Find a tailor that will fulfill custom orders. A local tailor is best so you can ensure the dress fits as you would like it to. Your Irish step dance academy will likely have a list of contacts, or a tailor that does business for academy students. Ask for a name and contact information. If you need to locate a tailor but are not affiliated with a step dance school, make use of a website such as CustomDancewear.com for tailors who make dresses to order.
Decide on the color scheme, neckline, sleeve detail and panel design of your dress. It's useful to make sketches to show your tailor. Make sure you observe limitations imposed by your academy, if they exist. Ask your instructor to approve your designs. Keep in mind that Irish step dance competition dresses have a two-color scheme: one color for the body of the dress, another for the panels. The body of the dress is frequently a neutral color such as black or white. Many competitive Irish step dancers get creative with their designs, incorporating neon colors, glitter and lace to make their dresses stand out from the crowd. Necklines range from the traditional crew neck to a more elaborate sweetheart neckline, although such customizations usually cost extra.
Make sure your measurements are accurate. Take measurements of your neck, bust, ribcage, torso and sleeve length. Bust measurements are taken at the widest part of the bust. Ribcage measurements are taken just underneath the bustline. Torso measurements are taken diagonally, from shoulder to waist or hip -- be sure to specify which in your records. Sleeve length should be taken from shoulder to wrist. Indicate the units of measurement -- usually inches or centimeters -- in your records. Also indicate if you expect to be able to alter the dress to accommodate weight and height fluctuations. Since Irish step dance dresses are expensive, you may expect to have this dress for many years as you compete and move up in the rankings. Make sure you provide an accurate copy of your measurements and dress expectations, including design preferences and color schemes, to your tailor.