How to Pin a Plaid on an Aboyne
Highland Dance Costume Guide
As a dance teacher, I’m often asked at dance competitions how to pin the plaid (often referred to as a “plaidie”) on the National costume. Particularly for Pre-Premier dancers new to the competition scene, this costume can be tricky.
Unfortunately, although I’ve been wearing this costume for over 10 years, my answer to that question is always “let’s go find my mom”.
Dance Mom Expertise
That’s why my mom, Angela Francoeur, is here to give us all a lesson in National dance attire.
Angela’s pinning method isn’t the definitive way of doing things. The written rules surrounding the plaid aren’t particularly descriptive, so methods of pinning are passed on through generations of dance moms.
Phase One: Folding
Your plaide should be a square or rectangular piece of tartan. Mine is a square, so if yours is a rectangle, this might look a little different.
Fold the fabric almost in half, with a slight over hang on one end. My plaide has fringe/unfinished edges on all sides. If your plaide doesn’t have fringe on all edges, fold it so that the two exposed edges are fringe.
“Be sure to use the big safety pins. No piddly little things.” – Angela
Phase Two: Pinning
Start by taking the pointed corner and placing it on the front of the right shoulder of the vest. Scrunch it slightly, and pin with a safety pin.
Try the vest on the dancer, and be sure you’re happy with the height where it is pinned. Then, add your brooch.
Then, the tricky part.
If you have a vest with no zipper, you’ll be able to pin the plaid and leave it forever. My vest has a zipper down the back, so I have unpin and repin each time I wear it.
Line up the edge coming from the brooch shoulder with the edge of the vest.
Fold the left corner of the plaid (the one with the slight overhang) under and up to the waistline on the left side. Pin the fabric in place near the waist seam.
You’ll be left with a loose fold at the bottom.
Flatten the plaide as much as you can, and then add another pin near the middle of the top of the plaide.
“Make sure to put your hand between yourself and the dancer when pinning. May result in some stabbing, but sacrifice yourself for the sake of the aboyne… or the dancer.” – Angela
Phase Three: Adjusting
Now, try the vest on the dancer. If the plaid isn’t laying relatively smoothly, adjust the pins as needed.
When I tried on the vest, the bottom left corner of the fabric was hanging a little loose. So, another pin was added to connect the corner to the petals of the vest. The higher pin was also adjusted in order to help the fabric lay flat.
“Having an aboyne vest with a zipper makes life a lot easier. Kate’s is from Highland in Style out of Calgary.” – Angela
Do You Have a Question About Highland Dance?
The topic of this week’s Highland Dancer Blog post was a suggestion submitted by a member of our dance community. If you have a question or topic you’d like to see us cover, message us on social media or email me at hello@saorsastudio.ca 👋
Comments
Michelle
Do you happen to know what the dimensions should be for a rectangular sash?