Creating a standout dance costume starts long before the stage lights come on. It begins with choosing the right fabric. Whether you are a dance teacher pulling together a whole concert program, a dance mum stitching a solo piece by hand, or a performer adding finishing touches to a competition costume, the quality of your fabric makes all the difference to how a costume looks, moves and holds up under bright lighting.
At Total Dance, Australia's home of premium dancewear, we stock a carefully curated selection of fabrics designed specifically for dance. From shimmering sequin options to soft stretch velvet and printed spandex, you can browse our fabric range and order with confidence, knowing everything ships Australia-wide.
Why Fabric Choice Matters for Dance Costumes
Dance costumes face demands that everyday clothing simply does not. They need to stretch across a full split, stay in place through a pirouette, catch the light beautifully from the back of an auditorium, and survive multiple performances without losing their shape or sheen. Choosing the wrong fabric can mean a costume that restricts movement, dulls under stage lights, or falls apart after a single wear.
The right fabric, on the other hand, elevates a performance. It moves with the dancer's body, reflects or absorbs light as the choreography demands, and holds its construction through hours of rehearsal and multiple shows. This is why sourcing from a specialist dance supplier matters. At Total Dance, every fabric in our range is chosen with the realities of dance in mind.
Stretch and Recovery
Dance fabrics need four-way stretch and strong recovery so they return to their original shape after every movement. Spandex and stretch mesh are excellent choices for fitted base layers and body-conscious designs, while stretch velvet adds luxurious texture without sacrificing flexibility.
Weight and Drape
Lighter fabrics like mesh and sequin options create visual impact without adding bulk, which is especially important for younger dancers. Heavier fabrics like velvet add drama and are ideal for statement costumes in lyrical, contemporary or jazz numbers.
Stage-Ready Appearance
A costume that looks stunning in the studio may disappear under stage lighting if the fabric does not reflect light well. Sequin and hologram fabrics are specifically designed to catch and amplify stage light, making them a popular choice for competitive and concert performances alike.
Our Premium Dance Fabric Range
Below is a closer look at the fabrics available at Total Dance, with notes on what each one suits best. You can shop our full collection here to see all available colourways and quantities.
Stretch Mesh with Hologram Sequins, Navy
This fabric is a favourite for competition costumes and concert pieces that need serious visual impact. The hologram sequin detail catches stage lighting from every angle, creating a dynamic shimmer that reads beautifully from a distance. The stretch mesh base ensures the fabric moves freely with the dancer, making it suitable for lyrical, jazz and contemporary styles. The navy colourway is versatile and pairs well with gold, silver and white accents. This is the fabric to reach for when you want a costume that genuinely commands attention.
Crushed Stretch Velvet, Royal Blue
Crushed velvet has long been a staple in dance costuming, and for good reason. Its textured surface creates depth and dimension under stage lighting, and the rich royal blue colourway suits a wide range of dance styles from ballet to jazz and tap. The stretch construction means it moves with the body rather than against it, which is essential for costumes that need to accommodate full extensions and floor work. This fabric is also a popular choice for headpieces, wraps and decorative accents when used alongside other materials.
Spandex, Hot Pink/White Stripe Printed
Printed spandex is one of the most versatile fabrics in any costume maker's toolkit. This hot pink and white stripe option is bold, fun and perfectly suited to jazz, tap and upbeat group numbers. The four-way stretch makes it comfortable and movement-friendly, while the printed design means you get visual interest without the need for additional embellishment. It is also a popular choice for practice wear tops and fitted shorts, giving it excellent value across multiple projects.
Broadway Sequin Fabric, Aqua
Broadway sequin fabric delivers maximum sparkle with a smooth, flat construction that is easy to cut and sew. The aqua colourway is fresh and striking, ideal for ocean-themed numbers, contemporary pieces and vibrant group costumes. Sequin fabric photographs and films beautifully, which makes it a popular choice for competition costumes where stage presence and visual clarity matter. When sewing with sequin fabric, always use a sharp needle and sew in the direction of the sequins to avoid puckering.
Binding, 3.4cm x 10m
No costume is complete without quality finishing, and our binding is the detail that pulls everything together. Available in a generous 10-metre length, it is ideal for neatening edges, creating contrast trims and reinforcing seams on stretch fabrics. Using a good binding not only improves the professional finish of a costume but also extends its wearable life by preventing fabric from fraying or rolling at the edges.
