Cane Country Squares

On Saturday 29th of February twelve ladies and two guys met to look at skirt designs and patterns or a bit of socialising.
We discussed fabric types and costs and the need to overlock or zigzag stitch some types more than others to stop cut edges fraying.

Current convention dress codes, the changes in traditional dress and expectations of what is most commonly worn today became an interesting discussion.
I have attached the current National Dress Code as of April 2017 for those that want to read it.

If you come back to this page in the future, check for new updates to the National dress code.

It is interesting to note, at this time, it doesn’t state a requirement for a petticoat (just discrete underwear). This may suit new dancers that are yet to buy one or prefer a plain slip to the extra ruffles of the petticoats that started trending in the 50s.

The other interesting point is closed toe shoes are not mentioned, although this has been a long standing expectation or tradition for ladies. I admit it is safer to wear closed toe shoes. It is not uncommon to clip your own or others feet while so many people are dancing together in close proximity. The only requirement I can see in the dress code is the heel size of a minimum of 25mm square contact with the floor and of a type that will not mark the floor.

I like that it clearly states that a lady that only dances the left side (traditionally the man’s side) can choose to dress in the standard of the man’s dress code.
For those that only learnt that side, due to a lack of available men in a club, or choose to avoid twirls and the extra turn in a swing to promenade, it makes them easier to identify as left hand only.
Some feel embarrassed having to turn down a man asking them to dance when wearing a skirt while others still love to wear the ladies outfit with a sash. I love to see both options worn, which ever they feel more comfortable in.

Each state can apply their own State Dress Code for their State run events although most states follow the National Dress Code, some with minor variations. Those that have registered for this year’s National in the Blue Mountains have probably been sent a survey to look at future changes to the current dress code.

The Queensland Callers’ Association (QCA) run the Queensland State Conventions. The QCA variation to the National Dress Code is “Neat casual dress is considered suitable for dancing on the Sunday, provided that suitable dance foot wear must be worn whilst dancing.”
This suits dancers that may be starting a long drive home straight after the dance, in what they are wearing.

The Square Dancing Society of Queensland Inc. doesn’t enforce the National Dress Code for their Society run events. After a number of emails to double check this, all afternoon sessions can now be smart casual (Not Aussie casual look of thongs, stubbies and singlet top) but comfortably dressed to dance.

This has been common practice on the last day of a QLD State Convention.
I enjoy wearing square dance attire at any function so I, like others, will still wear my more simple skirts and light petticoat for Society run afternoon dances and the Sunday of a QCA run event.

There is still an expectation of dressing up in square dance attire for evenings at a Society dance but they want dancing to be more accessible for everyone as we encourage new dancers to take part.

Square Dance Clubs will all have their own local dress codes for their local dances or events. This can be different for every club. Check out our link to see Cane Country Squares under ‘What should I wear‘.

Thanks go to Sandy for letting us use her spacious home for our pattern tracing and putting on afternoon tea. Thanks also to those that bought along some extra supper.

Most ladies choose to make copies of my most simple four panel skirt and we discussed cutting the pattern up to create more panels for different designs. Thanks Sandy for supplying some Trace & Toile Interfacing fabric to add to the craft paper I bought along. It was all used.

For those having a go at sewing a skirt with a frill, I took along a partially completed skirt, ready to have the frill / ruffle attached. The frill was already sewn together and showed just how long it is before dividing and pinning to the main part of the skirt. When I had my first go at making one without instructions I thought the frill length must have been wrong and shortened it to just fit, without any gathering.

Thanks Coral, for reminding me to take photos of the day. The problem was I then got distracted and forgot until it was all over. I think we all had a good afternoon and enjoyed the social aspect as well as planning for the next stage of our sewing projects.

More dancing time ahead for everyone. Our February beginner class from 2019 has been invited to move on as Mainstream Learners with our Friday Night Dance Group.

Brad and Johanna have been looking to be challenged even in the early stage of their learning. Both regularly change which side they dance on and this week Brad had more fun by adding ‘skirt work’ to his skill set.

For our last ‘come and try night’ a number of ladies came dressed in full square dance attire and bought in a few examples of skirts they had made.

Our brand new learners for 2020 are ready to continue with the ‘Club 50’, 12 week program, from this Tuesday.

The Tuesday mid year class from 2019 will be focused on getting to the Mainstream level to attend bigger dance functions and possibly the next QLD Convention.

