and pricey. Roach, hard to do right yourself/ if you buy it very pricey. Beadwork, same.

So if your starting from scratch, and $ is an issue(when is it not), Rethink your plan. The guy that lets you dance his clothes, see if you can continue to borrow pieces until your are in a position to complete the rest.
Get your scarfs from antique stores and thirft shops, you'll get real silk scarves for real cheap, take your time and find the right colors. Check Garage/yard sales you be surprised the useful items you can fins. Ribbons, yarn, thread all kinds of items youll need along the way.

Ask the local dancers in your area about people that used to FF dance. Ge t to know them they may be willing to help you along, with items they no longer use(bell goats, rockers, etc.). Where are you located?

__________________
"Now remember, things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is." JW

FancyGokhos

I am currently living in NorhWest Mississippi since you asked.

chazziff

startin to dance can be a very expensive endeavor to undertake .... any category is. men's categories can be very very expensive and time consuming especially .... finding a roach, feathers, etc. can be very hard to find and make too.

good luck .... and show us pix of what ya get completed .. if ya can

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lostsalt

Not aware of any dancers down there, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Travel to as many powwows as you can. Research your fellow tribal members to see if anyone used to FF that can help you, even long distance.
It can be done. I made my first bustle set in 1985 with alot of assistance from a dancer that lived over seven hours away. I should be alot easier now the way communications have changed over twenty years.
PAwn shops and ebay are another way to locate items.
Feel free to pm me if I can help.
lostsalt

__________________
"Now remember, things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is." JW

FancyGokhos

Thanks lostsalt! Your advice really helps. I actually know a guy who was a runner-up National Fancy Dance Champ from back in 81. I know he can help me alot, but it's just getting him to respond to emails is tough . Still, I will most definitely go to a few powwows and I think I'll look into making my cape, apron, and goats first. Thanks a bunch!

Sugarbaby

the best pieces to make first is ur back n front flaps and ur vest, matching the lower pieces. make sure u add alot of ribbon, i personally think it gives ur outfit a better look and feel when ur dancing. then try to make the bustles and arm bustles cause they can be time consuming.

Sugarbaby

if you need a full set of Bustles, arm bustles and whip sticks
there are people who make them in north carolina, they can be pricy, but i tell you they look clean and neat, but it all depends on a dancer, if you have no time to fix all that on your own time, you can order the stuff from them
heres a link to their site
KQ Designs - Fancy Dance Hackle Bustles.

i tried makin a set of my own from crazy crow, but the directions didnt go step by step, and there wasnt enough hackles.