Tips for Buying Dance Fabric Online
Shopping for fabric online requires a little more planning than browsing in person, but with the right approach it is straightforward and efficient. Here are some practical tips to help you get the best outcome.
Calculate Your Yardage Before You Order
Before placing your order, sketch out your costume pattern and calculate how much fabric you need, adding at least 15 to 20 percent extra for seam allowances, pattern matching and any mistakes. It is always better to order a little more than you think you need. Running short mid-project and needing to reorder can cause delays, and dye lots can vary slightly between orders.
Consider the Full Costume When Choosing Fabric
Think about how your chosen fabric will interact with other materials in the costume. A hologram sequin panel, for example, pairs beautifully with a plain stretch mesh base. A velvet bodice works well with a chiffon or satin skirt. Planning your fabric combination before ordering ensures a cohesive finished result. If you are working on a ballet-style piece, you might also find it helpful to read our guide on choosing the best leggings for ballet class for insight into how fabric weight and stretch affect movement in dance clothing more broadly.
Order Samples Where Possible
If you are unsure about a colour or texture, ordering a small quantity first allows you to test the fabric against your design before committing to a larger purchase. This is especially worthwhile for sequin and velvet fabrics, where colour can appear differently on screen than in person under stage lighting.
Plan for Shipping Time
Total Dance ships Australia-wide, but it is always wise to build delivery time into your project schedule, particularly if you are working toward a concert or competition deadline. Ordering early gives you time to receive your fabric, test it, and begin construction without any last-minute stress.
Complete Your Costume with the Right Accessories
A beautiful piece of fabric is the foundation, but the finishing touches are what make a dance costume truly performance-ready. Total Dance stocks everything you need to complete the look. For hair, the Flat Diamante Headpiece and Flower Diamante Headpiece add elegant sparkle that complements sequin and velvet costumes beautifully. The Faux Pearl & Rhinestone Tiara is a popular choice for ballet and lyrical pieces, while the Alyssa Rose Gold Tiara and Willow Rose Gold Tiara suit contemporary and jazz styles.
For securing hair neatly, the Ripple Pins 50 Pack 4.5cm Black, Ripple Pins 50 Pack 4.5cm Brown, Ripple Pins 50 Pack 4.5cm Gold and Ripple Pins 50 Pack 4.5cm Light Brown are wardrobe essentials. The 5cm Black and White Bobby Pins, 5cm Gold & Bronze Bobby Pins and 5cm White, Silver & Black Bobby Pins offer even more options for keeping styles in place through a full performance.
For embellishment, Rainbow Stick on Gems are brilliant for adding detail directly to costume fabric or skin, and Jet™ Glue is the professional's choice for adhering rhinestones and gems to fabric, shoes and accessories. The Rebecca Satin Hair Bow and Hair Blossom are lovely finishing pieces for younger dancers.
You can find all of these accessories alongside our fabric selection at Total Dance, making it easy to plan and purchase everything for your project in a single order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Total Dance ship fabric Australia-wide?
Yes. Total Dance offers Australia-wide shipping on all orders, including fabric. Whether you are based in a major city or a regional area, you can order online and have your fabric delivered to your door.
How much fabric do I need for a dance costume?
This depends on the costume design, the size of the dancer and the complexity of the pattern. As a general guide, a simple fitted bodysuit for a child requires approximately 1 to 1.5 metres of fabric, while a more complex costume with multiple panels or a skirt may require 2 to 3 metres. Always add 15 to 20 percent extra for seam allowances and pattern adjustments. If you are unsure, our team is happy to help you estimate.
Can I use dance fabric for practice wear as well as costumes?
Absolutely. Fabrics like printed spandex and stretch mesh are excellent for making practice wear including crop tops, fitted shorts and leggings. They offer the stretch and durability needed for regular training. Our dance fabric collection is suitable for both performance costumes and everyday dance training wear.
What is the best fabric for a beginner costume maker?
Printed spandex is generally the most beginner-friendly dance fabric because it is forgiving to cut, does not fray significantly and is easy to sew with a basic stretch stitch. Sequin fabric requires a little more care due to the need to sew in the direction of the sequins, but the results are worth the extra attention. If you are new to costume making, starting with a spandex project before moving to sequins is a practical approach.