Welcome back to everyone at our regular dance nights of fun and fitness with music.
It was great to catch up with familiar faces and friends while getting back into the exercise of body and mind.
We look forward to many more dance nights and events ahead this year.

Tuesday 4th February was our first beginner class for the year.
Our enthusiastic learners from last year remembered most of the movements, without too much trouble, with a lot of smiles and laughter.

It was a pleasure to see four new people try modern square dance for the first time.

OK, so not everyone is into square dance and Dr Who.
Go crazy with your own colours and feature fabrics.

This style of skirt is very traditional with the bottom frill and added lace but also gives you lots of scope to add your own flair.

The base pattern starts with the multi panel skirt already described on our website. The panel length is cut shorter than 50cm with the frill added to make the rest of the length.

You will need about three metres of fabric for this pattern.
This can break down into two metres for eight panels, the frill and waist band and one metre for eight contrasting panels.
It can be broken down further into half a metre per four panels to create more variation. 

The cost can be kept very low by using Top Pop Poplin, a poly cotton blend.
A feature fabric and ribbon is not necessary. You can still make a great looking skirt from a single plain colour or use multiple plain colours.
 

Some designer fabrics are pricey but not so bad when you only need to buy a half metre to get four feature panels. (That is, if the printed images can be viewed upside down)

On this skirt, I used a little over four metres of cheap ribbon and the same again in cheap lace but is not essential to the design.

For complete instructions on how to make this pattern and sew your own skirt follow this link.

With our break from square dancing and some great new year specials on fabric, I have made myself a new panel skirt and some men’s scarf ties with some remnant fabric.

If you want to have a go at making your own, follow the page link to get the scarf tie pattern and instructions on how to make them.

The fabric I choose for my skirt is cotton with a pattern that will suit the Floral Fiesta theme at the 2020 QLD State Convention in Hervey Bay.

The large design of the Eiffel Tower forced me to divide my panel skirt pattern into sixteen parts so the design would be upright all the way around the skirt.

To do this, start with the four panel instructions and then divide the quarter panel into another four pieces. Find the instructions for making a panel skirt here.

The 6th of December was our last dance for the year. The evening was enjoyed by our regular Friday night dancers and learners from our Tuesday night group.

Pam Garson was surprised when she was awarded Life Member of Cane Country Squares. Shirley presented Pam with a plaque and spoke about some of Pam’s history with the club.

The award is not handed out lightly, being ten years since a life membership has been awarded. 
Matt also received a presentation as thanks for his year of calling for our club.

We hope everyone enjoys the Christmas break and look forward to dancing together again in the first week of February 2020.

Our free Christmas Dance on Saturday 16th November was well attended with some extra visitors from the Rocky Twirlers Club. Thanks Matt, everyone really enjoyed the dancing.

We had three squares on the floor when Matt called at a level to include our new learners.

It was great to see so many people dressed up for the night, most in Christmas theme.

This was the first night some of the ladies from our learners group wore square dance skirts and petticoats and they all looked fantastic.

The hall was covered with Christmas decorations, including lights and a small tree light. Thanks go to those who came in early to set up.

Thanks also to all who bought along a plate for supper.
We had plenty of Christmas treats to choose from.

More entertainment on the night came from Sandy, reading us a humorous Christmas poem and bringing along a large doll she had made, called Dolly.

Dolly featured in a fun square dance display with Matt calling to help Dolly learn the basics of square dancing. Seven members passed the doll around to complete the movements.

Check out our video page to see how this went.

Later Sandy danced with Dolly in a harness to see how Gina does it, dancing with her son. The feed back was, it was hard work.

We had three raffles on the night and a lucky door prize. Thanks George for selling the tickets. More than $300 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bundaberg.

Check out our 2019 photo gallery for lots more photos from the night.

Cane Country Squares annual Free Christmas Dance will be happening on Saturday 16th of November.

Dress in Christmas theme if you wish.

Christmas raffles on the night. $1 per ticket.
Funds raised will be given to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bundaberg.

Mainstream dancing starts at 6:30pm
Mainstream Learners and New Learners welcome.
Levels called to suit all attending.

The Cane Country Squares dance on the 26th and 27th of October 2019 was enjoyed by local and visiting dancers. This was also the first dance event for some of our learners.
Thanks go to Nev and Bev Mclachlan as our guest square dance caller and round dance cuer.

On Saturday afternoon, Nev ran a session for Plus and Leaner Plus. We had a good turn out of dancers, keen to experience another caller and give Matt a chance to dance with us.